George Amick
 | |
| Born | October 24, 1924 Vernonia, Oregon |
|---|---|
| Died | April 4, 1959 (aged 34) Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  American |
| Active years | 1957–1958 |
| Teams | Snowberger, Epperly |
| Entries | 2 (1 start) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Career points | 6 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1957 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last entry | 1958 Indianapolis 500 |
George R. "Little George" Amick (October 24, 1924, Vernonia, Oregon – April 4, 1959, Daytona Beach, Florida) was an American racecar driver, mainly competing in the American National Championship.[1][2] He was killed in a crash in a USAC 100-mile (160 km) race at Daytona International Speedway.[2]
Racing career
Amick served in World War II.[1] He began racing in jalopies in the Northwestern United States before switching to midget car racing.[2] He competed in USAC National midgets for three seasons, finishing in the top ten points each season, and won 16 feature races.[2] He totaled 38 wins including the 1957 Turkey Night Grand Prix.[2]
He moved to Indy cars and won three times in 43 starts.[2] In his rookie appearance at the Indianapolis 500 in 1958, Amick was assigned a "lay-down" roadster commissioned by car owner Norm Demler, designed by Quinn Epperly, and built by master Indianapolis chief mechanic George Salih. Amick found himself running a comfortable second to leader Jimmy Bryan with just 20 laps remaining. Demler and Salih felt Amick was in a position to catch Bryan and perhaps even win, but decided against pushing their rookie driver into a potentially fatal mistake, and Amick came home an easy second.
Death
Amick was competing in the only Indy Car race ever run at the Daytona International Speedway and was killed in an accident on the final lap.[2] He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[3][4]
Awards
Amick was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.[2]
Indianapolis 500 results
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Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Federal Engineering | Snowberger | Offenhauser L4 | ARG | MON | 500 DNQ |
FRA | GBR | GER | PES | ITA | NC | 0 | |||
| 1958 | Norman Demler | Epperly Indy Roadster | Offenhauser L4 | ARG | MON | NED | 500 2 |
BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | POR | ITA | MOR | 15th | 6 |
References
- ^ a b Jim Adams (August 14, 1998). "George "Little George" Amick". Find a Grave. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Plaque" (Press release). National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. 2009.
{{cite press release}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Racing Fraternity Pays Tribute To George Amick At Final Rites". The Indianapolis Star. April 10, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved July 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- George Amick driver statistics at Racing-Reference
- 1924 births
- 1959 deaths
- American military personnel of World War II
- Burials at Crown Hill Cemetery
- Indianapolis 500 drivers
- Indianapolis 500 Rookies of the Year
- People from Columbia County, Oregon
- Racing drivers from Oregon
- Racing drivers killed while racing
- Sports deaths in Florida
- United States Navy sailors