Jeff Williamson

Taking-on and beating ‘works’ drivers in his privately-built Mini, a series of heroic results and his specatacular style brought the “Jumping” Jeff Williamson monika. In 1969, he was the winner of the first ever event in Holland.

Younger than many of his counterparts, Williamson was another to step-up from autocross. Starting his first rallycross event in October 1968, Williamson arrived with a bang, placing second to established star and works Rootes driver Peter Harper.

By ’69 he was beating the works Minis, and almost everyone else, and had factory support by the end of that year.

If not quite a rags-to-riches story, Williamson’s career path is a classic of the young-gun striding into town and establishing a new order. Rallying was also on his radar and gradually took over as rallycross slipped in profile.