Peter Revson was an American Superstar; a race car driver who won in everything he drove and became a national celebrity. Since 1970, more Americans have walked on the Moon than won a Formula One race. Revson carried American F1 interest on his shoulders as he won races and chased the World Championship. But at the height of his popularity, it all ended.
From a privileged childhood to making it on his own, Revson climbed to the peak of auto racing’s mountain by being one of the most talented drivers of his generation.
Written and Edited by nascarman
Narrated by Brock Beard
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Video Clips Owned by:
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PBS
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Gordon Jolley
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Photos
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Music:
List Highway – Au.Ra
Midnight Cemetery
Hawaiian Lullaby – Freestanding Music
TrackTribe – Put It
TrackTribe – As You Were
Pedal to the Metal – Chris Haugen
Psychedelicacy- Doug Maxwell
The Woods – Silent Partner
The Long Ascent – Cooper Cannell
Memories… Innocence of a Girl – EDM-mond
World’s Sunrise – Jimena Contreras
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. There are certain scenes from the Formula One calendar where race footage is used. All those rights are property of FOM. Other photos and news elements are used solely for the purpose of assisting the original content illuminate a more in depth story.
#f1 #formula1 #indy500
0:00 Intro
3:10 Game Show Scandals
8:25 Peter’s Racing Starts
10:56 1967: A Mixed Year
12:55 1968
14:28 1969
17:54 1970
30:10 1971
41:46 1972
43:19 1973
58:59 1974
47 Comments
Thank you so much for your beautiful and surprisingly accurate tribute to my dear brother, Peter. After all these years of hearing and reading what I refer to as regurgitated misinformation, this is truly a breath of fresh air. I really appreciate all the time you must have spent putting this together and the intention of getting the facts straight, as well as the innuendos. Best regards, Jennifer. PS: The man at the funeral in the hat labeled as my father, Martin, is actually my uncle Charles.
So sad story, you do a great job
Back in 1966 when I was 13 I was looking forward to our annual trek to Sebring when some friends of ours said to watch for a young driver named Peter Revson. I think his family and theirs were friends. I had never heard of him. He and Skip Scott won the Sports category in their Essex Wire Ford GT40 and placed 3rd overall. I'm surprised that wasn't mentioned. Thanks for the very enjoyable tribute to a great American driver.
Jean Shephard spoke about revson
At that time racing was so dangerous. Some called the drivers crazy sone heroes. RIP all of you who did for their passion.
Thanks for this amazing documentary!
Thanks for the insight into Revson. I was familiar with his ties with McLaren Can-Am, Lotus, and wheeling Javelins, but this gives a nice summation of his career. Cool to see Bud Moore. Be fun to know what Pearson thought about those 911's and their handling characteristics.
Great content as always
What's with the beauty pageant?
Absolutely excellent. Well done Nascarman!
Reading about his death in the newspaper tore this 15 year old kid apart. I wanted Shadow to rise to the top and thought signing Revson was a great first step. He and Donahue were my heroes. F1 was cruel in those days.
That one got me. I just wanna also say your videos are The Best with the attention to details that you really do a fantastic job. You really stand out from the rest keep up the good.
As a huge racing car fan and as someone who grew in that era. I recall reading about so M e of these events. This documentary is one best ive ever watched. Great work, than k you.
Really great video. I haven't heard much about Peter Revson. The footage you used was excellent… High definition and perfect audio does not contribute to the story, but the clips you used really made it authentic.
17:01 Sorta like when Malukas didn't beat out a crashed up Jimmie Johnson. This sport never seems to get it right for very long. Brock, this was great. Thank you man.
Wow what a story damn. Good fuggin job.
Wow ! A good documentary of a talented driver who I saw in action four times at Indy's "500": 1969 through '72. Yet…the years – 1974 & '75 having the loss of Revson, Donahue and retired F1 champ and winner of the 1966 Indianapolis 500, Graham Hill (in a plane accident) took some of the "drive" out of me in my love of auto racing.
One thing for sure in Peter Revson's accomplishments: He should have been the "Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year" in 1969. I was at that race and noted his positions in that Revco V8 engine. It was sounding like the old NOVI engines of past in that race.
Just another loss, during 'the killer years'. Drivers dying every year, back then. It would go on and on, until Senna and Ratzenberger both died at the San Marion GP the same weekend. Then, we saw a better reaction, and deaths declined at an amazing rate, but there would be more.
So sad story
A very prolific and talented guy. Loved this
I think my mother had a crush on Revson. I remember him being extremely popular with much positive talk about seeing his true potential. His death was a loss for the entire sport.
Excellent. Thanks ! I was focused primarily on drag racing in Los Angeles during this period. But I loved all auto racing.
In the late 60’s my parents had a cocktail party. Outside I noticed a car With, PJ Jones name on it. I asked my father the next day if Parneli Jones had been a guest. He said I think so why, he’s a friend of my cousin George Folmer.
WTH? Your didn’t invite in to introduce me?
You know I live for auto racing and will you introduce me to your cousin?
Nothing ever happened and I made my way in drag racing and then a Motorsport marketing manager for Pennzoil…
A fitting tribute to a great racer who was truly ahead of his time. Thanks for telling Peter’s story.
Revson… America's superstar?
Revson had his first GP at 1964… But that year América already had REAL SUPERSTARS in grand prix racing, such as Fangio, Froilan González and some less know today… Like Ricardo Rodríguez, Phill Hill, etc.
And after him is even worst…
Fittipaldi, Piquet, Senna, Reuteman, Barrichelo, Massa…
There is NO WAY you can say Revson is/was "america's superstar".
Thank you for an incredibly well done documentary about Peter Revson. I have followed Formula1 since the '60's and was always miffed at the way the American media portrayed Revson. He wasn't some playboy dillitante who "dabbled" in automobile racing. He was a truly talented driver who could win in anything, like Dan Gurney, Andretti, and Foyt to name some illustrious company. Finally, he was not the heir to the Revlon fortune. His uncle controlled that as Peter's father had detached himself from the company before Peter even started racing. He made his living behind the wheel and, sadly like so many drivers from that era, was gone too soon.
Peter Revson had the skills and experience to win the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula One World Championship, but he couldn't control in unforeseen. A life and career unfulfilled. Rest in peace.
I can still remember like it was yesterday, the terrible news of Peter's tragic death. My oldest brother was a huge Peter Revson fan and was very upset about it. Peter proved without a doubt, he was one of the very best open wheeled race car drivers of all-times. He could do it all.
I had the pleasure of meeting him for a brief moment at the 1973 GP of Barcelona at Montjuich circuit. I was nobody but a 16 years old nerd aficionado and he took the time to answer my unsolicited questions and talk to me (drivers were much more accessible then) Such a gentle spirit.
We need more long documentaries like these
Ok but why did that “the superstars” show stop
I would’ve loved to see Dale Sr vs MJ in tennis
Thank you, this was an exceptionally well done historical record and tribute to a man I watched race at Indy as a young child but didn’t know much more about until now. Fascinating life.
Thank you
One of the best Historic Documentaries I've ever seen
This thing of Netflix bringing f1 to US is a nonsense.
American teams and drivers have been in it since day one.
Speed with style ! A great documentary ! His mistake was not move to Ferrari in 1974 ! The history could be complete different and he became a champion in Formula 1 !
Briar motorsports Park I haven’t heard that name in a long time
They did not gather at a church. Revson was a Unitarian Universalist. Nothing to do with Christ. His father was Jewish and his mother was Christian but they were raised without denomination
He & McDonald would have made a pair to watch.
1st class thank you
Thank you "nascarman" for this great video on a driver that I remember perfectly. P.S. please note that the driver speaking with Emerson Fittipaldi @1h04'59" is in my humble opinion Carlos Pace. Cheers from Milan.
Racers die dark deaths, but Lord, do they live bright lives. Peter Revson may have lived the brightest.
Great story❤
39:10: Watching that crash with cars hitting that inside retaining wall very much resembles what happened to Swede Savage two years later with even more dire consequences. Only THEN did the Speedway get rid of that wall. Safety concerns were much less important in those days. Leaving cars by the side of the track while the racing went on was also very different from today. I don't know when they changed this in America but the turning point in changing those procedures Internationally may have come about in 1981 after Herbert Muller was killed in a sports car race at the Nurburgring when he hit the a disabled and abandoned car, with his car then exploding into a mass of flames.
GREAT doc about peter, i remember him from my AFX days seeing him on tv. unfortunately, they did not show much racing on tv in those days, but still heard of him. thanks
Very well done. Thank you.
Would loved to have watched Peter race
Awesome video and thank you
I used to love Indy.