Hugh Hamilton (racing driver)
| Hugh Caulfield Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Born |
18 June 1905 Omagh |
| Died |
26 August 1934 (age 29) Circuit Bremgarten |
| Years active | 1930-1934 |
Hugh 'Hammy' Caulfield Hamilton[1] (18 June 1905 - 26 August 1934)[2] was a British racing driver, who was killed in the 1934 Swiss Grand Prix.[2] He was born in Omagh, in Tyrone, Northern Ireland.[2] It has been said that he was "perhaps the top British driver at that time [before his death]".[3] He raced with Dick Seaman on occasion, and was good friends with him.[4]
Early life
Hamilton was born in Northern Ireland, but moved to England in 1922. He started off as an MG salesman,[1] but then started racing motorbikes, in 1930 he started racing with a Riley.[5]
Races
| Race | Date | Car | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 12 h Brooklands | 10.05.1930 | Riley Brooklands 9 | 3 |
| 2 x 12 h Brooklands | 09.05.1931 | MG Midget C type | 3 |
| Tourist Trophey | 22.08.1931 | MG Midget | DNF |
| 1000 mile Brooklands | 04.06.1932 | MG Midget | DNF |
| Tourist Trophey | 20.08.1932 | MG Midget C type | DNS |
| 500 mile Brooklands | 24.09.1932 | Bugatti T51 | DNF |
| Mille Miglia | 09.04.1933 | MG Magnette K3 | 22 |
| Tourist Trophey | 02.09.1933 | MG Midget J4 | 2 |
| 1934 Swiss Grand Prix | 26.08.1934 | Maserati 8CM | Ret[6] |
Death
Hamilton was racing an MG Midget in the 1933 Masaryk Grand Prix, when he crashed, after his waterproof cape blew over his eyes.[2] He seemed to have fully recovered from the three broken ribs and internal injuries which he sustained, which led to his taking up racing again the following year. However, in the 1934 Swiss Grand Prix, Hamilton, driving a Maserati 8CM, crashed into a tree.[2] This occurred after his front left tyre failed around 1500 meters from the finishing point at 150 km/h.[2] This led to his crashing into a fir tree. Two spectators were hurt in the crash.[2]
A post mortem revealed that his heart stopped before the crash, which led to the feeling that his heart stopping was the result of his crash in 1933.[7]
Funeral
Hamilton's funeral was arranged by the British consul and Dick Seaman, and was held in Bern.[2][7]
References
- 1 2 Finlay, David (18 June 2008). "The Amazing Hugh Hamilton". Carkeys. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Hugh Hamilton". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ 1934 Grand Prix "I PRIX DE BERNE" Check
|url= - ↑ "The master race". The Observer. 1 September 2002. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ↑ "Hugh Caulfield Hamilton (GB)". Kolumbus. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ↑ "All Results of Hugh Hamilton". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- 1 2 "Hugh Hamilton". Find a grave. Retrieved 16 June 2013.