Les Richter, twice a key force in establishing big-league auto racing in Southern California after a career as an all-pro linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams, died Saturday. He was 79. Richter died at Riverside Community Hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm Friday, said his son, Jon. Richter first led Riverside International Raceway, a twisty road-racing course east of Los Angeles, to national prominence largely by bringing NASCAR there in the early 1960s. After that track closed in 1988, he helped supervise development of Auto Club Speedway, the 92,000-seat Fontana track initially called California Speedway that opened in 1997 and now hosts two top-level NASCAR races a year. Richter was an influential motor sports figure nationally even though he never drove a race car or turned a wrench, one whose football background earned him the nickname “Coach.”
“Les Richter will be missed by the entire NASCAR community and always remembered for all he did for the sport on all levels,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement. In promoting Auto Club Speedway’s construction, for instance, the track’s original owner, Roger Penske, tapped Richter to meet with politicians and answer the public’s questions at town hall meetings. In addition to his son Jon, he is survived by his wife, Marilyn; a daughter, Anne; and three grandchildren.(see full story at the Los Angeles Times)(6-12-2010)
SERVICES: Funeral arrangements for motorsports legend Les ‘Coach’Â Richter will take place in Riverside, Calif. beginning Wednesday, June 16 with a public viewing at Acheson and Graham Mortuary followed by a public memorial service at Calvary Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 17. The veteran motorsports executive was instrumental in the development of Auto Club Speedway from the demolition of Kaiser Steel Mill to its transformation into a first-class racing facility. He passed away Saturday at the age of 79. The funeral arrangements for Les Richter are as follows:
Public Viewing
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 between 5 – 8 p.m.
Acheson and Graham Mortuary
7944 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
Ph: (951) 688-1221
Public Memorial Service
Thursday, June 17,2010 at 11 a.m.
Calvary Presbyterian Church
4495 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
Ph: (951) 686-0761
Media and members of the community are invited to the viewing and memorial services.
