Versatile Canadian racer and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes passed away on June 10. According to his wife Barb, “Sad to say that Eppie passed away last night. He was comfortable although frustrated with the sudden progression of the illness. He had heart failure and it was exascerbated by other minor complications but too much for his body to overcome.”
Over his years in racing, Eppie Wietzes drove everything on four wheels, from a Morris Minor with an Austin A40 engine to Lotus and Brabham Formula One cars, as well as various Lola and McLaren Formula 5000 racecars. He won the 1981 Trans-Am championship with a Corvette. Inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993, Wietzes was recognized for his outstanding contribution to racing not only in Canada but also around North America.