RIP Bob Bondurant

[twobjshelbys]

Bob passed away at 88

Bob Bondurant, Champion Driver and Even Better Driving Instructor, Has Died

The racing icon from the golden age of motorsports founded his namesake school 50 years ago.

www.autoweek.com

I did the Bondurant classes 3 times - first was the 4 day course then the advanced one twice. The third clalss intended on driving the GT but weather prevented bringing it from Colorado [you can drive your own car in the advanced class if it's not too crowded but his advice was "drive ours, the cost is the same if you wear your tires or ours, drive yours for the last 1/2 day] One of my forever memories is actually having Bob in a 10 minute instructor session with him in his Corvette ZR1. More than hot laps, he was teaching me the course. He told me "you're doing well, but you're underestimating the car's capabilities and it can do a lot more than you're trying for. Push it harder." I did and my times improved after that.

 

[Stef]

Met Bob in person at SAAC 38 in 2013.
Asked him many questions of his racing days and he gladly answered each one.
He said it was his high water mark blowing the Ferraris off and finally winning the world championship with the Daytonas.
Condolences to his friends and family.
A true legend and gentleman.

 

[jr66]

He was a class act as is his wife Pat. The last few years his memory faded but not his friendly nature. He will be missed. To many racing legends like Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney that were my idols are gone. Sad.

 

[Gene Cassone]

Yes end of an era, especially with electric cars coming!
RIP

 

[THamonGT]

First met Bob in 1964 when we were racing 1963 Cobra 289, CSX 2164 a street Car turned into a SCCS Race car. We were at Green Valley Raceway and Shelby was there with Bob Bondurant and a couple of his team cars. Carroll was very interest in having all privateers cars set up as the team cars were set up so he ask my Father if Bob could take a couple of laps in practice to see if our Cobra suspension was set up correctly, Gene Hamon agreed and Bob took off around the track in the only speed he knew which was (FAST AND ALL OUT). My Father wasn’t sure as we watched Bob, that we would have an entry in the feature race! Wheels Up Bob, Rest In Peace My Friend!

 

[ChipBeck]

Gentlemen,

Bob was a long time Arizona resident so I ran into him often at auto functions. The last time I saw him was at our Ford vs. Ferrari movie event. Before that in January 2018 we crossed paths at a big aviation party that displayed invited cars at the Scottsdale airport. My yellow GT’s were there and Bob and his wife walked in. He talked to me about winning Le Mans with Dan Gurney in the Daytona Coupe. I asked him if he’d driven the new GT and he replied “No, I’ve never even been in one”. I told him I’d be honored if he drove mine and although he declined he did get in the drivers seat and he was all smiles. A wonderful man.

Chip

 

[twobjshelbys]

Bob in and signing my car, 9/8/2012 at the Shelby American Collection annual party.

 

[Fast Freddy]

...

 

[Fast Freddy]

 

[analogdesigner]

I'm processing some photos for Davis Motorsports. Here is a photo of Bob Bondurant and my friend Don Davis back in the 1970s. This is Don's Ford GT40 MkII, chassis P1012 that he meticulously restored after Peter Revson had a bad crash in 1967. Bob and Don drove this car in numerous races. Jay
View attachment 66539

 

[bmoullet]

Awesome photo. Thanks for sharing.

 

[dr914]

were people happier back then? Seems it

 

[Empty Pockets]

were people happier back then? Seems it

In a word - yes.