Уильям Юинг Хой: Британдық автокөлік спортының чемпионы және өмірінің жолы

William Ewing Hoy (2 April 1952 – 19 December 2002) was a British racing driver and the 1991 British Touring Car Champion, the highlight of a 20 year career in motor racing.

Born in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, In late 2002, Hoy suffered an inoperable brain tumour and died shortly afterwards. He is survived by his wife and three children.

In 1991 he concentrated on the BTCC, in the first season of Super Touring regulations. Although manufacturers including Vauxhall and Toyota had factory entries, the established BMWs were the cars to have initially. Hoy made full use of his opportunity in a car entered by Vic Lee, building a championship lead nobody was able to overhaul. He also won the Willhire 24 Hour at Snetterton in a BMW M3, partnering Ray Bellm and Kurt Luby. For 1992 he was signed by the Toyota team, went into the final round in a three way tussle for the championship but was beaten by Tim Harvey's BMW. However, the car was not competitive in subsequent seasons, Toyota won once in 1993 with Julian Bailey at Knockhill. The closest Hoy came was at Silverstone in 1993, when he was punted off onto his roof by team mate Julian Bailey, an incident remembered for Murray Walker's commentary line "the car upside down is a Toyota", a play on the company's advertising slogan of the time (The car in front is a Toyota). In 1994, Hoy drove a factory prepared Toyota Celica in the RAC Rally, of the World Rally Championship, but famously crashed into a tree on stage 4 of the rally. He and his co driver were unhurt in the accident. Despite 2 largely result free seasons, Hoy was still an established star, and Renault hired him alongside Alain Menu for 1995. The early part of the season was a disaster, with many mechanical failures and crashes, although in the latter part of the season, Hoy moved up to 4th with 3 race wins, in what was now the fastest car. Hopes of a title push for 1996 was erased by the entry of the 4 wheel drive Audi of Frank Biela. Although Menu was again championship runner up, Hoy slipped back to 9th. The BTCC of this era was dominated by high investment manufacturer teams, largely made up of overseas former single seater drivers. Like Tim Harvey and Robb Gravett, Hoy was struggling to remain in a competitive car or make use of it. He went to a fading Ford team for 1997 and 1998. 1997 was somewhat disappointing but 1998 was a much better performance, with Hoy finishing in the top 10 in the championship in one of the least competitive works cars and even picking up a race win at Round 4 at Silverstone. Hoy raced independently in the BTCC for part of 1999, outperforming the rest of the independents in a half season campaign using the Arena Motorsport Renault Laguna before entering semi retirement. He also competed with Chamberlain Motorsport for two rounds of 1999 FIA GT Championship. His last appearance came at Silverstone in 2000 in a Class B Vic Lee Racing Peugeot 306, securing pole position in class for both races, but retiring from both races with mechanical failures. Hoy was a commentator for the 2002 BTCC season alongside Ben Edwards in addition to being part of the works Honda BTCC team in a managerial role alongside driver, Andy Priaulx.

Year Team Co Drivers Car Class Laps 1985 Roy Baker Promotions Nick Nicholson Paul Smith Tiga GC285 Ford Cosworth C2 274 21st 4th 1987 Team Lucky Strike Schanche Martin Schanche Robin Smith Argo JM19B Zakspeed C2 5 DNF DNF 1988 Mazdaspeed Co. Ltd. Hervé Regout Takashi Yorino Mazda 767 GTP 305 19th 3rd 1989 Team Schuppan Jean Alesi Dominic Dobson Porsche 962C C1 69 DNF DNF 1991 Team Salamin Primagaz Eje Elgh Roland Ratzenberger Porsche 962C C1 202 DNF DNF

Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 WDC Points 1994 Will Hoy Toyota Celica GT Four ST185 MON POR KEN FRA GRC ARG NZL FIN ITA GBRRet NC 0 1998 Ford Motor Co. Ltd. Ford Escort Kit Car MON SWE KEN POR ESP FRA ARG GRC NZL FIN ITA AUS GBR53 NC 0