One of our North American stars of open wheel racing going back to the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and well into the 1980's and maybe beyond has gone.
Charles "Charlie" " Chuck" Dietrich left us all Last Sunday night July 7.
From Elva Formula Juniors through F5000 honkers and Can Am Lolas for Carl Haas Chuck drove everything and anything.
Personally I raced with Chuck in the early 1970's in FB cars [predecessors of F Atlantic] and never raced anyone who could make his car any wider than him.
Charlie and Dan Carmichael were the Frick and Frack twins of CenDiv FA racing for years, Dan well over 6' and Charlie barely making 5'6", always together on and off track.
My bride Tracy got a call from Janie Dietrich last night with the news and unfortunately this is one of those that is a relief to all involved, Charlie included, as he had battled for years and years and had reached the point of no return.
No details at this point but cards will reach Janie at 2910 Timber Lane, Sandusky, OH, 44870.
Near the end of Chucks driving career he made sporadic appearances in Elva Juniors and as the factory driver for Frank Nichols and the Elva "factory" back in the day.
A true pioneer of our particular motor sports persuasion in it's formative post WWII years into the '80's he was always a quiet polite guy off track and a bloody minded tiger on..........
Banging wheels with Chuck in 1974 at whatever turn 3 at Nelson is called with us both spinning , he in his ex-Rondel Brabham, me in one of the actual Rondel cars, will be one of my enduring memories of my time in FB in that time......
Go fast Chuck, you never knew any other way, you'll be missed.