Bob Akin
Encyclopedia
Robert Macomber "Bob" Akin, III was a successful business executive, journalist, television commentator and champion sports car racing driver.
, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in business administration. He spent 40 years with the Hudson Wire Company in Ossining, N.Y., which was founded by his grandfather in 1901, and was president from 1974 until he retired in 1995. In 1989 the company was dominating the worldwide aircraft and aerospace wiring market when it was sold to the Phelps Dodge
Corporation.
Akin began his racing career in 1957, competing in outboard boat racing and in drag racing
in 1957 and 1958. He switched to road racing
, acquiring his amateur SCCA national racing license in 1959 and hired legendary sports car racer John Fitch
as his driving coach. Proving a quick study, he piloted an Alfa Veloce Spider to his first win in only his third race at Bridgehampton. He drove a front engine Volpini Formula Junior in 1960, then switched to a 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC for several races during the early part of the 1961 season, before retiring in July of that year, to concentrate on the family business.
Almost by accident, Akin returned to racing in 1973, after accepting an invitation from his friend, Sam Posey
, to drive a few laps in his Mercedes-Benz 300SL
, at the July 4th, 1973 Vintage Sports Car Club of America event at Lime Rock Park
. Within a month, he was back at it in earnest, driving a Lotus 11 in vintage racing events until switching to the 1959 Cooper-Monaco that would prove to be his favorite racer, in 1975.
In 1978, he purchased a Porsche RSR Carrera thinking it would be fun to run in the 1978 12 Hours of Sebring
. They ran what was considered to be a test run at Daytona, before the Sebring event, then continued on racing a full season that would include racing at Le Mans with a Porsche 935 Turbo. Now solidly back in the drivers seat, compiled an impressive list of achievements, highlighted by a 6-Hour win at Watkins Glen
, '79 and '86 12 Hours of Sebring
victories, two second-place finishes in the '81 and '82 24 Hours of Daytona
, six appearances, including a fourth overall in '84, at Le Mans
. He won the IMSA Camel GT series
in 1986 and had four top-10 finishes in IMSA
Endurance Championship points standings. He was also a member and former president of the prestigious Road Racing Drivers Club.
Akin retired from professional racing in 1991 but stayed quite active in the sport. He returned to racing his beloved vintage and historic cars, competed in the Fastmasters
racing series, wrote articles for Road & Track
magazine, and did on-air commentary for Speed
vision, TBS and ESPN
television. Following his retirement from Hudson Wire Company, in 1995, Akin also devoted his time to the management of Bob Akin Motorsports (Now Hudson Historics), which specializes in the restoration and race preparation of historic race cars.
On April 25, 2002, he was gravely injured in a violent crash while testing a powerful (900-plus horsepower, twin-turborged V-6) 1988 Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo
for the Walter Mitty Challenge for historic cars at Road Atlanta
. His injuries included a broken neck, left leg, left shoulder and right arm, along with third-degree burns over 15 percent of his body. He was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital
after the accident. After briefly rallying, the 66 year old succumbed due to complications from his injuries on April 29, 2002.
, Archie Urciuoli and Bob's son, Bobby Akin. The permanent trophy, designed by Steuben Glass, in Corning, New York, is inscribed with the name and year of award of each annual recipient, and displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen, New York. Individual replica trophies are given to each honoree.
“The Akin award is for ‘speed with style’ which aptly describes Bob Akin” said RRDC President Bobby Rahal
. “Not every member of the RRDC is a professional driver, but every one loves racing and is a good guy, and that perfectly describes Bob.” The Road Racing Drivers Club presents the Bob Akin Memorial Motorsports Award annually to the race driver who exemplifies the characteristics for which Bob was known and respected:
2004 – Charlie Gibson
2005 – John Fitch
2006 – Jim Haynes
2007 – Cameron Argetsinger
2008 – Jim Downing
2009 – Steven J. Earle
2010 – Augie Pabst
Internet Source: Dark Horse Racing
Internet Source: Hudson Historics About Us
Internet Source: Historic Racing
Internet Source: Road Racing Drivers Club
Biography
Bob Akin was born March 6, 1936, in North Tarrytown, N.Y., and was raised in Sleepy Hollow Manor. He was educated at Hackley School in Tarrytown and later served on its board for 30 years and as president from 1980 to 1990. At Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in business administration. He spent 40 years with the Hudson Wire Company in Ossining, N.Y., which was founded by his grandfather in 1901, and was president from 1974 until he retired in 1995. In 1989 the company was dominating the worldwide aircraft and aerospace wiring market when it was sold to the Phelps Dodge
Phelps Dodge
Phelps Dodge Corporation was an American mining company founded in 1834 by Anson Greene Phelps and William Earle Dodge, Sr.. On March 19, 2007, it was acquired by Freeport-McMoRan and now operates under the name Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.-History:...
Corporation.
Akin began his racing career in 1957, competing in outboard boat racing and in drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
in 1957 and 1958. He switched to road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
, acquiring his amateur SCCA national racing license in 1959 and hired legendary sports car racer John Fitch
John Fitch (driver)
John Cooper Fitch is a racecar driver born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the first American to race automobiles successfully in Europe in the postwar era...
as his driving coach. Proving a quick study, he piloted an Alfa Veloce Spider to his first win in only his third race at Bridgehampton. He drove a front engine Volpini Formula Junior in 1960, then switched to a 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC for several races during the early part of the 1961 season, before retiring in July of that year, to concentrate on the family business.
Almost by accident, Akin returned to racing in 1973, after accepting an invitation from his friend, Sam Posey
Sam Posey
Sam Posey is a retired American racecar driver and sports broadcast journalist.-Driving career:...
, to drive a few laps in his Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat, closed sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors. Later it was offered as an open roadster...
, at the July 4th, 1973 Vintage Sports Car Club of America event at Lime Rock Park
Lime Rock Park
Lime Rock Park is a natural-terrain motorsport road racing venue located in Lime Rock, Connecticut, United States, a hamlet in the village of Lakeville, Connecticut, in the state’s northwest corner...
. Within a month, he was back at it in earnest, driving a Lotus 11 in vintage racing events until switching to the 1959 Cooper-Monaco that would prove to be his favorite racer, in 1975.
In 1978, he purchased a Porsche RSR Carrera thinking it would be fun to run in the 1978 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
. They ran what was considered to be a test run at Daytona, before the Sebring event, then continued on racing a full season that would include racing at Le Mans with a Porsche 935 Turbo. Now solidly back in the drivers seat, compiled an impressive list of achievements, highlighted by a 6-Hour win at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
, '79 and '86 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
victories, two second-place finishes in the '81 and '82 24 Hours of Daytona
24 Hours of Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona, currently known as the Rolex 24 Daytona for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is run on a combined road course, utilizing portions of the NASCAR tri-oval and an infield...
, six appearances, including a fourth overall in '84, at Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
. He won the IMSA Camel GT series
IMSA GT Championship
IMSA GT was a sports car racing series organized by International Motor Sports Association. Races took place primarily in the United States and occasionally in Canada.-History:...
in 1986 and had four top-10 finishes in IMSA
International Motor Sports Association
The International Motor Sports Association is an American sports car auto racing sanctioning body based in Braselton, Georgia. It was started by John Bishop, a former employee of SCCA , and his wife Peggy in 1969 with help from Bill France, Sr...
Endurance Championship points standings. He was also a member and former president of the prestigious Road Racing Drivers Club.
Akin retired from professional racing in 1991 but stayed quite active in the sport. He returned to racing his beloved vintage and historic cars, competed in the Fastmasters
Fastmasters
Fastmasters was a made for television auto racing series, broadcast on ESPN in 1993 that featured notable drivers over the age of 56, most of whom were retired from professional racing at the time. The Fastmasters series was a summer-long elimination competition, with identical, Tom Walkinshaw...
racing series, wrote articles for Road & Track
Road & Track
Road & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
magazine, and did on-air commentary for Speed
Speed
In kinematics, the speed of an object is the magnitude of its velocity ; it is thus a scalar quantity. The average speed of an object in an interval of time is the distance traveled by the object divided by the duration of the interval; the instantaneous speed is the limit of the average speed as...
vision, TBS and ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
television. Following his retirement from Hudson Wire Company, in 1995, Akin also devoted his time to the management of Bob Akin Motorsports (Now Hudson Historics), which specializes in the restoration and race preparation of historic race cars.
On April 25, 2002, he was gravely injured in a violent crash while testing a powerful (900-plus horsepower, twin-turborged V-6) 1988 Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo
Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo
The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo was a series of racing cars developed for Nissan Motors by Electramotive Engineering to compete in the IMSA GT Championship. Running from 1985 to 1990, they were known for being the first car to defeat the Porsche 962 which had dominated IMSA's premiere GTP category...
for the Walter Mitty Challenge for historic cars at Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta is a 2.54-mile road course located just north of Braselton, Georgia, USA. The facility is utilized for a wide variety of events, including professional and amateur sports car and motorcycle races, racing and driving schools, corporate programs and testing for motorsports teams...
. His injuries included a broken neck, left leg, left shoulder and right arm, along with third-degree burns over 15 percent of his body. He was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital
Grady Memorial Hospital
Grady Memorial Hospital, frequently referred to as Grady Hospital or simply Grady, is the largest hospital in the state of Georgia and the public hospital for the city of Atlanta. It is the 5th largest public hospital in the United States, as well as one the busiest Level I trauma centers in the...
after the accident. After briefly rallying, the 66 year old succumbed due to complications from his injuries on April 29, 2002.
The Bob Akin Memorial Motorsports Award
In memory of the late Bob Akin, the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) established the Bob Akin Memorial Motorsports Award, in 2003. The selection committee consists of Brian RedmanBrian Redman
Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England....
, Archie Urciuoli and Bob's son, Bobby Akin. The permanent trophy, designed by Steuben Glass, in Corning, New York, is inscribed with the name and year of award of each annual recipient, and displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen, New York. Individual replica trophies are given to each honoree.
“The Akin award is for ‘speed with style’ which aptly describes Bob Akin” said RRDC President Bobby Rahal
Bobby Rahal
Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...
. “Not every member of the RRDC is a professional driver, but every one loves racing and is a good guy, and that perfectly describes Bob.” The Road Racing Drivers Club presents the Bob Akin Memorial Motorsports Award annually to the race driver who exemplifies the characteristics for which Bob was known and respected:
- A passion for motorsports and automobiles
- A history of successful amateur and/or vintage racing
- A high level of sportsmanship and fair play
- An articulate and courteous presence
- A sharp wit and mischievous sense of humor
- A broad range of interests and meticulous attention to detail
- A record of contribution to motorsports and the community
- A devotion to family and friends
Bob Akin Memorial Motorsports Award Recipients
2003 – Sam PoseySam Posey
Sam Posey is a retired American racecar driver and sports broadcast journalist.-Driving career:...
2004 – Charlie Gibson
2005 – John Fitch
John Fitch (driver)
John Cooper Fitch is a racecar driver born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the first American to race automobiles successfully in Europe in the postwar era...
2006 – Jim Haynes
2007 – Cameron Argetsinger
Cameron Argetsinger
Cameron Argetsinger was a sports car enthusiast, lawyer and auto racing executive best known for creating the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York and making it the home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix from 1961 through 1980...
2008 – Jim Downing
Jim Downing
James "Jim" Downing, born January 4, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia, is the five-time IMSA Championship winning, owner/driver of , and principal in the development of the HANS Device.-Personal life:...
2009 – Steven J. Earle
2010 – Augie Pabst
Primary Information Sources
NY Times Obituary, dated May 3, 2002, Bob Akin, 66, Auto Racer Who Won at Sebring TwiceInternet Source: Dark Horse Racing
Internet Source: Hudson Historics About Us
Internet Source: Historic Racing
Internet Source: Road Racing Drivers Club