| Born | (1921-05-11)11 May 1921 Baslow,Derbyshire, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 7 January 2002(2002-01-07) (aged 80) Headington,Oxfordshire,England |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1950 |
| Teams | privateerAlta |
| Entries | 2 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Careerpoints | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1950 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1950 Belgian Grand Prix |
Geoffrey Crossley (11 May 1921 – 7 January 2002)[1] was a Britishracing driver from England. He participated in two World ChampionshipFormula One Grands Prix, debuting on 13 May 1950. He scored no championship points. He also participated in numerous non-Championship Formula One races.
By profession, Geoffrey Crossley was a furniture manufacturer,[2] but he had been a keen amateur racing driver since just beforeWorld War II. Following the war he maintained his interest, and competed in a few races using a pre-warAlta, including the 1947British Empire Trophy race on theIsle of Man.
In 1949 he bought an Alta GP Grand Prix car, GP2, from the manufacturer, in Surrey. Made to order, the car featured a sleeker bodywork than its predecessors.[3] With it, Crossley took International Class F (1,100 cc (67.1 cu in) to 1,500 cc (91.5 cu in)) standing start speed records over 50 km (125.92 mph), 50 miles (124.49 mph) and 100 km (124.17 mph) at theMontlhéry circuit in late 1949.[4] Crossley also campaigned the Alta GP in selected races in 1949, including the1949 Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh and last, six laps down on the winner.
The following year he took part in the first ever World Championship Formula One race: the1950 British Grand Prix atSilverstone Circuit. He qualified in 17th place,[5] three places ahead ofJoe Kelly in a similar Alta, despite the latter's higher specification engine. Crossley's race ended with transmission failure on lap 43.[6] Later that season Crossley entered the Alta for the1950 Belgian Grand Prix, where he qualified 12th and finished in ninth position.[7] In addition to his Championship entries, Crossley also took part in a number of non-Championship races in the Alta, but at the end of the 1950 season he decided to retire due to the high costs of the sport.[2]
He made a brief return to motorsport in 1955, after he built aLea-Francis-engined special which he called the Berkshire Special.[8] Crossley entered the car for the 1955Richmond Trophy race atGoodwood Circuit, but teething troubles with the car meant that he was slowest in practice[9] and he decided to withdraw from the event.[2] Owing to work and family commitments Crossley abandoned the Berkshire Special's development,[10] and withdrew from racing for good.
Geoffrey Crossley died from astroke, in theJohn Radcliffe Hospital, on 7 January 2002.[1]
(key)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Geoffrey Crossley | AltaGP | AltaL4s | GBR Ret | MON | 500 | SUI | BEL 9 | FRA | ITA | NC | 0 |
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None | Youngest driver to start a Formula One race 29 years, 2 days (1950 British Grand Prix) | Succeeded by |