Héctor Luis Gradassi (6 March 1933 - 4 February 2003) was an

Argentine Argentines (mistakenly translated Argentineans in the past; in Spanish (masculine) or (feminine)) are people identified with the country of Argentina. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Argentines, s ...

motorist Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and bicycles. Permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met and drivers are required to follo ...

. Most of his career was carried out in Turismo Carretera, where he was a champion for the Ford brand 4 times.

Career

Before racing cars, Gradassi competed in motorcycle races in 100 cc and 125cc classes. He won the National title in 1960, 1961 and 1962 before switching to cars in 1964. Gradassi began his car racing career in 1964 through Improved Touring. He first entered Turismo Carretera in 1967 after being signed by the official Industrias Kaiser Argentina team, where he won his debut race. He won the Turismo Carretera Championship in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1976. After leaving the IKA team in 1970, he signed for the official team of the Ford subsidiary, driving a

Ford Falcon Ford Falcon is an automobile nameplate applied to several vehicles worldwide. * Ford Falcon (North America), an automobile produced by Ford from 1960 to 1970. * Ford Falcon (Argentina), a car built by Ford Argentina from 1962 until 1991. * Fo ...

. In the highest category of Argentine motorsports, Gradassi was able to become champion four times, always driving a Ford Falcon. During his time at Ford, he got to know other well-known TC competitors such as

Nasif Estéfano Nasif Moisés Estéfano (18 November 1932 – 21 October 1973) was a racing driver from Argentina with Lebanese ancestry. He participated in two World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 7 February 1960, but scored no championship ...

, Esteban Fernandino and

Juan María Traverso Juan María "Flaco" Traverso (born 28 December 1950 in Ramallo, Buenos Aires Province), is a retired racing driver from Argentina. He is a multiple champion in the most important championships in Argentina. He also raced in European Formula Two ...

. In his career Gradassi participated in 244 races, winning 49 of them.

Social Life

''"Pirín"'', as Gradassi was nicknamed, was part of the Córdoba Automobile Club where he was a member of the board of directors for many years. He was also part of a local Antique Car Club, with which he participated in many regular competitions even after retirement.

References

1933 births 2003 deaths Argentine racing drivers Turismo Carretera drivers World Sportscar Championship drivers {{Argentina-autoracing-bio-stub Sportspeople from Córdoba, Argentina