595 replies to this topic

[ReWind]

Unique French artist Didier Bécet (21 Oct 1962 - 27 Jan 2012) died recently at the age of just 49.

Part of his work was related to cars.

For instance:

Monaco 1933


Le Mans 1971

[David McKinney]

How sad

I've always liked his work - can't look at it without grinning

[Richard Jenkins]

Michael Greenhalgh - as reported in Autosport, but more details here - http://www.birmingha...97319-30370772/ - occasional GT driver who died in very tragic circumstances.

[Gabrci]

On Tuesday I attended the funeral of Kurt Adolff, who was buried in the family tomb of his wife in the Farkasréti Cemetery in Budapest. It was a very dignified event and I had the privilege to be introduced to his son, who along with other family members flew over from Germany.

[Richard Jenkins]

Alexander Witting - former Porsche Supercup driver in the early 00's, killed in a motorcycle crash. http://www.racecam.d...&...=en&id=4061

Edited by Richard Jenkins, 25 March 2012 - 15:04.

[LittleChris]

Alexander Witting - former Porsche Supercup driver in the early 00's, killed in a motorcycle crash. http://www.racecam.d...&...=en&id=4061

Looking at the Youtube video ( just a picture, nothing of the accident ), it appears to be some form of ice hillclimb near Innsbruck .

Perhaps someone could translate the Italian text ?

[Nanni Dietrich]

Looking at the Youtube video ( just a picture, nothing of the accident ), it appears to be some form of ice hillclimb near Innsbruck .

Perhaps someone could translate the Italian text ?

This is the text:
"Former motorcycle champion Alexander Witting died at age 49 while riding a motorcycle on the Igls bobsleigh track in Innsbruck. He did it for a bet: whether the motorcycle could be faster running uphill, than the bobsleigh going downhill. After 150 meters he lost control of the bike, ending against the fence, being instantly killed."

By the way, according to another source Witting had already made the 1.5-kilometer bobsleigh track going uphill by motorcycle, almost ten times.

[LittleChris]

Thanks Nanni

[ReWind]

On the 500race.org website I read that 96-year-old German Helmut Polensky has died.

I haven’t seen a confirmation elsewhere, though. And no exact date.

Meanwhile the date of his death has emerged: Helmut Polensky died on 06 November 2011.

[WGD706]

David Scotney 1950-2012
Lola Group is very sad to report the passing today of one of its longest serving and distinguished employees - David Scotney, who has worked for the company since 1978. After a valiant and typically courageous battle against illness over the last three years, David passed away peacefully at the Royal Marsden hospital in London this morning.
Leading the tributes to David was Lola Executive Chairman Martin Birrane."I got to know David at Le Mans in 1981 when he helped Dorset Racing with a De Cadenet which I was driving. We became firm friends immediately and he continued to work on and run my various racing cars for many years both before and after my purchase of Lola. I had complete trust in him to provide me with a safe racing car.

"David earned respect as a Lola representative in the pit lanes of the world’s top racing circuits. He fully deserved that respect. He was one of those rare people in motorsport who was an “all rounder”. He could build and rebuild a car, an engine and a gearbox and kept himself up-to-date with the latest electrics and electronics. Dave could do the lot. Nothing seemed to phase him. Outside of his family I was the first person who was told about the illness and I encouraged and supported him throughout his very brave battle.

"David was also a great companion and a raconteur with an impish sense of humor. Above all, he was a true gentleman and a man of integrity. He was my friend and I will miss him as will all of those who knew him. I send my deepest condolences to his wife Alison, his family and all his many friends.
David Scotney worked at Lola for the last 34 years, with a short stint in-between working for John Fitzpatrick Racing in Group C sports cars in 1984.

David was born and bred in the Huntingdon area and honed his well-renowned mechanical skills at local garages in the area. In 1978 he joined Lola full-time, working on that year’s successful T500 USAC car that took Al Unser to Indy 500 victory, Lola's second of three successes at the Brickyard."

Through the 1980s David was instrumental in overseeing Lola's Formula 3000 operation and acted as chief mechanic for the works teams throughout this period. He particularly enjoyed his time with the Barcelona F3000 team in 1987 where Luis Perez Sala nearly took the title. David also often shared his anecdotes of working with Mark Blundell who drove for Lola between 1987 and 1990 both in International F3000 and with the Nissan Group C project for which David worked in 1989 and 1990.

Enjoying a year in Formula One in 1993 with the BMS Scuderia Italia Lolas, David then went on to work predominantly on Martin Birrane's vision of re-energizing Lola at Le Mans from 1998 onwards. In total David attended 22 Le Mans 24 Hours from 1979 until 2011. He worked on entries from Dorset Racing, De Cadenet, Ultramar, Nissan, MG Sport as well as overseeing class winning and podium placing Lolas from Multimatic, Binnie, RML, Speedy Sebah and Level 5.

David was also passionate about Lola's history and took an active involvement in the company’s golden anniversary celebrations in 2008 and took great delight in re-acquainting himself with some of the cars which he had originally worked on and also with some of the drivers he knew well.

Devoted husband to Alison, David was an integral part of the Lola team and indeed a significant part of its history. Equally at home tinkering with his impressive collection of classic motorbikes as he was with cutting edge modern racing machinery, David will be very fondly remembered and greatly missed by all his colleagues at Lola, as well as many throughout the racing industry.

Lola Group today mark David's passing by flying its flags at half-mast and observing a minute’s silence at its headquarters in appreciation of his service.
If you knew David please contact Lola on ssmith@lolacars.com to share your memories of David and to also find out details on his funeral arrangements.

http://www.lola-grou....asp?NewsId=412

Edited by WGD706, 29 March 2012 - 20:18.

[ReWind]

A summary of passings from the first quarter of 2012:

Sal Accardi Sr. (USA,76), Kurt Adolff (Ger,90), Peter Agg (GBr,82), Curt Alchin (SAf,44), Jānis Alliks (Lat,65), Bob Anderson (USA,c.76), John Arter (Aus,77), Didier Bécet (Fra,49), George Bragg (USA,62), Charles Bulmer (GBr,89), Benton Burns (USA,74), Harry Conklin (USA,91), Donnie Ray Crawford (USA,24), Ted Cutting (GBr,85), Erwin Derichs (Ger,68), Guram Dgebuadze (Geo,??), Pedro Doumic (Arg,67), Roger Dowson (GBr,c.67), Harold Elliott (USA,64), Robert Fearnall (GBr,59), Bob Foulk (USA,80), Heinz Fuchs (Ger,78), René Goesel (Fra,c.62), Michael Greenhalgh (GBr,30), Selwyn Hayward (GBr,78), Denton Hill (USA,92), Roger Hill (USA,64), Gerhard Holup (Ger,83), Grumpy Jenkins (USA,81), Richard Kaylor (USA,78), Ross Kloeber (USA,74), Anders Kulläng (Swe,68), Philippe Leclerc (Fra,64), João Leme (Bra,19), Alan Mann (GBr,75), Mildred Marcum (USA,98), Joe Mattioli (USA,86), Roberto Mieres (Arg,87), François Migault (Fra,67), Giampiero Moretti (Ita,71), Harold Pearson (USA,78), Benny Phillips (USA,75), Carlos Proença (Bra,c.55), Bob Rauscher (USA,84), George Reynolds (Aus,83), C.J. Richards (USA,74), Peter Röbke (Ger,c.65), Gianni Rogliatti (Ita,83), Norman Schihl (Can,85), Adolfo Schwelm Cruz (Arg,88), David Scotney (GBr,c.61), Bert Shankland (Tan,79), Joe Shaw (GBr,19), Jack Simpson (USA,63), Patrick Stephens (GBr,c.86), Merrick Taylor (GBr,73), Ad den Teuling (Ned,c.62), Jim Tobin (USA,69), Pino Trivellato (Ita,c.76), Sandro Uberti (Ita,c.70), Miroslav Urban (Cze,66), Tim Waddingham (GBr,53), Jim Weinert (USA,58), Douglas Wilcocks (GBr,90), Alexander Witting (Aut,49)

EDITED to include Benton Burns & Bob Rauscher & Jack Simpson & João Leme & Sandro Uberti & C.J. Richards.

Edited by ReWind, 21 July 2012 - 15:22.

[Jim Thurman]

Catching up on a few from the Western U.S. short track scene...

George Bragg , 62, died January 6th (and no, I do not have an exact location, the obituary has been archived). Bragg was a top super stock/late model sportsman racer at Shasta Speedway in Anderson, California and other tracks in Northern California.

Benton Burns, 74, February 9 in Tucson. Nicknamed "The Flying Florist", Burns was a florist who raced super modifieds and sprint cars quite successfully in Arizona. Burns won a CRA sprint car feature at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, AZ on September 12, 1970.

Alma Facer, 76, November 17, 2011 in Salt Lake City, UT. Facer was a top super modified racer with the SLVRA and CAMRA.

Bob Rauscher, 84, February 15 in Shelton, WA. Rauscher raced stock cars in the Pacific Northwest and made 3 starts in NASCAR's top series, all coming in 1957 on the west coast.

Edited by Jim Thurman, 11 April 2012 - 20:32.

[ReWind]

Many thanks, Jim!

It seems you missed the existing George Bragg entry. He was born on 07 July 1949 in Artesia, California, and died in Redding, California.
Sources: FindAGrave, NorthernCaliforniaAutoRacingAlumni

[Jim Thurman]

Many thanks, Jim!

It seems you missed the existing George Bragg entry. He was born on 07 July 1949 in Artesia, California, and died in Redding, California.
Sources: FindAGrave, NorthernCaliforniaAutoRacingAlumni

You're welcome, and yes I did (I noticed it after I'd posted). I've been so busy I haven't kept up with the forums as much as I used to and I've had little to no research time.

I knew George Bragg raced out of, and lived in Redding, but wasn't sure if he was in Redding or another nearby community at the time of his passing. Thanks.

[ReWind]

Two more passings from the British scene:
Bernard „Bill“ Blyth (91 years old) & Nick Cuthbert (80 years old)

[Michael Ferner]

Benton Burns, 74, February 9 in Tucson. Nicknamed "The Flying Florist", Burns was a florist who raced super modifieds and sprint cars quite successfully in Arizona. Burns won a CRA sprint car feature at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, AZ on September 12, 1970.

Adding a bit here from relatively recent research: an unlikely combination, florist and racing driver, which probably added to his popularity, but he was also known as the perennial hard luck driver, despite all his success. He was runner-up several times in the Arizona Racing Association's Super-Modified Championships in the sixties, including (I believe) a run of three successive years 1964 - '66. Then, just as the ARA had switched over to Sprint Cars in late 1966, he retired suddenly and unexpectedly before the opening race of the 1967 season, only to come back mid-season to more or less dominate the rest of the year, winning four races and climbing up to 5th in the standings. He was the only driver to win on all three tracks the ARA visited that year, and arguably missed his best ever chance to win the title due to the "half-baked" retirement. Burns continued to finish in the ARA top ten through the 1971 season, but the momentum had somehow disappeared, perhaps stymied by a succession of accidents during 1968/9.

His career in Sprint Cars spanned almost a decade, beginning (?) in 1963 with a 6th place finish at the California Mid-Winter Fair in El Centro/Imperial. He regularly competed in the Arizona events of the CRA and the West Coast USAC races, where he finished 6th at Ascot Park in the season's final of 1964, competing against the likes of Bobby Unser, Parnelli Jones, Johnny Rutherford, Mario Andretti and A. J. Foyt. A member of the strong ARA contingent from Tucson, he was the proud winner of the first Hank Arnold Memorial race at his hometown's track, and a starter in the first four Western World Championship (back then still the Western US Championship) races at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, where he broke the track record in 1971 (a few minutes before Buddy Taylor bettered it yet again) and won one of the preliminary heats before starting and finishing 6th in the main event, duplicating his best finish from 1969. A few weeks later, he ended (?) his Sprint Car career with a 6th place finish in the Fred Combs Memorial race at Manzanita, a race won by the legendary Jan Opperman from Buddy Taylor, Gene Brown and Bob Huebner - incidentally, the same four drivers who had occupied the first four places at the Western World, just to show the sort of competition that Burns was up to in many of those races.

Benton Burns was not as successful as Jan Opperman (or Parnelli, A. J. and Mario, for that matter), and I doubt he ever raced anywhere other than in Arizona and California (though he was at least entered at the Knoxville Nationals once, but did not appear), but he was definitely a local great and there's nothing to be ashamed of when that locale produces drivers of the calibre of Roger McCluskey, Bill Cheesbourg or Bob Cleberg, to say nothing of Ray Clark, Hank Arnold, Hank Henry, Bob Huebner, Frank McDaniel or Dick Zimmerman. As a semi-professional, Benton was top of the heap for as long as he raced, a feared competitor and a favourite of the grandstands, always amongst those who figured in the previews of the press and the discussions of the fans before any race "Who will win today?" Benton Burns often did.

[watkins]

Don Diffendorf, a driver I followed during the 1960's and '70's and have always admired, passed away on April 21, 2012. He wasn't known world-wide, but did very well with the cars he raced and more importantly, he illustrated the meaning of the word "class" throughout his life both on and off the track. He successfully raced NASCAR Modifieds on dirt and asphalt half mile tracks in New York State and the northeast region of the U.S., winning several titles during the 1960's. He raced against northeast Modified greats Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Maynard Troyer, Geoff Bodine, Dutch Hoag and Jimmy Spencer along with many other accomplished Modified drivers.

The following link explains Diffendorf's humanity, off the track, concerning a hospitalized boy struck by a car on the way to school (Reply #41):

http://www.raceny.co...?topic=24023.25

And here's a link to a short bio of his racing career and character:

http://www.stargazet...red-versatility

[Haine Kane]

Hello,

Another sad new, Gérard PILLON, father of Christophe, lost his life in a road accident in Switzerland at the age of 75.
He drove a PORSCHE 917 in LE MANS 71 and a FERRARI 365 GTB4 in 1972.

RIP

[David McKinney]

Ian Burgess died this morning, two weeks before his 82nd birthday. He had been in hospital for some weeks

Edit: Ian was born on 6 July 1930, not in June (I should have checked)

[Richard Jenkins]

Dear me, what a dreadful week. Very sad news about Pillon, who also raced in Formula 2, amongst other series and especially about Burgess, although again, I can't say I'm all that surprised to hear of it.

A character, to say the least. I guess all, or most of the stories he had to tell have been lost forever, David?

[Jim Thurman]

I just found out that Jack Simpson, who competed in NASCAR's Western series from 1972 through 1978, died March 12 in Burbank, California after a heart attack. He was 63.

http://www.legacy.co...e...&fhid=11567

Simpson made 34 starts in NASCAR's Western series, 22 in 1974, which was his only full season in the series. He had a career best finish of 5th. 3 of Simpson's starts came in races which also counted in NASCAR's top series, 1973, '74 & '78 at Riverside International Raceway.

[arttidesco]

I tried, unsuccessfully to find this thread some weeks ago after Truitt Rabun of the Lowcounty Oyster and Motorcar Driving Society responded to my Nardi MD4 blog with the sad news that etceterini racer John (JD) Inglehardt passed away Thursday 19th April.

Belated condolences to his family and friends.

[ReWind]

I just found out that Jack Simpson, who competed in NASCAR's Western series from 1972 through 1978, died March 12 in Burbank, California after a heart attack.

Strange that on internet databases this Californian is listed as a Canadian from Montréal, Québec.

I tried, unsuccessfully to find this thread some weeks ago

Maybe I should once more apply to Twin Window for making this thread a sticky one.

[arttidesco]

Maybe I should once more apply to Twin Window for making this thread a sticky one.

Seems appropriate

[Jim Thurman]

Strange that on internet databases this Californian is listed as a Canadian from Montréal, Québec.

I noticed that too. I need to dig out my old NASCAR Record Books. He might have been listed in there as being born in Montreal.

[raceannouncer2003]

Frank Arciero passed away yesterday, May 23. His services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30 at our Lady Queen of Angels Church at 2046 Mar Vista in Newport, California.

Vince H.

[Jerry Entin]

As Vince has stated:
Long time car entrant Frank Arciero has passed away.
Here is an article on his life from Autoweek:
" Frank Arciero got involved in the sport in 1943 and fielded teams in several series, including CART and the Champ Car World series, through the early part of the 2000s. His drivers won a pair of rookie-of-the-year honors in the Indianapolis 500-Randy Lanier in 1986, Fabrizio Barbazza in 1987-and Barbazza was CART's top rookie that year.
Arciero had cars in SCCA, Can-Am, Super Vee, Indy Lights, Atlantics and Indy cars over the years. His list of drivers included Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Jim Clark, Bobby Unser, Roger Penske, Phil Hill, Geoff Brabham, Michael Andretti, Scott Pruett, Max Papis and Dan Wheldon."

Read more: http://www.autoweek....4#ixzz1votcLubt

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 May 2012 - 16:24.

[E1pix]

Sad loss. ..

I always admired Frank, all the way up from his Super Vee days and into CART.

Thank You, Frank, for your many contributions to our sport. I raise a goblet in your honor.

[Marc Sproule]

Sad news.

Pete Halsmer was one driver to have Frank behind him.

http://www.flickr.co...157623243933553

Kevin Cogan too.....

http://www.flickr.co...157623243933553

[Jerry Entin]

And Chuck Daigh of course, who took the Arciero Lotus 19 to victory in the June 1963 Players 200 at Mosport.

all research: Willem Oosthoek

[raceannouncer2003]

Arciero Lotuses:



Dan Gurney, Lotus 19, winning the 1962 Northwest GP, Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington...Parnelli Jones, Lotus 23, 1963 Northwest GP

Both photos by Ted Langton-Adams, copyright Eric Faulks

Vince H.

[Glengavel]

Two more passings from the British scene:
Bernard „Bill“ Blyth (91 years old) & Nick Cuthbert (80 years old)

If anyone is interested, here is Cuthbert's obituary from The (Glasgow) Herald:

James Nicholl Cuthbert Obituary

[Allen Brown]

A well-known name from South African has died recently. Mohamed Domingo, who raced as Mike Domingo, died on 18 May 2012. His twin brother Ahmed, who raced as Alan, died on 30 May last year. I am sure that our thoughts are with Mike's daughter Fazlin and her family at this time.

[Marc Sproule]

One more Arciero driver. Randy Lanier.

I have lots more Arciero-related images that haven't been scanned. They will be some day.

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

[David M. Kane]

And Chuck Daigh of course, who took the Arciero Lotus 19 to victory in the June 1963 Players 200 at Mosport.

all research: Willem Oosthoek

Frank and his brother came to America from a town near Rome, Italy at a very early age. They basically started digging ditches, grew that into a successful construction and development business and eventually bought vineyards in the California wine country. An amazing man who made the American dream happen for himself and others. RIP.

[Emery0323]

It has just hit the news that Cotton Owens, the famous NASCAR driver and car owner has died today at the age of 88:

http://nascar.speedt...wens-dead-at-88

[ReWind]

A summary of passings from the second quarter of 2012:

Paolo Alessandrini (Ita,c.56), Frank Arciero (USA,86), Jacqueline Bernigaud (Fra,90), Helene Bittner (Aus,??), Kenny Black (USA,75), Kenny van Blargen (USA,80), Bernard Blyth (GBr,91), Ian Burgess (GBr,81), R.L. Combs (USA,88), Don Cope (USA,77), Nick Cuthbert (GBr,80), Don Diffendorf (USA,83), Mike Domingo (SAf,c.65), Peter Eccles (GBr,87), Marcel Engels (Ger,30), Tamás Frank (Hun,c.65), Rory Galligan (Irl,39), Roberto Gálvez (Arg,89), Billy Gill (USA,78), „Marietta Bob“ Johnson (USA,85), Roger Jonquet (Fra,c.75), Thomas Kinkade (USA,54), Renaud de Laborderie (Fra,81), Anatole Lapine (USA,81), Les Leston (GBr,91), Lee Lilley (USA,88), Don Ling Sr. (USA,70), Ted de Lissa (Aus,71), Bill McLaughlin (USA,c.83), Jim Nelson (USA,84), Jeff Osborn (USA,38), Cotton Owens (USA,88), Paul Pietsch (Ger,100), Gérard Pillon (Sui,75), Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (Ger,76), Andy Porterfield (USA,80), Gareth Roberts (GBr,24), Giovanni Rossi (Fra,66), Roy Salvadori (GBr,90), Paul Samuels (Aus,79), Carroll Shelby (USA,89), Bill Stone (NZl,72), David Tarter (USA,30), Lucie Vauthier (Fra,28), Roel Vrolix (Bel,39), Stef Winters (Bel,43), Aleš Zimolka (Cze,49)

Edited by ReWind, 19 July 2012 - 18:11.

[ReWind]

Mohamed Domingo, who raced as Mike Domingo, died on 18 May 2012. His twin brother Ahmed, who raced as Alan, died on 30 May last year.

It seems they were born in 1946 (although I still haven't found an exact date).
More about the Domingo brothers here.

[ReWind]

I have to admit that I had not heard of Duke McMillen, but I learned that he was one of the top sprint car builders and owners in northern California since the 1960s. He passed away on July 4th.

Obituary by Robert D. Dávila from the “The Sacramento Bee”, 08 July 2012:

Pyron G. "Duke" McMillen, a Northern California auto racing pioneer who built sprint cars for many winning drivers, died Wednesday of pulmonary fibrosis, his family said. He was 72.
Mr. McMillen was a leading figure in the auto racing community for half a century as an innovative designer, builder and owner of race cars at his Carmichael shop. He also made his name in the pits as a hands-on team director for many champion drivers.
He started in the early 1960s creating supermodifieds, including hardtops for Hank "Raisin' " Cain at Capital Speedway in West Sacramento. By 1975, he began building sprint cars for top drivers on the Northern Auto Racing Club circuit.
"He always had a super-fast car that all the drivers wanted to drive," veteran racing announcer Bobby Gerould said. "A who's who of great American sprint-car drivers drove for Duke McMillen."
Mr. McMillen helped introduce sprint racing to Australia with a team of American promoters and drivers in 1979-80. During the 1980s, he partnered with his sons – Scott, a mechanic, and Jason, a driver – in the NARC series. In recent years, he worked with many winning drivers at regional and national races.
"He did a lot of mentoring," said Jason McMillen, who won the 1987 NARC championship. "He trained a lot of people who did well on their own. He wanted to make the sport better through competition, so he shared his ideas."
Duke McMillen supported the careers of many veteran open-wheel and sprint drivers, including Butch Bahr, Tim Green, Chuck Gurney, Brent Kaeding, Gary Patterson, Jimmy Sills and Wayne Sue. He gave early national exposure to pro driver Joey Hand, who was on BMW's winning team at the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona race.
"I was just a kid that he didn't really know, but he gave me a shot with a full-blown sprint car that I raced in Chico," Hand said. "He was really a great guy."
Pyron Galloway McMillen was born in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1939. The son of a Presbyterian minister, he moved with his family on a church mission to Santiago, Chile.
Believing they were in South America to stay, his parents did not teach him English – so he spoke only Spanish when his father was recalled to the United States in 1948. The family settled in 1951 in San Francisco, where he worked two newspaper routes to earn money to buy his first car at 12.
"It was an old Ford Model A," Jason McMillen said. "He took it apart and put it back together twice to see how everything worked before he started driving it around the city as a teenager."
Duke McMillen moved with his family in 1954 to the Sacramento area, where his father was a longtime pastor at Carmichael Presbyterian Church. He graduated from El Camino High School in 1957 and served two years in the Coast Guard.
He owned and operated Hansen Machine Works since 1975. A Carmichael resident, he raised three children with his wife of 54 years, Carolyn, and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"He always had an open-door policy, where you could drop by his house anytime and hang out and talk about cars and racing," Gerould said. "He was a classy person."
Born: July 28, 1939
Died: July 4, 2012
Survived by: Wife, Carolyn McMillen of Carmichael; sons, Scott McMillen of Carmichael and Jason McMillen of Folsom; daughter, Samantha McMillen of Los Angeles; sister, Jackie Worton of Carmichael; and four grandchildren

[Haine Kane]

Hello from France,

André SIMON : 5 january 1920 in Paris / 11 july 2012 in Evian

RIP

[Michael Ferner]

I have to admit that I had not heard of Duke McMillen...

Not surprisingly, I have, and it's nice to see him remembered here! Also, nice to learn something about his background.

[wagons46]

Don Smith passed away Sunday 15th July. One of natures gentle men, who competed in FX, EH, HD, HR XU1 and A9X Holdens, Datsun 1200,1600, Toyota, Ford Sierra Mustang and Capri with several Bathurst 1000 Class wins to his credit. To know him was a pleasure and he will be greatly missed among his motor racing friends .A funeral is planned for Friday 20th

Edited by wagons46, 17 August 2012 - 20:18.

[Haine Kane]

René MAZZIA : 20 avril 1938 / 16 juillet 2012
3 starts in 24 HOURS OF LE MANS.

R.I.P.

Edited by Haine Kane, 20 July 2012 - 08:22.

[Nanni Dietrich]

Sadly, French rallyman, two-time winner of WRC events in 1999, Philippe Bugalski died at age 49, falling from a tree at home, near Vichy, France.
http://www.motorspor...f...b=ms&n=1578

[Haine Kane]

Henri "Titi" GREDER : 30 november 1930 / 14 august 2012

[ReWind]

Philippe Bugalski died ... near Vichy, France.

... in fact at his (new) home in Vaudoué, near Fontainebleau...

EDIT:
Another correction to Motorsport Memorial: His birthplace was not Cusset, but Busset (which is near Vichy).

Edited by ReWind, 17 August 2012 - 15:53.

[Richard Jenkins]

Autosport magazine reported yesterday that Dick Hagey, who drove a Volkswagen Beetle in a NASCAR race in 1953 has died. Can't find too much more on the interweb to confirm this but here's a little more about the one-off attempt - http://www.nascarhal...g/290...e-bug”/

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by wagons46
Don Smith passed away Sunday 15th July. One of natures gentle men, who competed in FX, EH, HD, HR XU1 and A9X Holdens, Datsun 1200, 1600, Toyota, Ford Sierra Mustang and Capri with several Bathurst 1000 Class wins to his credit. To know him was a pleasure and he will be greatly missed among his motor racing friends.....

Oh dear... I missed this one!

The reason, of course, that he had such a string of good Bathurst results behind him was that he was more than just a competent operator. He made an ideal co-driver for a very good driver, he could go very quickly very safely without stressing the machinery... in other words, just the bloke to have in your tool kit if you were a top driver looking for a co-driver who could help you win.

Bo and Herb were very close to him, they will certainly miss him.

[ReWind]

Autosport magazine reported yesterday that Dick Hagey, who drove a Volkswagen Beetle in a NASCAR race in 1953 has died.

Hagey is a mis-spelling. The departed one was Dick Hagy (source).

C.* Richards 'Dick' Hagy HAMILTON SQUARE - Late Friday afternoon, Aug. 10, 2012, C. Richards Hagy departed this earthly realm. Richards, also known as Dick, was a gentle man and so was his death. He was at home with his wife of nearly 28 years, Holly (Reynolds), his loving kitty, Jethro, and Earl.
Born "under the boardwalk" in Atlantic City, July 8, 1930, Richards grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and went to Central High School. Arthur and Mabel (Dolly) Hagy, his parents, met in Atlantic City in the heyday of the Steel Pier. Arthur was a lifeguard and Dolly was a "Philadelphia Socialite," according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dick loved classical music and could play piano by ear. At the age of 12, he began attending concerts at the Academy of Music to listen of the great Philadelphia Orchestra. He continued to enjoy their music throughout his life.
Dick was an adventurer, someone who was always ahead of the field. In June of 1953 at Langhorne Speedway, he drove the first and only VW Beetle in a NASCAR race, unless you count Herbie, The Love Bug. He qualified 32nd out of 38 and finished 19th after 200 laps. Not bad for a four cylinder vehicle with less than 40 horsepower!
Over the years of his racing career, he set records at many speedways, including his favorite, Lime Rock in Connecticut. More than 60 years later, he still had a love for racing and would talk with his son, Scott Arthur Hill, every Sunday about the Formula 1 races. Scott lives in London, England, with his wife, "Bex " (Rebecca).
Dick started his own advertising company in 1970 and won several awards for his innovative work. Always wanting to be an author, at the age of 67 he wrote his first book, "Tame the Pool Monster," a guide for pool homeowners. It is still being published along with his second book for the spa owner: "SPAaaaahhhhh!"
Dick leaves behind many friends, family, and associates. Come celebrate his life on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, Cherry Hill Road in Princeton. If you would like to acknowledge him, please consider sending a contribution to the Philadelphia Orchestra or any organization furthering civil freedoms for people.

Published in The Times, Trenton, from August 18 to August 20, 2012

* C. for Charles

His entry on RacingSportsCars (there his given name is mis-spelled!)

& his books:

Edited by ReWind, 18 August 2012 - 15:07.

[Jim Thurman]

Noting a few passings from the Western U.S. short track racing scene:

Dean Huss, who raced Hobby Stocks and Late Model Sportsman in the late 1960's and early 1970's at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA, passed away June 3, 2012, aged 80. As with so many OSS drivers, he raced in Late Model Sportsman events at nearby Riverside International Raceway and Ontario Motor Speedway.

Ficel Hindi, who raced super modifieds and sprint cars around Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 60's and 70's, passed away August 9, age 72. Hindi raced at Albuquerque's Speedway Park and Albuquerque Raceway.

Carter Johnson, a regular in stock car competition at San Gabriel Valley Speedway/Speedway 605 in Irwindale, CA in the 1970's, passed away July 26 at his long-time home in La Puente, California. He was 78. Johnson was hardly a front runner, but rarely (if ever) missed a race on the 1/2 mile paved oval in Irwindale after he began racing there in the early 1970's through the track's closure in 1978. As such, he was popular with both fans and his fellow drivers. He truly was there because he loved it.

Marty Kinerk, a versatile racer who won on dirt in sprint cars and in NASCAR's Western series, passed away September 19 in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona. He was 72. After an early career racing open wheel cars, including racing on South African short tracks, where he was the 1966-67 champion, Kinerk began racing stock cars in what was then called the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model series in 1968. In perhaps just his third start in the series, he stunned by winning a 100-mile race on the one mile dirt oval at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento on April 27, 1969 at the wheel of the Frank Townsend owned Chevrolet Chevelle. Kinerk went on to win two more times in 1969, both on dirt (Klamath Falls on Sept. 6 and Santa Maria on Sept. 20), finishing a close 3rd in points behind Western NASCAR legends Ray Elder and Jack McCoy after a hard-fought season. Kinerk competed in two NASCAR Grand National events, in January of 1969 at Riverside International Raceway and the inaugural NASCAR GN race at Ontario Motor Speedway in March of 1971. As part of the NASCAR PCLM series, he raced in the first stock car race at Sears Point Raceway in 1969. He returned to sprint car racing, where he suffered career ending injuries in an April 1972 accident.

Edited by Jim Thurman, 14 October 2012 - 04:33.