Benedicto Campos (October 27, 1912 – February 8, 1972) was an Argentine racing driver.
Biography
Campos was born in Quequén, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He began his motorsport career in domestic Argentine racing in 1935, building and preparing his own cars. He initially raced a Dodge, later switching to a Ford, and achieved considerable success in local events, including winning the Playas de Necochea race from start to finish in a rebuilt Model T Ford.
European Racing Career
In 1949, Campos traveled to Europe alongside his fellow Argentine driver and friend Juan Manuel Fangio, sponsored by the Automobile Club of Argentina. The team, initially running Maserati 4CLT cars and later Simca-Gordinis, competed in several European Grand Prix events. Notable results include:
- San Remo Grand Prix (April 1949): Finished 5th in the first heat and 3rd in the second heat.
- Pau Grand Prix: Finished 3rd, with Fangio winning.
- Roussillon Grand Prix: Again finished 3rd behind Fangio.
- Grand Prix of Marseilles: Won the second heat ahead of Maurice Trintignant.
- Belgian Grand Prix (Spa, 1949): Retired after 20 laps with a broken oil pump.
- Italian Grand Prix (1949): Qualified 5th and was running as high as 2nd before retiring with a broken crankshaft.
Later Life
Campos returned to Argentina after the 1949 European season and continued racing domestically until his retirement in 1951 at age 39. He then established a company hiring out agricultural equipment. He died of a heart attack on February 8, 1972, while driving on a business trip near Chascomús, Argentina.
