Former team owner Hayhoe succumbs to cancer

Businessman, entrepreneur and former race car team owner James 'Jim' Samuel Hayhoe kept his cancer at bay for over ten years before finally succumbing on Monday [15 March] at his California home.

Hayhoe, a developer of up-scale country club and retirement communities, had a life-long interest in motorsports. He attended his first Indy car race in 1951 before, in 1967, at the age of 32, entering his first car in the Indianapolis 500. He made the field, finishing sixth, in his second attempt in 1968 and, over the years, his drivers included Roger McCluskey, Art Pollard, Ronnie Duman, Bruce Walkup and Jimmy Vasser.

"Jim was not only a very dear friend, but a mentor," Vasser recalled, "To put it simply, he was the guy that gave me my break in IndyCar racing. If not for him, I would not be where I am today. He will be missed dearly."

Hayhoe is survived by his wife Kathryn and two children, John and Jill.

Services will be held at St Francis of Assisi Church in Hayhoe's home town of La Quinta on Thursday 25 March.