Roger Williamson

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Roger Williamson
Born 2 February 1948(1948-02-02)
Died 29 July 1973(1973-07-29) (aged 25)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality United Kingdom British
Active years 1973
Teams March
Races 2
Championships 0
Wins 0
Podiums 0
Career points 0
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First race 1973 British Grand Prix
Last race 1973 Dutch Grand Prix

Roger Williamson (2 February 1948 – 29 July 1973) was a British racing driver who died during the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort Circuit in the Netherlands.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Williamson was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He won the 1971 and 1972 British Formula Three Championship titles. In 1973, he was offered a drive in the March Engineering works Formula One team. This was after testing for the BRM team and being advised not to take the drive.[citation needed]

[edit] Death

After his Formula One debut at the 1973 British Grand Prix, Williamson's second Formula One appearance was at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort Circuit. On his eighth lap, a suspected tyre failure caused his car to flip upside down and catch fire. Williamson had not been seriously injured by the impact, but was trapped under the car. The track marshals were both poorly trained and badly equipped, and could not assist him. Another driver, David Purley, upon witnessing the crash, pulled over and abandoned his own race in a desperate and valiant attempt to rescue Williamson, but he was unable to put out the fire or turn the car upright. By the time the first fire engine arrived and the fire was extinguished, Williamson had died of asphyxiation.

In 2003, on the thirtieth anniversary of his fatal crash, a bronze statue of Williamson was unveiled at the Donington Park circuit in his native Leicestershire. Then-owner Tom Wheatcroft had provided financial backing to Williamson, and described the day Williamson died as "the saddest day of my life".[1]

[edit] Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 WDC Pts.
1973 STP March Racing Team March 731 Cosworth V8 ARG
BRA
RSA
ESP
BEL
MON
SWE
FRA
GBR
Ret
NED
Ret
GER
AUT
ITA
CAN
USA
NC 0

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Roger Williamson biography". Anton Sukup. http://www.asag.sk/bio/williamson.htm. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 

[edit] Books

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Jo Siffert
Formula One fatal accidents
29 July 1973
Succeeded by
François Cevert
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Dave Walker
British Formula Three Championship
BRSCC North Central Lombard Series Champion

1971
Succeeded by
Rikky von Opel
Preceded by
Dave Walker
British Formula Three Championship
BARC Series Champion

1972
Succeeded by
Ian Taylor
Preceded by
Dave Walker
British Formula Three Championship
BRSCC Motorsport/Shell Series Champion

1972
Succeeded by
Tony Brise
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