Walt Hansgen
Walter " Walt " Hansgen ( born October 28, 1919 in Westfield, † April 7, 1966 in Orléans ) was an American race car driver.
Walt Hansgen was one of the best U.S. sports car drivers of the 1950s. His reputation was built on its success with racing cars from Jaguar, which he achieved especially for the racing team of Briggs Cunningham. In 1958 he came to Britain and was factory driver at Lister.
In the early 1960s, he also tried his hand in the single-seater. Twice he was at the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen at the start. In 1961 he drove a Cooper T53 and retired after an accident early. In 1964 he played the race a works Lotus 33 and showed what a good racer he was. He was fifth and secured two points for the drivers' world championship. In the same year he was twelfth at 500 - mile race at Indianapolis.
The really big successes came in the sports car. He drove a Ferrari 250LM and a Lola T70 in the World Sportscar Championship. In 1966, he was together with Mark Donohue on a Ford GT40 third in the 24 Hours of Daytona and second at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
During the test week end to the 24- hour race at Le Mans 1966 accident Hansgen fatal.