Tom Pryce
Thomas Maldwyn Pryce (11 June 1949 – 5 March 1977) was a Welsh racing driver renowned for his rapid rise through the motorsport ranks and his short but impactful Formula One career, during which he became the only Welsh driver to secure a pole position and lead a Grand Prix.[1][2] Born in Ruthin, Denbighshire, Pryce grew up in the nearby village of Nantglyn as the son of a police officer, leaving school at age 16 to work as a tractor mechanic while nurturing his passion for racing, which began with driving a bakery van off-road at age 10.[1][1] He entered competitive racing in 1970 after winning the Daily Express Crusader Championship at age 20, which provided a Formula Ford car and a year's racing support, and quickly progressed through the Formula Ford and Formula Three series.[1][1] In 1974, he won the Formula Three support race at the Monaco Grand Prix, which led to his Formula One debut later that year.[3] Pryce debuted in Formula One at the 1974 Belgian Grand Prix with the Token team, joining Shadow later that season and going on to contest 42 Grands Prix over four seasons without a victory but earning 19 championship points through consistent performances.[4][4] His highlights included third-place finishes at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix and the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix, as well as a pole position at the 1975 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he also led early laps.[3][3] Additionally, he won the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1975, defeating established stars like Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi in wet conditions that showcased his exceptional talent in the rain.[2][2] Pryce's career ended tragically during the 1977 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, where on lap 23 he collided with 19-year-old marshal Frederik Jansen van Vuuren, who was crossing the track carrying an 18 kg (40-pound) fire extinguisher to assist another incident; the extinguisher struck Pryce's helmet, causing fatal injuries, while the marshal also perished in the impact.[5][2] At the time of his death at age 27, Pryce was regarded as a potential future world champion and had been linked to a possible drive with Lotus alongside Mario Andretti in 1978.[2][2] His legacy endures in Wales, where he is honored with a statue in Ruthin and remembered as the nation's most promising motorsport figure.[6]Early life
Birth and family background
Thomas Maldwyn Pryce was born on 11 June 1949 at Trevalyn County Maternity Hospital in Rossett, Denbighshire, Wales.[7] His parents were Jack Pryce, a police constable who later became a sergeant, and Gwyneth Pryce (née Hughes), a district nurse.[1] Pryce had an older brother, David J. Pryce, who died in 1950 at the age of three, leaving him as the family's only surviving child.[1] The family later relocated to the village of Nantglyn, near Ruthin in Denbighshire, where Pryce was raised in a modest working-class household typical of post-war North Wales communities.[1] He shared a close bond with his parents, who offered unwavering emotional encouragement and financial backing for his pursuits, including his emerging passion for motorsport.[8] From an early age, Pryce displayed a keen fascination with mechanics and automobiles; by the age of 10, he was driving a baker's van off-road, and at 12, he confided in his parents his ambition to become a professional racing driver.[1] This enthusiasm was shaped by the industrial heritage of the region, where mechanical work and vehicles were integral to daily life amid mining and rural economies.[9] In April 1975, Pryce married Fenella J. Warwick-Smith (born 1955), whom he had met at a disco in Otford, Kent, in 1973; he initially downplayed his racing career to her, describing himself as a mechanic.[1]Education and early employment
Pryce attended Nantglyn Primary School in his early years and Ysgol Frongoch, a primary school in Denbigh, during the 1960s before attending secondary school in the Denbigh area.[10] He left school at the age of 16 without formal qualifications, a decision influenced by his growing passion for motorsport amid limited academic focus.[11] At his mother's insistence, Pryce began an apprenticeship as a tractor mechanic with North Wales Engineering in St Asaph around 1965, while also attending Llandrillo Technical College to gain practical skills as a fallback career.[11] This hands-on training involved repairing tractors, vehicles, and farm equipment, fostering his innate mechanical aptitude and deepening his understanding of engine mechanics in a rural Welsh setting.[12] The rigorous work environment honed his problem-solving abilities and work ethic, traits rooted in the supportive foundation provided by his family during upbringing. In his early adulthood, Pryce faced financial challenges typical of a young apprentice in post-war rural Wales, relying on modest wages from his mechanic role to support himself while saving for his racing ambitions.[13] These experiences built resilience and practical knowledge of vehicle maintenance, which proved invaluable in his later motorsport endeavors by enabling him to troubleshoot and adapt to racing machinery effectively.[14]Helmet design
Tom Pryce's helmet was characterized by its minimalist design, featuring a plain white base with five thin vertical black stripes positioned just above the visor. This straightforward appearance set it apart from the increasingly elaborate and colorful helmets of his contemporaries in motorsport.[8][15] The design originated in 1970, prior to Pryce's entry into Formula Ford racing, when his father suggested adding the black stripes to the otherwise unadorned white helmet to make it easier to spot him during events. Pryce himself applied the stripes using simple painting methods, reflecting his hands-on approach honed from early work as a tractor mechanic. While the core motif emphasized visibility over aesthetics, it drew subtle influence from Welsh symbolism, evolving in 1974 with the addition of a Welsh flag emblem on the side to proudly display his heritage.[8][12] Throughout his career, the helmet underwent no significant alterations beyond the flag addition, solidifying it as Pryce's enduring trademark even as he progressed to Formula One. This consistency underscored its role as a personal emblem, chosen for its lightweight construction and aerodynamic profile, which provided comfort and reduced drag during extended races.[8][16] Symbolically, the helmet embodied Pryce's reserved and unpretentious personality, often described as that of a "quiet man" in racing circles, while the Welsh flag element highlighted his roots in Ruthin, North Wales, making it a poignant representation of national pride amid the international spotlight of motorsport.[15][12]Racing career
Formula Ford (1969–1971)
Tom Pryce entered competitive motorsport in 1969 by competing in a club event at Denbigh, driving a modified Mini Cooper S that he funded through savings from his job as a lorry driver. Balancing racing with full-time employment proved challenging, as his limited budget required him to perform much of the car's maintenance himself. Despite these constraints, this initial outing marked the beginning of his rapid progression in the sport. In 1970, Pryce secured entry into Formula Ford by winning the Daily Express Crusader Championship, a series for racing school pupils that awarded him a brand-new Lola T200 car and a year's racing support.[1] He relocated to lodgings near Brands Hatch to focus on racing while pursuing an agriculture course, and quickly adapted to single-seater competition with the lightweight machine.[17] His first major success came at Brands Hatch, where he claimed victory in a Formula Ford race, demonstrating natural talent and drawing early attention in junior formulae.[18] Pryce's 1971 season brought further achievements, including victory in the Welsh Formula Ford championship and multiple podium finishes in the British Formula Ford series, often in a Royale RP4 after switching from the Lola.[19] These results, combined with consistent top-three placings amid ongoing financial pressures and self-mechanicking duties, led to sponsorship from Motor Racing Developments, providing crucial support for his advancement. By the end of the year, his impressive performances had caught the eye of Formula Three teams, setting the stage for his move to more professional junior categories. He adopted his distinctive helmet design—featuring a Welsh dragon motif—early in these campaigns as his signature gear.[1]Formula Three (1972–1973)
Pryce entered the British Formula Three championship in 1972 with the Royale team, driving the RP11 for D.J. Bond Racing. His debut came at Brands Hatch on 19 March, where he claimed victory after completing all 20 laps without issue.[20][21] Despite frequent mechanical issues with the Royale chassis, Pryce recorded consistent top-five finishes in several rounds, including a strong showing at Oulton Park where he led early ahead of James Hunt. His season ended prematurely in October after he broke his leg in a skiing accident.[22][23] In 1973, Pryce made select appearances in Formula Three with a Royale RP11A, such as at Mallory Park on 23 April, while prioritizing Formula Atlantic where he notched three wins. In 1973, his performances earned him the Grovewood Award, recognizing him as a top emerging talent. These results, bolstered by emerging Welsh sponsorship, attracted attention from higher categories and led to his signing with Token Racing for the 1974 Formula One season.[24][25][8][26]Formula One with Token (1974)
Following his successful 1973 season in Formula Atlantic, where he won three races, and receiving the Grovewood Award, Pryce was signed by Token Racing in early 1974 as their lead driver for a planned full Formula One campaign. The team, a rebranded and salvaged version of the defunct Rondel Racing project, was owned by Tony Vlassopulo and Ken Grob, who completed the RJ02 chassis originally designed by Ray Jessop with financial support from Shell but without a major title sponsor.[27][28] Pryce's initial experience with the Token RJ02 came at the non-championship International Trophy race at Silverstone on 7 April 1974, where he retired after just four practice laps and early in the event due to gearbox failure.[28] His World Championship debut occurred at the Belgian Grand Prix at Nivelles-Baulers on 12 May, where he qualified 20th out of 34 cars with a time of 1:12.85. During the race, the car suffered nose damage at the start after bottoming out, and Pryce retired on lap 66 of 85 due to an accident exacerbated by fuel pressure problems, resulting in a non-classified finish.[29][30] This was Pryce's only championship start with Token, as the team shifted drivers for subsequent entries while facing ongoing mechanical unreliability.[28] Token operated on a shoestring budget with minimal testing, leading to persistent issues like the RJ02's underpowered Cosworth DFV engine and fragile components, which hampered performance against established teams. The lack of sponsorship and the project's rushed origins from Rondel's collapse further strained resources, preventing upgrades or additional outings for Pryce.[28][31] Despite these limitations, Pryce's qualifying pace at Nivelles showcased his raw speed and adaptability, earning praise from Vlassopulo for his talent and potential in a difficult debut environment.[31] The team principal noted Pryce's ability to extract the maximum from the uncompetitive car, highlighting his promise as a driver.[27] Pryce departed Token after the Belgian Grand Prix when the team's Monaco entry was rejected by organizers, citing the car's lack of competitiveness and ongoing unreliability as key factors in the brief partnership's end. He subsequently raced in Formula Three at Monaco, winning with a March 743, which accelerated his move to Shadow Racing Team.[27][28]Formula One with Shadow (1975–1977)
Pryce joined the Shadow team for the 1975 Formula One season, transitioning from his debut year with Token to a more established outfit backed by UOP sponsorship.[32] He initially raced the updated Shadow DN3 before the team introduced the new DN5 chassis, designed by Tony Southgate, which featured improved aerodynamics and inboard front suspension.[32] Pryce's standout performance came at the Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring, where he finished third for his first World Championship podium, capitalizing on wet conditions to hold off stronger rivals. Later that year, he secured pole position at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, becoming the first Welsh driver to achieve this feat in Formula One, though he retired early due to a mechanical failure in heavy rain.[33] Offsetting championship disappointments, Pryce dominated the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in March, winning in the DN5 amid challenging weather to claim the only Formula One victory of his career.[34] These results helped Shadow secure sixth place in the Constructors' Championship with 9.5 points, the team's best finish to date, largely driven by Pryce's consistency alongside teammate Jean-Pierre Jarier.[35] In 1976, Pryce continued with Shadow using the evolved DN5B, but the team struggled with reliability issues from Cosworth DFV engines and internal restructuring following Southgate's departure to Lotus.[32] His season began strongly with a third-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, his second podium, demonstrating superior wet-weather skills as he navigated treacherous conditions.[36] However, persistent engine failures and handling problems limited further success, with his next best result a fourth place at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, where he earned three points amid a chaotic race marked by rain.[37] Team principal Jackie Oliver's decision to leave Shadow at the end of the year exacerbated instability, as he co-founded the rival Arrows team, leading to key staff and resource losses that hampered development.[38] Pryce emerged as the team's lead driver, outperforming Jarier, whose inconsistent form and absences elevated Pryce's role in guiding Shadow's efforts.[32] The 1977 season offered renewed promise with the introduction of the Shadow DN8, a six-wheeled design intended to improve traction and downforce under new ground-effect regulations. Pryce started brightly, finishing fourth at the Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires for six points, running as high as second before tire wear dropped him back. He followed with a retirement from second place on lap 34 in Brazil due to engine failure, underscoring his growing status as Shadow's anchor amid Jarier's ongoing variability. Over his three years with the team, Pryce amassed all 19 of his career World Championship points, including two podiums and one pole, highlighting his pivotal contribution to Shadow's midfield competitiveness.Death
1977 South African Grand Prix accident
The 1977 South African Grand Prix was held on 5 March at the Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg, marking the opening round of the Formula One World Championship season. Tom Pryce, piloting the Shadow DN8-Ford for the Shadow Racing Team, qualified 15th on the grid.[39] The incident occurred on lap 22 when Pryce's teammate, Renzo Zorzi, experienced an engine failure in his Shadow DN8 at the high-speed Kink section, igniting a fire in the car.[8] Two marshals rushed across the track from the pit side to extinguish the blaze, with 19-year-old Frederik Jansen van Vuuren carrying a 40-pound (18.2 kg) fire extinguisher.[8] Pryce, traveling at approximately 280 km/h (174 mph) while slipstreaming Hans-Joachim Stuck's car, crested a rise and had no time to react to the marshal crossing directly in his path. The extinguisher struck Pryce's helmet with devastating force, inflicting fatal head injuries and killing him instantly.[8] The collision also killed van Vuuren instantly as Pryce's car passed over him. Uncontrolled, the Shadow veered sharply left at around 250 km/h (155 mph), crashing into the barriers before impacting Jacques Laffite's Ligier JS7 and coming to rest against the fencing, where it burst into flames.[8] The race was red-flagged briefly for cleanup and investigation but restarted after about 15 minutes, ultimately won by Niki Lauda in his Ferrari. Pryce's body was extracted from the wreckage and repatriated to Wales for burial.[8][5] Eyewitness accounts, including from Stuck who narrowly avoided the first marshal, highlighted the freak nature of the accident, attributing it to the marshals' exposed positioning over the blind crest without adequate warning flags or visibility for approaching drivers.[8]Immediate aftermath and inquest
Following Pryce's fatal accident at the 1977 South African Grand Prix, where he collided with a marshal carrying a fire extinguisher, his body was returned to the United Kingdom for burial.[26] The Shadow team, deeply affected by the loss of their lead driver, expressed profound grief among its members, including mechanics who had worked closely with Pryce, and quickly sought a replacement to continue the season.[40] They signed Australian Alan Jones to partner Renzo Zorzi for the subsequent United States West Grand Prix, marking a rapid but somber transition.[41] An inquest into Pryce's death was held, resulting in a verdict of accidental death attributed to the impact from the extinguisher, which underscored the dangers faced by both drivers and marshals.[42] The incident highlighted critical safety shortcomings at Kyalami, including poor visibility for trackside personnel.[43] Pryce's wife, Fenella (known as Nella), whom he had married in 1975, was left devastated and later managed an antiques store in Fulham alongside Janet Brise, the widow of another racing driver; the couple had no children, and she received support from the broader motorsport community.[8] His parents, Jack and Gwyneth, also endured significant emotional strain, with the family drawing solace from Pryce's widespread admiration in Wales.[40] The tragedy prompted immediate discussions within Formula 1 on enhancing marshal safety, including better training protocols to prevent unauthorized track crossings and improved equipment handling, such as fire extinguishers.[14] James Hunt, the reigning world champion, publicly called for reforms in race marshalling to address the era's lax standards.[40] A separate official inquiry was launched in South Africa to examine the crash circumstances.[44]Legacy
Career achievements and statistics
Tom Pryce's racing career spanned from karting in 1969 to Formula One until his death in 1977, during which he achieved notable successes in junior formulae and limited but impressive results in the top tier. In Formula Atlantic, Pryce won three races in the 1973 British series driving a Royale RP12, leading the championship before progressing to Formula Two.[45] Earlier, in 1971, he won the Welsh Formula Ford championship and the British Formula F100 series aboard a Royale RP4, earning a reputation for dominant performances in entry-level single-seaters.[46] These early triumphs, including a victory in the rain-soaked Formula Ford finale that clinched his Lola T200 prize car, underscored his rapid progression from amateur racing.[47] In Formula One, Pryce contested 42 World Championship Grands Prix across four seasons (1974–1977), scoring a total of 19 points without a victory in the series proper.[48] His highlights included two podium finishes—third place at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix (4 points) and third at the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix (4 points)—along with additional points from fifth places at the 1975 and 1976 Italian Grands Prix (2 points each). He also claimed one pole position at the 1975 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, starting from the front row just twice in his career and finishing a career-best 10th in the Drivers' Championship that year. Outside the championship, Pryce won the 1975 Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, the only Formula One race victory by a Welsh driver to date, beating a field including Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson in wet conditions that showcased his exceptional talent in the rain.[34] Pryce holds records as the only Welsh driver to achieve a Formula One pole position and podium, with his qualifying times remaining the fastest by any Welshman in the series. At 26 years old during his pole lap, he was among the youngest to secure the front-row start at that time, often outqualifying teammates despite Shadow's underpowered Cosworth engines. His consistency helped Shadow achieve its highest-ever Constructors' Championship points total of 20.5 in 1975, where Pryce contributed 9 points amid mechanical unreliability that plagued the team.[12][49] Described as talented yet unlucky, Pryce frequently extracted superior results from variable machinery, leading races briefly and setting competitive laps, though retirements from accidents and failures limited his potential.[46]Tributes, memorials, and cultural impact
Following Tom Pryce's death in 1977, various memorials have been established to honor his legacy as a pioneering Welsh Formula One driver. A bronze sculptural relief was unveiled in Ruthin on June 11, 2009, marking what would have been his 60th birthday; the 2.4m by 1.2m artwork, depicting Pryce in his racing helmet, stands on Clwyd Street and serves as a tribute to his achievements, including his 1975 Race of Champions victory.[8][50] A mural commemorating Pryce was also created in Ruthin, highlighting his status as the only Welsh driver to win a Formula One race and his fatal accident at Kyalami.[9] In 2019, the inaugural Tom Pryce Memorial Trophy race was held at Anglesey Circuit, celebrating his life with historic racing events and drawing participants who remembered his skill and humility.[51] Ongoing efforts to commemorate Pryce include fundraising campaigns for additional memorials. In 2019, a £50,000 appeal was launched to erect a statue in his hometown of Denbigh, aiming to inspire young people in motorsport and preserve his story for future generations.[6] This initiative continued into 2025 with a renewed £50,000 fund to build the statue, emphasizing Pryce's role as a symbol of aspiration in North Wales.[52] An exhibition at Denbigh Museum opened in July 2018, featuring artifacts from Pryce's career such as photographs and racing memorabilia, to educate visitors on his rapid rise and tragic end.[53] Tributes to Pryce have appeared in media and literature, underscoring his untapped potential. The 2019 BBC documentary episode "Five Black Stripes" from the series Mavericks: Sport's Lost Heroes explored Pryce's journey from Welsh farm boy to Formula One star, focusing on his 1975 non-championship win and the safety shortcomings exposed by his death.[54] Books such as David Tremayne's The Lost Generation (2005) profile Pryce alongside fellow British drivers Roger Williamson and Tony Brise, portraying them as a talented cohort cut short by 1970s racing dangers and highlighting Pryce's sportsmanship.[55] A 2020 collection, Tom Pryce: Memories of a Welsh Star by Those Who Knew Him, compiles personal accounts from family, mechanics, and rivals, emphasizing his reserved demeanor and exceptional car control.[56] In 2021, the Historic Sports Car Club published Tribute to Tom Pryce, a limited-edition volume with contributions from Pryce's widow Nella and motorsport writers, donating proceeds to memorial funds.[57] Pryce's cultural impact endures in Welsh motorsport and broader discussions on safety. As Wales' most prominent Formula One figure, he symbolizes lost promise, inspiring initiatives like a 2022 memorial fund at Ysgol Frongoch in Denbigh to support pupils pursuing ambitious goals, regardless of background.[58] In 2024, the Thomas Maldwyn Pryce Inspirational Pupil of the Year Award was announced on what would have been his 75th birthday, recognizing outstanding pupils.[59] His accident prompted early scrutiny of Formula One's lax safety protocols, particularly for marshals, contributing to gradual reforms in the late 1970s and influencing modern trackside procedures.[5] In North Wales, Pryce remains a cultural icon of humility and talent, with annual remembrances like a 2019 minute's silence at Anglesey reinforcing his role in fostering local interest in racing.[60]Formula One results
World Championship results
Tom Pryce competed in the Formula One World Championship from 1974 to 1977, participating in 42 Grands Prix and scoring a total of 19 points across his career. His results were primarily with the Shadow team after a single appearance with Token, with highlights including two podium finishes and one pole position. Pryce's best season was 1975, where he finished 10th in the drivers' standings.[27] In 1974, Pryce made 9 starts, beginning with a debut DNF at the Belgian Grand Prix for Token due to a collision. Switching to Shadow, he scored his first career point with 6th place at the German Grand Prix and added non-points finishes including 8th at Great Britain and 10th at Italy, ending the year 18th in the championship with 1 point overall.[61][62] Pryce's 1975 season with Shadow saw 14 starts and 8 points, marking his most consistent year. Key results included a 3rd-place podium at the Austrian Grand Prix (4 points), 5th at Germany (2 points), 6th at Belgium (1 point), and 6th at Dutch (1 point). He also secured his sole career pole position at the British Grand Prix, though he retired from the race. These performances placed him 10th in the drivers' standings.[63] During 1976, Pryce started all 16 races for Shadow but was hampered by mechanical retirements in 8 events, scoring 10 points for 12th in the championship. His standout result was 3rd place at the Brazilian Grand Prix (4 points), with additional points from 4th at British (3 points) and 4th at Dutch (3 points).[64] In 1977, Pryce managed 3 starts with Shadow before his death, earning 0 points for 24th in the standings. He was not classified at the Argentine Grand Prix, retired from the Brazilian Grand Prix with engine failure, and retired from the South African Grand Prix.| Year | Team(s) | Starts | Points | Championship Position | Key Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Token / Shadow | 9 | 1 | 18th | 6th (Germany) |
| 1975 | Shadow | 14 | 8 | 10th | 3rd (Austria), 5th (Germany), pole (Great Britain) |
| 1976 | Shadow | 16 | 10 | 12th | 3rd (Brazil), 4th (British), 4th (Dutch) |
| 1977 | Shadow | 3 | 0 | 24th | No points finishes |
| Total | - | 42 | 19 | - | 2 podiums, 1 pole |
Non-championship results
Pryce participated in several non-championship Formula One events during his career, primarily with the Token and Shadow teams, providing opportunities to showcase his skills outside the World Championship calendar. These invitational races, such as the Race of Champions and the BRDC International Trophy, often featured top drivers and variable weather conditions that highlighted Pryce's proficiency in wet setups. His most notable achievement came in 1975, when he secured a dominant victory in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, starting from pole position, setting the fastest lap, and finishing ahead of strong competition including Niki Lauda in second place.[65] In 1974, Pryce's early non-championship outings with the underfunded Token team were challenging, marked by retirements that underscored the car's reliability issues. He competed in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch on 17 March, where he retired on lap 19 due to a crash while running in 16th position, and in the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone on 7 April, retiring after 16 laps from gear linkage failure and classified 16th.[8][66] Pryce's 1975 season in non-championship races was more successful with Shadow, yielding his sole victory alongside consistent finishes. Beyond the Race of Champions win, he placed ninth in the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone on 13 April after completing all 40 laps, and seventh in the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de Suisse at Dijon-Prenois on 24 August, demonstrating improved machinery and his adaptability.[65][67] In 1976, Shadow's focus on the World Championship limited Pryce's non-championship appearances, but he still achieved solid results. He finished sixth in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch on 14 March, and fourth in the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone on 11 April, completing the full distance in both events.[68] Pryce did not participate in any non-championship races in 1977 prior to his fatal accident at the season-opening South African Grand Prix. Over his six non-championship Formula One starts, he recorded one victory, one top-five finish, and demonstrated strong wet-weather prowess, particularly in the 1975 Race of Champions triumph.[69]| Year | Event | Circuit | Team/Car | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Race of Champions | Brands Hatch | Token RJ02-Cosworth | DNF (19/40 laps) | Crash; qualified 20th |
| 1974 | BRDC International Trophy | Silverstone | Token RJ02-Cosworth | 16th (16/40 laps) | Gear linkage failure; qualified 32nd |
| 1975 | Race of Champions | Brands Hatch | Shadow DN5-Cosworth | 1st (40/40 laps) | Pole position, fastest lap; beat Niki Lauda (2nd) |
| 1975 | BRDC International Trophy | Silverstone | Shadow DN5-Cosworth | 9th (40/40 laps) | Qualified 4th |
| 1975 | Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de Suisse | Dijon-Prenois | Shadow DN5-Cosworth | 7th (60/60 laps) | Qualified 8th |
| 1976 | Race of Champions | Brands Hatch | Shadow DN5B-Cosworth | 6th (20/20 laps) | Heat format; qualified 3rd overall |
| 1976 | BRDC International Trophy | Silverstone | Shadow DN5B-Cosworth | 4th (40/40 laps) | Qualified 3rd |