Peter Revson

Peter Revson

Born	February 27, 1939(1939-02-27)
Died	March 22, 1974(1974-03-22) (aged 35)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1964, 1971 – 1974
Teams	non-works Lotus, Tyrrell, McLaren, Shadow
Races	33 (30 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	2
Podiums	8
Career points	61
Pole positions	1
Fastest laps	0
First race	1964 Monaco Grand Prix
First win	1973 British Grand Prix
Last win	1973 Canadian Grand Prix
Last race	1974 South African Grand Prix

Peter Jeffrey Revson (February 27, 1939 – March 22, 1974) was an American race car driver who had successes in Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.

Background

Peter Revson was born in New York City, the son of Julie (née Phelps) and Martin Revson.

The nephew of Revlon Cosmetics industry magnate Charles Revson, he was an heir to his father Martin's fortune (reportedly worth over $1 billion). He was a young, handsome bachelor who was described as a "free spirit" that passed up an easy life for one of speed and danger. Off the track, he led his life at the same accelerated pace. Revson piloted a 32-foot (9.8 m) ChrisCraft and courted some of the most beautiful women in the world, including fashion model and 1973 Miss World, Marjorie Wallace. He had met Wallace at the Indianapolis 500; she was an Indianapolis native who was referred to as the "Hoosier Hotshot."

Racing career

The McLaren Revson drove in the 1972 Indianapolis 500

Revson began racing in 1960 while at the University of Hawaii. He previously attended both Columbia University and Cornell University. Revson finished second in a local club event, driving a Plus Four Morgan. He proceeded in his racing career, becoming experienced in Formula cars, Trans-Am sedans, Can-Am Group 7 racers, GT's, and Indianapolis racers.

1963-1974 Formula, TransAm, Can-Am and Indianapolis

In 1963 Revson raced professionally while barnstorming Europe, driving a Formula Junior which was towed behind a beaten up British bread van. In 1968 he was part of the new Javelin racing program established by American Motors (AMC). At the first Trans-Am Series attempt, the 12 Hours of Sebring, Revson and Skip Scott drove to a 12th overall and took 5th in their class.

In the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Revson was the top rookie finisher, placing fifth in the event. He drove a Brabham-Repco which experienced carburetor problems. During a post-race election, he was selected as runner-up for rookie of the year. For the year Revson achieved seven top five finishes in the TransAm series, driving a Mustang (car).

In 1970 he teamed with Steve McQueen to place second in the 12 Hours of Sebring. The same year Revson drove with Mark Donohue in the Penske Racing AMC factory-team Javelins, in the SCCA Trans Am. He piloted an L&M Lola Cars special and became a top contender in the Can-Am racing series. Revson joined McLaren in 1971, becoming the first American to win the Can-Am Championship. That same season he finished second in the Indianapolis 500 after posting the fastest qualifying time.

He competed in the Indy 500 each year from 1969–1973. In 1972, Revson was named to the McLaren Formula One team. He remained with the team for two years, winning the 1972 British Grand Prix and the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix. He moved to Shadow in 1974. He is the last American born driver to win a Formula One race (Mario Andretti, who won in later years, is a naturalized American).

Death

During a practice run for the 1974 South African Grand Prix in Kyalami, he was killed as a result of suspension failure on his Shadow Ford DN3. He was the second Revson to lose his life racing; his brother Douglas was killed in a crash in Denmark in 1967. Peter and Douglas Revson are interred together in a crypt at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

Revson was replaced by Tom Pryce, who died three years later at the same Grand Prix.

Awards

He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996 in the sports car category.

Racing record

Complete World Championship Formula One results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	WDC	Points
1964	Revson Racing (America)	Lotus 24	BRM V8	MON DNQ	NED				GER 14	AUT	ITA 13	USA	MEX						NC	0
	Reg Parnell (Racing)					BEL DSQ		GBR Ret
		Lotus 25					FRA DNS
1971	Elf Team Tyrrell	Tyrrell 001	Cosworth V8	RSA	ESP	MON	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA Ret					NC	0
1972	Team Yardley McLaren	McLaren M19A	Cosworth V8	ARG Ret	RSA 3	ESP 5	MON	BEL 7	FRA	GBR 3	GER								5th	23
		McLaren M19C										AUT 3	ITA 4	CAN 2	USA 18
1973	Team Yardley McLaren	McLaren M19C	Cosworth V8	ARG 8	BRA Ret	RSA 2													5th	38
		McLaren M23					ESP 4	BEL Ret	MON 5	SWE 7	FRA	GBR 1	NED 4	GER 9	AUT Ret	ITA 3	CAN 1	USA 5
1974	UOP Shadow Racing Team	Shadow DN3	Cosworth V8	ARG Ret	BRA Ret	RSA DNP	ESP	BEL	MON	SWE	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	NC	0

Indy 500 results

Year	Chassis	Engine	Start	Finish
1969	Brabham	Repco	33rd	5th
1970	McLaren	Offy	16th	22nd
1971	McLaren	Offy	1st	2nd
1972	McLaren	Offy	2nd	31st
1973	McLaren	Offy	10th	31st

External links

• Peter Revson Photos
• Bruce McLaren Trust website with articles featuring Revson
• Peter Revson at Findagrave.com
• Video Tribute to Peter Revson
• Ad for Peter Revson's AFX slot car by Aurora (1973)

Sporting positions
Preceded by Jackie Stewart	Monaco Formula Three Race Winner 1965	Succeeded by Jean-Pierre Beltoise
Preceded by Denny Hulme	Can-Am Champion 1971	Succeeded by George Follmer
Preceded by François Cevert	Formula One fatal accidents March 22, 1974	Succeeded by Helmut Koinigg