Gary Hocking

Gary Stuart Hocking MBE (30 September 1937 - 21 December 1962): Rhodesian motorcycle road racer and aspiring Formula One driver, born in Caerleon, near Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, but raised in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he attended Gifford High School. Competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1958 to 1962, most prominently as a member of the MV Agusta factory racing team where he won both the 1961 350cc and 500cc world championships, becoming Rhodesia's first world champion in a major sport. Dominated motorcycle racing at the highest level, establishing himself as one of the sport's elite competitors during the early 1960s. Deeply affected by the death of his close friend Tom Phillis at the 1962 Isle of Man TT, a tragedy that profoundly impacted him.

After winning the Senior TT in 1962, announced his immediate retirement from motorcycle racing at age 24, returning to Rhodesia emotionally shaken by witnessing too many deaths in the sport he loved. Secured a contract to drive for millionaire privateer Rob Walker's Formula One team for the 1963 World Championship, representing a fresh start in four-wheeled racing. Began his new career as an F1 driver on 26 August 1962 at Roskilde Ring for the non-championship Danish Grand Prix in Walker's Lotus 24-Climax, finishing a creditable fourth and demonstrating immediate promise. Tragically killed on 21 December 1962 during practice for the Natal Grand Prix at the Westmead circuit in Durban, South Africa.

His Rob Walker-entered Lotus 24 ran off the edge of the track at the end of the long right-hand corner and somersaulted end over end twice. Hocking's head struck the roll hoop during the violent accident, and he died several hours later in Addington Hospital in Durban from his injuries at age 25. His death came just months after he had retired from motorcycle racing to escape the dangers of two-wheeled competition, only to be killed before his Formula One career could truly begin. Never competed in a Formula One World Championship race, robbing motorsport of a talented champion who might have achieved great success in grand prix racing.

Hocking's tragic story represents one of motorsport's cruelest ironies—a world champion seeking safety in a different discipline, only to lose his life before his new career began. Awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his motorcycle racing achievements. Remembered in Rhodesian and motorcycle racing history as a brilliant talent whose potential in Formula One was never realized.