Thursday 1st March 1984

British racing driver, Peter Walker (71), died. The pre-war ace started his career in 1935 after linking up with his good friend Peter Whitehead. Walker won at Brooklands and Donington Park prior to World War 2, and then took up the sport again after the hostilities. He finished seventh in the 1951 British Grand Prix in a 1.5-liter supercharged BRM V16 despite being half roasted in the stifling cockpit. A strong driver in most disciplines, Walker was most adept in sports cars, winning Le Mans in 1951 and two Goodwood 9 Hours races. Effectively retired after a crash in 1956 left him with serious injuries, racing just once more in a one-off race at Syracuse in 1957.