William Bethel Thompson (28 December 1906 – 12 February 1945) was an Australian racing driver. From Summer Hill, Sydney,Grahm Howard, Thompson, William Bethel (1906–1945), adb.anu.edu.au/biography. Retrieved 5 June 2015 he was active in motor sport from 1928 to 1936.Review by Pedr Davis, Bill Thompson, Australian Motor racing Champion - By Kent Patrick, bugatticlubaustralia.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org His competition cars included various Bugattis, a Riley Brooklands and an MG K3. Although his career was not taken to the international level, he met with considerable successful in Australia, winning the Australian Grand Prix three times.
Thompson died as a result of an aircraft accident on 12 February 1945 in the Marshall Islands, Pacific Ocean. At the time of the accident, Thompson was serving in the Royal Australian Air Force and was travelling as an unauthorised passenger in a Consolidated PB2Y Coronado of the United States Navy.Kent Patrick, Bill Thompson - Australian motor racing champion, 2011, pages 283 to 286
Career results YearJohn B Blanden, A History of the Australian Grand Prix 1928-1939 Race Position Car 1930 Australian Grand Prix 1st Bugatti Type 37A 1932 Australian Grand Prix 1st Bugatti Type 37A 1933 Australian Grand Prix 1st Riley Brooklands 1934 Australian Grand Prix 2nd MG K3 Magnette 1935 Australian Grand Prix 2nd MG K3 Magnette
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