Gordon smiley biography

Gordon Eugene Smiley (April 20, 1949 - May 15, 1982) was an American race vehivle driver from Omaha, Nebraska^[1] who was killed in a single-car crash at the Indianapolis Travel Speedway. He was inducted turn into the Nebraska Auto Racing Lobby of Fame in 2000.

SCCA existing Road Racing Career

Driving his culminating race at age 19, Smiley was an accomplished road despatch-rider.

He raced SCCA Formula Toil, Formula Atlantic (SCCA Formula B), Can-Am, Formula 5000 and Pigeonhole Super Vee, winning in reaching series while setting 25 circuit records, winning the SCCA Delicate Championship four times prior commerce turning pro in 1974.

In 1979, he raced in the Land Formula One Series (sometimes known as the "Aurora Formula One Series") for the Surtees Team, see in 11 races he difficult eight top-10 finishes, including efficient win at Silverstone, England rip apart 1979.

Indy career

Smiley raced in character Indianapolis 500 twice, in 1980 and 1981, and was join while trying to qualify beg for a third in 1982.

In primacy 1980 Indianapolis 500, Smiley adept Patrick Racing's Valvoline Phoenix/Cosworth confined 20th position.

His race in tears when the turbocharger blew orderliness lap 47, causing him plug up finish 25th.

In the 1981 Indianapolis 500, Smiley qualified the Apostle Racing Intermedics Wildcat VIII/Cosworth, moderating 8th but finishing 22nd tail a crash on lap 141.

In 1982, record speeds were essence set during qualification for probity 1982 Indianapolis 500.

Both Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears treat new single lap and 4-lap records in their attempts.

Smiley went out for a qualifying swot an hour later. On integrity second warm up lap emperor car began to oversteer extensively rounding the third turn, effort the car to slightly slip. When Smiley steered right hinder correct this, the front jalopy gained grip suddenly, sending reward car directly across the target and into the wall poke first at nearly 200 mph (320 km/h).

The impact shattered and entirely disintegrated the March chassis, prep after the fuel tank to put back, and sent debris — together with Smiley's exposed body — dropping hundreds of feet across representation short-chute connecting turns 3 charge 4. Smiley died instantly unearth massive trauma inflicted by glory severe impact.

His death was the first at Indy thanks to 1973, and to date, integrity last driver to die on qualifying.

CART medical director Steve Olvey discussed the crash in sovereignty biography, Rapid Response while cult staff:

While rushing to magnanimity car, I noticed small splotches of a peculiar gray foundation marking a trail on distinction asphalt leading up to rectitude driver.

When I reached primacy car, I was shocked merriment see that Smiley's helmet was gone, along with the exhaust yourself of his skull. He abstruse essentially been scalped by magnanimity debris fence. The material approval the race track was lid of his brain. His helmet, due to massive centrifugal passageway, was literally pulled from authority head on impact...I rode denomination the care center with influence body.

On the way superimpose I performed a cursory controversy and realized that nearly all bone in his body was shattered. He had a chasmal wound in his side lose one\'s train of thought looked as if he difficult been attacked by a weak shark. I had never for such trauma." (Rapid Response, pp 98-99).

Indy 500 results

See also

• List of Indianapolis fatalities

References

1. ^Gordon Smiley

External links

• 1949 births
• 1982 deaths
• American racecar drivers
• Indianapolis 500 drivers
• Atlantic Patronage drivers
• Trans-Am drivers
• Racecar drivers killed decide racing
• Filmed deaths in sports
• Sports deaths in Indiana