Jeff Krosnoff was just reaching the peak of his career when he was killed during the 1996 CART season.
Jeff Krosnoff is best remembered as a talented racing driver but, unlike so many racers, it was not his only passion in life. Away from the circuit he enjoyed a variety of pursuits including journalism, photography and playing the drums. Krosnoff’s death at the 1996 Toronto CART race robbed the sport of one of its most popular characters.
Krosnoff’s career began, like so many others, at a Jim Russell Racing School. In 1983 he finished second in a Formula Ford series organised by the famous school, earning in the process the Gilles Villeneuve Rookie Award. For the next few years Krosnoff competed in the Formula Mazda Pro Series, finishing second in 1984. A move up to the Pro Sports 2000 category in 1986 saw him win on his debut.
In 1988 Krosnoff tried his hand at racing trucks in the SCCA Race Truck Series. He adapted quickly, taking four wins and finishing second in the championship. His efforts were recognised as he won the Rookie of the Year award.
For the 1989 season Krosnoff left America to compete in the lucrative Japanese Formula 3000 championship. That first season brought five top ten finishes and tenth overall in the championship. Many foreign drivers raced in the series at the time and it was a highly competitive championship. Among Krosnoff’s contemporaries were future Formula stars Eddie Irvine, Jacques Villeneuve and the unfortunate Roland Ratzenberger. A camaraderie soon developed between the drivers living away from home. In his book, ‘Green Races Red’, Eddie Irvine wrote of Jeff:
“A more genuine and honest person you couldn’t wish to meet. Jeff was liked by everyone; I don’t think he had an enemy in the world.”
Krosnoff would remain in Japan for another six years, during which time he would form a close association with Toyota. In addition to his Formula 3000 programme he also raced for Toyota in the World Sports Car Championship. In 1994 he finished second overall at Le Mans and first in class. 1995 also saw Krosnoff compete in the Japanese GT Championship, again driving a Toyota.
A deal was secured with the Arciero-Wells team for 1996 to drive in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series. Krosnoff’s car would be powered by a Toyota engine as the Japanese company made their debut in the series. Although results were initially disappointing Krosnoff and Toyota improved gradually and recorded a 15th place finish in Detroit.
Near the end of the Toronto race Krosnoff was battling for position with Stefan Johansson. Krosnoff and Johansson’s cars touched wheels on a fast section, launching Krosnoff's car into the safety fence. The airborne car struck a tree and then a light-pole, with the cockpit taking the brunt of the impact. While the rear of the car landed in an access road at the end of the straight the driver’s cell containing Krosnoff came to rest on the opposite side of the track. Dr. Stephen Olvey was one of those who responded to the crash and, in his book, ‘Rapid Response’, recalled the scene:
“His pupils did not react and he was not responding to any kind of stimulation… I had called in a ‘Code 10’. This is the code number we assign to a fatality.”
The entire CART community was shocked by the accident. To compound the tragedy a volunteer marshal, Gary Avrin, also died when he was struck by flying debris.
Krosnoff’s memory is kept alive today by the Jeff Krosnoff Scholarship, established to help talented Californian students fund their university careers. Although he was born in Oklahoma he grew up in California. Golf was another passion of Krosnoff's and a charity tournament is held annually in his memory.
SOURCES:
www.krosnoffscholarship.com
'Green Races Red' (Eddie Irvine)
'Rapid Response: My inside story as a motor racing life-saver' (Dr Stephen Olvey)
