Peter Clark

Peter Clark, who became the first chairman of Silverstone Circuits Ltd when the company was formed in 1972, has died, aged 85.

The London-born, Malvern-educated Clark caught the motor racing bug in the mid-1930s and came to prominence with the HRG marque. He entered a 1500cc model at Le Mans in ’38 finishing second in class, co-driven by Marcus Chambers, who later became BMC’s first competitions manager. HRG never ran an official works team, but Clark flew their flag well, winning Le Mans’ 1500cc category at his second attempt. His HRG successes continued after VVVVII, winning the Spa 24-hours in 1948 and ’49, and taking another class victory at Le Mans, in 1949.

Peter retired from racing in ’53, but remained closely connected with the sport. Appointed a life vice-president of the BRDC, he helped secure the British GP’s first commercial sponsorship: Woolmark the surprise backers in 1971. PF