Death of Don Panoz

The automotive world is mourned by the death of Don Panoz at the age of 83. This American entrepreneur who made his fortune in the pharmaceutical industry (with anti-smoking patches) launched into motor racing in 1989 by financing the creation of the Panoz Auto brand, under the management of his son Danny.

If the US manufacturer has launched several touring models, it is especially on the circuits that the name has become known, notably with the legendary Esperante, which has had several variations. The brand obtained a 5th place in the general classification in the 2000 and 2003 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the LMP-1 Roadster-S. Panoz later took an active part in the development of the DeltaWing

Don Panoz also worked for the development of motorsport in the United States, notably launching the American Le Mans Series before it was replaced in 2014 by theIMSA. The group has notably owned various American circuits including Road Atlanta (Georgia), where it created the Petit Le Mans in 1998, a race that has become a must on the calendar. Endurance.