San Francisco Region - SCCA 
In Memory Of Don Wixcel

This was posted by David Vodden from the SCCA Office.

Longtime SCCA Club member and Administrator Don Wixcel passed away on Tuesday October 17th. The 78-year-old Willows resident was born in Centerville South Dakota and moved with his family to Delhi California at the age of eleven. Don attended Turlock High School joining the Navy upon graduation at age seventeen. He attended Modesto Jr College majoring in Business Accounting and Fine Arts. His professional career took him to accounting positions at Doheny-Batson and the Turlock Irrigation District and finally to the San Francisco Region of the Sports Car Club of America where he became the Region Manager in 1973 at a salary of $9,000 per year.

Don's love affair with the SCCA began in the late 50's when he found Solo II. He joined the SCCA in 1961, 45 years ago, and began competing behind the wheel of a Morgan Plus 4. This was followed by a Triumph Spitfire MK2 where he raced in the GP class. Don was the 1967, 68 & 69 GP Regional Class Champion in his Triumph. In 1971 he co-drove with John Howard to capture the under 1700cc class win in the Annual Club Enduro now known as the RDC Illgen Classic.

Don switched from racing at Club events to managing them in 1973 when he became the Club's Region Manager, a title he held until 1989. During his tenure he received three RE awards, was Norpac licensing chairman, was a key player on the Regional Developmental Task Force and wrote the Region Business Guidelines published in the 1990 SCCA Operations Manual. Don also served as Competition Director and Chief Driver Observer during this time. Following a brief hiatus in 1990, Don returned to serve the Club until his official retirement in 1997. For most of his final years with the Club he worked with David Vodden, President and CEO of Thunderhill Park in an Administrative position.

In 1997 Don was recognized with a Club race named in his honor . In 2006 he was part of the Club's Inaugural group of inductees into the SFR/SCCA Hall of Fame.

Don dedicated his life to the San Francisco Region of the SCCA on a 24/7-schedule serving member needs. He was fastidious, loyal, sincere, and unique in his role as club member, driver, official and administrator.

Don is survived by his two sisters. Bonnie from Elk Grove and Ila from Manteca.

All members of the San Francisco Region of the SCCA and the National SCCA organization owe Don Wixcel a significant debt of gratitude. He was special and unique and now he is gone. Rest in peace old friend.

Bruce Ackerman writes .......

Don will always have a special place in my heart. He helped my through getting my license in '82, holding my hand the way only Don would ( if you know what I mean ! ) making me feel welcome to this great club of racers. Over the years he would stop by in the paddock to say hello, give me compliements and good wishes for a great race. Always with his friendly hand shake and ohhh that special twinke in his eyes. Lucky me.

Kevin Curtin writes .......

I can still remember the many visits I made in the 1970s to the rather cramped office space that the Region rented on Pacific Avenue in San Francisco. Don was almost always quite cheerful and helpful, compensating for the limited office space by employing his excellent organizational skills. He is one of the real icons of our fine "family" and deserves a place in any Hall of Fame or similar recognition the Region can grant. Thanks for everything, Don !

Email The Web Team  if you would like to post a memory of Don on this webpage. Unfortunately, we have no family contact information to pass them along privately.