Mr. Walt Hane passes away Monday...GT350R racer and champion


mccarter1369

Ford Enthusiast
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 18, 2006
158
Denver, CO
Walt Hane was one Ford's distinguished and loved racers; he was the 1966 SCCA B-Production National Champion in a 1965 GT350R (5R103). He passed away on Monday. He was in his late 80s. Details on services, probably in September, will be announced.
I was lucky enough to get to know him and his son Chip as they restored my 1965 GT350R (5R530). It turned out phenomenally and the car took a concours gold at SAAC-40. We were lucky enough to have Chip race her at the 2014 Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Knowledgable doesn't start to describe what the Hanes knew about 289's, 302's and Ford racing in the 60's and 70's. I feel very honored to have had their input and the car is so much more of what it should be due to their involvement. Mr. Hane was always a gentleman and I am truly appreciative of what he did for me and more importantly, this deserving automobile. May God rest his soul and I express my deepest sympathies to the Hane family.

A quick "Walt Hane" Google search revealed this neat 2013 video featuring Walt and RMVR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn5HwnMPGNc

Then of course, there is the amazing biography about Walt, written by RMVR's Brad Leach's, "Racing To Riverside" which recounts Walt's remarkable accomplishments in the Trans-Am Series of the 60s running and winning with his beloved Shelby GT-350. (Walt won the championship as a privateer!!!)
http://www.racingtoriverside.com/

More history on Walt here:
http://haneperformance.com/

5R103:
http://www.3dog.org/racecars/rc_1965_ford_shelby_gt350r.htm

Walt was a racing icon. He will be greatly missed and remembered with respect and admiration.
 
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twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,053
Las Vegas, NV
Walt always made an appearance at the annual Shelby American Collection fundraiser and was always a podium "story teller". I had many long chats with him. I expect there will be a tribute to him at the party on 2-Sep.
 

Joe Dozzo

Well-known member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 22, 2006
763
Canon City, CO
I had the pleasure of meeting Walt some years ago in Denver. Kind, generous and extremely engaging guy and he'll be sorely missed. My condolences to the family and Shelby world.