Fifty years ago today, American professional sports car racer Walt Hansgen died from injuries suffered while testing a Ford GT40 in preparation for the 24 Hour of Le Mans. Autoweek.com has posted some clips from its files of Hansgen's achievements for its "Throttle-back Thursday" at http://autoweek.com/...ng-walt-hansgen, and I highly recommend Michael Argetsinger's biography of the man, as it details not only Hansgen's very successful career but the rise of professionalism in U.S. sports car racing. RIP, Walt.
50 years on: RIP Walt Hansgen
Started by
racinggeek
, Apr 07 2016 19:16
8 replies to this topic
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#2
Jack-the-Lad
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Posted 07 April 2016 - 22:56
Thanks for the reminder.
#3
Ray Bell
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Posted 07 April 2016 - 23:41
I'll endorse the Michael Argetsinger book...
A good read and a thorough look at his career and all that was happening around him.
It also looks briefly at Ford's attitude towards his death. Not nice.
A good read and a thorough look at his career and all that was happening around him.
It also looks briefly at Ford's attitude towards his death. Not nice.
#4
David Birchall
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Posted 09 April 2016 - 03:04
A sad memorial-how many others died in GT40s? Ken Miles, Bob Mclean...?
#5
Catalina Park
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Posted 09 April 2016 - 09:19
A sad memorial-how many others died in GT40s? Ken Miles, Bob Mclean...?
Ken Miles died in a prototype "J Car" and not a GT40.
#6
pete53
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Posted 09 April 2016 - 09:45
I recall Walt Hansgen appearing in the UK a couple of times at the Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch in 1964 and 1965 in a Lotus 19 and Lola 70 respectively. Were they his only races over here?
#7
D28
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Posted 09 April 2016 - 21:47
I recall Walt Hansgen appearing in the UK a couple of times at the Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch in 1964 and 1965 in a Lotus 19 and Lola 70 respectively. Were they his only races over here?
The excellent book by Michael Argetsinger lists some additional outings for Walt in 1958 and 1962: The 58 visit was especially successful winning 3 out of 4 and receiving praise from the motoring press.
Brands Hatch Lotus Formula 2 1962 David Prophet DNF
Silverstone Jaguar 3.4 1958 John Coombs 1
Silverstone Lister-Jaguar Brian Lister DNF
Snetterton Lister-Jaguar Brian Lister 1
Snetterton Lister-Jaguar Brian Lister 1
Edited by D28, 09 April 2016 - 21:49.
#8
Doug Nye
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#9
Emery0323
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Posted 30 August 2016 - 22:56
A.J. Baime (author of "Go Like Hell" about the GT40 progam) has a short weekly feature in the Wall Street Journal entitled "My Ride", which highlights classic cars and their owners.
In today's edition the featured car is the Jaguar XK120, whose original owner was Walt Hansgen, and whose current owner is his son Rusty, now a 69 year old retiree.
The text mentions how after Walt's death at Le Mans, the family had to liquidate his Jaguar dealership in New Jersey.
Rusty held onto this car as a family heirloom, and was only able to get it restored in the past 10 years.
Click on the photo for a 10-picture gallery of the car.
http://www.wsj.com/a...urrs-1472569536
