PeterWestbury

Peter Westbury, born on May 26, 1938, and passing on December 7, 2015, was a British racing driver whose career encompassed a wide array of motorsport disciplines, from hill climbing to Formula One. While his Formula One World Championship Grand Prix appearances were limited to two, without scoring points, his impact on motorsport extended significantly through his engineering prowess and success in other categories, particularly in the demanding world of hill climb racing and Formula Three. Westbury's career is notable for his hands-on approach to car development and his ability to extract performance from diverse machinery, often of his own design or modification.

Early Career and Hill Climb Dominance

Westbury's journey into motorsport began with a strong foundation in engineering and a practical, hands-on approach. His early racing efforts saw him campaigning a homebuilt special, the M.G.W., a testament to his innate technical aptitude. By 1960, he progressed to a Cooper-Climax, a car that he later adapted by fitting it with a Daimler V8 engine, showcasing his continuous pursuit of performance enhancement. This period culminated in significant success in the British Hill Climb Championship, which he secured twice consecutively in 1963 and 1964. His 1963 championship victory was achieved driving the self-built Felday, a machine powered by a supercharged 2.6-litre Daimler V8 motor. This triumph underscored his capability not only as a driver but also as a constructor. The following year, Westbury demonstrated his adaptability by winning the championship in the 2.5-litre Climax-engined Ferguson P99. This particular car, on loan from Ferguson Research Ltd., featured a pioneering four-wheel-drive system, highlighting Westbury's willingness and ability to master advanced technical concepts. His engagement with the Ferguson P99 extended beyond hill climbs; he also piloted it in the 1964 Brighton Speed Trials and participated in the First International Drag Festival, a series of six events held across England. At this festival, the Ferguson P99 impressively covered the standing-start quarter mile in 11.01 seconds, demonstrating its formidable acceleration. During the same Drag Festival, Westbury also drove a Lotus 23-BRM sports car, further illustrating his versatility across different racing formats and machinery.

Engineering Acumen and Felday Development

Westbury's engineering talent was not confined to modifying existing vehicles or driving self-built hill climb specials. He actively engaged in the development of purpose-built racing cars. In 1965, he developed the Felday-BRM 4 sports car, incorporating a four-wheel-drive system, a technology he had experience with from the Ferguson P99. This car made a victorious debut at Brands Hatch on Boxing Day, December 26, 1965, driven by Mac Daghorn, indicating the immediate success of Westbury's design and development work. The Felday-BRM 4 continued its strong performance into 1966, with both Peter Westbury and Mac Daghorn sharing driving duties at Mallory Park on March 13, each securing a race win. The quality and potential of the Felday 4 were further recognized when none other than Jim Clark raced it in the Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch on August 29, 1966, a significant endorsement from one of motorsport's greatest figures. Westbury's development efforts extended to other Felday models. The Felday 5 sports car was equipped with a substantial 7-litre Ford Galaxie engine and also featured four-wheel drive, though its racing tenure was brief. He also constructed the Felday 6, a 4.7-litre Ford-powered hillclimb single-seater with rear-wheel drive, specifically built for Tony Griffiths, showcasing his role as a constructor for other competitors.

Formula Three Success

In 1967, Peter Westbury turned his attention to Formula Three, campaigning a Brabham-Ford in both English and Continental European events. This season proved to be highly successful, demonstrating his capability in single-seater circuit racing. He secured a notable victory at the Silverstone circuit on April 29. His success continued across the Channel, winning the Grand Prix des Frontières at Chimay on May 14. A further triumph came at the Auvergne Trophy meeting on June 18, 1967, held on the challenging Clermont-Ferrand circuit in France. These victories established Westbury as a formidable competitor in the highly competitive Formula Three category, showcasing his driving skill on diverse and demanding tracks.

Forays into Formula One

Westbury's career included two attempts at the pinnacle of motorsport, the Formula One World Championship. His debut came in 1969 at the German Grand Prix, where he entered driving a Formula 2 Brabham-Cosworth. In this unique event, where F1 and F2 cars competed concurrently, Westbury finished ninth overall on the road, securing a commendable fifth place within the Formula 2 class. This performance, while not yielding championship points in the F1 standings, demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level on a Grand Prix weekend. His second Formula One appearance was planned for the 1970 United States Grand Prix. For this event, Westbury was slated to drive a works BRM. However, his aspirations were cut short by an engine failure, which prevented him from qualifying for the race. These two entries represent his direct involvement in the Formula One World Championship, highlighting the challenges and opportunities he faced at the sport's highest tier.

Technical Contributions Beyond Driving

Beyond his active driving career, Westbury's technical influence was significant. In 1967, the same year as his F3 successes, he undertook the resuscitation of the BRM P67, an older four-wheel-drive F1 car originally designed by Mike Pilbeam in 1964. This project was aimed at preparing the car for David Good to campaign in the British Hill Climb Championship. Westbury's efforts were successful, as the BRM P67 led the series at the halfway point. The car subsequently passed into the hands of Peter Lawson, who further revamped it for the 1968 season. Under Lawson's stewardship, the BRM P67 became a dominant force, winning the British Hill Climb Championship in 1968, a testament to the foundational work initiated by Westbury in bringing the advanced four-wheel-drive machine back to competitive form.

Conclusion

Peter Westbury's motorsport career, spanning from the early 1960s through to his Formula One attempts, was characterized by a rare blend of driving talent and profound engineering capability. His multiple British Hill Climb Championships, coupled with his successful development of the Felday series of cars and his Formula Three victories, underscore a versatile and technically astute competitor. While his Formula One World Championship record shows limited appearances, his contributions to the sport, particularly in advancing four-wheel-drive technology and demonstrating the potential of self-built machinery, mark him as a significant figure in British motorsport history. His legacy is not just in the races he won, but in the innovative spirit he brought to car design and development.