May 4, 1940 - December 15, 1980
Peter Gregg
Born in New York City, New York, USA.
Gregg was a 2-time Trans-Am Series Champion, a 6-time IMSA GTO Series Champion and a 4-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. He was also the owner of Brumos, a Jacksonville, Florida car dealership. He died of a self inflicted gunshot wound.
The 40-year-old was discovered at a sand dune south of Jacksonville by a hiker. An hour earlier he had written the suicide note found in his briefcase. Reports at the time suggested that Gregg was suffering from a progressive and incurable nervous system disorder which would have slowly degraded his physical capabilities and would have eventually been fatal and that this, in the context of his perfectionism for which he was known, was what motivated his suicide.
Gregg was a 2-time Trans-Am Series Champion, a 6-time IMSA GTO Series Champion and a 4-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. He was also the owner of Brumos, a Jacksonville, Florida car dealership. He died of a self inflicted gunshot wound.
The 40-year-old was discovered at a sand dune south of Jacksonville by a hiker. An hour earlier he had written the suicide note found in his briefcase. Reports at the time suggested that Gregg was suffering from a progressive and incurable nervous system disorder which would have slowly degraded his physical capabilities and would have eventually been fatal and that this, in the context of his perfectionism for which he was known, was what motivated his suicide.
At the time of his death Gregg had achieved a reputation as one of America's greatest and most successful road racers with 152 wins out of 340 races he started. He won the IMSA GTO overall championship in 1971 and 1973, the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona in a Porsche Carrera, co-driven by Hurley Haywood, and the Trans-Am Series in 1973 and 1974 in a Brumos Porsche.
Gregg won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1973 1975, 1976, and 1978. Gregg won IMSA GTO overall championships in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979, giving him six career titles in the class, and the Trans-Am Series in 1973 and 1974.
Gregg was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2000.
From what i had heard is rom what I had heard is that Peter Gregg was Hurley Haywood's lover. I hope this did not contribute to his suicide? Back then gay men in the racing circles were not so accepted as they are now. Glad you posted this article to have more knowledge of the racing works and drama in the early 1980's.
ReplyDeleteI knew Peter fairly well and I never dreamed of what you said. I suppose anything is possible plus that was not in anyone's discussion in those days.
DeleteHurley spoke very openly recently here in Toronto. He said Peter was straight and that He and Peter were never lovers
Deletehttps://youtu.be/2kApC5rioUM
DeleteI would not give much credence to what Hurley Haywood says in his book or documentary. His dealership gave a certain Mercedes to a man to be delivered to New Orléans from Brumos in exchange for The judicial system to drop the drug smuggling charges of 4 defendents to be dropped to help his brother in law, John Paul Sr.
DeleteJohn Paul Jr delivered the cash and the poof….time served back in 1981. Just months after Peter Gregg committed suicide. Who was running Brumos solely then? Hurley Haywood, who’s sister married John Paul Sr while still married to Chalice Paul.
This posting is getting a lot of responses on Facebook with racing enthusiasts. The younger generation doesn't know the facts about the past and what transpired in the racing world and the private circles who controlled and ran it. The old timers who do remember and were willing to come forward now 30 + years later. Chalice would of ripped her hat to you for helping. Let's pray for justice for Chalice Paul and Colleen Wood.
ReplyDeleteI meant tipped her hat off for helping her typo! Plus we want to comment on the "bully" session that some of the IMSA Fan page on Facebook that someone did a share in this article and make fun of gay men, missing women and make fun of this campaigning for Chalice Paul-Missing Person and Colleen Wood Missing Person. The families of both missing women are appalled by your lack of sensitivity especially now that another Holiday season will come and go without them. Your names and postings are in safe keeping.
DeleteNice post thanks for ssharing
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