Jim Pace (racing driver)

Jim Pace
Born(1961-02-01)February 1, 1961
Monticello, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 2020(2020-11-13) (aged 59)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

James Russell Pace[1] (February 1, 1961 – November 13, 2020) was an American racing driver.

Racing career

Pace began his career in the Barber Saab Pro Series in 1988. He soon moved to sports car racing and won the GTU class at the 1990 24 Hours of Daytona. Pace, along with co-drivers Scott Sharp and Wayne Taylor, drove the Riley & Scott Mk III to the overall victory in the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona, then weeks later also won the 12 Hours of Sebring. Later in 1996, Pace was a race driver for the same team in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After years of only driving at Daytona, Pace returned to regular drives in the Rolex Sports Car Series GT class in 2007. In 2008, he drove a Porsche 911 for The Racer's Group, and in 2009 drove for Farnbacher Loles Racing. In later years, he participated in vintage racing events.

Personal life

Jim Pace was born on February 1, 1961, in Monticello, Mississippi. He attended Mississippi State University.

Pace resided in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He died from COVID-19 in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 13, 2020, at the age of 59.[2][3]

Racing record

24 Hours of Le Mans

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1996 United States Riley & Scott Cars Inc. United States Scott Sharp
South Africa Wayne Taylor
Riley & Scott Mk III-Oldsmobile WSC 157 DNF DNF

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pos. Points
2014 Highway to Help P Riley Mk XXVI DP Dinan (BMW) 5.0 L V8 DAY
9
SEB
14
LBH
LGA DET
WGL MOS IMS ELK COA PET 41st 41
2015 Highway to Help P Riley Mk XXVI DP Dinan (BMW) 5.0 L V8 DAY
8
SEB
7
LBH LGA DET WGL MOS ELK COA PET 19th 49
2016 Highway to Help P Riley Mk XXVI DP Dinan (BMW) 5.0 L V8 DAY
8
SEB
10
LBH LGA DET WGL
DNS
MOS ELK COA PET 25th 46

References

  1. ^ "Motorsport Memorial - Jim Pace". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  2. ^ Jim Pace Passes Away After COVID-19 Battle
  3. ^ Jim Pace, 1996 Rolex 24 at Daytona overall winner, dies after contracting COVID-19