This week in motor sport – March 20

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A busy week in motor sport from the Archive and Database, with fan-favourites born, fortuitous wins for Prost, Sebring victories and much more 

March 20

1895: Grand Prix winner, Le Mans winner, WWI pilot and WWII resistance fighter Robert Benoist is born. In profile

1952: IMSA star and Le Mans winner Geoff Brabham is born. In profile

1971: As Mark Donohue and Pedro Rodriguez clash, Vic Elford and Gerard Larrousse win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report

1972: Pedro Lamy, Portugal’s second Formula 1 driver, is born. In profile

March 21

1921: Francesco ‘Chico’ Godia, Spain’s most successful F1 driver until Fernando Alonso, is born. In profile

1960: Ayrton Senna is born. In profile

1966: Indy-winning Swede Kenny Brack is born. In profile

1971: Clay Regazzoni wins the Race of Champions, despite trailing blue smoke by the flag. Report

1982: Alain Prost is handed the win in sweltering Rio, after Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg are disqualified. Report

March 22

1969: Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report

1991: Sports car racer and ex-Grand Prix racer Roberto Merhi is born. In profile

1992: Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese dominate in Mexico. Report

March 23

1968: Jo Siffert and Hans Herrmann win the Sebring 12 Hours. Report

1981: World champion, sports car winner, Grand Prix podium finisher and George Medal hero Mike Hailwood is killed in a road accident. In profile

1986: Piquet wins at home, as Nigel Mansell and Senna clash at turn one. Report

March 24

1923: Sports car racer, Grand Prix starter, and the first Englishman in NASCAR, Brian Naylor is born. In profile 

2002: Bob Said, GP starter and the first American to win a race in Europe following WWII, passes away. In profile 

March 25

1984: Derek Warwick and Niki Lauda both retire from the lead, handing Alain Prost victory in Rio. Report

1990: And six years later… Prost wins again after Senna is nudged from victory by Nakajima. Report

March 26

1941: F1’s only female points scorer, Lella Lombardi is born. In profile

1952: Le Mans and Grand Prix winner Didier Pironi is born. In profile

1958: Elio de Angelis, Grand Prix winner, concert-standard pianist and all-round favourite, is born. In profile

1989: Mansell is a calm and composed victor in Brazil. Report

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