Longtime IMSA Driver Michael Brockman Passes Away

Photo: John Brooks

Longtime sports car racing driver and Hollywood stunt man Michael Brockman (pictured, right) passed away last month at the age of 74.

Brockman, who took part in 14 editions of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, was a regular on the IMSA scene in the 1980s and 90s before teaming up with Paul Newman for some of the Hollywood star’s final races in the 2000s.

While starting off as a road test editor at Motor Trend magazine, Brockman jumped into professional competition in 1979 and drove in more than 100 races, mostly throughout North America.

He made his one-and-only start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000, sharing a Manthey Racing Porsche 996 GT3-R with Michael Lauer and Gunnar Jeannette, who had become the youngest starter in the French endurance classic at the time.

In addition to his racing accolades, Brockman worked as an actor and stuntman in a number of films, including Harry & Son (1984), Fat Man And Little Boy (1989), Road to Perdition (2002), owing to his longtime friendship with Newman.

Brockman had owned a Mazda dealership in Milford, Conn., where a celebration of his life will be held on Dec. 8, from 2-6 p.m. (915 Boston Post Rd; Milford).

John Brooks contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John