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Dan Gurney

Dan Gurney, 1962, Mosport. Copyright Ron Kielbiski, 2009. Used with permission.

Dan Gurney, 1962, Mosport. Copyright Ron Kielbiski, 2009. Used with permission.

Dan GUrney, Goodwood Festival of Speed, 2009. Copyright Tony Gallagher, 2010. Used with permission.

Dan GUrney, Goodwood Festival of Speed, 2009. Copyright Tony Gallagher, 2010. Used with permission.

Born:

13 Apr 1931
Port Jefferson, New York

Died:

14 Jan 2018
Newport Beach, California

Nationality:

United States

Grands Prix:

86 (1959-1970)

F2 starts:

1 (1960)

Indy 500s:

9 (1962-1970)

Teams:

Eagle (1966-1969)

An immensely popular man, who was a gentle, patient, encouraging and positive fellow, Gurney was one of the very best racers of his generation despite never winning a F1 Championship or the Indy 500. However he won 4 F1 Grand Prix's, numerous Indycar, Can-Am, British Touring Car and NASCAR races as well as winning the Sebring 12 Hours, the Nurburgring 1000km's and the Le Mans 24 Hour races. A true innovator as both a driver and constructor, sadly Dan passed away in 2018 after a long spell of poor health. As a constructor, he entered USAC in the '70's, IMSA until the 1990's and in 1996, he had a go at CART. For as long as he could, Dan still visited his business as much as possible. His business was involved in a new sportscar project in 2012 and most significantly, in 2015, Gurney's All American Racers outfit designed and built the innovative landing gear to allow an orbital spacecraft to return to Earth the way it leaves it, a monumental technological breakthrough. In 2008, Dan was the Grand Marshal at the Daytona endurance event. Son Alex also raced. Gurney also served in the Korean War in the US Army.

Biography last updated 15 Jan 2018