RIP Dan Gurney 1931-2018

[303 Mopar]

We lost a good one today.

Reported by Autoweek:
"Dan Gurney, the tall, handsome, all-American driver from California, who had success in almost every kind of road racing there is, and who drove in the golden age of Grand Prix and sports car racing in Europe and America, passed away today of complications from pneumonia at the age of 87.

"With one last smile on his handsome face, Dan drove off into the unknown just before noon today," read an email we got that was signed Evi Gurney, the Gurney family and AAR teammates. "In deepest sorrow, with gratitude in our hearts for the love and joy you have given us during your time on this earth, we say, 'Godspeed.'"


From Wikipedia:
"The son of a Metropolitan Opera star, he was born in Port Jefferson, New York, but moved to California as a teenager.

Gurney won races in the Formula One, Indy Car, NASCAR, Can-Am, and Trans-Am Series. Gurney is the first of three drivers to have won races in Sports Cars (1958), Formula One (1962), NASCAR (1963), and Indy Car (1967) (the other two being Mario Andretti and Juan Pablo Montoya).

In 1967, after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with A. J. Foyt, he spontaneously sprayed champagne while celebrating on the podium. As owner of All American Racers, he was the first to put a simple right-angle extension on the upper trailing edge of the rear wing. This device, called a Gurney flap, increases downforce and, if well designed, imposes only a relatively small increase in aerodynamic drag. At the 1968 German Grand Prix he became the first driver ever to use a full face helmet in Grand Prix Racing."

[Brads70]

   Oh no! Wow!  He sure packed a lot of living into his life! 

[Spikedog08]

 Dry sad news for sure!  A household name in racing!   

[1 Wild R/T]

It's a shame he's gone but no one lives forever & he had a very full & successful life...

[RUNCHARGER]

Yes: I agree sad to hear but he sure accomplished a lot and won't be forgotten.

[dodj]

  on a life well lived. The Gurney name will never be forgotten.

[RUNCHARGER]

In a case like this you wonder what he was most proud of. I imagine the Gurney Eagle would have to be up there near the top.

[Chryco Psycho]

Terrible loss but what a great life !! One of the greats 

[JS29]

RIP 

[Roadman]

 

[303 Mopar]

Introduction of the '70 Cuda.   

[HP_Cuda]

RIP 

One of the greats!

[jimynick]

The term "Renaissance" man is sometimes overused, but in Gurney's case, it was exactly right and he was a car guy's car guy, regardless of your particular flavour choice. A great loss to the racing community and his family, no doubt. Put the hammer down Dan and RIP. 

[YellowThumper]

RIP. a huge loss to gearheads.

[MOPAR MITCH]

He created a legend of himself and the cars he campaigned... especially the AAR 'Cuda.  RIP.