German sidecar racer Hilmar Cecco is killed during a non-Championship race in Modena, Italy.
Hilmar Cecco began sidecar racing on German grasstrack circuits in 1954, teaming with fellow countryman, Fritz Mader. For the '57 season he was offered to compete in International races with Switzerland's Edgar Strub. With no luck and itching for a win, 1958 would see Hilmar partner with the Swiss driver, Florian Camathias. Camathias and Cecco would stand on the podium with 2nd Place finishes in the 1958 and 1959 World Sidecar Championships. In 1960 Cecco would again team with Strub, but returned to Camathias for the '61 campaign.
On the final bend of a non-Championship race in Modena, Italy, Camathias' BMW ran wide and left the circuit causing it to somersault. They were rushed to the Policlinico Hospital where Hilmar Cecco died the following day from severe head injuries.
They had been leading the race and were on their 25th and last lap.
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