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Brazilian Racing News: Felipe Giaffone

10 March 1998

Brazilian driver Felipe Giaffone finally signed his contract to race
the 1998 Indy-Lights season.  Felipe, who will race for Conquest, already
raced in some races in 1996, when he and Zeca Giaffone raced for the
Leading Edge Team and had to share a car all season long.  Felipe raced
one race, while Zequinha raced the next.

Felipe said, "this was a bad experience, I had no time to
test, to get used to the car, it was very bad for me and for my
brother."

Giaffone has recognition in Brazil like Unser or Andretti have in the
USA.  Zeca Giaffone is brother of Affonso Giaffone, who in turn is the
father of IRL racer Affonsinho Giaffone.  Zeca Giaffone is the father of 
Felipe and Zequinha Giaffone.   The elder Affonso and Zeca Giaffones are
the most popular Brazilian stock car racers of the late 70s and early 
80s.

Felipe said, "I had some tests in January, when I was a lot faster than
Andy Boss, my team mate.  I will go today (Saturday) to USA to prepare
myself for the start of the season in Homestead. In my opinion Cristiano
da Matta and Luiz Garcia are the guys to beat this season."  

Felipe will be another great Brazilian driver, if he gets good equipment.

Marc Zimmermann - The Auto Channel