George Bignotti
Chief mechanic for seven Indianapolis 500 victories.
George Adolph Bignotti was an American motor racing mechanic and team owner active in American open-wheel car racing from the 1950s through the 1980s. He was one of the most successful chief mechanics in the history of IndyCar Racing, as cars prepared by him won 85 races, including seven victories in the Indianapolis 500. Bignotti-prepared cars also won nine USAC Championship Car seasons. He found success as a team owner, co-owning entries in the early 1960s with Bob Bowes and in the 1980s with Dan Cotter, earning multiple race victories including two Indianapolis 500s.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 12 January 1916
- Birthplace
- San Mateo, California, U.S.
- Died
- 27 September 2013
- Place of death
- Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
- Known for
- Motorsport mechanic and team owner
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Bignotti's cars won ten races in the 13-race 1964 USAC season with driver A. J. Foyt.
- Bignotti's older brother Al co-worked as a mechanic during four of Bignotti's Indianapolis 500 victories (1966, 1970, 1971, and 1983).
- Bignotti remained friends with A. J. Foyt long after their careers ended, despite frequent fights when they worked together.
Life and career
Bignotti was born in San Mateo, California, on January 12, 1916. According to the 1930 United States census, he lived in San Francisco with his parents and two older brothers. In the late 1940s, he became a successful mechanic in midget car racing in California, winning championships as chief mechanic for driver Fred Agabashian, which allowed him to quit his full-time shipbuilding job. As midget-car racing's popularity declined at the end of the decade, Bignotti left racing for several years and worked in his mother-in-law's flower shop. He returned as chief mechanic in 1954 when Agabashian asked him to join his Indianapolis 500 team; Agabashian finished sixth, and Bignotti remained in open-wheel racing for decades. In 1956, he partnered with Bob Bowes to form Bignotti-Bowes Racing, serving as co-owner and chief mechanic. The team achieved moderate success with drivers Johnny Boyd and Jud Larson. In 1960, A. J. Foyt joined as driver. Frequent fights between Bignotti and Foyt led to Bignotti briefly leaving his chief mechanic role several times before the pairing permanently separated midway through the 1965 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did George Bignotti die?
George Bignotti died on 27 September 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
What is George Bignotti known for?
George Bignotti is known for Motorsport mechanic and team owner.
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