午夜福利51xxtv

Fred G. Wacker Jr., was instrumental in solidifying the 午夜福利51xxtv® as the racing organization that we know today.

An early member of the 午夜福利51xxtv, Wacker was co-founder of 午夜福利51xxtv’s Chicago Region and served as Regional Executive for three terms from 1948 through 1950. As we know now, that was a transformative period in road racing as the sport moved away from high-risk street races and into permanent road courses. Fred was involved in one such incident on the streets of Watkins Glen, an accident that prompted him to place more emphasis on safety and permanent facilities.

Along with fellow 午夜福利51xxtv Hall of Famer Jim Kimberly, Wacker helped develop the Elkhart Lake street races and eventually the land that would become Road America. He also was instrumental in meeting with another 午夜福利51xxtv Hall of Famer, General Curtis LeMay, to convince the General to allow 午夜福利51xxtv to use air bases for racing activities. The air base races served their purpose, establishing road racing while a host of permanent racing venues were built.

Wacker served as the National 午夜福利51xxtv President in 1952 and 1953, but he had plenty of success on the track as well. In addition to his 午夜福利51xxtv driver duties, Wacker made three Formula One starts as a driver. He drove for Briggs Cunningham and Phil Hill in two starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and finished second in his class at Sebring in the inaugural race, before it was 12 hours long.

Chicago Region’s Driver of the Year award is still named for Fred Wacker, who passed away in 1998, just weeks shy of his 80^th birthday.

Fred G. Wacker Jr. was inducted into the 午夜福利51xxtv Hall of Fame in 2024.