Peter Revson

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A handsome Peter Revson
A handsome Peter Revson
Peter Revson
Nationality Flag of United States American
World Championship Career
Active years 1964, 1971 - 1974
Team(s) non-works Lotus, Tyrrell, McLaren, Shadow
Races 33
Championships 0
Wins 2
Podium finishes    8
Pole positions 1
Fastest laps 0
First race 1964 Monaco Grand Prix
First win 1973 British Grand Prix
Last win 1973 Canadian Grand Prix
Last race 1974 South African Grand Prix

Peter Jeffrey Revson (February 27, 1939 - March 22, 1974) was a racecar driver from United States who had successes in Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.

Contents

[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] Complete World Championship Formula One results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 WDC Points
1964 Revson Racing (America) Lotus 24 BRM V8 MON
DNQ
NED
GBR
Ret
GER
14
AUT
ITA
13
USA
MEX
- 0
Reg Parnell (Racing) BEL
DSQ
Lotus 25 FRA
DNS
1971 Elf Team Tyrrell Tyrrell 001 Cosworth V8 RSA
ESP
MON
NED
FRA
GBR
GER
AUT
ITA
CAN
USA
Ret
- 0
1972 Team Yardley McLaren McLaren M19A Cosworth V8 ARG
Ret
RSA
3
ESP
5
MON
BEL
7
FRA
GBR
3
5th 23
McLaren M19C GER
AUT
3
ITA
4
CAN
2
USA
18
1973 Team Yardley McLaren McLaren M19C Cosworth V8 ARG
8
BRA
Ret
RSA
2
5th 38
McLaren M23 ESP
4
BEL
Ret
MON
5
SWE
7
FRA
GBR
1
NED
4
GER
9
AUT
Ret
ITA
3
CAN
1
USA
5
1974 UOP Shadow Racing Team Shadow DN3 Cosworth V8 ARG
Ret
BRA
Ret
RSA
DNP
ESP
BEL
MON
SWE
NED
FRA
GBR
GER
AUT
ITA
CAN
USA
- 0

[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.

[edit] Awards

He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996 in the sports car category.

[edit] External link

Preceded by
François Cevert
Formula One fatal accidents
March 22, 1974
Succeeded by
Helmut Koinigg