BARRIE WILLIAMS – 1938-2018

The British Racing & Sports Car Club was saddened to learn over the past weekend of the passing of British motorsport legend Barrie “Whizzo” Williams, one of the best characters to grace the sport in this country.

Barrie garnered a reputation of happily being able to race any car in any place in the world, as motorsport was a true and clear passion for all to see. Any major discipline of racing in this country, you can be sure that Barrie had tried it at least once. Starting in karting at a young age after his birth in 1938 in Hertfordshire, he moved into rallying and then single seaters not long after.

Throughout his long and esteemed career, Williams competed on many occasions with the BRSCC, taking part in events and championships such as the Avon Tour of Britain, Production Saloons and a class victory in the British Saloon Car Championship in a humble Mitsubishi Colt. Heading into the 1980s, Williams proved his talents in one make racing, particularly in the Ford Fiesta Championship and in Renault 5s too.

More recently, Williams had reserved his talents for historic racing before hanging up the driving gloves in February of this year. On the weekend that the Goodwood Revival was taking place, an event that Barrie frequented and raced in on many occasions with some success, it was unfortunate to hear of his passing on this occasion.

Barrie is easily remembered in British racing folklore in the same vain as legends such as Gerry Marshall and Tony Lanfranchi and competed throughout an era that many would describe as a golden age of motorsport. His loss will be felt around the motorsport world, but his contribution as a driver will never be forgotten. The BRSCC wishes to extent its deepest sympathies and condolences to Barrie’s immediate family and friends during this time.

RIP, Whizzo. Another great now joins the great race in the sky…