Bob Wilder
| Bob Wilder | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | Robert John Wilder, Jr. c. 1921 Palmer, Massachusetts, USA |
| Died | 22 May 1953 Bridgehampton Race Circuit, USA |
Robert John Wilder, Jr. (c. 1921 – 22 May 1953), was a native of Massachusetts, who was an American racing driver who competed in the SCCA National Sports Car Championships between 1951 and 1953.
Career[edit]
Wilder served 18 months in the United States Air Force during World War II and had raced since being discharged. His most notable results was a third place in the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring, taking a class win, when he partnered Sherwood Johnston, in a Jaguar C-Type. The season before, he was seventh in the overall SCCA National Sports Car Championship standings, after winning Climb to the Clouds, at the Mount Equinox, and the Burke Mountain Hill Climb, setting hill climbing records in the process.[1][2]
Historically, Bob and Rowland Keith who were co-drivers on the 1950 Six Hours of Sebring endurance race, were shown as Canadians, as a result of driving a car from a Canadian dealer, despite Bob being the entrant. The pair finished 14th in their MG TC.[1]
Death[edit]
On 22 May 1953, the Chicago Tribune reported that Wilder was killed when his Allard J2X Le Mans went out of control during a practice session for the Bridgehampton Sports Car Races. The car struck a depression in the road after crossing a bridge at high speed and rolled over. He was strapped in with a safety belt. His head was crushed.[3]
Racing record[edit]
Career highlights[edit]
| Season | Series | Position | Team | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Mount Equniox Hill Climb[4] | 3rd | Allard-Ford J2 | |
| 1952 | Mount Equniox Hill Climb[5] | 1st | Allard-Ford J2 | |
| Burke Mount Hill Climb[6] | 1st | Allard-Ford J2 | ||
| SCCA National Sports Car Championship[7] | 7th | Allard-Ford J2 | ||
| 1953 | Grand Prix, 12 Hours of Sebring[8] | 3rd | A. H. Feverbacher | Jaguar C-Type |
Complete 12 Hours of Sebring results[edit]
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | A. H. Feverbacher
|
Sherwood Johnston
|
Jaguar C-Type | S5.0 | 162 | 3rd | 1st |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Bob Wilder and Rowland Keith – TNF's Archive – The Autosport Forums". forums.autosport.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "archives.chicagotribune.com/1953/05/23/page/21/article/driver-dies-in-wartmup-for-eastern-race". archives.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Mt. Equinox Hillclimb 1951 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Mt. Equinox Hillclimb 1952 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Burke Mount Hillclimb 1952 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ http://www.driversdb.com/drivers/sherwood-johnston[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1953 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.