Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4-97

Opp fan · 9/4/11, 2:00 PM

Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago on 9-4-97

It's hard to believe that it's been 14 years since Opp passed away. Even harder to believe that it's been 30 years since his crash in a sprint car at Jennerstown, Pa. in 1981. He had a bad wreck in a dirt champ car in 1976 at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds mile and was just getting back into good racing form when he had the crash at Jennerstown.

Here's an interesting story about him:

http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/fo...p?db=ct&n=3562

racerjim2 · 9/4/11, 2:06 PM

RIP Jan.

wolfpack58 · 9/4/11, 2:52 PM

RIP Jan.Your presence and talent has never been replaced!

:99::

Vukie · 9/4/11, 3:53 PM

Jan in victory lane from the year 1974.

9/4/11, 6:11 PM

My favorite ever, I was lucky as a kid to have experienced him. There could never be anouther, it's literally impossible today.

p.s. his parents who took care of him around the clock for years were affectionally known as mup and fup, me and all my buddies started calling my parents that.

Panama · 9/4/11, 6:27 PM

There will never be another Opp!
Maybe my favorite picture of him, sitting on the wall at Eldora with a very young Steve Kinser.

R.I.P. Jan Opperman

9/5/11, 1:03 AM

excellent tribute to a great racer and an even greater person!

indybail · 9/7/11, 11:49 AM

God bless.

John P Huss · 9/7/11, 1:29 PM

Jan Opperman has been greatly missed. Hard to
believe it's been 14 years.
Best Regards,
John

ronmil · 9/7/11, 1:45 PM

Had the privilege of seeing him race several times. I especially remember his drive in the 1974 Tony Hulman Classic. An amazing natural talent.

9/4/11, 2:52 PM	#3 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
wolfpack58 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	RIP Jan.Your presence and talent has never been replaced!:99::

9/4/11, 6:11 PM	#5 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
backitin Posts: n/a	My favorite ever, I was lucky as a kid to have experienced him. There could never be anouther, it's literally impossible today. p.s. his parents who took care of him around the clock for years were affectionally known as mup and fup, me and all my buddies started calling my parents that. _________________________________________________ Last edited by backitin; 9/4/11 at 6:16 PM.

9/7/11, 1:45 PM	#10 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
ronmil Senior Member Race Count Last Year: 48 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 18,729	Had the privilege of seeing him race several times. I especially remember his drive in the 1974 Tony Hulman Classic. An amazing natural talent. __________________ Ron Miller

9/4/11, 2:06 PM	#2 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
racerjim2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 488	RIP Jan.

9/5/11, 1:03 AM	#7 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
johnnythunderhead Posts: n/a	excellent tribute to a great racer and an even greater person!

9/7/11, 11:49 AM	#8 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
indybail Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 88	God bless.

9/7/11, 1:29 PM	#9 Re: Jan Opperman passed away 14 years ago 9-4
John P Huss Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,362	Jan Opperman has been greatly missed. Hard to believe it's been 14 years. Best Regards, John