Desire Wilson

Hometown:
North Salt Lake UT
Status:
Member

Desire is one of only five women to compete in Formula One. She entered one F1 World Championship Grand Prix in 1980 with a non-works Williams FW07 prepared by Brands Hatch Racing but failed to qualify. She also raced in the 1981 non-championship South African Grand Prix. She became the only woman to win an F1 race of any kind, when she won at Brands Hatch in the short-lived British Aurora F1 series, which mostly featured older F1 cars. As a result of this achievement, she has a grandstand at Brands Hatch named after her. Following her attempts in Formula One, Wilson participated in other disciplines including IndyCar and sports car racing. In 1982, Wilson entered the Indianapolis 500, but failed to qualify. 1976 South African Formula Ford Champion. Finished 3rd in the Dutch/Benelux/European Formula Ford 2000 Championship in 1977.1978 South African Sportswoman of the Year. Finished 7th in the Aurora British Formula One championship and 3rd in the British Sports 2000 Championship in 1979. 1980 Aurora British Formula One Championship – 3 podiums in 4 races with one win. Overall winner of the Monza 1000km and Silverstone 6-hour World Endurance Championship races in 1980 with 3rd at Brands Hatch 1000km. 6th at Macau Grand Prix for Formula Atlantic cars. Finished 7th overall in 1983 24 hours of Le Mans. Drove in 8 CART Indy Car races in 1983 and 3 in 1986. Won 4 Escort Endurance races – 24 hours Mosport, Sebring 6 hour and Sears Point in 1986-88 with 7 more podiums. Races at the Goodwood Revival Historic event every year since 1999.

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