Death of Chris Craft

Former British driver Chris Craft died on Saturday February 20 at the age of 81. The specialists of theEndurance will remember this native of Porthleven in Cornwall for his 14 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and between 1971 1984.

His best result was acquired in 1976. Behind the untouchable Porsche 936 from Ickx-Van Lennep and the Mirage GR 8 from Lafosse-Migault, the Englishman, associated with Alain de Cadenet, took the last step of the podium aboard the prototype developed by his teammate (a De Cadenet-Lola T380LM).

On a shorter format, he won the 1973 European Sports Car Championship thanks to a Lola T92 with a 2-liter Ford engine, notably against Gérard Larrousse (2 victories, two 2nd places).

Also attracted by single-seaters, Chris Craft tried his luck in Formula 1 in 1971 during the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Aged 32 at the time, His Majesty's subject benefited from an agreement between his boss at Ecurie Evergreen, Alain de Cadenet (already) and Ron Tauranac to drive a Brabham BT33.

At the wheel of chassis no. 2, the one that took Jack Brabham to his last F1 success at Kyalami (South Africa) in 1970, Chris Craft is teamed up with Tim Schenken and Graham Hill. Author of a modest 27th time (out of 29 participants), he spun on the first lap.

Having left a lap late after a battery change, Chris Craft unwillingly interfered in a fight between Denny Hulme (McLaren) and Ronnie Peterson (March) for 20 loops. “The chassis literally cracked in two, he explained to the English magazine Motorsport in 2005. Tauranac lectured me to give up. »I come from sports-proto, I told him, where you don't leave the cabin until it hits the ground! » He replied: "We don't do that in F1. "We didn't get along very well..."

Later, Chris Craft enjoyed success in British Tourism with a Ford Capri or in Formula 5.

AUTO editorial staffhebdo sends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Chris Crast.