Peter Whitehead (racing driver)

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File:ERA of Peter Whitehead, 1938 AGP.jpg
Whitehead (ERA R10B) takes the flag to win the 1938 Australian Grand Prix

Peter Nield Whitehead (12 November 1914 – 21 September 1958) was a British racing driver. He was born in Menston, Yorkshire and was killed in an accident at Lasalle, France, during the Tour de France endurance race. A cultured, knowledgeable and well-travelled racer, he was excellent in sports cars. He won the 1938 Australian Grand Prix, which along with a 24 Heures du Mans win in 1951, probably was his finest achievement, but he also won two 12 Heures internationales de Reims events. He was a regular entrant, mostly for Peter Walker and Graham Whitehead, his half-brother. His death in 1958 ended a career that started in 1935 – however, he was lucky to survive an air crash in 1948.

Early life and pre-war racing

Yorkshireman Whitehead, coming from a wealthy background, gained from the wool industry, started racing in a Riley when he was 19. He moved up to an ERA B-Type the following season and then scored the first major result for the Alta, when he finished third in the Limerick Grand Prix, a Formula Libre race. In 1936, he shared his ERA with Peter Walker, and finished third in the Donington Grand Prix. He took the ERA to Australia in 1938 while touring on business, where he scored his first major victory, winning the 1938 Australian Grand Prix at Bathurst, as well as the inaugural Australian Hillclimb Championship. He returned in England in 1939 and gained a third place in the Nuffield Trophy.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Post-war racing career

During World War II, Whitehead was a pilot with the Royal Air Force, and he was back in competition as soon as racing was revived, taking his trusty ERA to second place in the British Empire Trophy, held at the Douglas Circuit on the Isle of Man in the summer of 1947. He also raced in the Lausanne Grand Prix, finishing sixth.[2][4][6][7]

In 1948, Whitehead survived a plane crash at Croydon Aerodrome, when he was on his way to Milano, to arrange the purchase a Ferrari 125. The accident left him badly hurt and out of racing for a year.[1][2][4][5][6]

Grand Prix racer

Whitehead and his good friend and co driver Dudley Folland are notable as being the first people to whom Enzo Ferrari ever sold a Formula One car: a Ferrari 125 in 1949. Dudley Folland had the car painted green, with a red Welsh Dragon painted on the bonnet, being a proud Welshman.

Whitehead won the Velká cena Československa. In doing so, he became the first Englishman to win a major international motor race outside of the United Kingdom since Richard Seaman. The following season, Whitehead made his debut in the Drivers' World Championship at Monaco, but did not start. His next outing in the championship came in the Grand Prix l’A.C.F., where he came close to winning but was slowed with a gearbox problem which he dropped to third. That was to be his only podium finished in 11 championship starts between 1950 and 1954.[2][3][4][5][6][8][9]

During 1950 season, Whitehead won two minor Formula One races, the Jersey Road Race and the Ulster Trophy, but the biggest career victory came in Sports Cars. He continued to race and win in Formula Two across Europe. Later, he added victories in the 1954 Lady Wigram Trophy, in New Zealand, and repeated the feat in 1956 and 1957. He also won the 1956 Rand Grand Prix. All four of those victories, he was driving a Ferrari.[2]

Sports car racing

File:Jaguar Heritage Racing (7151624875).jpg
Whitehead takes the flag to win the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans race

1950 saw Whitehead start his first 24 Hours of Le Mans race, together with John Marshall in a Jaguar XK120. The pair finished in 15th place. He teamed up with Peter Walker to win the 1951 race, however, in a Jaguar C-Type, at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..[2][3][5][10]

In 1953, Whitehead decided to concentrate on sports cars, and in July, he saw more success sharing a Jaguar C-Type with Stirling Moss in the 12 Heures Internationales de Reims. He returned again in 1954, in a full works supported Jaguar D-Type to win the event again partnered by Ken Wharton. Prior to that first win at Reims, he also won the Hyères 12 Hours.[2][5][6][11][12]

Later in 1954, again paired with Wharton, he was placed sixth in the RAC Tourist Trophy road race.[13][14]

Death

Whitehead's last great performance was at Le Mans in 1958 where he came second in an Aston Martin DB3S, sharing the driving with his half-brother, Graham. A couple of months later, on 21 September 1958, Peter and Graham were competing together in the Tour de France, when their Jaguar 3.4-Litre crashed off a bridge into a Script error: No such module "convert". ravine at Lasalle, near Nîmes after overturning twice, with Graham at the wheel. Graham escaped with serious but not life-threatening injuries, but Peter was killed instantly.[2][3][4][5][15][16]

Racing record

Career highlights

Season Series Position Team Car
1935 Limerick Grand Prix [2] 3rd Alta
1936 Nuffield Trophy [17] 3rd Peter Whitehead ERA B-Type
Donington Grand Prix [18] 3rd Peter Whitehead ERA B-Type
1937 JCC 200 [18] 2nd Peter Whitehead ERA B-Type
JCC 200 Grand Prix [18] 3rd Peter Whitehead ERA B-Type
1938 Australian Hillclimb Championship [1] 1st ERA B-Type
Australian Grand Prix [19] 1st ERA B-Type
1939 Nuffield Trophy [20] 3rd Peter Whitehead ERA B-Type
1947 British Empire Trophy [21] 2nd ERA B-Type
1949 Velká cena Československa [22] 1st Ferrari 125
Richmond Trophy [23] 2nd ERA B-Type
Woodcote Cup [24] 2nd ERA B-Type
Grand Prix de France [25] 3rd Ferrari 125
1950 Jersey Road Race [26] 1st Ferrari 125
Ulster Trophy [27] 1st Ferrari 125
RAC Tourist Trophy [28] 2nd Jaguar XK120
Grand Prix de l’A.C.F. [29] 3rd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125
BRDC International Trophy [30] 3rd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125
FIA Formula One World Championship [31] 9th Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125
1951 Les 24 Heures du Mans [32] 1st Peter Walker Jaguar C-Type
Preis der Ostschweiz-Erlen [33] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125/166
Gran Premio del V Centenario Colombiano [34] 2nd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125/166
Hastings Trophy [35] 2nd ERA E-Type
Grand Prix de Bordeaux [36] 3rd Ferrari 125
Grand Prix de Rouen-les-Essarts [37] 3rd Ferrari 125/166
1953 12 Hours of Hyères [38] 1st P.N. Whitehead Jaguar C-Type
12 heures internationales [39] 1st P.N. Whitehead Jaguar C-Type
Mid-Cheshire M.C. F2 race [40] 2nd Atlantic Stable Cooper-Alta T24
RedeX Trophy [41] 2nd Atlantic Stable Cooper-Alta T24
AMOC Trophy [42] 3rd Atlantic Stable Cooper-Alta T24
Coronation Trophy [42] 3rd Atlantic Stable Cooper-Alta T24
Goodwood Nine-Hours [43] 3rd W. Lyons Jaguar XK120C
1954 Lady Wigram Trophy [44] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125
12 heures internationales [45] 1st Jaguar Cars Ltd. Jaguar D-Type
Circuito do Porto [46] 3rd Peter Whitehead Cooper-Jaguar T33
1955 New Zealand Grand Prix [47] 2nd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 500/625
1956 Lady Wigram Trophy [48] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 500/750S
Southland Road Race [48] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 500/750S
Rand Grand Prix [49] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 500/750S
Ardmore Grand Prix [50] 2nd Peter Whitehead Cooper-Jaguar T38
New Zealand Grand Prix [51] 3rd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 500/750S
Australian Grand Prix [52] 3rd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 555
1957 Lady Wigram Trophy [53] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 555/860
Southland Road Race [53] 1st Peter Whitehead Ferrari 555/860
New Zealand Grand Prix [54] 2nd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 555/860
Dunedin Road Race [53] 3rd Peter Whitehead Ferrari 555/860
1958 24 Heures du Mans [55] 2nd A.G. Whitehead Aston Martin DB3S

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1950 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 GBR MON
DNSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		500 FRA
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ITA
7Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		9th 4
Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 SUI
DNA 		BEL
1951 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 SUI
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		500 BEL FRA
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GER ITA
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		NC 0
Ferrari 375 Ferrari V12 ESP
DNA
G A Vandervell Ferrari 375 Thinwall Ferrari V12 GBR
9Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1952 Peter Whitehead Alta F2 Alta Straight-4 SUI 500 BEL FRA
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		NC 0
Ferrari 125/166 Ferrari V12 GBR
10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GER NED ITA
DNQScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1953 Atlantic Stable Cooper T24 Alta Straight-4 ARG 500 NED BEL FRA GBR
9Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GER SUI ITA NC 0
1954 Peter Whitehead Cooper T24 Alta Straight-4 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0
Source:[56]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Non-Championship Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
1949 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 BUE EVA RIO SRM
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PAU RIC PAU JER
7Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ROU MAR GBR
8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		EMP FRO BEL
4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SUI
9Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ALB FRA
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ZAN
DNSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		INT LAU
10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ITA
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GOO AUS CSR
1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SAL PER
1950 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 PAU RIC
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SRM
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PAR EMP BAR JER
1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ALB NED
4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		NAT NOT ULS
1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PES STT INT
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GOO
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PEN
1951 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125 Ferrari V12 SYR PAU RIC SRM
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		BOR
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		INT PAR ULS
DNSScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SCO NED
ALT 		ALB PES
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		BAR
6Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		GOO
1952 Peter Whitehead Ferrari 125/166 Ferrari V12 RIO SYR
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		VAL
4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		RIC
DNA 		LAV PAU IBS
DNA 		INT
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ELÄ NAP EIF ALB
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		FRO ULS DAI
11Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		COM NAT
Alta F2 Alta L4 MAR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		AST PAR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		MNZ
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		LAC ESS MAR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SAB
DNA 		CAE BAU
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		MOD CAD SKA MAD
4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		AVU JOE
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		NEW
7Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		RIO
1953 Peter Whitehead Cooper T24 Alta L4 SYR
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PAU LAV
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		AST
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		BOR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		INT
8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		ELÄ NAP ULS
4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		WIN FRO COR
3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		EIF ALB
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PRI ESS MID ROU CRY
5Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		AVU USF LAC BRI CHE
2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SAB NEW CAD RED
2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		SKA LON MOD MAD JOE CUR
1954 Peter Whitehead Cooper T24 Alta L4 SYR PAU LAV
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		BOR
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		INT
DNA 		BAR CUR ROM FRO COR BRC CRY ROU CAE AUG COR OUT RED
RetScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		PES JOE CAD BER GOO DAI

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Class
Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1950 Template:Flagicon P.C.D. Walker Template:Flagicon John Marshall Jaguar XK120 S5.0 225 15th 8th
1951 Template:Flagicon Peter Walker Template:Flagicon Peter Walker Jaguar C-Type S5.0 267 1st 1st
1952 Template:Flagicon Jaguar Ltd. Template:Flagicon Ian Stewart Jaguar C-Type S5.0 DNF
(Head gasket)
1953 Template:Flagicon Jaguar Cars Ltd. Template:Flagicon Ian Stewart Jaguar C-Type S5.0 297 4th 3rd
1954 Template:Flagicon Jaguar Cars Ltd. Template:Flagicon Ken Wharton Jaguar D-Type S5.0 131 DNF
(Gearbox)
1955 Template:Flagicon Cooper Cars Co Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Cooper-Jaguar T38 S5.0 36 DNF
(Oil pressure)
1957 Template:Flagicon D. Brown Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Aston Martin DBR2 S5.0 81 DNF
(Gearbox)
1958 Template:Flagicon A.G. Whitehead Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Aston Martin DB3S S3.0 293 2nd 2nd

Complete 12 Hours of Reims results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Class
Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1953 Template:Flagicon P.N. Whitehead Template:Flagicon Stirling Moss Jaguar C-Type S+2.0 243 1st 1st
1954 Template:Flagicon Jaguar Cars Ltd. Template:Flagicon Ken Wharton Jaguar D-Type 222 1st 1st

Complete 12 Hours of Hyères results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Class
Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1953 Template:Flagicon P.N. Whitehead Template:Flagicon Tom Cole Jaguar C-Type S+3.0 204 1st 1st
1954 Template:Flagicon Peter Whitehead Template:Flagicon Duncan Hamilton Cooper-Jaguar T33 DNS
(Broken crankshaft)
1955 Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Aston Martin DB3S DNF
(Cooling)

Complete 12 Hours of Pescara results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Class
Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1953 Template:Flagicon Peter Whitehead Template:Flagicon Duncan Hamilton Jaguar C-Type DNF
(Steering)

Complete 12 Hours of Casablanca results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Class
Pos.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1953 Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Template:Flagicon Graham Whitehead Aston Martin DB3 S+2.0 5th 4th

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c d e http://www.historicracing.com/driver_az/cfm?typer=drivers_alpha&tStartRow=1&AlphaIndex=W&driverID=1265Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Richard Williams, “Enzo Ferrari: A Life" (Yellow Jersey Press, Template:ISBN, 2002)
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Two Britons Drive Record 93.112 M.P.H. For 24 Hours to Capture French Auto Race, New York Times, 25 June 1951, Page 24.
  11. ↑ French Auto Races To British Drivers, New York Times, 6 July 1953, Page 22.
  12. ↑ Article 3-No Title, New York Times, 5 July 1954, Page 15.
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Laureau, in French Car, Takes Ulster Trophy, 12 September 1954, Page S9.
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ The Manchester Guardian, 22 September 1958, Page 2.
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b c https://www.goldenera.fi/dw.htmScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
  19. ↑ http://www.driversdb.com/championships/standings/australian-grand-prix/1938/Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ http://www.racingsportscar.com/results/Dundrod-1950-09-16-2063.htmlScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ http://www.chicanef1.cpm/race.pl?year=1950&gp=BRDC%20International%20Trophy&r=1&type=finalScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ http://teamdan.com/archive/www2/flibre/56fibre.htmlScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ http://www.driversdb.com/championships/standings/australian-grand-prix/1956/Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  53. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Further reading

  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

External links

Template:Sister project

Sporting positions
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Australian Grand Prix
Winner
1938 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
1951
With: Peter Walker Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Script error: No such module "Navbox".

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