Peter Revson

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Peter Jeffrey Revson (February 27, 1939 - March 22, 1974) was a racecar and Formula One driver from United States.

1 Background
2 Racing career
- 2.1 Indy 500 results
3 Death
4 Awards
5 External link

[edit] Background

Peter Revson was born in New York City.

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 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."

[edit] Racing career

While at Cornell University, he began racing cars and in 1971 drove for McLaren and became 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 British Grand Prix and Canadian Grand Prix in 1973, before moving to Shadow in 1974.

[edit] 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

[edit] Death

During a practice run for the 1974 South African Grand Prix in Johannesburg, 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.