Eds: A GoFundMe to help lay Dano to rest can be located here.
01.01.2020 | 8:00 AM | NEWPORT BEACH – Over 100 people continued the tradition of the Tour d’ Orange by cruising Orange County in honor of Daniel “Dano” Patten, Friday morning.
The unofficial event organized by The Orange County Mustang Club in response to the cancellation of the 2021 Tour d’ Orange started at Fashion Island in Newport Beach around 8:00 AM.
About 100 vehicles ranging from classics and muscle cars to high-end performance vehicles were on display while gatherers handed out a route guide to drivers.
About an hour later at 9:00 AM the vehicles departed Fashion Island for a scenic cruise along Pacific Coast Highway before heading inland to the canyon roads near Santiago Canyon and ending at The District in Tustin.
Before leaving the group took several moments to recognize the tragic death of 66-year-old Daniel “Dano” Patten, of Huntington Beach.
Known locally for his “Dano Live” videos, Dano was a staple in the car community and adored by thousands for his content that captured the essence of car culture. As described in a GoFundMe to help with burial costs, Dano “was ‘locally world famous.'”
His work went beyond car shows and meet-ups to include surfing, sunsets, and life in Huntington Beach, California in a way that captivated any viewer.
Dano was killed on Christmas Day 2020 when a pair of racing vehicles lost control and struck him while he did what he loved.
Organizers called for those in attendance to recognize the deadly impacts of street racing and to help curb the behavior.