Dave Charlton

David William "Dave" Charlton (27 October 1936 - 24 February 2013) was a South African racing driver who competed in Formula One and dominated South African domestic motorsport during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Brotton, Yorkshire, England, Charlton emigrated to South Africa with his parents when he was ten years old, growing up in the country that would become his racing home. Charlton was a relatively late starter in motor racing, winning his first race at the age of 24 in 1960, driving his own Austin Healey 100/6 in a supporting event for the 1960 South African Grand Prix at East London. This victory ignited his passion for motorsport and launched a career that would span three decades.

Charlton participated in 13 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, making his top-level debut at the 1967 South African Grand Prix driving a Brabham BT11/22 that had once been raced by Jack Brabham himself. He qualified a respectable eighth on the grid, demonstrating his competitiveness, but failed to finish the race due to mechanical issues. Throughout his Formula One career from 1965 to 1975, Charlton drove various machinery including Lotus and Brabham cars, but he scored no championship points, primarily competing in Formula One only at the South African Grand Prix when the World Championship visited his home country. While his World Championship Formula One results were modest, Charlton achieved extraordinary success in non-World Championship Formula One races and South African domestic competition.

He won the South African Formula One Championship an impressive six consecutive times from 1970 to 1975, demonstrating complete dominance of the South African racing scene. These championships, coupled with numerous race victories, established Charlton as one of South Africa's greatest racing drivers. He competed against both local competitors and visiting international stars when they came to South Africa, often matching their pace on his familiar home circuits. Beyond Formula One, Charlton raced various categories including sports cars and touring cars, demonstrating his versatility across different types of racing machinery.

He was known for his smooth driving style, technical knowledge, and ability to extract maximum performance from sometimes outdated equipment. Charlton also made a single appearance at the 1967 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, driving a McLaren, though he failed to qualify for the race. After retiring from competitive racing in the mid-1970s, Charlton remained connected to South African motorsport and became a respected elder statesman of the sport in the country. He worked in the automotive business and occasionally participated in historic racing events, bringing his classic Formula One cars back to circuits where he had achieved his greatest successes.

Dave Charlton passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 24 February 2013 at the age of 76. He is remembered as one of the finest drivers to emerge from South Africa and as the dominant force in South African Formula One racing during the sport's golden era in that country. His six consecutive national championships remain a testament to his skill, consistency, and mastery of the craft during the 1970s.