Sam Wilson created his own piece of history during a successful 2011 campaign.
The 27-year-old from Cosby drives a Cooper T59 in the Historic Formula Junior Championship – and produced a number of memorable performances to land a host of prestigious trophies. Wilson, who started in kart racing at the age of 13, began historic car racing in 2008 and this was, by far, his best year yet.
"It's been incredible," he said. "We only did six of the 14 rounds, mainly because of funding, but we still finished second overall in class. "We're hopefully going to give it another go next year and try to do all the rounds. It's a shame we couldn't have done it this year."
Wilson appeared at some top British circuits and achieved first and second-place finishes at county venues Donington Park and Mallory Park. There were a couple of very special meetings for him, though.
"To get two first places at the Silverstone Classic was great," said Wilson. "It's the biggest meeting of its type in terms of competitors, about 1,100 of them, and 800 cars, all crammed into the circuits' two paddocks. "I won the first race in a 54-car grid, the largest ever assembled, and in the second managed to break the lap record on the grand prix circuit. "To cap it all, I received the driver of the meeting award."
That earned Wilson an invitation to the Goodwood Revival meeting, the world's most popular annual historic event. "It was a dream to race there," he said. "I've been going for the last 12 years but to actually race there was special. "I also got two first places – in two different cars – and achieved the first 100mph lap there since Peter Arundell, Jim Clark's former Lotus team-mate, managed it in 1963."
Among the trophies Wilson picked up were the President's Cup as best young driver in the championship, the John Cooper Memorial Cup for being the top Cooper driver, and a special achievement award from the Historic Sports Car club for his doubles at Silverstone and Goodwood. Wilson's trophy cabinet indeed looks impressive.
Wilson's plans are already in place for next season – and the chance to create even more history.
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