(Image/Automotive Hall of Fame)
Dan Gurney, one of the most famous race car drivers in history, passed away yesterday.
Gurney was both an experienced car builder and driver, competing in the Formula 1, NASCAR, Can-Am and IndyCar race series, racing for Lotus, Porsche, McLaren, BRM, and his own All American Racers teams.
Gurney’s career includes several Formula 1 and NASCAR victories; wins at Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring; and a trio of podium finishes at the Indianapolis 500. He is one of three drivers (Mario Andretti, Juan Pablo Montoya) to record wins in NASCAR, sports cars, Formula 1, and IndyCar.
Known for his talent as a car builder as well, Gurney’s innovations include the “Gurney Flap,” a small flap on the trailing edge of a wing designed to improve the performance of the airfoil. Gurney was the first driver to use a full-face helmet in Grand Prix racing. He is also credited for starting the victory lane champagne-spraying tradition that accompanies race-winning celebrations.
The “Gurney Flap” was designed to improve airfoil performance and can still be seen in modern applications. (Image/Wikipedia)
He drove a car of his own design to victory at the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix, marking the first (and only) time an American had accomplished the feat. Gurney’s All American Racers team has built over 100 “Eagle” race cars and is the only United States car constructor that has designed and built a winning F1 Grand Prix car, a winning Indianapolis 500 car, and a winning sports car.
He retired from racing in 1970, earning 51 victories over a 11-year career.
Gurney was 86 years old.
Dan will be greatly missed. I was a Gurney fan growing up as he drove everything, built many of the cars and was just a smart classy driver.
I got to meet him at Mid Ohio years ago. He was going to sign an item for me but got called away when one of his cars had a tech issue. Two hours later he found me to sign my item.
We traded e mails a couple years ago and traded stories.
He sent me a book about his cars with a personal inscription thanking me for the stories we talked about. That is real class!
Let’s face it AJFoyt a great drive and tough man to impress was a great Gurney fan too. He said he thought the world of Dan as a Driver and Friend.
Imagine a driver in any era that could build a F1 car with his own engine and win a Race. Dan grew up as a hot rodder and showed the world that jolopy hot rod guys can compete on all levels.
If you do not know much about Dan read up on his history as few could measure up to all he accomplished.