John Oliver Gunn Jr.
John Oliver Gunn Jr. (July 25, 1939 – July 7, 2010) was an American racing driver from Yanceyville, North Carolina.[1]
John Gunn | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 25, 1939 Yanceyville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2010 (aged 70) Palm City, Florida |
| Known for | Auto racing |
Early life
After attending Bartlett Yancey High School in his hometown, Gunn studied mechanical engineering at the University of Miami. His father ran a Ford dealership near the Virginia International Raceway, which gave him access to motor racing early on. He entered his first races during his student days in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, winning two national sports car championships.[1]
Racing career
Gunn's auto racing career began in 1965, which later led to participation in Formula A, Can-Am, and IMSA events.[1]
He had his best Formula A seasons in 1970 and 1974. In 1970, Gunn reached seventh place in the final ranking (championship winner John Cannon). He drove a Surtees TS5A with a Chevrolet V8 engine for Fred Opert's team.[2]
Gunn finished the 1974 racing year behind Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, David Hobbs, Eppie Wietzes, and Brett Lunger as sixth in the SCCA/USAC F5000 championship.[3] In the Can-Am series, he mainly used Lola racing cars and was fifth in the 1974 championship in the T260.[4] In the 1980s he drove regularly in the IMSA GT series.
Gunn's greatest success in an international endurance competition was second overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1976.[5]
References
- "Gunn, John Oliver Jr". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- "F5000 Championship 1970 standings". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- "F5000 Championship 1974 standings". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- "Canadian-American Challenge Cup 1974 standings". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- "Sebring 76 Twelve Hours of Endurance". Retrieved November 21, 2020.