John Fitch, a motorsports champion, pioneer, innovator and member of the inaugural SCCA Hall of Fame class in 2005, passed away early Wednesday morning. He was 95.

A World War II pilot, Fitch became the SCCA’s first National Champion in an era when that meant competing at events across the country. He is perhaps best known for his international drives in Cunninghams, which he helped make famous.

Fitch is perhaps equally well known for his safety innovations. Among his most famous developments is the Fitch Barrier System that has also gained widespread use on highways around the world.

One of Fitch’s last public appearances came in 2010, where at the age of 93 he traveled to Le Mans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corvette’s first significant international victory.

Read more about the legend’s inspiring life from our friends at Autoweek here.