Carl Arthur Haas(February 26, 1929 – June 29, 2016)[1]was an Americanauto racingimpresario. He co-owned theNewman/Haas/Lanigan Racingteam in theChamp CarandIndyCar SerieswithPaul NewmanandMike Lanigan.He also ownedCarl A. Haas Motorsports,which competed in theNASCARNationwide Series,as well as theHaas LolaFormula Oneteam.
Carl Haas | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 26, 1929 Ludwigshafen am Rhein,Germany |
| Died | June 29, 2016(aged 87) |
| Spouse | Bernadette Haas |
Early life
editHaas was born inLudwigshafen am RheininGermany.He emigrated to the US in March 1938.[2]He was ofDutch Jewsdescent.[3]His father fledGermanyin the 1930s.[3]
Career
editHaas grew up in Chicago and sold gearbox parts from his parents' home.[4]He used the proceeds to begin racing sports cars in 1952 and won numerous races drivingFerraris,Porsches,MGs,andJaguars.He retired from driving in the early 1960s in order to focus more on team ownership and other racing-related businesses. In 1967, he became the exclusive American importer forLola Carsand helped the company attain national prominence in the racing world. His own company, Carl A. Haas Auto Imports, was founded in Lincolnshire, Illinois in 1960,[4]and is involved in racing distribution deals, notably forHewlandgearboxes.[5]
During the 1970s, Haas entered race teams in various series, includingFormula 5000,theCan-Am Seriesand theSuper Vee series.His Can-Am drivers includedMasten Gregory,Peter Revson,Jackie Stewart,Brian Redman,Alan Jones,Patrick Tambay,Jacky Ickx,andDavid Hobbs.His Super Vee driver, Eddie Miller, won the series title. In 1985, he ran theHaas LolaFormula Oneteam, using a chassis built by FORCE. He also co-owned aNASCARWinston CupSeries team withTravis Carterfor eight seasons.
In 1983, Haas joined with actorPaul Newmanto formNewman/Haas Racing,a team in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) Series. The team won its first CART title withMario Andrettithe next year, and the team went on to win three more series championships:Michael Andrettiwon in 1991, former Formula 1 World championNigel Mansellin 1993, and BrazilianCristiano da Mattain 2002. Following theCART–IndyCar splitand the subsequent bankruptcy of CART, Newman/Haas has won in the successor series to CART, theChamp Car World Series,withSébastien Bourdaisin 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
During his years in CART, Haas became known for his fondness for cigars. Prohibited from smoking in the pitlane, he would chew an unlit cigar during the race, often at both ends. When Michael Andretti andJuan Pablo Montoyacollided during a practice session for the 1999 race atTwin Ring Motegi,Japan,Haas infamously threw his cigar at Montoya's car ownerChip Ganassiduring a confrontation in the garage area.
One of the few car owners ever to record victories in F5000, CART, Champcar and IRL, Haas also participated in race promotion. He served on CART's Board of Governors until it folded in 2003, and retired as chairman of theSCCAPro Racing Division in 2001. He also chaired the Board of the SCCA for a record four terms until his retirement in 1996. Haas was also a member of the Board of Directors atRoad America.Haas also promoted races at theMilwaukee Mile,inducing CART races andNASCAR Busch Series,NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series,andAmerican Speed Associationraces. He also promoted theGrand Prix of Houston.
Overall, Haas's teams have won 11 championships in three decades.IMScalled him one of the "most powerful men in the history of auto racing."[6]He was inducted into theSCCA Hall of Famein 2007.
Personal life
editHaas lived inLake Forest, Illinoiswith his wife, Bernadette.
It was announced on July 7, 2016, that he had died on June 29, 2016, at his home.[7]
References
edit- ^"Motorsport Memorial - Carl Haas".Motorsport Memorial.Retrieved17 April2023.
- ^Saward, Joe (27 November 2014)."JBF1: Fascinating F1 Facts: 66 - The other Haas F1".Joe Blogs F1.
- ^abHersh, Phil (26 May 1985)."Cool men".Chicago Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on Oct 25, 2023.
- ^abCavin, Curt (July 25, 2016). "Carl Haas, 1930-2016".Autoweek:38–39.
- ^"Hewland Engineering – Agent Network".Hewland.Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2014.Retrieved26 December2013.
- ^IMS."IMS Statement on the Passing of Carl Haas".indianapolismotorspeedway.Retrieved2022-06-14.
- ^"Carl Haas Automobile Imports, Inc:: The Carl Haas Legacy".haasauto.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-08-13.Retrieved2016-08-12.
External links
edit- "Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing Profile from the Champ Car World Series website".Archived from the original on 2008-11-14.Retrieved2005-07-20.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link).Retrieved 2013-05-29. - Newman/Haas Racing Profile @ Fittipaldionline