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 One, we look at the first British born driver, a champion and a name from recent memory.
Hughie Hughes
Where better to start than 1911, Hughie Hughes was the first British born racing driver to compete in the Indy 500. Hughie would compete in two Indianapolis 500s, the second following in 1912.
Born in London in 1886 (possibly 1878), moved to the US in 1906. Where he became part of Ernie Moross travelling Motorsport show known as 'Lord' Hughie Hughes, due to his English upbringing, not a bona fide title.
To the 500, in 1911, Hughes would qualify in 32nd finishing in 12th place, 41 seconds behind the winner Ray Harroun with an average speed of 67 mph. In 1912, Hughes qualified in 17th, finishing in third, only 12 seconds behind the winner Joe Dawson, with an average speed of 76 mph taking home $5000 in prize money.
Hughes would die in tragic circumstances at Uniontown Speedway, PA. After crashing himself was out of the car talking to a team mate when another driver Frank Galvin crashed and hit Hughes, the accident would take their lives as well as the riding mechanic Gaston Weigle, injuring a further 13 as reported by the The Daily Courier.
Born in London in 1886 (possibly 1878), moved to the US in 1906. Where he became part of Ernie Moross travelling Motorsport show known as 'Lord' Hughie Hughes, due to his English upbringing, not a bona fide title.
To the 500, in 1911, Hughes would qualify in 32nd finishing in 12th place, 41 seconds behind the winner Ray Harroun with an average speed of 67 mph. In 1912, Hughes qualified in 17th, finishing in third, only 12 seconds behind the winner Joe Dawson, with an average speed of 76 mph taking home $5000 in prize money.
Hughes would die in tragic circumstances at Uniontown Speedway, PA. After crashing himself was out of the car talking to a team mate when another driver Frank Galvin crashed and hit Hughes, the accident would take their lives as well as the riding mechanic Gaston Weigle, injuring a further 13 as reported by the The Daily Courier.
Graham Hill
Part of the 60's British invasion with Colin Chapman and Lotus. Hill would race at the speedway three times where he won in 1966 in a Lola-Ford, returning with Lotus in 1967 and 1968.
In 1966, Hill started in 15th place but would take victory just ahead of Fellow countryman Jim Clark (apparently, you can read more about the controversy over spins, manual timing, PA and more). Clark and Lloyd Ruby would share the majority of the laps lead. Fellow rookie Jackie Stewart took the lead on lap 151, but oil pressure problems resulted in losing the lead with Hill taking the lead with nine to go, and claim victory.
This would be one of the legs in which he became the only driver to complete the Triple Crown of Motor Sport (Indy 500, Monaco GP / WDC, 24 Hours of Le Mans).
In 1966, Hill started in 15th place but would take victory just ahead of Fellow countryman Jim Clark (apparently, you can read more about the controversy over spins, manual timing, PA and more). Clark and Lloyd Ruby would share the majority of the laps lead. Fellow rookie Jackie Stewart took the lead on lap 151, but oil pressure problems resulted in losing the lead with Hill taking the lead with nine to go, and claim victory.
This would be one of the legs in which he became the only driver to complete the Triple Crown of Motor Sport (Indy 500, Monaco GP / WDC, 24 Hours of Le Mans).
Hill returned in 1967, qualified in 31st and finishing in 32nd after a piston broke. His final run at Indy saw him start on the front row in second, but a crash in turn two saw him end his time at the speedway in 19th place.
There were two other occasions when Graham hill attempted to qualify for the 500, but did not make it, in 1963 he withdrew after crashing the 'roller-skate' car and was not prepared to wait for it to be fixed in time for qualifying as he still had commitments in Europe to attend to. And again in 1969, his car was withdrawn after problems with Mario Andretti's car resulted in no qualifying attempts being made.
I would be remiss to not include the legacy of doors being added to the front of toilet cubicles, to preserve modestly, a true British hero.
There were two other occasions when Graham hill attempted to qualify for the 500, but did not make it, in 1963 he withdrew after crashing the 'roller-skate' car and was not prepared to wait for it to be fixed in time for qualifying as he still had commitments in Europe to attend to. And again in 1969, his car was withdrawn after problems with Mario Andretti's car resulted in no qualifying attempts being made.
I would be remiss to not include the legacy of doors being added to the front of toilet cubicles, to preserve modestly, a true British hero.
Mark Taylor
A successful career in junior formula in the United Kingdom led to a move state-side in 2003 competing in the Infiniti Pro Series alongside names like Ed Carpenter, Jeff Simmons, Paul Dana...and Marty Roth. Taylor would go onto take the title for Panther Racing. A move full time to Indycar in 2004 with Panther. Although despite showing good speed, too many crashes led to him being dropped and replaced by Townsend Bell, with a move to Access Motorsports
In his sole attempt at the speedway, Taylor qualified in in the middle of row five in 14th place. Come race day, came the rain, the race was delayed at the start and would be halted again after 28 laps. After a delay of nearly two hours the race restarted, but for Taylor, would not last much longer, a crash in turn three with fellow rookie Ed Carpenter whilst attempting to hold position, a case of two into one won't fit. The crash ended Mark Taylor's race and at the end of the season found himself out of a ride. Taylor moved back to England with his family ending his career behind the wheel.