Friday, November 29, 2019

Racing Legend Graham Hill Dies In Plane Crash - November 29, 1975

November 29, 1975
(Photo"By Lothar Spurzem [CC-BY-SA-2.0-de], via Wikimedia Commons)
Graham Hill, a two time Formula One World Champion and the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport (24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship) was killed when the Piper PA 23-250 Turbo-Aztec that he was piloting crashed. Hill was on return from the Paul Ricard circuit in France and attempting to land in freezing, foggy conditions at night. The crash near Arkley golf course in North London also resulted in the deaths of team manager Ray Brimble, mechanics Tony Alcock and Terry Richards, up-and-coming driver Tony Brise and designer Andy Smallman, all from the Embassy Hill team.

His funeral was at St Albans Abbey, and he is buried at St Botolphs church in Shenley. After his death, Silverstone village, home to the track of the same name, named a road, Graham Hill, after him and there is a "Graham Hill Road" on The Shires estate in nearby Towcester. Graham Hill Bend at Brands Hatch is also named in his honour. 

A blue plaque commemorates Hill at 32 Parkside, in Mill Hill, London. 
(Photo: sleepymyf via photopin cc)
Hill was survived by wife Bette. They had two daughters, Brigitte and Samantha, and a son, Damon. Damon and Graham are the only father and son pair both to have won the Formula One World Championship. Hill's grandson Josh, Damon's son, also raced his way through the ranks till he retired from Formula 3 in 2013 at the age of 22. For more see Graham Hill "A Legend Remembered"

1 comment:

  1. "Damon and Graham are the only father and son pair both to have won the Formula One World Championship."

    Have you forgot Keke and Nico Rosberg

    ReplyDelete