GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Another racing hero dies at Daytona
But His Love and Spirit Race On

By: Jay Piz

(March 11, 2001, Daytona Beach, FL) Following the tragic death one month ago of national racing hero, Dale Ernhardt, another racing hero has died at the Daytona International Speedway. Statistically the 32nd racer to die at Daytona and not a public figure driving champion like Ernhardt, veteran racer Dirk Piz was none-the-less a true motor sports hero.

While competing at Daytona in the Buell Pro Thunder Sprint, a preliminary event to the Daytona 200, Dirk Piz instinctively and skillfully reacted to avoid an imminent collision with the out-of-control flying body of race competitor, Kiyoshige Watanabe. It was Dirk’s decisive action to steer his Ducati 748 motorcycle away from the downed rider that inevitably took his life after unavoidably colliding with the skidding motorcycle of Watanabe and into the track barrier. Watanabe was later treated and released.

He died as he lived – living large & giving to others right to the end. In the last seconds of his life and with his last breath and physical effort, Dirk saved the life of a fellow racer. He died pursuing his passion for racing.

Forty-five years old, Dirks’ racing career spanned over 20 years. Steeped in family tradition, cars, motorcycles and racing are a part of Dirk’s family. His Father, Robert Piz, raced Bonneville and was a record setter in the early 50’s, Brothers Jay, Ty and Ron have all been active in motor sports with Ty as an active pro AMA rider including competing in the tragic 2001 Daytona 200. Dirk seriously began his racing career in 1973 by first winning top honors at a local drag race event in his Z-28 Camaro. Dirk’s racing venues later expanded to include: Formula Ford, Pro Ford, Pro Super Vee, Gas Dragsters, Nascar Busch Light cars, and most recently, road racing motorcycles as a rider, owner and manager.

The story surrounding Dirk's life is filled with a rich racing and family theme complimented with romance, tragedy and hope.

Piz, a divorced father of two, met an attractive 29 year old Wyeth Jackson nearly a year ago at a motorcycle racing event. While Dirk was assisting his road racing brother, Ty Piz. Wyeth, a recognized pro road racer and instructor, soon became Dirk’s girlfriend and they shared a mutual and growing interest in racing. On March 11th, Wyeth Jackson, raced her Ducati to the finish and placed 13th in Buell Pro Thunder Sprint, unknowing that Dirk was killed earlier in the same race.

Ty Piz, had competed in previous events and was co-mechanic in the pits for both Dirk and Wyeth when he heard of the tragic crash of his brother. Ty crossed the infield and attended his brother through to his last moments. Dirk was pronounced dead at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, FL.

In the absence of their departed team manager, both Ty and Wyeth are recommitted to continuing their remaining road racing schedules throughout 2001.

The present condition and position of Kiyoshige Watanabe of Burbank, CA is unknown.

Dirk Piz was memorialized on Friday, March 16th at Cherry Hills Community Church in his resident Highland Ranch, CO. Dirk's services were attended by his surviving children, Porsche 13 and Dex 9, hundreds of family members and friends including Brent Houston, Chaplain, from Motor Racing Outreach representing the AMA.

Mentioned below is the name of the charitable organization where the family has requested donations:

Denver Children's Advocacy Center
1271 Elati Street
Denver, CO

Jay C. Piz
13211 Myford Road, #1328
Tustin, CA 92782

Career Stats Starts .: 1 Wins .: 0 Top 5s .: 0 Top 10s .: 0 Sponsors .: Grandma's Frozen Noodles Make .: Chevrolet

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