RIP - Dan Gurney Options

[Cracker]

I don't know if this has been posted yet but another racing legend has departed. Dan Gurney was an odd-ball race car driver being 6'4" tall...he must have been a bit crazy too (check out the picture of him "launching a speedster sans helmet in 1956!

Mr. Gurney...Rest in peace.

Cracker

An except below from an article by Ryan McGee:

"How cool was Dan Gurney?

You might already know the statistical part of his racing life. The first man to stand atop the podium in the world's four major racing classifications: Formula One, IndyCar, Sports Cars and NASCAR. The winner of 51 races in all, earning 98 trips to the podium during a behind-the-wheel career that spanned 312 events in 20 counties. In 1967 he had what might have very well been the greatest three-week span for any man to ever hold a steering wheel, when he started second in the Indianapolis 500; won the 24 Hours of Le Mans while co-driving with A.J. Foyt, the man who'd just beaten him at Indy; and then traveled north to win the F1 Belgian Grand Prix in a car of his own construction, still the only American to do so."




Porsche 908 (GRP F1) - What roll bar??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

[914werke]

Funny Dave I had a related experiance.
I met & got to drive with Dan a few yrs back at Pacific Raceways (SIR) in conjunction with the Annual 4th of July Historic races hosted by SOVREN.
He and Parker Johnstone were guest Instructors. We were kicking around MB 240 Kompressor's provided by the local dealer, but when it came time for a ride along we piled into a pair of S600 AMG sedans! Man those massive sleds could MOVE!
Dan didn't get along with that car as well as Parker did. Ill never forget flying into turn 2 (w/Parker driving) while I was sitting shotgun, his R. arm draped over the seat, glancing back over his shoulder to narrate to those in the back seat all the while drifting the car through 2a/b & blasting it down the hill~!! It was an experience. Dan was getting on in yrs, and IMHO didn't seem as enthused about his participation, having probably done hundreds of these events. During the lunch break I saw he sat alone & ventured over to engage him. I recalled that he was also a Motorcyclist and knew he had designed & produced his own unique MC., so I introduced myself explained that I was a past MC roadracer & that this was my home track, then asked him about his "Gator".
MAN.. his eyes lit up, a broad smile erupted & he started jabbering like child on Christmas day! We talked the entire lunch about motorcycles & his own MC experience's.
I think it was a year later while in Seaside CA over the MOTOGP weekend at Laguna Seca I happened to spot a PU truck with this odd bikes in the back & out walk's Dan & his son who were also attending the race. I didn't think he would remember our past meeting but sure as hell he remembered, and started jabbering again.. efusing about the Gator they had with them!
You'll be missed Dan!