Revson biography

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In 1963, after limited successes and with Formula 1 aspirations, Revson took the remaining money he had, around $12,000 (equivalent to $106,213 in 2021), and moved to the UK. There he was able to buy a Formula Junior Cooper and a Ford Thames van named Gilbert. Beyond racing cars at the highest levels in both Europe and the United States, he piloted a 32-foot Chris-Craft powerboat and was romantically linked with some of the most glamorous women of his era.

Off the track, he lived at the same accelerated pace, Revson piloting a 32-foot (9.8 m) ChrisCraft and courting some of the most beautiful women in the world. In 1972 Revson was offered a full-time seat racing for the McLaren Formula One team, headed by Revson's old friend and boss Teddy Mayer. Mechanical issues plagued him: he retired from the Indianapolis 500 after 23 laps, from the Pocono 500 after seven laps, and finished 23rd at the California 500.

The 1973 season brought Revson to the peak of his Formula One career.

To the dismay of his family, Revson began to turn his attention to competitive racing full time. They finished second overall and won the 3-liter class, just seconds behind a Ferrari 512 driven by Mario Andretti’s team.

Yet, beyond the flashy exterior lay a man driven by passion and determination—a man who pushed the limits of speed and danger in pursuit of greatness.

The pinnacle of Revson’s career came in 1971 when he clinched the Can-Am Championship, showcasing his dominance on the track. Revson again competed in the IndyCar Triple Crown, qualifying second for the Indianapolis 500 but retiring after brushing the wall on lap three.

It was a very difficult time. Driving the McLaren M8F, Revson won five races and scored three additional podium finishes in ten rounds, securing the championship.

His success earned him a Formula One appearance with Tyrrell at the 1971 United States Grand Prix. The car pierced beneath the barrier, caught fire, and despite rapid intervention, Revson was killed.

Designer Tony Southgate later recalled the devastation of the accident and accepted responsibility for a titanium suspension component failure—a sobering reminder of Formula One’s dangers during the era.

Revson was the second member of his family lost to racing, following the death of his brother Douglas in 1967.

By the sheer genius of his imagination, by the drive of his personality, by the dedication of his efforts, he created a vast enterprise stretching around the globe, and his name became known in dozens of countries. Revson soon signed with the rather new Shadow formula 1 team for the 1974 season. Now driving for the McLaren team in the M8F, Revson rolled past the competition to a championship.

Revson teamed with fellow drivers Chris Amon and Mike Hailwood, referred to as the Ditton Road Flyers, and received more attention due to their antics and wild parties than their performances on the track. Driving for McLaren at the Indianapolis 500, he qualified on pole in a McLaren M16 and finished second. By the early 1970s, he had become one of the few drivers to conquer Formula One, Indy Car, Can-Am, and Trans-Am racing—a feat matched only by his contemporary, Dan Gurney.

Revson’s prowess behind the wheel was matched only by his larger-than-life persona.

Teaming with Cornell classmate Timmy Mayer and friend Bill Smith, and managed by Teddy Mayer under the Rev-Em Racing banner, Revson competed in formula junior in 1962, losing the financial aid of the Revson family as a consequence.

Formula One career

During Revson's first year with McLaren during the 1972 season at the age of 33, Revson was able to finish 5th in the championship standing.

Without support from his family, Revson embraced his independence and generated funds through his savings and education funds. Martin had been a founding partner (along with his brother Charles Revson) of Revlon cosmetics, but had parted ways in 1958 and become chairman of Del Laboratories in 1963.