Gordon Herring-Golden CO. Sprint Car Driver

[Wayne Arner]

Does anyone know any details of Gordon Herring's fatal accident, which occurred on Aug. 24, 1964, at the IMCA Sprint Car Races at the Steele County Free Fair, Owatonna Minnesota? Gordon was a very competant Race Car Driver, winning the BCRA Championship 3 times, finishing 8 times "up the hill", (Pike's Peak), finishing 4th & 5th twice. There doesn't appear to be much historical information available here or in Minn., about his death.
Thanks, WGA.

[Thomas E]

Does anyone know any details of Gordon Herring's fatal accident, which occurred on Aug. 24, 1964, at the IMCA Sprint Car Races at the Steele County Free Fair, Owatonna Minnesota? Gordon was a very competant Race Car Driver, winning the BCRA Championship 3 times, finishing 8 times "up the hill", (Pike's Peak), finishing 4th & 5th twice. There doesn't appear to be much historical information available here or in Minn., about his death.
Thanks, WGA.

I'm not sure this will help but here are three links that might shine some light on your question about Gordon Herring.

You'll need to scroll down in each link to find the information in that link.
Link #2 has this information . . . Under photo #4 of #89 from the left side.

In 1964 Jack had to return to work while Herring and his crew continued on to the Minnesota State fair to run with the IMCA. In the first race Herring and another car touched, but it appeared there was no damage done to the vehicle. In the next race Herring was barreling down the backstretch when the rear strut broke and launched the vehicle upside down on the guardrail. Herring did not survive the unfortunate accident. Jack always felt guilty for not being there to catch the damage to the strut in time. Subsequently, Jack bought the Midget. Jack continued to wrench on the Mauro Midgets and became one of the best mechanics with the new Volkswagen, Chevy II, and Cosworth engines.


Link #1
http://carothersgenealogy.blogspot.com/2007/08/information-about-gordon-herring-from.html

Link#2
http://markleymotorscorner.blogspot.com/2010/05/jack-klein-bcra-hall-of-fame-mechanic.html

Link #3
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236178&page=258


Hope this helps ~ Thomas

[Mitch G.]

Wayne, if you still see LeRoy Byers, he should be able to give you tons of info, just a thought.