Patrick Bedard

Hometown:
Sedona, Az
Status:
Associate

Pat Bedard was one of the crew of gonzo journalists that made Car and Driver the most popular automobile magazine in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Bedard’s thoughts on his final day with the publication are a stroll down a four-decade path along the automotive and motorsports trail., Not only could the lad write, but he could also drive, as witness these on-track accomplishments:

– wins with his own Opel 1900 in the Car & Driver showroom stock Challenge II, and with his Vega in Challenge III

– won the IMSA RS race at Lime Rock in 1982 driving a Mazda RX-2

– two starts in the USAC Champ Car series in ‘82

– six starts in CART, including the ‘83 and ’84 Indy 500

– one start in the 24-hours of LeMans, ‘82 in the BFG 924 Carerra

– six starts, three podiums, IMSA GTP ‘83 and ‘84 co-driving the Group 44, Inc. XJR-5

– five starts SCCA Super Vee series ‘80 in a Ralt RT-1

– three starts ‘80 World Challenge driving a Mazda RX7

– two starts ‘79 World Challenge driving a Ferrari 512BB and BMW 320i

– two starts ‘81 World Championship driving a Porsche 924 and Group 44, Inc. TR-8

A horrendous crash at Indianapolis during the ’84 500 cut short his promising racing career. His journalistic career continued for 42 years, all with Car and Driver. He retired in 2009.

 

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