Dan Carmichael

[Paddy OBrien]

Yesterday morning motorsports lost, in my view, its greatest man, Dan Carmichael, age 96. Dan was a three time SCCA national champion, twice in the very fast C/sports racer and finally 1995 in formula Atlantic(Ralt RT40) at the age of 78. But wait, there is more.... Dan was a genuine WW2 flying ace with 13 kills in the Pacific in Hellcats. He then flew the early jets off of aircraft carriers(the short WW2 type) until the Navy made him retire because he was too old. So he started racing cars. But wait, there is more... the first live TV sports event in the US was a baseball game between Princeton and Harvard, the winning pitcher for Princeton was... Dan. The state of Ohio has always been crazy for golf, especially in the 1960's(think Jack Nicklaus), the 1960 Ohio amateur golf champion was Dan Carmichael. Dan was also the long time head of the Chamber of commerce of Columbus Ohio(1mil+ population) and head of commercial architectural firm. Dan was a nationally competitive hand ball player into his eighties until his knees got bad. In spite of his background, Dan was always very humble and polite. Dan owned and won in a series of great formula Atlantics; Brahbams, Marches, Swifts and Ralts. Dan lapped me many times, but what was funny was if you pointed him by he would ALWAYS wave thanks back to you no matter how sideways he was! A great man and racer.

[Team Blitz]

Paddy, 1 Billion %!

Dan is a certified hero and role model. Was when he was here and always will be.

I will never forget those FA battles he and Doug Vermeer fought - tooth and nail - fierce, but clean racing.

Doug left us way way too soon. Now Dan has finally caught up with him, and I hope they are having a blast on the Big Track in racer heaven right now.

Norm Murdock