Roger Williamson
Encyclopedia
Roger Williamson was a British racing driver
who died during the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix
at Zandvoort Circuit
in the Netherlands.
, 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.
, 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".
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
who died during the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix
1973 Dutch Grand Prix
The 1973 Dutch Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Zandvoort on July 29, 1973. Zandvoort returned to the Formula 1 calendar following a year's absence for extensive safety upgrades to the race track including new asphalt, new barriers and a new race control tower...
at Zandvoort Circuit
Circuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
in the Netherlands.
Biography
Williamson was born in Ashby-de-la-ZouchAshby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, — Zouch being pronounced "Zoosh" — often shortened to Ashby, is a small market town and civil parish in North West Leicestershire, England, within the National Forest. It is twinned with Pithiviers in north-central France....
, Leicestershire. He won the 1971 and 1972 British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
titles. In 1973, he was offered a drive in the March Engineering
March Engineering
March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,...
works Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team.
Death
After his Formula One debut at the 1973 British Grand Prix1973 British Grand Prix
The 1973 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Silverstone Circuit on July 14, 1973.The race is known for the first lap pile-up which ultimately caused eleven cars to retire. The accident happened when Jody Scheckter spun out of fourth place and into the center of the track coming...
, Williamson's second Formula One appearance was at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort Circuit
Circuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
. 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
David Purley
David Charles Purley, GM, was a British racing driver born in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. He participated in 11 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting at Monaco on 3 June 1973...
, 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
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
circuit in his native Leicestershire. Then-owner Tom Wheatcroft
Tom Wheatcroft
Frederick Bernard "Tom" Wheatcroft was an English businessman, who made his fortune through building and construction.-Biography:...
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
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | WDC | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 1973 Formula One season The 1973 Formula One season included the 24th FIA Formula One World Championship season, which commenced on January 28, 1973, and ended on October 7 after fifteen races.-Season summary:... |
STP STP (motor oil company) STP is an American brand and trade name for the automotive additives, lubricants and performance division of Armored AutoGroup.Founded in 1953 in Saint Joseph, Missouri, the company’s name, STP, was derived from “Scientifically Treated Petroleum”... March Racing Team March Engineering March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,... |
March March Engineering March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,... 731 |
Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... V8 |
ARG 1973 Argentine Grand Prix The 1973 Argentine Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez on January 28, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole position: Clay Regazzoni - 1:10.54* Fastest lap: Emerson Fittipaldi - 1:11.22-Standings after the race:... |
BRA 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix The 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Interlagos on February 11, 1973.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standingsConstructors' Championship standings... |
RSA 1973 South African Grand Prix The 1973 South African Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Kyalami on March 3, 1973. The race was won by Jackie Stewart driving a Tyrrell... |
ESP 1973 Spanish Grand Prix The 1973 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Montjuïc circuit on April 29, 1973.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standingsConstructors' Championship standings... |
BEL 1973 Belgian Grand Prix The 1973 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Zolder on May 20, 1973. It was won by British driver Jackie Stewart driving a Tyrrell 006.... |
MON 1973 Monaco Grand Prix The 1973 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monaco on June 3, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole Position: Jackie Stewart - 1:27.5* Fastest lap: Emerson Fittipaldi - 1:28.1* 150th Grand Prix start: Graham Hill... |
SWE 1973 Swedish Grand Prix The 1973 Swedish Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Scandinavian Raceway on June 17, 1973.Ronnie Peterson's success with Team Lotus was the catalyst for a Swedish Grand Prix and the race was held for the first time in 1973 at the grandly-named Scandinavian Raceway.Peterson did not... |
FRA 1973 French Grand Prix The 1973 French Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Paul Ricard Circuit on July 1, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole position: Jackie Stewart - 1:48.37* Fastest lap: Denny Hulme - 1:50.99... |
GBR 1973 British Grand Prix The 1973 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Silverstone Circuit on July 14, 1973.The race is known for the first lap pile-up which ultimately caused eleven cars to retire. The accident happened when Jody Scheckter spun out of fourth place and into the center of the track coming... Ret |
NED 1973 Dutch Grand Prix The 1973 Dutch Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Zandvoort on July 29, 1973. Zandvoort returned to the Formula 1 calendar following a year's absence for extensive safety upgrades to the race track including new asphalt, new barriers and a new race control tower... Ret |
GER 1973 German Grand Prix The 1973 German Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Nürburgring on August 5, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Lap leaders: Jackie Stewart * Jackie Stewart took his 27th and last grand prix victory in this race... |
AUT 1973 Austrian Grand Prix The 1973 Austrian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Österreichring on August 19, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole position: Emerson Fittipaldi - 1:34.98* Fastest lap: Carlos Pace - 1:37.29-Standings after the race:... |
ITA 1973 Italian Grand Prix The 1973 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monza on September 9, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole position: Ronnie Peterson - 1:34.8* Fastest lap: Jackie Stewart - 1:35.3... |
CAN 1973 Canadian Grand Prix The 1973 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Mosport Park on September 23, 1973.- Classification :- Notes :* Pole position: Ronnie Peterson - 1:13.697* Fastest lap: Emerson Fittipaldi - 1:15.496... |
USA 1973 United States Grand Prix The 1973 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on October 7, 1973 at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York.__FORCETOC__-Summary:... |
NC | 0 |
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 GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...