While he was flying high and filling his trophy case, Dan volunteered with various sanctioning bodies to build tracks, drive water trucks, emcee banquets, direct contingency programs, and even mow the pits. During his downtime, he brought his race vehicles to after-school “Just Say No” programs, parades, and community events. Dan hosted CORR’s first organizational meeting, co-founded the Midwest Off-Road Racing Association (MORR), serving as its first president, and donated his time and resources to develop the Short Course Kart Series for local youths. His race team became a platform for up-and-coming drivers, and he and his wife, Nancy, helped MORR develop its Injured Driver Fund program.
Dan’s nomination package came with a hefty stack of Hall of Famer endorsements, and we’d like to share a few.
“He was instrumental in helping to start the sportsman series, giving back as his career was winding down and running the contingency program only to help the other racers.” — Curt Leduc, ORMHOF Class of 2015
“I was one of the many that Dan had a chance to influence and bring into short-course racing. He has been a figurehead and spokesperson for the grassroots racer, always finding a way to help promote the sport regardless of money.” — Brad Lovell, ORMHOF Class of 2022
Motorsports in the Midwest are defined by the personalities that helped shape it. While Dan is best known for being a short-course champion, his larger contributions have been as an advocate, his selfless involvement in leadership roles, and his ongoing mentorship for competitors, young and old.” — Cliff Flannery, ORMHOF Class of 2017 and President of Crandon Motorsports
Short-course was not something Dan did; it was something he lived. His dedication to its ongoing success, unwavering integrity, and level of sportsmanship, and belief that a rising tide lifts all boats are traits that have permanently etched the name Dan Vanden Heuvel in the annals of off-road motorsports.
