Charles Moran (racing driver)

Career

Charles J. Moran Jr. was an American racing driver and motorsport official. Born in New York City in 1906, he attended St. George's School, Princeton University, and Columbia University. In 1928, he drove a Rally car for a full 24 hours without relief at the VII° Bol d'Or in St. Germain-en-Laye, France, finishing fourth. He spent the next year and a half racing that car at circuits in Spa, San Sebastian, Madrid, and Geisberg.

In 1929, he became the first American to compete at Le Mans, driving a DuPont with co-driver Alfredo Jose Miranda. He entered the same car at the 1930 Indianapolis 500 with George Reed as his riding mechanic. Moran retired from racing in 1932 to work as an engineer for DuPont Motors, later moving to the brokerage firm Francis I. DuPont, where he became a managing partner in the 1950s. He returned to racing in 1949, competing in SCCA events with cars including Bugattis, MGs, Cunninghams, an AC Bristol, a Lotus, and a Ferrari.

He raced again at Le Mans in 1951 (finishing 16th in a Ferrari 212), 1952 (a DNF in the same car), and 1953 (finishing 10th in a Cunningham C4Rx coupe with John Gordon Bennett). Moran served as Secretary of the SCCA from 1952 to 1953 and as President from 1954 to 1955. He was also a member of the Commission Sportive Internationale and the American representative to the FIA. In 1956, after the AAA ended its affiliation with the FIA, the U.S. lost its official connection, threatening international racing licenses and event sanctions.

Moran organized the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS) to unite the SCCA, USAC, and NASCAR under one umbrella. He became its first president, skillfully managed its early years, and led negotiations with the FIA, which recognized ACCUS in 1957. He later chaired the board of trustees at St. George's School from 1958 to 1962. Moran died in Teasdale, Utah, in 1978.

Did You Know?

• Moran was born in New York City, son of Charles Moran, a naval historian, and Martha Adams.
• He attended St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, and Princeton University before graduating from Columbia University.