Paul Warwick | |
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Nationality | British |
Born | 29 January 1969 Alresford, Hampshire |
Died | 21 July 1991 Oulton Park, Cheshire |
(aged 22)
Related to | Derek Warwick (brother) |
British Formula 3000 | |
Years active | 1991 |
Teams | Madgwick Motorsport |
Starts | 5 |
Wins | 5 |
Poles | 5 |
Fastest laps | 4 |
Best finish | 1st in 1991 |
Previous series | |
1990 1988–1990 1987 1987 |
International Formula 3000 British Formula Three European Formula Ford 2000 British Formula Ford 2000 |
Championship titles | |
1991 | British Formula 3000 |
Paul Jason Warwick (29 January 1969 in Alresford, Hampshire, England – 21 July 1991 at Oulton Park race circuit, Cheshire) from Alresford, Hampshire, England was an English racing driver.
Paul Warwick began his junior career in British stock car racing in 1981 in the Ministox formula, before progressing to Superstox for the 1984 season, aged just 15 (due to altering his age on his race licence) racing against many older and much more experienced racers, under the Spedeworth organisation at tracks such as his local Aldershot Stadium and Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich. His older brother Derek was the English and World Champion in the formula. Paul became National Champion in 1984 at Ipswich, East Anglian Champion and also British Champion in 1985 at Wisbech and instantly became a popular driver racing as Superstox number 221.
In his first season of Formula Ford 1600 in 1986, he won eight of the 12 Dunlop-AUTOSPORT Star of Tomorrow rounds on his way to the title and scored a fine championship double by claiming the Townsend Thoresen Junior FF1600 series.
In 1987, Paul moved up to Formula Ford 2000 and his speed and consistency made him Euroseries runner-up to current Dallara Grand Prix driver JJ Lehto
Warwick spent three seasons from 1988 to 1990 in British Formula 3. In 1988 he raced for Eddie Jordan Racing, 1989 Intersport Racing and in 1990 Superpower. Despite being a pre-season championship contender, Paul failed to make the impact on the British championship that he would have liked. Mid-season 1990 he quit Formula 3 and contested some Formula 3000 races in the Leyton House backed March Formula 3000 team. The car was poor and Warwick was unable to shine at the rounds he contested, however, he adapted to the power increase well with some competitive showings. The rounds he took part in were at Brands Hatch, Birmingham, Le Mans and Nogaro. In 1991 he signed with Nigel Mansell's Mansell Madgwick British Formula 2 racing team.
The 1991 season was perfect for Paul Warwick. He scored five pole positions and five wins from five races.
Paul Warwick perished at the fifth event of the season at Oulton Park. The win was awarded posthumously as he was leading the race when the accident took place. Paul scored enough points in the races he had contested to allow him to win the British Formula 3000 championship. The car left the circuit at the notorious Knickerbrook right hand corner and slammed almost perpendicular into the outer circuit armco barrier unabated at 140 miles per hour (approximately 224 km/h). The car disintegrated and Paul was ejected from the car in the accident. Investigations concluded a front wishbone failure caused the crash.
In 1991 an award by Autosport magazine for the National Driver of the Year was renamed the Paul Warwick Memorial Trophy that was awarded to the season's best British young racing driver.
The main entrance bridge at Oulton Park is named in his memory. In addition, the Knickerbrook corner was slowed by the addition of a chicane.
Paul Warwick was the younger brother of Derek Warwick.
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by Chris Cramer |
Autosport British Club Driver of the Year 1986 |
Succeeded by Eddie Irvine |
Sporting positions | ||
Preceded by Pedro Chaves |
British Formula 3000 champion 1991 |
Succeeded by Yvan Muller (British F2) |
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