In honor of his backyard karting accomplishments and countless contributions to the sport, GrassPass will retire William Rutan’s number 80 from national competition. GrassPass will join several hillclimb organizations that have retired the number 80 from competition in honor of the prolific driver’s accomplishments.

As well as being two time SCCA National Champion, multiple hillclimb champion and record holder and racecar designer, William Rutan is also the most successful driver in backyard karting history. Co-driving with his son, Daniel Rutan, or daughter-in-law Deborah, William has relied on smoothness, consistency and technical innovation to win more backyard endurance races than any other driver. In fact, William has won more backyard endurance races than all non-Rutans combined.

William Rutan has also won the Pike’s Peak hillclimb as well as several “Little Le Mans” races at Lime Rock and over 50 other races in a Volvo with factory support. When he focussed on hillclimbs, he set overall records in cars of his own design, and won championships throughout the East. An avid autocrosser, William has been winning solo championships almost as long as the sport has existed. In the backyard, William Rutan has always been revered as a formidable competitor and clean racer, turning the most consistent lap times imaginable for hours at a time.

GrassPass looks forward to receiving guidance from this true legend of American motorsports for many years to come.

William Rutan racing with grandson, Cole Rutan.

by Trevor Hilliar

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