Beppe Gabbiani - racing car driver
Giuseppe "Beppe" Gabbiani (born in Piacenza in 1957) is an Italian racing driver who has competed also in Formula 1.
After an excellent career in go-karts starting in 1971 (he won two Italian titles, two European and the Junior international title), he moved to Formula Italia and then to European Formula 3, where he won his first race in France. After achieving fourth place in this category he passed to the more competitive Formula 2 with the Trivellato Racing Team.
After an accident to Vittorio Brambilla at the start of the Italian Grand Prix in 1978, Surtees decided to entrust him with their car for the last two Grands Prix. However, Gabbiani did not manage to qualify.
In 1979 he moved to Japanese Formula 2 but he registered also for the Gran Premio Dino Ferrari (not valid for the world championship), with a Shadow, though he did not take part.
In 1980 he began to race in the most prestigious endurance trials, also driving official Lancia cars, and in 1981 Osella called him back to Formula 1. Since 1982 he has concentrated on endurance trials. In 1983 he had an excellent year in the championship of Formula 2. In the years 1986-1987 he took part in the Formula 3000 championship.
His autobiography, “Cavallo pazzo, una vita oltre il limite“, was published in 2008 by Tipleco in Piacenza.
Text translated from his blog: http://beppegabbiani.wordpress.co