Dan Gurney has passed away.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Great race driver. Sorry to hear of his passing.

I always thought the Alligator was a ridiculous design. Really bad for a rider that runs into something like the back of a car. Nowhere for the rider to go except into the frame and gas tank with your chest that can handle less than a 30 mph impact at best and the head which can handle far less. Besides that who needs to have their seat that close to the ground and legs bent that much at a stop light? Totally impractical design.

Ferret, I was at the press intro for that bike at the Petersen Museum. Dan really just built those for himself and a few friends, like Eddie Lawson. It really does put you too low for safety when it comes to street riding. They are collector's items now, for sure.

How sad to hear. A great driver and fine gentleman. A friend and I had the chance to "look over his shoulder" in the paddock at Daytona in 1970. We had a pass for the pits and garages for the "24 Hours of Daytona" and were wandering the garage area, two 21 year old wide eyed fans admiring the factory unlimited sports racers from Porsche, Ferrari and Matra. Gurney was not driving for a factory team but was racing a Ferrari entered by NART. The car looked as though it was driven to the track and some numbers slapped on it. The hood was up on the Ferrari and Gurney and a mechanic were busy under it. We got as close as we could, trying not to be in the way, Mr Gurney moved a bit giving us a good view of the car's engine and smiled.

http://www.sportscardigest.com/1970-24-h...profile/4/

This link has some info on that race and photo credits of my friend, Fred Lewis.

Great link! I pulled up this morning at the hangout next to a guy in a Shelby Cobra; first thing I asked was did he know about Dan. He sure did, we both talked about what a great racer and guy he'd been for the sport.