Dan Kirts carved a legend in Michigan endurance racing that made him one of the most feared and most recognized of the enduro pilots to emerge during the 1970’s and 1980’s. A master of the high-speed, long-distance ice oval, Kirts’ flashy, yet steady style, earned him a competition record that stands as one of the enduro racing’s all-time greatest.

A driver who liked the pole position in events that typically saw twenty-five or more sleds on the track at one time, Kirts dominated the qualifying round on track after track and translated these front positions into back-to-back Triple Crown titles in 1980 and 1981. His lap records were the times to beat during the years he raced. His single lap time at the legendary Soo 500 still stands as of the date of his induction.

The key pilot in a long string of enduro wins in the 1980’s by the Bob Benner Team racing out of Holly, Michigan, Kirts also lent his incredible speed and endurance driving talents to Team Manta, Team Felzke Farms and Pierce Racing Team before his retirement in 1990. As he enters the Hall of Fame, Dan remains active as a coach for his son Jim who is the lead driver for the ATM racing Team of Harrisville, Michigan.