Bill Aston

William Simpson Aston (29 March 1900 – 4 March 1974) was a British racing driver who participated in three World Championship Grands Prix, in 1952 when the championship was run to Formula Two rules, for his own team Aston Butterworth.

Career Prior to taking part in World Championship Grand Prix racing, Aston was a test pilot and motorcycle racer. He turned to four-wheel racing with a Cooper-JAP in Formula Three and later graduated into Formula Two. He came close to winning a heat race at Chimay in 1951, driving an Cooper, but his car failed on the last lap. In the same year he set a world speed record at Montlhéry in the streamlined Cooper, fitted with a V-twin J.A.P. motor.

For 1952, Aston teamed up with Archie Butterworth to build the Aston Butterworth, a car that raced quite well, but was unfortunately very unreliable. He entered the car in the British Grand Prix and qualified 30th and last. However, he was unable to start the race. He then entered the 1952 German Grand Prix, but his car failed on the second lap. At the Italian Grand Prix he failed to make it through qualifying. Aston raced on into his 60s, with a Mini and a Jaguar, before he retired.

Racing record

Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Points 1952 W S Aston Aston NB 41 Butterworth Flat 4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0

Complete British Saloon Car Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap.) Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 DC Pts Class 1960 Star Hill Racing Equipe Jaguar Mk II 3.4 BRH SNE MAL OUL SNE BRH6* BRH4* BRH2* NC* 0* 1961 Bill Aston Morris Mini Minor SNE GOO? AIN? SIL? CRYRet SIL5 BRH? OUL SNE 10th 20 3rd 1962 Tourist Trophy Garage Vauxhall VX4/90 SNE GOO AIN SIL CRY AIN21 BRH? OUL? 18th 8 6th 1963 Team Tourist Trophy Jaguar Mk II 3.8 SNE4 OULRet GOO5 AIN SIL CRY5† SIL BRH BRH OUL SNE 40th 2 15th † Events with 2 races staged for the different classes.

Car over 1000cc - Not eligible for points.