Sad news--Dan Gurney passes

[Tom Dolan]

News says that Dan passed away at the age of 86. He has always been my idol since I met him at Watkins Glen in the 60s. I and many other race fans will miss him. He was one of the bestg and nicest guys you would ever want to meet.

Tom

[Daryl Payne]

Many say the finest driver to never have won a world championship. I would have no arguement with that statement.

[Steve Burkey]

he and several other American racing legends were so fortunate to live to old age given the nature of the sport back then (and sometimes today!). And it is interesting to compare some stats from these giants:
Gurney: A class LeMans win with Cobra,and an overall with Ford and Foyt in 1967, but F1 and Indy championships eluded him. He did get a 2nd at Indy in one of his Eagles. And shortly after the LM triumph, a win at Spa in the F1 Eagle of his own design.
Hill: one of 2 American F1 champs, in 1961 with Ferrari. And multiple LeMans wins in the same make. The typical champ, Indy, dirt 1/4, nascar, etc. racing of his American compatriots was not his thing, so no Indy drives. He died in his 80's a few years ago.
Andretti, the elder: 1978 F1 championship with Lotus. 1969 Indy 500 win. Nascar triumphs as well, and others, just so much. But LeMans always eluded him. But like Gurney, a "man for all seasons" and any/all types of racing he could get into, and it was all. He's still kickin.

So between the 3, America does have a "triple crown" of sorts of LeMans, Indy and F1 champions.
Only one person I recall has done this himself: Graham Hill of England

[Doug Logston]

Thanks for the history lesson, Steve.

Dan Gurney's accomplishments, from a slightly different perspective . . .

(From superbikeplanet.com)
Dan Gurney, winner of races in Formula One, Indy Car, LeMans, NASCAR, Can-Am and Trans Am series, passed away last weekend at age 86.

A host of motorcycle riders were sponsored by Gurney in the 1970s, from Kenny Roberts Sr to Chuck Palmgren. Gurney was a motorbike fan and passionate rider for nearly his entire life; like most things that interested Gurney he was also passionate about the engineering behind motorcycles. Gurney never fully liked sitting on top of a sport bike, and his distinct Alligator or “Gator” motorcycles reflected his thoughts on how a motorcycle might be engineered if one were starting over with a clean sheet of paper.

Universally respected for his accomplishments in car racing, Gurney owned at least 25 motorcycles. Friends that rode with him say he lived for Sunday rides on the Ortega Highway.

For a man who knew and was close to Mike Hailwood, for example, Gurney wasn’t stuck in a sentimental mindset. He was still designing and patenting motorcycle designs until his death last weekend from complications of pneumonia.

Gurney was no wobbler . . . he was fast on a motorcycle. He was renown for blitzing by hordes of sport bikes in the California canyons, usually with Gurney riding a stock Honda Gold Wing.

Four-time Grand Prix motorcycle world champion Eddie Lawson and Gurney were close friends until Gurney’s death.

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Doug,
The Gator always seemed to me to be a bike for a guy who rides a cruiser but wants a crotch rocket. And Steve, you left out AJ Foyt, a much better all around driver than Mario Andretti, IMHO.

[Steve Burkey]

You're right; another American legend who's lived long despite. Being mainly a "left hand turn guy" back in 1967, he was an unlikely but very appropriate teammate for Gurney on the LeMans winning run.

[Daryl Payne]

Yes Dan will missed. When I hear his name I cannot help but to think of his GT40 with the bubble in the roof to accomadate his height.
He is in good company with Phil, and Graham, and John (Surtees). I think Mario would definetly be in contention for best driver ever. He was Italian born, and left Italy some time after WWII. Mario shared that same talent as the aformention drivers. I think it was a gift to feel and react to lateral forces. Certainly John (Surtees) had that also, with his world championship on motorbikes.
Between Dan,Graham, Mario, et. al. it makes it near impossible to pick a greatests driver of all time. Will miss you Dan.