Salt Walther | |
|---|---|
 Walther's promotional headshot for the 1979 SCCA/CART Indy Car Series | |
| Born | 22 November 1947 |
| Died | 27 December 2012 (aged 65) Trotwood, Ohio, United States |
David "Salt" Walther (November 22, 1947 – December 27, 2012[1]) was a driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He also drove NASCAR stock cars and unlimited hydroplane boats, and was a car owner in USAC. Walther is best remembered for a crash at the start of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 that left him critically injured. He recovered from his injuries, returned in 1974, and placed 9th in the 1976 race. He also co-drove a car with Bob Harkey to 10th place in 1975.
He was the son of George Walther Jr., owner of Dayton Steel Foundry, who fielded Indy 500 cars for Juan Manuel Fangio in 1958 and Mike Magill in 1959. His German-born grandfather George Walther Sr. established the foundry and was a prominent inventor and industrialist. His brother, George "Skipp" Walther III, was fatally injured while trying to qualify as an Unlimited driver at Miami Marine Stadium, in 1974.[2]
David Walther was given the nickname "Salt" during his teen years, owing to his boat racing. He is one of eight unlimited hydroplane drivers to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
- ^ "David "Salt" Walther dies at 65". ESPN.com. 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
- ^ George Walther Remembered