MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Fitch,
legendary race car driver and an influential figure in developing
professional road racing, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 4, 1917.
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After serving as a fighter pilot in WW II, Fitch began racing
cars in 1950. He participated in several races in 1951 and he
became the first Sports Car Club of America national
champion. Over the next several years, Fitch competed in many
races throughout Europe and was
named "Sports Car Driver of the Year," by Speed Age
magazine. However, it was his 1952 race in Mexico at the Panamericana Carrera with
Mercedes-Benz that began a connection with the brand for the next
sixty years.
In 1953, Fitch won a significant race at Sebring marking the
first win at that track for an American driver in an American
car. In 1954, Fitch drove for Cunningham in a Cunningham C4R,
and also Ferraris and again a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. In 1955, in
addition to driving a Maserati 250F in the Italian Grand Prix,
Fitch raced for the Mercedes-Benz sports car team along with
Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling, and Stirling
Moss, arguably the most formidable racing team ever,
dominating all levels of competition from Formula One to
diesel-engined production cars. That year, Fitch won the production
class at the Mille Miglia in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, coming in
fifth overall behind his teammates Moss and Fangio in their
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racers. For the 1955 24 Hours of Le
Mans, Fitch was paired with Pierre Levegh in a 300 SLR, which was
involved in a historic crash killing 84 spectators while Fitch was
in the pits awaiting his turn to drive. Later that
racing season, John co-drove to victory with Stirling Moss in the Tourist Trophy in
Ireland and finished fourth with
Desmond Titterington at the Targo
Florio in Sicily for Mercedes.
The disastrous and horrific accident at Le Mans sparked Fitch's
lifelong interest and devotion to increasing safety for
motorsports, which resulted in innovations for racing and overall
driving on highways. Most notably is the Fitch Barrier
system, a type of impact attenuator consisting of a sand- or
water-filled plastic barrel, usually yellow colored with a black
lid, now ubiquitous on American highways. Other impact absorbing
systems designed by Fitch are the Fitch Compression Barrier, suited
for oval tracks and other such high speed situations with little
runoff area, which comprises a set of strong, resilient hollow
cylinders about a yard in diameter placed between the guardrail and
the wall, gently absorbing the vehicle's energy without bouncing it
back onto the track.
John Fitch resided in
Connecticut in close proximity to
Lime Rock Park. This past August, he celebrated his 95
birthday among family and friends. Over the last thirty
years, John Fitch retained close
ties with Mercedes-Benz participating in several events and
receiving the prestigious Mercedes-Benz
Star Driver Award at Pebble Beach in 2006.
"We are saddened by the passing of John and our condolences go
out to his family and friends," said Geoff
Day, Director of Communications for Mercedes-Benz.
"John was a great friend to Mercedes-Benz, a true gentleman and an
outstanding driver. His accomplishments will have a long
legacy among defining moments in our Company's history."
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA,
headquartered in Montvale, New
Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service
of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United
States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the
luxury segment with 13 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class
to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.
MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and
customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans and smart cars in
the US. More information on MBUSA and its products can be
found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and
www.mbsprinterusa.com.
SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA