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.

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.

​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.

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

The phrase of 'Gentleman Driver' is often banded around, but Noel, born into a rich family, really was that guy. Born in 1888 in London to parents who were wealthy land   In 1915, after having his interest piqued during his younger years competing with friends and his families wealth enabled him to pursue his passion in fast cars. He was in fact one of the first people to own a Bentley car.  Enough about the lifestyle, to Indianapolis.

Noel only competed once at Indianapolis, in 1915, in a Sunbeam, which had competed in two previous Indianapolis 500 races and had become a reputable car producer. Due to his inability to get up to speed to qualify the car, Barney Oldfield would qualify the car in 14th place. The race started well for van Raalte but engine problems dropped him back and eventually finished in 10th place, earning $1,400 in prize money. 

He continued to race the Sunbeam cars at Brooklands, but died in 1940 after a long battle with illness. 

The only British born driver to have competed in the Indianapolis 500 over three decades. Banks was born in England on the 14th June 1913 and at a young age moved to the US living in Michigan. Banks began racing Midget cars at the age of 19 and over the course of 14 years, from 1936 through 1954, excluding the break for the Second World War. Of these 14 attempts, Banks would qualify for six of them. 

Banks would also act as a relief driver and as first alternative when he failed to qualify or failed to set a time. A best starting position of 12th would come in his last 500 start in 1952. As for finishing positions, Banks placed in the 20s until the end of his 500 career with a top six in 1951, then 19th in his final start driving a Levosky.

After retiring from racing, Banks would take up the role with USAC, and in the mid sixties, would eventually hire another young British Indianapolis 500 fan in the role of historian, Donald Davidson.

Martin Plowman was born in Tamworth in 198, beginning his career in karting before working his way into the single seater ladder, we will let Martin take it from there about his life in motor sport and the Indianapolis 500.

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 & Hawksowrth

The first British winner Dario Resta, was born in Livorno, Italy. At the age of two, his family moved to London. His first racing experiences came in his twenties when he competed at Brooklands, then at Grand Prix events around Europe. In 1915, Dario moved to the US, taking part in a number of races before making his début at IMS in May. Driving a Peugeot, for whom he was an employee. Resta would eventually finish second behind Ralph DePalma, a fellow Italian born racer). But it was the following year which Dario Resta really established himself in the race, after growing his reputation with victories all over the US. For 1916, the race was reduced to 300 miles, after Carl Fisher reduced the number of laps as he thought that is what the fans wanted. He was wrong and the full complement of 200 laps returned after the break for the war. Resta was dominate after starting on the second row, he look the lead after 60 miles and by 75 miles, lapped the whole field. It turned out to be a comfortable victory, and the first for a Brit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, toying with the rest of the field as they drew towards the closing laps. His prize money for winning the race, $12,000.

Only two starts at the Speedway for a legend of Formula One, but what an impact he made. A rookie in 1966, Stewart was 10 laps away from winning the race in his first attempt until he had a problem with his oil pressure and had to return to the pits. Upon asking why didn't he go back out and complete the race, he responded that he had his owners machinery to protect.  Stewart would be award the Rookie of the Year Honours, even with Graham Hill winning the race. Stewart started the race in 15th position and throughout the race would go on to lead 40 laps before his car failed on him. 

​He returned in 1967 and had a struggle to get into the race driving a Mecom Lola, being bumped out on the first weekend then eventually making his way back in to qualify in the 29th position. The race itself did not fair too much better for Stewart, his engine let go on lap 168, this would be his last run at the 500, despite being on the card to run a steam car for inventor Bill Lear.

Here's an interesting side note, Stewart once assisted in making an arrest while riding with an Indianapolis policeman.

That wasn't the end of his connection to IMS, he became the ABC Wide World of Sports commentator in the 70s and 80s as well as driving the pace car in 1979.

I had the chance to sit down in Jack's garage during practice for the 500 to talk about his career leading up to this years 500 and his time, and thoughts about the Indinapolis Motor Speedway

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

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. But, with every success at Indianapolis, there are a number of drivers who came to the Speedway, but never had the opportunity to conquer, these are those drivers.

Mike Spence was a returning driver to Lotus in 1968 after the untimely death of Jim Clark at Hockenheim. Clark had tested the Lotus 56 Turbine car, which would later claim the life of Spence at Indianapolis following a crash exiting turn one. Spence's time would stand as the fastest for the next five days.

​- Part One 
Hughie Hughes, Graham Hill & Mark Taylor
- Part Two
Ernest Eldridge, Jim Crawford & James Jakes
- Part Three 
John Duff, Justin Wilson & Mike Conway
- Part Four 
Alfred Moss, Jeff Ward & Katherine Legge
​- Part Five
Johnny Jenkins, Nigel Mansell & Alex Lloyd

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 Five we look at the first Welsh born driver, 'Our Nige' and Pink Lloyd.

Born in Cardiff in 1875, emigrating to the Ohio area and becoming a US citizen. Jenkins would go on to serve with the US military in the Spanish-American war in 1898. A for his racing career at the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race twice in 1912 & 1913. In 1912 qualifying his White car in 11th place would complete all 200 laps finishing with a top 10 in seventh place. The following year did not go so well, this year driving a Schacht started in 17th but would retire after only 13 laps with a crankshaft failure.

He died in 1945, Brownsville, Texas.

​After nine wins and a world championship in the 1992 Formula One season, who expected to see Nigel Mansell to turn up in the USA? But turn up he did, and deliver he continued. Mansell began his career in Karting, Formula Ford, F3 then European F2 become gaining his break into Formula One with Lotus, Williams, Ferrari then back to Williams where he won his title.Despite his victory, a public fall out with Williams followed over the signing of Alain Prost for the following season. Mansell signed for the Newman-Haas team in CART, alongside Mario Andretti for the 1993 season.

A début season that saw five wins and the title, even with missing a race due to an injury. Unfortunately for 'Our Nige' season two was inconsistent with a mixture of poorer form, less reliability and some personality clashes. So with the American dream over, back to Formula One he went, for a second spell with mixed returns. The odd appearances in BTCC, demonstrations and the GP Masters series.

Nigel drove in two Indianapolis 500 races, the first, a strong race which he had led 34 laps and was leading but after a poor restart on lap 184, lost out to Emerson Fittipaldi and Arie Luyendyk, with Emerson eventually winning and drinking... well... anyway. Mansell was awarded the Rookie of the Year title. In his second 500, things did not go well after starting the race in seventh position. On Lap 92, whilst exiting the pits, Dennis Vitolo who had stayed out was approaching the back of the field in an effort to catch up, lost control of his car, hit John Andretti before mounting Mansell who was caught out completely unaware, and was smothered by an official to put out any invisible flames. It took TV some time to break down what exactly had happened. A less than impressed Mansell left the medical centre and reacted angrily to Dr Jerry Punch who attempted to interview Mansell about the accident. This reaction resulted in a strong change in the tide of opinion towards Mansell, with his time up, went back to Europe.

Alex Lloyd ran four times at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indycar, but also has success in the Indy Pro Series, winning the race on the road course (supporting Formula One) in 2006 and the Freedom 100 the following season, still the only driver to hold the double win honour. In his début year (2008) qualified in 19th finishing 25th with his race ending on lap 153, brushing the wall coming out of turn four and spinning down the pit-lane, thankfully coming to a stop without hitting any personnel or equipment. In 2009 achieved his best qualifying position of 11th, finishing in 13th place on the lead lap. 2010 saw Alex's best year at Indianapolis, after qualifying in 11th, found himself running in the top three when he took the chequered flag, which would have been a British 1-2-3, with Dario Franchitti winning, Dan Wheldon runner up and Lloyd in third. The results were amended post race to go back to the last lap when Mike Conway crashed, Marco Andretti was credited third, Lloyd down to fourth. 2011 was not so great, starting in 30th with a last minute bump into the field, finished in 19th place, two laps down.

2011 was the end of on track competition for Alex Lloyd in the Indycar series, but did return to race in the Pirelli World Challenge, Rally and endurance races. Turning to writing, Alex has been the Editor at Yahoo Autos and now writes for Beepi.

Previous Chapters in our feature of 'A British 500'
Part One - Hughes, Hill & Taylor
Part Two - Eldridge, Crawford & Jakes
Part Three - Duff, Wilson & Conway
Part Four - Moss, Ward & Legge

Surname sound familiar? Well the father of Sir Sterling and Pat Moss competed in one race as an entrant at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. According to Sir Sterling, his farther was a dental student and convinced his father to send him to Indianapolis to study combining his desire to also compete in motor racing. He was a relatively inexperienced racer by the time he got to Indy but that did not stop him, qualifying his Barber-Warnock (entered by Henry Ford) in 1924 in the twentieth position. He would complete 176 laps, still taking the chequered flag 24 laps behind the co-winners LL Corum & Joe Boyer. It was the only 500 Alfred Moss would start, although the following year he did act as a relief driver for Herbert Jones in 1925. He died in 1972, having become a very successful dentist.

As for Jeff's career at Indianapolis, he drove in seven 500's. Failing to qualify in 1995, Jeff returned in 1997, qualifying in seventh, finishing in third.1999 saw his best finish as runner up to Kenny Bräck, leading three laps in the process. Followed up with a top five in 2000. In his final races, finishes of ninth, twenty-fourth and in 2005 a sole race with a twenty-seventh place race. Still with the desire to compete, Jeff returned to two wheels and won the Supercross championship and picked up an X-Games medal. Still going into his 50's, Jeff would compete in more off road races, super trucks and most recently in Global RallyCross for Ganassi.

Despite racing in the US since 2005 in the Atlantic Series, Katherine Legge has competed in only two Indianapolis 500 races, in 2012 and 2013. Three times a victor in Atlantic, she moved up to ChampCar full time in 2006 with PKV and then with Dale Coyne the following year earning six top tens. With the series reuniting with the IRL found herself out of a ride and returned to Europe to compete in the DTM championship. With America always on Legge's radar, she joined the woefully underpowered Dragon-Lotus team in 2012. The team struggled until ditching the engine for a Chevrolet, shared between Katherine and team mate Sebastian Bourdais for the rest of the year. A ninth place finish at Fontana would end the season on a high. A one off Indy attempt followed in 2013 before moving on to the new Formula E series and now with the Delta-Wing programme in Sportscars.

Looking at Katherine's two Indy 500 races, 2012 was a tough year for the team as they abandoned the lotus engine after São Paulo. Learning the new package resulted in a low starting position for the race, in 30th ahead of the remain Lotus cars (of Alesi and De Silvestro). Finishing in 22nd, one lap down. A very late entry followed just before the qualifying weekend in 2013 with Schmidt Peterson Pelfrey, powered by the unfavoured Honda engine. Qualified in 33rd, keeping Michel Jourdain Jr from the grid. The race performance was very solid but technical problems left her seven laps down by the end, finishing in 26th place. Legge was working on a third race for 2016 with the Grace Autosport team, and all-female effort led by Beth Paretta, but as of May, this looks very unlikely, for this year at least...

Previous Chapters in our feature of 'A British 500'
Part One - Hughes, Hill & Taylor
Part Two - Eldridge, Crawford & Jakes
Part Three - Duff, Wilson & Conway

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. Part Three looks at the 500 careers of a Le Mans winning driver, a gentle giant and someone who would liked to have had a little more luck with the Speedway.

Born in China in 1895 to Canadian parents, but we will claim him as one of our own as a subject of the monarch. Duff came to the United Kingdom in 1914 when the First World War broke out, he was injured at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, returning to England to recover. He would soon marry the nurse, Clansa, who looked after him during his recovery from his injuries, he learnt how to drive and took up racing. 

He began racing in 1920 competing at the legendary Brooklands circuit and was up to pace with some of the leading drivers of the time, including Henry Segrave, a Grand Prix driver of the time.By 1923, Duff had built up a reputation on the track and achievements to match, he turned his attention to the new endurance race being held in France at Le Mans. Duff with partner Frank Clement would race a Bentley, the first track outing and despite early misgivings, the owner Walter Owen Bentley, became hooked on racing, the rest they say....

Victory at Le Mans in 1924 aided his decisions to look elsewhere for motoring challenges and early in 1926 travelled to America to race. His opportunity came at the 14th Indianapolis 500 Mile Sweepstakes Race following the death of Herbert Jones in qualifying. In the race Duff drove a Miller, with support from the Elcar Automobile Company. He started the race in 28th place, finishing in 9th completing 147 laps, 13 laps behind the winner Frank Lockhart in a rain shorted race (160 laps), The man who was described by the Indianapolis press as 'a famous English driver' winnings of $1,500.

After Indianapolis, he took part in a race at Altoona (PA), finishing third then onto Salem (NH) where he was injured in a crash, damaging his shoulder and a concussion with had an affect on his vision. As a result, Duff retired from racing in a promise to his wife. He would move to California from Indianapolis with his family, taking up fencing, and coaching in a varied number of sports even appearing in Hollywood films (albeit as a body double). Returning to England in 1934, via China for a couple of years, becoming a member of the BRDC. Never loosing the competitive side, he would take up horse riding, but would lose his life in a riding accident at Epping Forest.

​A first qualifying effort would see Justin start in 16th, but would end up with a crashing on his own on lap 132 resulting in a 27th place finish. Another DNF was recorded in 2009, this time spinning coming out of turn one, finishing in 23rd racing for Dale Coyne.

Moving to Dreyer & Reinbold Justin finished his first 500, with a 7th place and leading 11 laps in 2010. 16th in 2011, with another top 10 in 2012 (7th) back with Dale Coyne. Justin had his best finish at the 500 in 2013, with a fifth place result, also finishing as the top Honda driver. A final run with DCR in 2014 and a 22nd place finish.

Finally landing himself with a top team in 2015, Justin had his best qualifying performance in 6th place, the fastest Honda, but a late pit stop put Justin down the order by the end of the race in 21st, one lap down.

Over his full career in the US, Justin would win four races in Champ Car followed by three more in Indycar, more often than not, out performing the car that he had under him. Justin would lose his life in August 2015, after being struck by debris from Sage Karam who crashed whilst leading in Pocono. 

In April of this year, it was announced that his brother Stefan, would be driving for KVSH at this years 500 in the number 25, the car number of Justin in his last season. They had previously raced together as team mates in the Indycar race at Baltimore in 2013 for Dale Coyne. One of Stefan's Indy 500 backers, Indiana Donor Network are running the programme, Driven2SaveLives, something Justin did hours after his death, in organ donation.

Born in London, Mike Conway followed the european single seater scene of Formula Ford, Renault and F3 before stepping in to a GP2 car with Dave Price in 2006. In 43 races, Conway would win one race at Monaco, with two further podiums, all whilst looking at F1 with an extended role as a test driver for Honda. 

A test with Panther at the end of 2008 saw him signing up full time with Dreyer & Reinbold achieving a podium at Sonoma. 2010 started with top 10 finishes before arriving at Indy. Conway was in good shape in the closing laps of the race having lead 15 laps. on the final lap Conway would catch a slowing Ryan Hunter-Reay, colliding with his rear left tyre, flipping him into the catch fence and breaking the car up into many parts. The accident would leave Conway with fractures to his neck vertebra, lower back injuries and a broken leg. The crash ended his season. 

In 2011, Conway would sign for Andretti, scoring a maiden Indycar win at Long Beach, but would fail in his attempt to qualify for the 500. new season, new team, 2012 and a move to AJ Foyt Racing. Again the highlight coming with a podium at Toronto, but another crash at indy, this time after qualifying in 29th, came in for a pit stop and damaged his front wing which was unnoticed at the time by the crew, a few ill handling laps later, Conway would spin in turn one, collecting Will Power and rode the outside wall before landing safely the right side up. A finish of 29th would see the end of his Indianapolis runs as he retired from running ovals prior to the end of season race at Fontana. A part time schedule would follow with race for RLL, Dale Coyne and Ed Carpenter with success as Conway won races at Detroit, Toronto and Long Beach. With no deal in place for 2015, Conway switched to the WEC racing for Toyota.

Previous Chapters in our feature of 'A British 500'
Part One - Hughes, Hill & Taylor
Part Two - Eldridge, Crawford & Jakes