2018 GOODWOOD REVIVAL - BARRIE WILLIAMS
- 13 September 2018
As Saturday morning broke the sad news that Goodwood fan favourite Barrie “Whizzo” Williams had passed away at the age of 79 spread through the paddock. In a career that spanned more than half a century he may not have made a mark on the international scene but was a star in British national motor sport in everything from rallying (winning the 1964 Welsh Rally) through touring cars and single make production saloons through the 1970s and 80s.
As his professional career wound down, historic motorsport became his passion and his ability to dominate the most difficult cars and his to slide a car to outrageous angles thrilled and entertained crowds where-ever he raced.
He won several times at Goodwood, including the inaugural RAC TT Celebration in 1998 in Nigel Corner's E-type Jaguar but as much as anything it was his willingness to stop and spend time to talk and joke with fans that won many hearts. My first memory of Barrie was at the 2002 Revival where he was driving a Morris Minor in the St Marys Trophy. No chance of winning but the display of drifting he put on meant that you knew where he was on the track from the cheering of the crowd as he hung the back out, smoking the tyres through every corner. A couple of years later during a delay to recover a damaged car I made the suggestion to Barrie that he may be able to jump Frank Sytner at the re-start if he swept some of the dust and debris on the start line under the rear wheels of Sytner’s Brabham. Minutes later with broom in hand both he and Richard Attwood were all giggles.
A wonderful man to – I won’t say have known – but met and spent time with. My sympathies to his partner Cathy and countless friends across the sport.
Sam Snape
12-9-2018