Jack Hahn #17 Sprint Car

[VintageBuzz]

From the Al Benson Jr. collection circa 1960s:
Operating out of his modest garage located on Fox Farm Road on the outskirts of south Cheyenne, Jack Hahn campaigned his wickedly-quick #17 sprint car at tracks all over Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For years, Jack built and drove his sprinters "up the hill" at Pikes Peak. In the 1970s, Jack teamed with driver Ted Foltz of Colorado Springs, CO to win the Pikes Peak race with their #37 sprint car. Jack was one of my mentors back in the late '60s & early '70s. I obtained quite a race car education inside of Jack's modest garage. ~VB

[Tim Weber]

We saw Jack's induction into the High Banks Hall of Fame last weekend out in Belleville. A very nice honor for him and all of his racing accomplishments.

[JimmyK]

Jack was inducted into the BCRA Hall of Fame as well. (2008 I think) He was at this year's ceremony in Lincoln, NE and I got to meet him for the first time as an adult (was about 3 the prevous time). Very cool, Fun guy to be around.

[Olen McGuire]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=846
Jack Hahn (41) battles Bill Billingsley (52) and Bart Manley (46)
at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo in 1961.(Leroy Byers photo)

[JimmyK]

Tight racing! Is the #46 the Pankratz car owned by Ray Koch?

[VintageBuzz]

Thanks everyone for your updates on Jack Hahn. He is still one of my heroes! ~VB

[Olen McGuire]

Here's some more pics of Jack Hahn I found from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Archives:



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=854
The starting grid for the 1959 hill climb. Row 1: Paul Klienschmidt (4), Wayne Hoffman (3),
Louis Unser (5) Row 2: Roy Walker (50), Bill Mytan (33), Ted Foltz (9) Row 3: Orville Nance (88),
Clyde McFarlin (42), Jack Hahn (41). This photo is part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb archive.




http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=855
This is Jack Hahn in his Offenhauser in 1966. He finished eighth. This photo is part of the
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb archive.




http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=856
Glen Cove in 1961. The front row (from left to right) are #92 Bobby Unser (1st), #41 Jack Hahn (10th),
#4 Paul Kleinschmidt (5th) and #2 Bob Daly (18th). This photo is part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb archive.




http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=857
This is Jack Hahn's Offenhauser from 1966. He finished eighth.

[VintageBuzz]

Here's some more pics of Jack Hahn I found from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Archives:
Thanks, Olen! I was going to hunt these photos down, but didn't have the time to go looking for them. Jack Hahn loved to talk about his experiences going "up the hill" at Pikes Peak. It sure was fun listening to his stories about doing battle with the famous Unsers out of New Mexico. ~VB

[Bob Cassity]

I can't believe this sight, how cool! I new Jack in the early 80's. I was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force base in Cheyenne. I worked with Jack. I was just a young kid in my early 20's. I was into drag racing and had a 10 second pro street Camaro, which is slow for a street car now, but back then it was pretty fast.
I used to pick Jack's brain about engine's. He was sort of a grouchy old guy until you got to know him. Once I did he was awesome and was willing to share his vast knowledge with me. He used to have me over at his home were we would just talk cars and drink his homemade dark beer, man it was strong stuff.
I haven't talked to him in years, I got out of the AF and I heard he moved to Jackson Hole.
He was a big influence to me and taught me a ton about how to make a engine run strong. Even though he may not realize it!
He was a great man!!!!!

Bob Cassity

[webby]

I can't believe this sight, how cool! I new Jack in the early 80's. I was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force base in Cheyenne. I worked with Jack. I was just a young kid in my early 20's. I was into drag racing and had a 10 second pro street Camaro, which is slow for a street car now, but back then it was pretty fast.
I used to pick Jack's brain about engine's. He was sort of a grouchy old guy until you got to know him. Once I did he was awesome and was willing to share his vast knowledge with me. He used to have me over at his home were we would just talk cars and drink his homemade dark beer, man it was strong stuff.
I haven't talked to him in years, I got out of the AF and I heard he moved to Jackson Hole.
He was a big influence to me and taught me a ton about how to make a engine run strong. Even though he may not realize it!
He was a great man!!!!!

Bob CassityBob, I'm glad you like the site. I certified your membership so you can now post images and stuff if you want to .

Can't wait to hear your auto racing memories!

[JRKracer]

The photo of the #37 are great!! That car really has some history!!! If you all know this please forgive me . The car is a Kurtis Kraft KK 4000 built in 1952 for car owner Jack Hinkle. It was Driven by Jack McGrath through the '56 AAA season I beleive. Gordan Herring bought the car in the winter of '59-'60 and drove it until '63 when he bought his new Shalila. I was not aware that Jack Hahn owned it. I was tols that Curt Stockwell bought it from Bobby Herring. Where it is now I don't know. My dad tested that car at CDR along with the #36 car he drove for Gordan in '60-'61. He remarked it felt like a surf board on a bowling ball. Neverless I would love to see that car again. By the way we have 8mm movies of Gordan winning in that car at Pueblo. Maybe Jimmy will get to them and post a few.