 His brother, George "Skipp" Walther III, was fatally injured while trying to qualify as an Unlimited driver at Miami Marine Stadium, in 1974.David Walther was given the nickname "Salt" during his teen years while racing boats, and is one of only eight unlimited hydroplane drivers to qualify for the Indy 500.Walther raced in the 1970-1981 seasons, with 64 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 from 1972 to 1976, and 1978 to 1979.