Kelvin Kalkhoven, the founder of KV and champion of the 500 Miles of Indianapolis with Tony Kanaan in 2013, passed away this Tuesday, aged 77, still of unknown causes.
Founder of KV Racing Technology (KVRT), a team that won the Indianapolis 500 Miles with Tony Kanaan in 2013, Kevin Kalkhoven passed away this Tuesday (4) at the age of 77, of causes still unknown.
The Australian was a leading figure in American motorsport, not only for founding one of the 500 Miles winning teams but also for becoming the owner of the Champ Car World Series — after its bankruptcy in January 2004, still under the name CART — and from Cosworth, Ford’s engine supply company.
The details of the businessman’s death have yet to be released, and in a note of condolence released on one of its social networks, Cosworth limited itself to saying that Kalkhoven “was the victim of a recent illness”.
“We are incredibly sad to hear that the company’s former owner, Kevin Kalkhoven, sadly passed away this morning, aged 77, after a recent illness,” lamented the company’s profile. “Cosworth extends its condolences to Kevin’s family and loved ones, and respects his desire for privacy at this difficult time,” he said.
We're incredibly saddened to learn the company’s former COB Kevin Kalkhoven, sadly passed away this morning, at the age of 77, following a recent illness. Cosworth extends its condolences to Kevin’s family and loved ones and respect their wishes for privacy at this difficult time pic.twitter.com/74j24uej6S
— Cosworth (@Cosworth) January 4, 2022
After agreeing to buy CART in the first month of 2004, Kalkhoven became the owner of Cosworth in November, after entering into an agreement with Ford — and started to supply engines even for Formula 1, in addition to the Champ Car dispute. KV became part of Indy’s seasons from 2008 onwards and won seven victories in the category, until it closed its doors before the 2017 season.
The Formula 1 also paid tribute to the businessman in one of their social networks. “We are very sad to hear the news that Kevin Kalkhoven has passed away,” the message reads. “He was a great man, who made a huge contribution to Formula 1 with Cosworth, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time,” he said.
In addition to Tony Kanaan , who won the 500 Indianapolis Miles for the team, another Brazilian to drive for KV was Rubens Barrichello, who was part of the team in 2012 together with his compatriot and Venezuelan Ernesto Viso. The team’s last season of competition was in 2016, with Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais — last to win for the team — and Briton Stefan Wilson.
Amelia Warner
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