Van Rench McDonald

Lost a friend and race car mentor. I met him at a SCCA meeting after his second place finish at The Runoffs in 1982 (I think). His guidance shaped my early driving and how it all worked. I traveled with him and his fantastic wife around the southeast in the 80´s and crewing dozens of races and the championships. Ran into him, of all places, at the race track in 2020. It was fantastic to catch up and share where his influence has taken me. Good bye Van, thank you for everything

Van and I met in 1982 at the Moroso Raceway near W. Palm Beach. I was new to racing having obtained my SCCA license in 1981. Van gave me the opportunity to drive his "second love" Number 15 GT-5 Datsun. We teamed up in 1983 where I drove the SCCA Regional races and Van drove the National races. We enjoyed something like 21 wins from 23 races. Van knew how to build a fast car that handled better than anyone else. On top of those skills he was a role model for good sportsmanship. Van and...

I had the pleasure of having Van for Math and Physics when he taught at Palmetto High School (Class of 1978). His excellent skills at teaching served me well when I got my Nuclear Physics degree from West Point. I stayed in touch with Van after high school and caught up for tennis when I would get back to Palmetto. Judy, I remember your friendly hospitality when I visited your home on Anna Maria Island, and I also remember your dachshund dogs :). As is sadly often the case, I lost touch...

One of the finest human beings I have ever known. He will be missed.

He was a great man and an amazing teacher. I sat with him at our 50th class reunion! He will be greatly missed by all.

Had Mr McDonald for algebra in 1967. Great guy! Rest in peace. Dan Wright

I was a student of Van´s at Palmetto High School but had the amazing pleasure to get to know Van and Judy after graduating on a personal basis. Van would take me and a few fellow PHS grads water skiing on his boat and then we got him interested in sports car racing through autocross events at the Sarasota Sports Car Club. He really caught the bug and purchased a full race Datsun, got his SCCA racing license at Daytona then went on to take his racing to a whole other level of competition. He...