Roger Williamson

Roger Williamson

Born	2 February 1948(1948-02-02)
Died	29 July 1973(1973-07-29) (aged 25)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	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.

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]}

Death

Main article: 1973 Dutch Grand Prix#Death of Roger Williamson

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".

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

Books

• Tremayne, David (2000). The science of safety. UK: Haynes Publishing. p. 160. ISBN 01859606644. 
• Tremayne, David (1991). Racers Apart: Memories of motorsport heroes. UK: Motor Racing Publications Ltd. p. 293. ISBN 0947981586. 
• Tremayne, David. The Lost Generation. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 1-84425-205-1. 

External links

• Roger Williamson Biography
• Formula One World
• Roger Williamson's Fatal Accident – Zandvoort 29 July, A pictorial record (Dead Link)
• YouTube video of incident
• Roger Williamson at Find A Grave

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