Richard Piper

22/10/1947

Record updated 22-Oct-06

Started racing in Saloons in 1970

Graduating to 1300cc Mini Coopers in International Group 2 in 1972 changed to Single Seaters Formula Ford in 1974

Works driver in 1975 for the SARK Formula Ford 2000 Team designed by Williams designer Patrick Head Raced successfully 1976 – 1977

Competed in Formula Atlantic 1979/80/81

Formula 5000 in Libre during 1982

Changed to Sportscars in 1983 competing in „Thundersports“ for 5 years first in a CHEVRON B 36 2 Litre HART420R Later changing to 3 Litre Cosworth DFV Replaced the car with a MARCH 847 5 Litre Chevrolet

Richard and Co-driver Tiff Needell never finished lower than third in any Thundersport race Entered Royale RP40 3 litre Cosworth Group C2 in selected events of the 1987 World Sport-Prototype Championship and also drove for ADA Engineering that season, winning the C2 class in Shah Alah, Malaysia.

In the 1988 season was the number one driver for the PC Automotive Argo JM19 3.3 litre Cosworth finishing 5 th in the World Championship

That year also drove Theodore Formula One 183 two wins in Libre and Historic F1

1989 driving with Olindo Iacobelli in the Team's Spice SE88C Cosworth, Richard was always a top three qualifier and finished third in the World Championship.

1990 saw three second places in the National C2 Championship. He drove for Chamberlain Engineering at Silverstone in a Spice C1 3.5 litre Cosworth.

Won the C2 class at Le Mans 24 HOURS with co-drivers Iacobelli and Mike Youles, finishing over 12 laps ahead of the nearest rival. That year awarded the BRDC Nigel Moores Trophy for the best performance by a British team in International Motorsport.

At the European Interserie round in July at Brands Hatch Richard took pole position with the Team's Spice C1 SE89 3.5 litre Cosworth and was narrowly beaten into second place by the more powerful Porsche 962 of Walter Lechner after a tremendous battle on the Indy Circuit. In his attempts to pass, Richard established the outright lap record for the series.

In 1991 drove a Spice C1 SE90 for the Dutch Team Euroracing at Silverstone with Dutchman Cor Euser, finishing 5th after a puncture dropped them from a secure third place in the World championship round.

Finished at Le Mans that year, being one of only two 3.5 litre cars to do so. A win at the Christie's Historic Supersports race in a Lola CanAm 8.3 litre T222 Chevrolet was the best result that season.

In 1992 drove for Chamberlain at Le Mans winning the FIA Sportscar World Championship Cup category. Awarded the BRDC Woolf Barnato Trophy for the highest placed driver in a British car at the LE MANS 24 HOURS .

in 1993 drove in the Autoexpress Thundersaloon Championship for regular sponsors, Texas Homecare, in a Honda Prelude and archieved 4 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third, winning the Championship as well as setting numerous pole positions and fastest laps.

Drove for LOTUS in the GT category at LE MANS in 1993 in the works car, qualifying fastest of the six drivers by 8 seconds. Retired at 7 am with engine failure.

1994 drove at LE MANS , again for LOTUS . Taken out of race by errant Porsche after only 5 hours.

1994 BRDC GT Championship, finished 4 th overall and numerous class wins.

1995 Karcher Global GT events in Jaguar XJ 220. Drove Jaguar XJ 220 C at LE MANS working up to 4 th place overall at half distance before retiring with engine failure.

1996 SPA 24hours works Honda Supertouring Accord retired after suspension failure

2003 ORWELL SuperSports Cup first in class CHEVRON B 19

2004 ORWELL SuperSports Cup first in class CHEVRON B 19

2005 ORWELL SuperSports Cup first in class A McLaren M8F and CHAMPION