|
|
|
|
|
Topic: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago on 9-4-97
|
Email this topic to a friend |
Subscribe to this Topic
| Report this Topic to Moderator
|
|
Page 1 of 1 of 8 replies
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
12:46:09 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/01/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
101
|
|
|
|
It's hard to believe that it's been 14 years since Opp passed away. Even harder to believe that it's been 30 years since his crash in a sprint car at Jennerstown, Pa. in 1981. He had a bad wreck in a dirt champ car in 1976 at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds mile and was just getting back into good racing form when he had the crash at Jennerstown.
Here's an interesting story about him:
http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3562
....Opperman forever!
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
12:47:13 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/11/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
1457
|
|
|
|
R.I.P. Opp! Best damned driver I ever saw, hands down.
I am lucky enough to work at one of the best tracks
anywhere.
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
01:27:50 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/11/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
230
|
|
|
|
Nice article Opp Fan! I agree with EPSG. Not only was he such a good driver, he was one of the nicest guys I ever met. I often have wondered what he could have done with the equipment they have today. He could do more with less than any driver I know of. R.I.P Jan, we miss you.
Rim Rider
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
03:36:49 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/18/2009
|
|
Posts:
|
390
|
|
|
|
We miss you Jan. You were the greatest outlaw ever. Hope you're slingin' dirt with Jay on that big half mile in the sky.
R.I.P.
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
04:03:12 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/30/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
37
|
|
|
|
I saw Jan and Eddie Leavitt put on a driving clinic at the Iowa State Fair during an afternoon show in 1974. Opp and Eddie were running 1-2 not quite halfway thru the race when Opp flattened a right rear tire. They changed the tire and he restarted at the rear. It wasn't even a lap later and Leavitt had a flat. They both restarted at the rear and put on a whale of a show coming thru the field to `run 1-2 at the checkers. One of the best exhibitions of driving I had ever seen. Opp took the checkers and during the post race inspection he was found to be running too wide of a rt. rear wheel giving the win to Leavitt. Still a great drive by two of the best.
Denny White
GOODYEAR #1 in RACING
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
05:07:57 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/03/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
7918
|
|
|
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
05:08:48 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/03/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
7918
|
|
|
|
.......
|
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
05:13:21 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/03/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
7918
|
|
|
|
1974 Tampa
|
|
|
|
September 04, 2011 at
08:38:19 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/27/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
4443
|
|
|
|
awesome videos, thanks.
They don't even know how to spell sprint car
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com
|
|
|
