but failed to qualify. In 1947, he won three minor Grand Prix races and traveled to Argentina to race in the Buenos Aires Grand Prix. Death During practice runs for the 1948 Swiss Grand Prix a light rain fell on the Bremgarten track in Berne, Switzerland. Varzi's Alfa Romeo 158 skidded on the wet surface, flipping over and crushing him to death. He was buried in his hometown. Achievements In 1991, motorsport journalist Giorgio Terruzzi recounted Varzi's story in a book titled Una curva cieca – Vita di Achille Varzi. During his career, Achille Varzi competed in 139 races, winning 33. Some of his major victories include: Avusrennen 1933 Coppa Acerbo 1930, 1935 Coppa Ciano 1929, 1934 French Grand Prix 1931 Monza Grand Prix 1929, 1930 Nice Grand Prix 1934 Gran Premio del Valentino 1946 Mille Miglia 1934 Monaco Grand Prix 1933 Penya Rhin Grand Prix 1934 Targa Florio 1930, 1934 San Remo Grand Prix 1937 Spanish Grand Prix 1930 Tripoli Grand Prix 1933, 1934, 1936 Tunis Grand Prix, 1931, 1932 Turin Grand Prix 1946 Legacy Varzi's death resulted in the FIA mandating the wearing of crash helmets for racing, which had been optional previously. In 1950 Varzi's chief mechanic, Amedeo Bignami, co-established the Scuderia Achille Varzi in Argentina. The team entered some Formula One races in equipped with Maseratis 4CL and 4CLT and featured drivers José Froilán González, Antonio Branca, Alfredo Pián and Nello Pagani. On 5 June 2004 Poste Italiane issued a stamp commemorating Achille Varzi. Complete European Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) Other Grandes Epreuves won (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) Post WWII Grandes Épreuves results (key) References External links Achille Varzi: The Official Website (Italian) 1904 births 1948 deaths Sportspeople from the Province of Novara Italian racing drivers Racing drivers who died while racing Bugatti people Grand Prix drivers Italian motorcycle racers Isle of Man TT riders Mille Miglia drivers Sport deaths in Switzerland European Championship drivers