Peter Harper (racing driver)

Peter Harper (right) with Robin Turvey in 1966

Peter Charles Edward Harper (25 November 1921 – 26 August 2003) was a British racing driver best known for his rally skills, especially on snow and ice. Harper competed mostly with cars from the Rootes Group, for whom he ran a number of motor dealerships based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Harper served with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He started rallying in 1947 and was a regular class winner in the Monte Carlo Rally. In 1962 he finished as runner-up in the British Saloon Car Championship.[1] Harper was elected to the British Racing Drivers' Club as a full member in 1994.[2]

Harper was married twice. His first wife Mavis was his co-driver at his first Monte Carlo Rally in 1950. After she died of cancer, he married Priscilla in 1992.[2]

Harper died in 2003, aged 81. He was survived by his second wife and a son and daughter from the first marriage.[2]

References

1. 1962 official BTCC standings Archived 11 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. btcc.net
2. "Peter Harper. Rally and racing driver who survived a spectacular crash in the Dolomites to spend 30 years in the sport". Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.. timesonline.co.uk. 19 September 2003