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.
W Douglas Hawkes
Born and raised in Gloucestershire in 1893, Hawkes began his racing career in 1914, but was put on hold with the onset of The Great War, eventually returning to the track in 1920 racing at Brooklands and across Europe, but in 1922 he took his first trip the the United States.
Despite the relation Bentley had to Britain, the 1922 Indianapolis 500 was the first race that the car was entered into, to their cost. The car was slow, off the pace in qualifying eventually managing a starting position of 19th, and in an attempt to show that the British were at Indy to show they meant business, sadly, and even despite finishing the race, did not make the top ten to secure a share of the prize money. Hawkes brought the car home in thirteenth. Fairing better than earlier running had show.
Hawkes continued to race in Europe, not making a return the the Speedway until 1926. The Indianapolis News was, shall we say, less that complimentary, "Hawkes is not a brilliant driver, as driving goes, but he'll be there when the hard going is over and have his car in good shape". Driving a Eldridge Anzani, he qualified in 17th. Sadly for Hawkes, the camshaft broke on the car, and he was not there, at the end, when all was said and done on lap 92, resulting in a 14th place finish, with winnings of $593.
This was Douglas Hawkes last visit to the Speedway. He continued his career back home in England and across Europe, particularly in the new endurance race taking place in Le Mans. He married in 1937 and died in 1974 in Athens, Greece.
Despite the relation Bentley had to Britain, the 1922 Indianapolis 500 was the first race that the car was entered into, to their cost. The car was slow, off the pace in qualifying eventually managing a starting position of 19th, and in an attempt to show that the British were at Indy to show they meant business, sadly, and even despite finishing the race, did not make the top ten to secure a share of the prize money. Hawkes brought the car home in thirteenth. Fairing better than earlier running had show.
Hawkes continued to race in Europe, not making a return the the Speedway until 1926. The Indianapolis News was, shall we say, less that complimentary, "Hawkes is not a brilliant driver, as driving goes, but he'll be there when the hard going is over and have his car in good shape". Driving a Eldridge Anzani, he qualified in 17th. Sadly for Hawkes, the camshaft broke on the car, and he was not there, at the end, when all was said and done on lap 92, resulting in a 14th place finish, with winnings of $593.
This was Douglas Hawkes last visit to the Speedway. He continued his career back home in England and across Europe, particularly in the new endurance race taking place in Le Mans. He married in 1937 and died in 1974 in Athens, Greece.
David Hobbs
Known now for his work on covering Formula One for US television, David Hobbs made four starts at the Indianapolis 500 during the 1970s. Hobbs had competed in a few Formula One races and in sports cars in previous years, including a class win at Le Mans, but it was 1971 when he made his debut at the 500 driving for Penske.
Hobbs first visit blew him away, 250,000 there for qualifying. An on track he made a respectable start in 16th. The race, Hobbs was running mid pack until on lap 113, his engine let go, having missed the pit in point had to continue on the front straightaway when his was hit by Rick Muther who slid on the oil, collecting both of them and hitting the outside wall head first, neither were hurt, but their days done. A finish of 20th was recorded.
A return was not secured until 1973 when a deal was made with the sponsor Carling Black Label. Qualifying in 22nd, the race was a rain affected one and again one which reminds us all of the dangers of racing, and how advancements have been made in driver safety. Swede Savage lost his life in an accident coming out of turn four. The race resumed after being red flagged. Hobbs had and engine issue again which the team was able to fix, but by the time they did, he would be many laps down. And with the race being called after 129 laps with further rain falling, Hobbs would end up the last car running in 11th place, 26 laps down. A second year with Carling Black Label saw a drive with the factory McLaren team in 1974, and his best results, qualifying in 9th and claiming a top five finish.
A last visit to the Speedway came in 1976, but this was a struggle, the car was unreliable and Hobbs could only manage 29th to start the race, and only completed ten laps before a water leak brought his time at the 500 to a close.From 1968, Graham Hill through to Jim Crawford in 1985, Hobbs would be the only British driver to compete at the Indianapolis 500.
Hobbs first visit blew him away, 250,000 there for qualifying. An on track he made a respectable start in 16th. The race, Hobbs was running mid pack until on lap 113, his engine let go, having missed the pit in point had to continue on the front straightaway when his was hit by Rick Muther who slid on the oil, collecting both of them and hitting the outside wall head first, neither were hurt, but their days done. A finish of 20th was recorded.
A return was not secured until 1973 when a deal was made with the sponsor Carling Black Label. Qualifying in 22nd, the race was a rain affected one and again one which reminds us all of the dangers of racing, and how advancements have been made in driver safety. Swede Savage lost his life in an accident coming out of turn four. The race resumed after being red flagged. Hobbs had and engine issue again which the team was able to fix, but by the time they did, he would be many laps down. And with the race being called after 129 laps with further rain falling, Hobbs would end up the last car running in 11th place, 26 laps down. A second year with Carling Black Label saw a drive with the factory McLaren team in 1974, and his best results, qualifying in 9th and claiming a top five finish.
A last visit to the Speedway came in 1976, but this was a struggle, the car was unreliable and Hobbs could only manage 29th to start the race, and only completed ten laps before a water leak brought his time at the 500 to a close.From 1968, Graham Hill through to Jim Crawford in 1985, Hobbs would be the only British driver to compete at the Indianapolis 500.
Jay Howard
It is strange but not uncommon that over recent years you look at a driver who had success in the junior formula in the United States winning the Indy Lights championship in 2006, would have only one Indianapolis 500 start to their name. Jay Howard forms part of the group.
Jay did make an attempt to qualify in 2010, but driving for Sarah Fisher Racing was bumped from the field. A second attempt was more successful in 2011, switching to Sam Schmidt Motorsports, Jay qualified in 21st, in the middle of row seven. And come race day, started well, came in for a pit stop on lap 59, only to leave the its and have his right rear wheel come loose sending him into the barrier, and out of the race.
Sponsorship and engine issues, namely the lack thereof, have stopped Jay from competing again in the 500, rides have been lined up, pulled away and leave him among a large group of talented drivers on the outside looking in come race day. Away from racing Jay has started a Driver Development program coaching and mentoring young racers through the early stages of their careers.
Sponsorship and engine issues, namely the lack thereof, have stopped Jay from competing again in the 500, rides have been lined up, pulled away and leave him among a large group of talented drivers on the outside looking in come race day. Away from racing Jay has started a Driver Development program coaching and mentoring young racers through the early stages of their careers.
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 Eight - Zborowski, Robson, Manning & Mann
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 Eight - Zborowski, Robson, Manning & Mann