Sad News Today

[oldphotos]

Dan Gurney Passed away today .
Don't know all the details yet but he died about 12 noon Cal. time
A True Legend Is gone but WILL NOT BE FORGETTON

Oldphotos

[1961redlegs]

This is a sad day, I saw on Racer.com where he succumbed to pneumonia.

He was a genius and an innovator, if it weren’t for him, Ford and Lotus may never have made it to IMS. If it weren’t for him some of the most iconic cars in F1 and IndyCar history would never have been built.

In addition, he inspired multitudes with his genius, daring, and talent. Godspeed Big Eagle.

[2lapsdown]

[clm1545]

As you may guess, I am devastated by this news. Our heroes never live long enough. I remember reading about a young Dan racing in California one year, and driving a Ferrari F1 car the next. And that was just the beginning. A life truly well lived.
Godspeed, and RIP Mr. Gurney.

[Deleted]

Sad news. RIP Dan

[Deleted]

Very sad news. He was one my heroes growing up and watching auto racing up on ABC Wide World of Sports back in the 1960's. It was different time and Dan Gurney won races in Formula One, Indy Car, NASCAR, Can-Am ,Le Mans and Trans-Am Series. His Eagle was one of the best looking racing cars ever. RIP Jim B.

[racerbrown]

how sad!
but what a life to celebrate.
and always a class act.
duane

[sandysixtysfan]

So sad, one of the greatest on and off the track.

Sandy

[pje]

Phil Hill's championship got me interested in F1 racing and Dan Gurney's 1962 drive of the Mickey Thompson car got me really interested in Indy car racing. Not a lot of drivers survived that era. That he did, and what he accomplished with AAR will most likely never be repeated. RIP

Paul Erlendson

[racermagic]

The one American driver to win an F1 race in an American built and powered F1 car. He’s an absolute legend.

 This one  hurts.  
   There will be a few that i will truely miss. 
 Al sr. Rick Mears. Parnelli. A.J.
 Thanks for all you did Mr Gurney. Your gifts will be remembered. 



 Along similar lines, Keith Jackson recently also passed. College football is poorer today. 
 So is motorsports. 


Next good day is on the way.

[alterrenner]

It's not just the racing world that lost a legend today, the whole world lost a treasure.
Racerbrown is absolutely right, Dan Gurney's life is something we must celebrate.

--Frank

[harveythedog2]

Super sad news. Was always a fan of his and will continue to be.

[nesmra]

The world is a much poorer place today.
God speed Dan you are missed already.
Ralph

[ohnothimagen]

Jan 14, 2018 20:47:00 GMT -5 clm1545 said:

As you may guess, I am devastated by this news. Our heroes never live long enough. I remember reading about a young Dan racing in California one year, and driving a Ferrari F1 car the next. And that was just the beginning. A life truly well lived.
Godspeed, and RIP Mr. Gurney.

It's funny you mention this. In one of the many interviews I had the honor to do with Dan back in my writer / reporter days, we talked about that quick transition from amateur racing to F-1. He said that back when it was happening he really hadn't thought too much about it until that first F-1 race for Ferrari.

He said he was sitting in the car, on the starting grid prior to the flag when it suddenly came to him. I am probably paraphrasing here, but he said something to the effect: "I was sitting there mentally counting off the races I had done up to that day and realized I probably hadn't driven in any more than two dozen races, of ANY kind, and here I was in a Grand Prix car."

So many fond memories from those interview, and finally getting the chance to meet him. Some time during that first meeting, over dinner I think, he seemed to be as interested in how I came to be a racing fan as I was in asking questions of him. In the end I think above being a great driver, a clever designer, and visionary, Dan Gurney just like the rest of us in one regard - he was a huge racing fan.

Ironically, with all those opportunities I never could bring myself to ask for his autograph.

Rest, no, Fly in Peace Big Eagle.

Rex