Johannesburg - One of South Africa’s most respected racing drivers, Peter de Klerk, passed away on Saturday 11 July at the age of 80.
De Klerk’s long career in motorsport began in the 1950s, when he became one of the very first employees at Lotus Cars in Britain where he worked under Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
His desire to drive, rather than build racing cars, led Peter back to South Africa where he competed in the SA Formula One Championship in an Alfa Romeo-engined car he’d built himself.
PODIUM FINISH
One of his most memorable results was at the 1963 Rand Grand Prix at Kyalami, where he finished third behind two works Ferraris, and ahead of a star-studded field that was here to contest a World Championship round held in East London.
De Klerk also raced at Le Mans in 1966, where he finished sixth in a Porsche 906.
He leaves his wife Antoinette and children Michael, Jacqueline and Angela. A funeral service will be held at the Rivonia Catholic Church, corner of Rivonia & North Roads, on Friday 17 July at 11am.
Star Motoring