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David Clapham

1931 – 2005

Racing driver and motor sport journalist from South Africa

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About David Clapham

Lived 1931 – 2005 (aged 74). David Clapham was a South African formula One driver, engineer, racing driver and journalist.

David Philip Clapham (17 May 1931 – 22 October 2005) was a racing driver and motor sport journalist from South Africa.

Career Clapham participated at many levels of motor sport in South Africa, including Formula Vee, Formula Ford and saloon car racing, as well as the South African Formula One Championship. He was instrumental in bringing Formula Vee and Formula Ford to South Africa, and helped Jody Scheckter move to Europe where he got his big break into international motorsport.

He took part in the Formula One Rand Grand Prix in 1963 and 1964, blowing the engine of his Cooper in the latter. He had entered the 1965 South African Grand Prix two weeks later, but he withdrew the entry before the meeting took place.

Clapham also wrote articles and columns in the South African motor sport press, both during and after his racing career, and later remained in the sport in various administrative capacities. He died in 2005 after a short illness, leaving behind his wife Margaret, son Jeremy and daughter Bridget.

Results Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) Yr Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WDC Points 1965 Lawson Organisation Cooper T51 Maserati Straight-4 RSA MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX NC 0

Non-Championship Formula One results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1963 Scuderia Los Amigos LDS Climax Straight-4 LOM GLV PAU IMO SYR AIN INT ROM SOL KAN MED AUT OUL RAN 1964 Lawson Organisation Cooper T51 Maserati Straight-4 DMT NWT SYR AIN INT SOL MED RAN

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
David Philip Clapham

People in David Clapham's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Clapham's

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Clapham?

Racing driver and motor sport journalist from South Africa

When was David Clapham born?

David Clapham was born on 17 May 1931 in Rawmarsh.

When did David Clapham die?

David Clapham died on 22 October 2005 in South Africa.

What was David Clapham's occupation?

David Clapham was a formula One driver, engineer, racing driver and journalist.

What nationality was David Clapham?

David Clapham was South African.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Clapham

· Wikidata: Q2189587

· DBpedia: David Clapham

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Clapham. https://biography.guide/david-clapham/

MLA: "David Clapham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-clapham/.

Chicago: "David Clapham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-clapham/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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