Bob Wilder

Robert John Wilder, Jr. (c. 1921 – 22 May 1953) was an American racing driver who competed in the SCCA National Sports Car Championships between 1951 and 1953.

Career

Wilder was a native of Massachusetts. He served 18 months in the United States Air Force during World War II, and then raced from the time he was discharged. His most notable results was a third place in the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring, taking a class win, when he partnered Sherwood Johnston, in a Jaguar C-Type. The season before, he was seventh in the overall SCCA National Sports Car Championship standings, after winning Climb to the Clouds, at the Mount Equinox, and the Burke Mountain Hill Climb, setting hill climbing records in the process.

Historically, Bob and Rowland Keith who were co-drivers on the 1950 Six Hours of Sebring endurance race, were shown as Canadians, as a result of driving a car from a Canadian dealer, despite Bob being the entrant. The pair finished 14th in their MG TC.

Racing record

Career highlights

Season Series Position Team Car 1951 Mount Equniox Hill Climb 3rd Allard-Ford J2 1952 Mount Equniox Hill Climb 1st Allard-Ford J2 Burke Mount Hill Climb 1st Allard-Ford J2 SCCA National Sports Car Championship 7th Allard-Ford J2 1953 Grand Prix, 12 Hours of Sebring 3rd A. H. Feverbacher Jaguar C-Type

Complete 12 Hours of Sebring results Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps 1953 A. H. Feverbacher Sherwood Johnston Jaguar C-Type S5.0 162 3rd 1st