On This Day 19 June 1960 Motor racing driver Chris Bristow was tragically killed in Belgium and buried at Streatham Park Cemetery.
Christopher 'Chris' William Bristow became a highly talented driver thought by many to have the potential to eventually become World Champion.
He started racing in 1956 and soon began winning races in his MG Special. For 1957 he progressed to an 1100cc Cooper. In 1958 he bought an unreliable Elva but his efforts were recognised by the British Racing Partnership (BRP) and he joined them to race their Formula 2 Cooper-Borgward cars. In 1959 he showed exceptional skill at Brands Hatch, dominating the remainder of the field of more experienced drivers. In 1960, his team leader Harry Schell was killed at Silverstone so he took over the roll.
At the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps, he was battling for 3rd place with Willy Mairesse in a Ferrari when he lost control of the car on the tricky downhill bend at Burnenville, slid off into the trackside fence and was killed instantly. A highly talented young driver had gone.
Buried at Streatham Park cemetery
(Find a Grave Grave 48128, Square 24)
Christopher 'Chris' William Bristow became a highly talented driver thought by many to have the potential to eventually become World Champion.
He started racing in 1956 and soon began winning races in his MG Special. For 1957 he progressed to an 1100cc Cooper. In 1958 he bought an unreliable Elva but his efforts were recognised by the British Racing Partnership (BRP) and he joined them to race their Formula 2 Cooper-Borgward cars. In 1959 he showed exceptional skill at Brands Hatch, dominating the remainder of the field of more experienced drivers. In 1960, his team leader Harry Schell was killed at Silverstone so he took over the roll.
At the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps, he was battling for 3rd place with Willy Mairesse in a Ferrari when he lost control of the car on the tricky downhill bend at Burnenville, slid off into the trackside fence and was killed instantly. A highly talented young driver had gone.
Buried at Streatham Park cemetery
(Find a Grave Grave 48128, Square 24)
