South African boat driver Anton van Heerden crashed his powerboat shortly after the start of the 1997 Gran Premio del Mediterraneo, held in Gallipoli, region of Puglia, Italy. While travelling in the rear positions the boat overturned at the approach of the second buoy trapping the pilot underneath it, autopsy evidenced he died of asphyxia.
Scott Gillman, who won the Mediterranean Grand Prix gave van Heerden's 17 year-old son, Mark, the trophy. Mark usually went to the races with his father helping in the team and often expressed the wish to race himself. At the end of 1997 season Scott Gillman was declared the Formula 1 Powerboat World Champion.
Zambia born Anton van Heerden, who was a 46 year-old diesel mechanic from Spring (South Africa) drove a red and black kevlar-carbon fibre DAC powerboat entered by team MM Power of Germany. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Mark and Gregory. He started his racing career in 1987, scoring a victory in the 500 cm3 hydroplane class. He achieved a 2nd place in the 1994/95 Formula 1 racing Championship of South Africa, and in 1996 he finished 4th in the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship Greek Grand Prix.
The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship was inaugurated in 1981, similar to Formula 1 car racing and similar rules apply. Each Formula 1 Powerboat race lasts approximately 45 minutes following a circuit marked out in a selected stretch of water, usually a lake, river, or sea bay.
R.I.P
Scott Gillman, who won the Mediterranean Grand Prix gave van Heerden's 17 year-old son, Mark, the trophy. Mark usually went to the races with his father helping in the team and often expressed the wish to race himself. At the end of 1997 season Scott Gillman was declared the Formula 1 Powerboat World Champion.
Zambia born Anton van Heerden, who was a 46 year-old diesel mechanic from Spring (South Africa) drove a red and black kevlar-carbon fibre DAC powerboat entered by team MM Power of Germany. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Mark and Gregory. He started his racing career in 1987, scoring a victory in the 500 cm3 hydroplane class. He achieved a 2nd place in the 1994/95 Formula 1 racing Championship of South Africa, and in 1996 he finished 4th in the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship Greek Grand Prix.
The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship was inaugurated in 1981, similar to Formula 1 car racing and similar rules apply. Each Formula 1 Powerboat race lasts approximately 45 minutes following a circuit marked out in a selected stretch of water, usually a lake, river, or sea bay.
R.I.P
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