Photo by Joop van Bilsen / Anefo via Nationaal Archief (cropped from original image), CC0 Public Domain. (Credit links at the end of the content)
We continue our journey remembering the forgotten legends of F1. Some at least managed to make their debut, while others never got the chance. The Welsh driver Gary Hocking belonged to the second category, tragically passing away just eight days before what would have been his Formula 1 debut.
Today; many F1 fans know the stories of drivers like John Surtees or Mike Hailwood, riders who successfully crossed from motorcycles to F1.
But before those stories fully unfolded, there was another man who looked destined for greatness.
Some even believed he could become one of the very few drivers capable of challenging Jim Clark during the early 1960s.
What makes Gary’s story so haunting isn’t only how talented he was; but how quickly everything happened!
Within months; he went from motorcyccle world champion to one of the hottest prospects in F1, then, just as his career was about to begin in F1, it was suddenly over.
Before we continue with the story of Gary Hocking, here at CarsRave, we enjoy bringing forgotten stories that many people rarely hear about, told through rich storytelling and the history behind the legends themselves. Over time, we have shared the journeys of many remarkable names from motorsport, and we continue that journey in the best way we can. For more stories like this, you can explore our F1 Forgotten Legends category.
Gary Hocking: The Motorcycle Champion Who Walked Away
Before he ever sat in a F1 car, Hocking was already famous in motorcycle racing.
He was born in Wales, Newport and raised in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, he became one of the finest motorcycle racers of his generation.
In 1961, he achieved something extraordinary by winning both the 350cc and 500cc title in the same season.
At only 24 years old, he was one of the best riders in the world; but the sport was brutally unforgiving in that era.
One of his close friends passed away during the 1962 Isle of Man TT, Tom Phillis, Hocking was affected, he began questioning whether motorcycle racing was worth the risk anymore.
In a move that shocked the racing world; he suddenly retired from motorcycles in 1962.
Reports suggest that many people believed he was making the right decision, as car racing appeared safer than motorcycles at the time. Sadly, things would turn out very differently from what anyone expected.
His Move to Cars Looked Effortless
What happened next became one of the most remarkable forgotten transitions in motorsport history. Yes, people often talk about John Surtees and other legendary names, but Gary Hocking is rarely mentioned in today’s motorsport media.
Most motorcycle riders who switched to cars needed years to adapt; but Gary Hocking seemed to need only a few laps.
After arriving in Southern African car racing; he began defeating experienced drivers.
In his first outings; he won races like the Rhodesian Grand Prix and quickly became the center of attention… people watching him could hardly believe how naturally handled a F1 car.
At circuits such as Kyalami GP Circuit, stories stread rapidly about his speed; reports claimed he broke lap records during private testing sessions, whether every story was fully accurate or slightly exaggarated over time, one thing became obvious very quickly, Gary Hocking was frighteningly fast.
He almost impressed at Zwartkops raceway, where he reportedly shattered existing lap records by several seconds, drivers who had spent years mastering four-wheel racing suddenly found themselves watching a former motorcycle champion matching their pace almost instantly.
In the past, we have shared the story of John Surtees, the man who became a world champion in motorcycle racing before later conquering F1 as well, alongside many other fascinating stories from motorsport history. You can discover more of these forgotten journeys in our F1 Forgotten Legends category.
Racing Against Formula 1’s Greatest Drivers
The clearest sign of Hocking’s potential came during the 1962 Rand Grand Prix; competing against the drivers who were already considered among the best in the world.
Hocking finished fourth, ahead of him were only Jim Clark, Trevor Taylor, and John Surtees, for someone with barely any experience in cars; it was an astonishing performance.
This wasn’t a lucky result achieved through attrition or changing weather conditions; he was genuinely competitive on pace.
Experienced observers immediately understood what they were witnessing; Hocking wasn’t simply a motorcycle champion trying something different, he looked like a future F1 star.
Even legendary team owner Rob Walker became convinced, after Stirling Moss suffered the crash that effectively ended his career; Walker needed someone capable of handling top-level machinery, he chose Gary Hocking, for a driver with only months of car racing experience, it was an extraordinary vote of confidence.
The Lotus 24 and a Future Waiting Ahead
Gary Hocking was set to drive the Lotus 24 for the Rob Walker team.
The opportunity in front of him was enormous. Reports suggest that many people around motorsport believed the 1963 season could have transformed him into a genuine F1 contender. Some even argued that he was one of the rare natural talents capable of eventually challenging Jim Clark during that era.
Reports suggest that he seemed completely comfortable in racing cars within just a few weeks. Even motorcycle champion Jim Redman once suggested that Hocking found driving cars surprisingly easy compared to motorcycles.
Everything pointed toward a spectacular future for the Welshman, but then came December 1962.
The Crash at Westmead
On December 21, 1962, Gary Hocking was practicing for the Natal GP at the Westmead Circuit in South Africa.
He was driving the Lotus 24, the same car that was expected to be part of his F1 future.
During the session, the car suddenly left the track at high speed, and later that day Hocking sadly passed away.
Even today, the exact cause of the accident remains uncertain. Some believe the Lotus may have suffered a mechanical problem involving the steering or suspension, while other theories have also been discussed over the years.
What still makes the story so difficult to think about is the fact that Hocking had stepped away from motorcycle racing because he believed car racing would offer a safer future.
In fact, he had already been entered for the 1962 South African GP, which was scheduled to take place just eight days later. Sadly, he never got the opportunity to make his official F1 debut.
Before we continue with the story of Gary Hocking, we also invite you to explore the stories of other legends such as Alan Stacey and Lorenzo Bandini. Legends who were gone too soon, but are never forgotten.
The Forgotten “What If” Story
Motorsport history is filled with ‘what if’ stories; but Hocking’s stands among the most heartbreaking.
Unlike many drivers remembered mainly for potential; he had already shown proof of elite ability.
He had gone wheel-to-wheel with established stars, and he looked competitive, the team trusted him, rivals respected him.
His rise happened so quickly that many believed the best was still to come; yet because his F1 career never officially began in the World Championship, his name slowly disappeared from mainstream history.
Today, he remains one of racing’s great forgotten legends, a world champion on two wheels who looked destined for greatness on four.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDITS: Photo by Joop van Bilsen / Anefo via Nationaal Archief (cropped from original image), CC0 Public Domain.
