Affonso GiaffoneBirthdate: April 6, 1968, Santos, Brazil Residence: Sao Paulo, Brazil Ht./Wt.: 5-9, 175 Marital Status: Single IRL Races: 2
Giaffone was born into a family of racers on April 6, 1968, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His father, Affonso, was a two-time Brazilian stock-car champion (1978 and 1981); his uncle, Zeca Giaffone, was a Brazilian stock-car champion in 1988. From the onset of his career, it seemed Affonso had inherited the right genes. He earned a Rookie of the Year award in the Brazilian Formula Ford Series in 1987; he earned another Rookie of the Year award in the Formula 3 Series in 1990. By 1991, he had captured his first championship title-winning the South America Formula-3 Series championship, with five victories. He came close to winning another title that year as well, finishing the Brazilian Formula-3 championship in second place.
In 1993, he earned yet another Rookie of the Year award-this time in the Indy Lights Series. He finished third in the series, earning four runner-up positions in 12 races. His outstanding performance that year also earned him the Spirit of Mario Andretti award. His rookie success followed him in the IRL during his debut season in 1996/1997. He was the highest finishing rookie at Las Vegas, with a tenth place finish.
1996-97 IRL Season Results Event FP SP Laps Reason Out IRL PTS Prize Money ------------------------------------------------------------------- Las Vegas 500K 10 23 190 Running 25 $21,250 Phoenix 200 13 21 114 Half Shaft 22 $21,600 -------------------------------------------------------------------
