August “Augie” Pabst Jr

The smiling Augie Pabst (left) and co-driver Walt Hansgen after winning the 1964 Road America 500 in their Ferrari 250 LM (6047). (photo Road America Archives)

By Jeff Allison

One of America’s finest and most popular drivers, August “Augie” Pabst Jr., died on October 9, 2024 at 90, leaving a legacy of excellence in racing in the U.S., Canada and internationally at Le Mans, Brands Hatch and Nassau. He was the great grandson of Captain Frederick Pabst, who became the president of the Pabst Brewing Company in 1872. In an interview with Forza (April 2013), Pabst mentioned “… I used to work at the brewery in the summertime in the packaging department,” but that was his only association with the brewery until much later in his life.

Pabst, E.P. Lunken and Gaston Andrey Ferrari 250 TR (0720TR) at the 1959 Sebring 12 Hours. (photo courtesy of E.P.Lunken)

Photos courtesy Jeff Allison, Willem Oosthoek, Tom Shultz, Alan Boe and others

Jeff Allison and Willem Oosthoek scoured their files for photos in the short time available after learning of Augie Pabst’s death. They’re not all conclusive, but they do show his talent and versatility driving such a diverse variety of cars with different teams, at different tracks and in different conditions. He was one of the best!