The American enjoyed a short but eventful career in endurance racing behind the wheel of a Volvo PV444, alongside teammate Art Riley. Riley was also a Volvo dealer from Long Island. Their friendship saw them taking part in many racing events between '57 and '61. Walter Cronkite was part of the team that won at Lime Rock's “Little LeMans” in 1957, '58 and '61. One year, Cronkite was the single person to finish from a five-car team and took the B-division, placing third overall. According to autoblog.com, the two also took part in the Trans-Canada rally.
Art Riley died earlier this year at 93 and his obituary mentions Cronkite's contribution to the team's success back in those years.
Cronkite was an anchor and managing director of the “CBS Evening News” from 1962 to 1981. Known for his steady baritone voice and disciplined performance, he covered several important stories through the tumultuous 1960s and '70s, shaping the face of television news into the profession it is today. Because of his steady and neutral stewardship he was regarded as “the most trusted man in American” even years after leaving his CBS anchor show.
“Walter was truly the father of television news", said Morley Safer, a correspondent for CBS' "60 Minutes". "The trust that viewers placed in him was based on the recognition of his fairness, honesty and strict objectivity."
Cronkite died after a long illness at his residence in New York on Friday, July 17 2009. The news was announced by CBS Vice President Linda Mason.
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