The Crittenden Automotive Library

Tim Leicht

Tim Leicht
Person

Died: December 11, 2012

Magazine covers include: GTR Newsletter (January 2013 - "Remembering Our Friend Tim Leicht" Leicht Automotive Formula Ford)

From the Decmeber 2012 Issue of the GTR Newsletter

We are all attempting to cope with the loss of our great friend, Tim Leicht. Tim passed on Tuesday, December 11 of liver failure at age 60.

Too young.

Tim was not only one of the founding members of GTR but also he was an original founding member of CARS in Miniature. I first met Tim at the second ever CARS meeting in October 1991. The meetings were actually held in the front office of Tim’s business, Leicht Auto, in Wauconda, IL. That was a great site; where else could you attend a model club meeting while standing next to everything from a Lamborghini Countach to a Mercedes Gull Wing!

Tim was a first rate mechanic who operated his own shop for about 30 years, specializing in European and German cars, also lots of sports cars. He was also a big race fan. In the 1980’s he drove Formula Fords at local events in Illinois and Wisconsin. Also he served as a pit crewman at several Daytona 24 Hour races. He served as instructor and test driver for several manufacturer programs, and helped run local club events such as BMW club days at local tracks like Road America.

Recently Tim was able to fulfill his dream of driving a race car with his son Evan. They built up a 1985 Corvette to run in Midwest Council events

Less than two weeks before he went into the hospital, Tim co drove with Evan to a win at Blackhawk Farms in their Corvette.

Model cars were another passion for Tim. He was a good builder, and he had a large collection, especially the import and German cars he loved. He always seemed to have the latest cool kit and brought them in to our meetings. Over the years he contributed lots of articles to the GTR and CARS newsletters and served as president several times, including the last two years. In the early 2000’s Tim also operated Gearhead Hobbies, a hobby store in the Volo Antique Auto complex in Volo, IL. At one point Gearhead produced several sheets of aftermarket decals. We will all miss Tim as he was a good friend over the years. He was a dedicated family man; our thoughts are with his wife of 37 years, Elaine, and his sons Colin and Evan.