Dan Gurney had a remarkable career. But more importantly, he is the nicest, most friendly and unassuming guy you would ever want to meet. Exceptional in all ways.
Everybody in racing then and even today knew Dan Gurney. I remember how happy I was that Bobby got the win in 75 as that car was so damned good. You didn't want to see that chassis not score at least one win. As I recall it was either in 75 or 76 where there was over 24 Eagle Chassis in the field. Maybe it was 73? Unbelievable!
I think it was in 1973 that there were 20 Eagles in the field. In fact, it was such highly thought of chassis that year that even Roger Penske ran one with Mark Donohue, and they always ran McLarens (in fact, the other Penske cars in that race, driven by Gary Bettenhausen and Bobby Allison, were McLarens). And of course, that race was won by an Eagle, as Gordon Johncock won that rain-shortened, disaster-marred race in an Eagle that had extra enhancements made on the front wings by George Bignotti.
That Donohue Eagle was a beauty. Gary B finished 5th that year and ran well but was never really a factor. I never did find out why other than maybe he just got smoked by the eagle.
Actually, Gary did not run particularly well in his McLaren in the 1973 race. He only wound up fifth because of that race's massive amount of mechanical attrition (no fewer than 19 of the 32 cars that took the green flag when the race was finally run dropped out due to mechanical problems). Consider this. At the time of Swede Savage's crash, the cars that finished fourth through eighth were shown running 17th (Mel Kenyon-4th), 18th (Steve Krisiloff-6th), 20th (Gary Bettenhausen-5th), 21st (Lee Kunzman-7th), and 22nd, (John Martin-8th) according to the scoring pylon. Gary was actually considered one of the favorites after dominating the previous year's race, but like so many others that day, fought some kind of mechanical gremlin, but was able to nurse his car home in fifth place.
Shoes of greatness that can never be filled. A fiercely competitive and brilliant man who happened to be a racer. Forever missed.
Dan Gurney had a remarkable career. But more importantly, he is the nicest, most friendly and unassuming guy you would ever want to meet. Exceptional in all ways.
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There have been many great drivers but I believe that Gurney will remain listed as among the very best for decades to come.
I heard that Jimmy Clark respected him over all other F1 drivers.
A darn shame that Dan isn't on the Borg trophy
Everybody in racing then and even today knew Dan Gurney. I remember how happy I was that Bobby got the win in 75 as that car was so damned good. You didn't want to see that chassis not score at least one win. As I recall it was either in 75 or 76 where there was over 24 Eagle Chassis in the field. Maybe it was 73? Unbelievable!
I think it was in 1973 that there were 20 Eagles in the field. In fact, it was such highly thought of chassis that year that even Roger Penske ran one with Mark Donohue, and they always ran McLarens (in fact, the other Penske cars in that race, driven by Gary Bettenhausen and Bobby Allison, were McLarens). And of course, that race was won by an Eagle, as Gordon Johncock won that rain-shortened, disaster-marred race in an Eagle that had extra enhancements made on the front wings by George Bignotti.
That Donohue Eagle was a beauty. Gary B finished 5th that year and ran well but was never really a factor. I never did find out why other than maybe he just got smoked by the eagle.
Actually, Gary did not run particularly well in his McLaren in the 1973 race. He only wound up fifth because of that race's massive amount of mechanical attrition (no fewer than 19 of the 32 cars that took the green flag when the race was finally run dropped out due to mechanical problems). Consider this. At the time of Swede Savage's crash, the cars that finished fourth through eighth were shown running 17th (Mel Kenyon-4th), 18th (Steve Krisiloff-6th), 20th (Gary Bettenhausen-5th), 21st (Lee Kunzman-7th), and 22nd, (John Martin-8th) according to the scoring pylon. Gary was actually considered one of the favorites after dominating the previous year's race, but like so many others that day, fought some kind of mechanical gremlin, but was able to nurse his car home in fifth place.
RIP Dan, you are missed.
Gurney is Great.
Only engine to have won an Indy car race and LeMans? I know a Cosworth derivative did both, but they were a lot different than the Gurney-Weslake.
Participation, is what counts; not winning......sincerely...