The BMW CCA Club Racing “Spirit of Club Racing” Award was named after Bud Merrill. William “Bud” Merrill was born in Canton Ohio and moved to Delray Beach, Florida area 1945. A veteran, he served as an Officer in the United States Army 2nd Armored Division in the Korean War. Bud had served on the Delray Beach Fire Department 1950, the Palm Beach County Sheriffs and the Delray Beach Police Department from 1958-1967. He was an owner in Kenmar Flowers and worked in the farming business over 47 Years.
Bud started Auto Racing MGs, Turners and Alfa Romeo’s in 1953 at Daytona, WPB, Sebring, Sebastian Inlet, Amelia Earhart Track Miami, West Hollywood Speedway, Road Atlanta, VIR, Roebling Road, Watkins Glen and many more tracks over the years. Besides BMW CCA Club Racing, he also worked with many racing organizations such as SCCA, VDCA, PBOC, Skip Barber, HSR and SVRA.
Bud was one of our first Chief Stewards for BMW CCA Club Racing. He was stern and fair in executing his role. He was famous for saying “I hate paperwork, so don’t make me fill out forms.” Today the BMW CCA Club Racing “Spirit of Club Racing” award is named after Bud because he was a person of strong character and principles. These traits helped to instill our foundational culture of fun, safe and competitive racing.
Bud passed away quietly with his family by his side on Sunday January 25, 2015 at 80 years old.