Roger Williamson

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Roger Williamson bigraphy, stories - British racing driver

Roger Williamson : biography

2 February 1948 – 29 July 1973

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.

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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, abandoned his own race and pulled over in a desperate and valiant attempt to rescue Williamson. He ran across the track to Williamson’s car and tried to turn it upright. When no-one came to help, he crossed the track and returned with a fire extinguisher. He emptied it on the car and signaled for others to help. Purley’s efforts to turn the car upright and extinguish the flames were in vain as he received no help from nearby track marshals or emergency workers who merely stood idly by and looked on, in spite of attempts to encourage them, and other passing drivers, to come to his aid. By the time the first fire engine arrived and the fire was extinguished, Williamson had died of asphyxiation. As most racers mistakenly identified Purley as the driver of the crashed car, none of them stopped to help and the race continued, even as Purley stood on the circuit and gestured with his hands to stop. Purley was later awarded the George Medal for the bravery he displayed in attempting to rescue Williamson.

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 GBRRet NEDRet GER AUT ITA CAN USA NC 0