To celebrate the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 this year, we will profile all the British, and British born drivers who have taken on the speedway since 1911, looking at their time at IMS, results and in some cases interviews with some of the drivers. In Part Eight we look at a wealthy heir, a winner, one of Yorkshire's finest and the only female competing at this years 500.
Count Louis Zborowski
Son of a racing driver Polish Count and a wealthy heiress, Louis Zborowski was born in 1895. His early career behind the wheel took him to races in Grand Prix events and at Brooklands. It should be noted that after the death of his mother, his father had died years before in a racing accident, Zborowski inherited vast amounts of money, said to be fourth richest man in the world under the age of 21, owning land in Manhatten, which took him to America. With the interest in cars, racing it was almost inevitable that he would end up competing at the Indianapolis. And in 1923, he would make his one and only start.
After purchasing a Bughatti, he joined the four strong team, but the cars were not as competitive as hoped. But over practice and eventually qualifying, he would achieve a fifth place starting position. Sadly for Zborowski, and his team, the cars were not reliable, and his race ended on lap 41 with a broken con rod.
As was with the time, a racing accident would claim the life of Zborowski at Monza after crashing and colliding with a tree in 1924. His legacy lived on, inspired by the cars built and raced by Zborowski, Ian Fleming would later use the names and designs his his book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
After purchasing a Bughatti, he joined the four strong team, but the cars were not as competitive as hoped. But over practice and eventually qualifying, he would achieve a fifth place starting position. Sadly for Zborowski, and his team, the cars were not reliable, and his race ended on lap 41 with a broken con rod.
As was with the time, a racing accident would claim the life of Zborowski at Monza after crashing and colliding with a tree in 1924. His legacy lived on, inspired by the cars built and raced by Zborowski, Ian Fleming would later use the names and designs his his book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
George Robson
Born in Newcastle, (in the North East of England, not the Indiana one...) in 1909, George Robson was to move to Canada first, then to the United States in 1924. He would become the first British born winner of the 500 in 1946, competing in his third and final 500.
Robson had his first visit to the Speedway in 1939, but failed to qualify for the race, but did relieve Harry McGuinn. Returning in 1940, Robson qualified in 23rd, finishing in 18th, retiring on lap 67, 1941 did not fair better either, qualified in 16th, again retirement forced him out of the race in 25th, after 66 laps. But after the break for the Second World War, the reopened speedway saw Robson take victory after starting 15th, would go on to take victory driving an Adams, driving on at racing speed passed the chequered flag for a couple of laps, because he did not know what to say having won the race. Robson won $42,350 for his efforts.
Sadly he would not return to the Speedway to defend his title, Robson was killed in an accident at Lakewood Speedway later that year.
Robson had his first visit to the Speedway in 1939, but failed to qualify for the race, but did relieve Harry McGuinn. Returning in 1940, Robson qualified in 23rd, finishing in 18th, retiring on lap 67, 1941 did not fair better either, qualified in 16th, again retirement forced him out of the race in 25th, after 66 laps. But after the break for the Second World War, the reopened speedway saw Robson take victory after starting 15th, would go on to take victory driving an Adams, driving on at racing speed passed the chequered flag for a couple of laps, because he did not know what to say having won the race. Robson won $42,350 for his efforts.
Sadly he would not return to the Speedway to defend his title, Robson was killed in an accident at Lakewood Speedway later that year.
Darren Manning
After following the route in an attempt to break into Formula One, Darren Manning switched his attention to the States and racing in ChampCar then Indycar, I had the chance to sit down and talk with Darren at his new business iAdvance Motorsports about his career, the Indianapolis 500 and life after racing.
Pippa Mann
In 2010, Pippa Mann created history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway becoming the first female driver to qualify their car on pole, this was for the Freedom 100, and although the race itself did not go to plan, history was made.
Mann would make her first attempt to qualify in 2011, the final year of the IR-05 when nearly 39 cars created the last, to this date, meaningful bump day. In a session, dogged by cold weather and rain, she qualified in 31st place driving for Conquest racing. Her drinks bottle would stop flowing during the race leaving an exhausted Mann in 20th position. The following year, with the introduction of the DW12, saw many drivers fighting over a few spots to even attempt to qualify, as with many drivers, Pippa was left on the sidelines. 2013 and a deal with Dale Coyne saw Pippa qualify and finish in 30th. Back again with Dale Coyne but partnered now with Susan G Koem, Mann would start a new initiative of using her program on track to raise money in the fight against cancer. On track a 22nd place start with a 24th place finish, pit stop problems putting her down the field. In 2015, a second year with the Komen backing and a new program where fans could help raise money in exchange for perks ranging from signed items, race worn gear to karting nights. Starting in 25th, Mann would take the chequered flag in 22nd place. For 2016, Pippa Mann will be the only female driver in the field of 33.
Previous Chapters in our feature of 'A British 500'
Part One - Hughes, Hill & Taylor
Part Two - Eldridge, Crawford & Jakes
Part Three - Duff, Wilson & Jakes
Part Four - Moss, Ward & Legge
Part Five - Jenkins, Mansell & Lloyd
Bump Day Special
Part Six - Resta, Stewart & Hawksworth
Part Seven - van Raalte, Banks & Plowman
Part One - Hughes, Hill & Taylor
Part Two - Eldridge, Crawford & Jakes
Part Three - Duff, Wilson & Jakes
Part Four - Moss, Ward & Legge
Part Five - Jenkins, Mansell & Lloyd
Bump Day Special
Part Six - Resta, Stewart & Hawksworth
Part Seven - van Raalte, Banks & Plowman