Yahoo Autos TransAM Series SGT Racer Richard Forsythe Dies
Trans Am Series veteran racer Richard Forsythe has died.
An announcement on the official Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli website today made the announcement.
No further information was provided by the series.
The 65-year-old Forsythe was in his third season competing in the Trans Am Series. In 2023, he scored his first class victory in the series, winning at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. This year, he drove the black No. 58 Louis Gigliotti built, Sambuca Restaurant Chevrolet Corvette in the SGT Class, where he is the points leader.
Forsythe was an owner-driver of Forsythe Motorsports, which lists Cresson, Texas, as its address.
Here's the full text of the release from the Trans Am Series website:
The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is saddened to learn of the passing of SGT competitor and points leader Richard Forsythe. Series officials send their condolences to Richard’s family, friends, crew and competitors.
Forsythe made his Trans Am debut in the GT class at Circuit of The Americas in 2022 before switching to the SGT class in 2023. That season, he earned his first SGT victory at World Wide Technology Raceway, and followed that up with a win in the season finale at COTA.
Forsythe was running a full-time schedule in 2024 in his familiar green and black No. 58 Louis Gigliotti built, Sambuca Restaurant Chevrolet Corvette. Forsythe earned three victories this season, topping the podium in the SGT class at Road Atlanta, Pittsburgh International Race Complex and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Forsythe earned podium finishes in all but one event this year, and in every interview, he always expressed how much he loved racing in the series and valued both his crew and his competitors.
“Richard was a great person, a great friend, and a great racer,” said crew chief and friend Jason Smith. “Racing in the Trans Am Series was a dream of his for many years. He loved the environment, the competition, and the camaraderie. This last year racing with Richard has been an amazing experience. Because of Richard, I’ve been able to do what I love, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. The racing community lost a good one Thursday.”
Forsythe currently leads the SGT point standings with 528 points, holding a 43-point advantage over second-place Kaylee Bryson.
