Bob Wilder

Robert John Wilder, Jr. (c. 1921 – 22 May 1953), was a native of Massachusetts, who was an American racing driver who competed in the SCCA National Sports Car Championships between 1951 and 1953.

Bob Wilder
NationalityUnited States American
BornRobert John Wilder, Jr.
c. 1921
Palmer, Massachusetts, USA
Died(1953-05-22)22 May 1953
Bridgehampton Race Circuit, USA

Career

Wilder served 18 months in the United States Air Force during World War II and had raced since being discharged. His most notable results was a third place in the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring, taking a class win, when he partnered Sherwood Johnston, in a Jaguar C-Type. The season before, he was seventh in the overall SCCA National Sports Car Championship standings, after winning Climb to the Clouds, at the Mount Equinox, and the Burke Mountain Hill Climb, setting hill climbing records in the process.[1][2]

Historically, Bob and Rowland Keith who were co-drivers on the 1950 Six Hours of Sebring endurance race, were shown as Canadians, as a result of driving a car from a Canadian dealer, despite Bob being the entrant. The pair finished 14th in their MG TC.[1]

Death

On 22 May 1953, the Chicago Tribune reported that Wilder was killed when his Allard J2X Le Mans went out of control during a practice session for the Bridgehampton Sports Car Races. The car struck a depression in the road after crossing a bridge at high speed and rolled over. He was strapped in with a safety belt. His head was crushed.[3]

Racing record

Career highlights
Season Series Position Team Car
1951 Mount Equniox Hill Climb[4] 3rd Allard-Ford J2
1952 Mount Equniox Hill Climb[5] 1st Allard-Ford J2
Burke Mount Hill Climb[6] 1st Allard-Ford J2
SCCA National Sports Car Championship[7] 7th Allard-Ford J2
1953 Grand Prix, 12 Hours of Sebring[8] 3rd A. H. Feverbacher Jaguar C-Type

Complete 12 Hours of Sebring results
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1953 United States A. H. Feverbacher United States Sherwood Johnston Jaguar C-Type S5.0 162 3rd 1st

References
  1. "Bob Wilder and Rowland Keith – TNF's Archive – The Autosport Forums". forums.autosport.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. "archives.chicagotribune.com/1953/05/23/page/21/article/driver-dies-in-wartmup-for-eastern-race". archives.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  4. "Mt. Equinox Hillclimb 1951 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  5. "Mt. Equinox Hillclimb 1952 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  6. "Burke Mount Hillclimb 1952 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  7. http://www.driversdb.com/drivers/sherwood-johnston%5B%5D
  8. "Sebring 12 Hours 1953 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
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