Cheever Retires Helmet Design...

[RedBull#51]

Cheever Retires Helmet Design...
After 31 years of racing Eddie Cheever Jr. is retiring the helmet design he created with his father at age 13. Cheever will wear a black helmet in the Gateway Indy 250 in mourning for his father, Ed Cheever, who died Aug. 15 at age 74.

“My father was my hero,” said Cheever

[BSJracing]

I heard that during the race broadcast, thought it was a very cool tribute.

[Eagle104]

I heard the intv Jerry Baker did with him, too. It was, naturally, very emotional for Eddie, but he handled it very well..though that's not to be unexpected.

Isn't there a copy-cat helmet or two out there, that was inspired by the Cheever design? I could be wrong, but thought I'd seen mention of it. If it's true, and if it was sort of a tribute, I wonder if this will have any bearing on their decision.

I'm impressed with Eddie's decision, though I'll miss his 'signature hat'. Personally, I hope he keeps the black one.

[Joe in LA]

I'm sorry to see him retire it--it's a great design--one of the few distinctive ones this side of the Atlantic, and could still be worn in honor of his father.

[RedBull#51]

I think maybe he should keep the design and just make the base color black as a tribute to his dad. That would be a cool looking lid!!!

[crispy]

Yeah, I don't really understand the thought process behind this.

Retiring the helmet that you and your dad designed seems counter-productive.

But it's his dad and his helmet so...

[mario]

Can someone post a picture of the retired helmet?

[mattndallas]

Originally posted by mario:
<STRONG>Can someone post a picture of the retired helmet?</STRONG>

This sounds like a line out of "Porky's".

[Doc Austin]

Let eddie honor his father in the manner in which he feels appropriate.

If it were me, I would keep the helmet but put something on it to honor him. After all these years, the design is part of Cheever's identity, a trademark of sorts. Since his father designed it, what better way to honor him than to continue to use it?

Either way, if Eddie, or a member of his team is lurking here, please know you and you family are in the thoughts of all Track forum members.

[crispy]

Originally posted by mario:
<STRONG>Can someone post a picture of the retired helmet?</STRONG>

You can go here.

[RedBull#51]

[mattndallas]

It always reminded me of an ABA basketball.

[Fiorentina 1]

It's a great helmet design! One of the best ever. I think that is a great tribute. But, he should wear it at Indy next year in his father's honor and win the race for him.

Laurent Redon & Anthony Davidson's helmets are both based on Eddie's. Ross Cheever's is also pretty cool looking, I actually almost copied the design; now Richard Antinucci uses Ross's design in F3 in England. Richard is Ross & Eddie's nephew. That design was also made by Ed SR.

RIP Eddie Cheever SR. A friend of my Dad's from Rome met Ed SR, and said he was a very nice person. He owned health clubs in Rome.

[ August 27, 2002: Message edited by: Fiorentina 1 ]