When CART retired the number 99 it gave some indication of the tremendous loss felt in the aftermath of Greg Moore’s death during the final race of the 1999 season. Although only 24 years old at the time Moore had become an intrinsic part of the CART community, an exceptionally talented driver without an enemy among his contemporaries. He carried number 99 throughout his career and it seemed only appropriate that, following his death, no other driver would.
Greg Moore the Family Man
Nine years on from that terrible day Moore’s name is still revered by racing fans around the world. By many standards he was not a typical racing driver. His ambition and determination were never in doubt but, unlike so many young people in his position, Moore remained pleasantly unaffected by fame. In some ways he was very similar to another great Canadian driver, the late Gilles Villeneuve. When Villeneuve joined the Formula 1 circus he shunned expensive hotels in favour of a motor home at the circuit, enabling him to stay with his family and close to his mechanics. Moore also knew the importance of family and would go to great lengths to return home between CART events.
Greg Moore the Racing Driver
Moore’s father, Ric, was an important figure throughout the young driver’s life. From the early days when Moore would race around his father’s garage forecourt in Maple Ridge, BC, to the final goodbye before the Marlboro 500 at Fontana on October 31st, 1999, Ric provided vital support.
Moore was not a driver who slowly made his way to the front of the CART grid. His arrival was immediate and explosive. His first CART race, at Homestead in 1996, may well have brought him his first victory. After qualifying sixth Moore was forced to serve a penalty for a pit-lane infringement. After re-emerging he proceeded to unlap himself from eventual winner Jimmy Vasser and, lapping quicker, was only 20 seconds behind at the flag. It was clear that a star had arrived.
The first victory came in 1997, when Moore became the youngest ever CART winner at Milwaukee. Two more victories followed that year, both on ovals, a type of track which Moore excelled on. In 1998 he led the championship for a while and produced arguably the greatest drive of his career at Michigan. Battling with Vasser and Alex Zanardi in the closing laps, Moore outfoxed the Ganassi team-mates to score a memorable victory for Player’s Forsythe.
Moore’s final victory was at the season-opening Homestead race in 1999. Once again he was in title contention that year, only to be thwarted by a spate of reliability problems late in the season. Nevertheless, in the final race at Fontana, Moore was racing as hard as ever. Having been knocked off his scooter in the paddock he had failed to qualify, as he required attention to an injured hand. Moore was allowed to start from last place on the grid and, very soon, was making rapid progress. A photograph taken shortly before his accident captured the very essence of Moore the racing driver. It shows his blue Player’s Forsythe car centimetres from the top retaining wall, in the process of passing several other cars, while travelling in excess of 200 mph.
Greg Moore, Remembering a Motor Racing Great
Following Moore's death messages of support arrived from all areas of the sport, mourning the loss of a much loved driver. Adrian Fernandez, the eventual winner of the race in which Moore perished, could find nothing to celebrate. He paid a tearful tribute to his friend and rival during the post race press conference;
“This is a tragedy for all of us. I can’t express to you how sad I feel… We should support his family right now because it’s such a difficult time for them. I will remember Greg as a great gentleman, great friend and a fantastic race car driver.”
Almost a decade on from his death Moore’s legacy is still evident through the Greg Moore Foundation and an annual award given to the driver who best exemplifies Moore’s talent and spirit.
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