This Week in Racing History (May 13-19)

This Week in Racing History
Michael J. Stucker

May 13
Peter Zakowski, son of Zakspeed founder Eric Zakowski, born (1966).

Peter Revson completes his Indianapolis rookie test (1969).

Dick Johnson wins the ATCC race at Surfers Paradise, Australia, in a Ford Falcon (1984).

May 14
Gordon Smley dies in crash during qualifying attempt for the Indianapolis 500 (1982).

May 15
Chet Miller dies in practice crash in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (1953).

John Force sets NHRA Funny Car speed record of 323.35 mph at Englishtown, New Jersey, USA (1998).

May 16
J. Walter Christie, pre-WWI racer, inducted into the U.S. Army Ordinance Hall of Fame for his contributions to tank design (1975).

May 17
Jerry Unser Jr. dies from injuries suffered 15 days earlier in a crash while practicing for the Indy 500. He is the 20th fatality in Indy history. As a direct result of his death, USAC makes flame-retardent driving suits mandatory (1959).

Dick Johnson drives a Ford Falcon to victory in the ATCC race at Surfers Paradise, Australia (1981).

Four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. announces his retirement (1994).

May 18
In his first race outside of Britain, Jim Clark drives a Porsche 356A to fifth place in a sportscar race at Spa, Belgium (1958).

American open-wheel racer Donnie Beechler born (1961).

Parnelli Jones wins the Pole for the Indy 500 with a record speed of 151.153 mph (1963).

May 19
Lotus founder Colin Chapman born (1928).

Pete Brock wins the ATCC race at Surfers Paradise, Australia, in a Holden Torana SLR5000. Bob Morris is second with Dick Johnson third in his only career race as a member of the Holden Dealer team (1974).

Bentley Warren wins the "East vs. West Supermodified Challenge" at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (1995).