John Fitch is known as a pioneer in the field of motorsport safety. His first passion was the plane. No wonder he joined the outbreak of the 2e World War I immediately reported as a pilot to the Royal Air Force. However, he was rejected.
When the United States became involved in 1941, he was given the opportunity to register with the US Air Force, where he performed extremely well. He was first active in Africa and immediately afterwards in Europe. Stationed in the British capital, he carried out various bombing flights. When he brought down his first Messerschmidt ME262, his name was established. Shortly before the end of the war, his Mustang P51 was knocked down by German fire. He survived the landing, but was immediately captured. Barely seven years later, he became the first American to race in the Mercedes-Benz factory team, an action that was not appreciated by his countrymen. He broke the ice with the (wise?) Text "During the war I was a soldier, now I am a driver". As with so many American drivers, his career started in an MG TC. He turned out to be a very good driver and was noticed by his fellow countryman and multi-millionaire Briggs Cunningham, who registered him for the Grand Prix of Argentina in 1951. With an Allard he won and received his prize from the legendary Eva Peron, who even kissed him, something he has always remained proud of. That same year he won the first National Championship of the Sports Car Club of America. The following year he became a factory driver for Cunningham, but was deeply impressed by the rival Mercedes-Benz team. The then 'chef' Rudi Uhlenhaut had already noticed that Fitch was a special driver, and invited him to come and ride the Nürburgring in an 300SL. Knowing that this might be his only chance, he drove his two laps extremely fast. 'Rennleiter' Alfred Neubauer might have realized that Fitch had driven at the fastest and told him "Do one more lap to make sure this wasn't a coincidence". Fitch managed to get a few seconds off ... With the message from Neubauer "Thanks and you will hear from us if there is anything to drive" he flew back to the States. John Fitch was an impatient person and managed to get Neubauer to register the Carrera PanAmericana with the 300SL. A team was hastily put together and factory riders such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling and Stirling Moss became his teammates ... He did not win the 1952 race, but received all respect from Neubauer. The whole story behind John Fitch is extremely interesting and deserves a more extensive story. The man has achieved countless successes, ridden for many teams (from Cunningham to Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, Ferrari) and has done a lot for motorsport. The accident at Le Mans in 1955 made me think. Something had to be done to make racing safer! His last public appearance was during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010. As a guest of honor he rode - as an 93 year old! - a round in the Corvette before the start of the race, with which he and his compatriot Bob Grossman won the first international victory fifty years before! The entire team from the Corvette factory team at Fehan saluted when he parked the car in front of the team's pitbox after a few laps. Friends and acquaintances saw that after the death of his wife in 2009, 'Fitch' actually no longer felt like living. Slowly but surely the candle went out.