Jose Froilan Gonzalez

Gonzalez finished runner-up in the 1954 world championship but he is most famous for scoring Ferrari’s maiden win in the 1951 British Grand Prix. He raced full-time until 1954 and after that made one-off appearances in his home race – the Argentinian GP (as well as the 1956 British GP) until 1957.

Then, after two years away from F1 altogether, he made a comeback for Ferrari, again in Argentina, in 1960 and finished 10th.

Mike Hailwood

‘Mike the bike’ began his F1 career in the 1963 British Grand Prix driving Red Parnell Racing’s Lotus 25. At the time he was still on his way to a third world motorcycle championship with MV Agusta. The Briton continued to combine his racing exploits in both disciplines until 1966 when he switched back to bikes full-time, adding four more world titles to his name in the process.

He returned to F1 in 1971 with the Surtees team. This second chapter brought him a fastest lap in the 1972 South African Grand Prix and two podium finishes. He finally retired from the sport at the end of 1974 aged just 34.

Dan Gurney

Dan Gurney was offered a drive with Ferrari’s Formula 1 team in 1959. He switched to BRM in 1960 but his breakthrough win came in 1962 when he scored Porsche’s only F1 win as a constructor at Rouen. Two more wins came with three years at Brabham, including the team’s first, also at Rouen, in ‘64.

Through this time he earned a fierce reputation as an under-rated competitor carrying the respect of the likes of Jim Clark. Championship glory eluded him as he opted to create the All American Racers team along with Carroll Shelby. His last win came at Spa in 1967 with the Eagle Weslake. In 1969 Gurney walked away from F1 to compete in the USAC Series (pre-IndyCar) and CanAm. He returned to F1 in 1970 for three races at McLaren.

Alan Jones

Was the second Australian driver to win the F1 world championship after Jack Brabham. Jones won four grands prix in 1979 with William and followed that up with title success in 1980. He couldn’t repeat that high in 1981, in a year marked by a bitter feud with his team-mate Carlos Reutemann. Ultimately the title went to Nelson Piquet. Disenchanted by F1’s rules and some of its drivers, he retired immediately after winning the season finale at Las Vegas.

He made an ill-advised return to the under-funded Arrows team in the 1983 Long Beach Grand Prix, but stopped again before returning at the end of 1985 with the Carl Haas-run Beatrice Lola project. He completed the following season with the same manufacturer, gaining four points and ending 12th in the standings.

Jacques Villeneuve

The Canadian joined Williams in 1996. He nearly won on his F1 debut at Melbourne, but did score four victories and finished runner-up in his debut year. He followed that up with the title and seven more wins in ‘97.

He opted to join his manager Craig Pollock’s BAR F1 project in 1999 and toiled until 2003 trying to make it competitive. David Richards took over the team in 2003, and Villeneuve fell from favour. He was dropped from the team prior to the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

An enforced break ensued until Flavio Briatore brought him back to replace Jarno Trulli at Renault in the final races of 2004. He then completed two more seasons with Sauber and BMW-Sauber – but never won a race after 1997.

Niki Lauda

Famous for turning around the fortunes of a waning Ferrari team in the mid-70s along with Luca di Montezemolo, the Austrian might have won three consecutive world titles from 1975-77 but for his near-fatal accident at the Nurburgring in ‘76. Lauda left Ferrari at the end of ‘77 and joined Brabham winning two races in 1978. In a characteristically forthright manner he pulled in to the pits during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix and informed that Bernie Ecclestone that had lost interest in racing cars and retired on the spot.

In the next two-and-a-half years he built up commercial airline Lauda Air, but Ron Dennis courted him back to McLaren in 1982. He won two races, Long Beach and Brands Hatch on his return before beating team-mate Alain Prost to the 1984 world championship. Lauda’s final win came in Holland in 1985 and he retired for good at the season’s end.

Nigel Mansell

The Briton only scored his maiden win with Williams at Brands Hatch in 1985, after more than four years of toil with Lotus. A concerted effort on the 1986 world title then famously blew up in a shower of sparks, along with his rear-tyre, at Adelaide. He was beaten by Nelson Piquet to the 1987 world title crashing heavily in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. Mansell joined Ferrari in 1989 and won on his debut in Brazil. The tifosi loved him, but in 1990 he became disillusioned by the politics of racing alongside Alain Prost and announced at the British Grand Prix that he was quitting the sport.

He didn’t follow through with his threat and instead re-joined Williams where he dominated the 1992 world championship. But when the team announced it had signed Prost for 1993, Mansell quit F1 for the US. He won the 1993 IndyCar crown with Newman Haas. But in 1994 Williams and Renault asked him to return after the death of Ayrton Senna. He ran four races that year, winning the final event in Australia. He signed for McLaren for the 1995 season, but the partnership failed to take off and Mansell left after only two races.

Alain Prost

Perhaps the defining driver of the 1980s, the Frenchman was a contender for every drivers’ world championship title bar his debut season with McLaren in 1980. Prost joined Renault in 1981 where he was a pace-setter and won his first race at Paul Ricard. Two more wins followed that year, and another two in the following season. Took Nelson Piquet to the wire in 1983, before switching to McLaren and finally taking a title of his own in 1985. Another followed in ‘86 and a third, controversially against team-mate Ayrton Senna in 1989.

The fall-out from this rivalry fuelled his switch to Ferrari in 1990, where he nearly gave the team it’s first title since Jody Scheckter in 1979. Instead he and Senna crashed in Japan, handing the championship to the Brazilian. The 1991 Ferrari was less successful and Prost was fired at the end of the season for comparing it to a truck.

He took a sabbatical in 1992 before joining Williams and dominating the following year to secure a fourth title, whereupon he retired from F1 on his own terms.

Other noteable facts about breaks

• Of the list above, only Lauda, Prost and Mansell won races after their comeback.

• Three unusual comebacks were recorded in recent times: Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were all relegated to test-driver roles after their first year in Formula 1 and resumed far more successful careers after that experience.

• It’s the first time that a driver over 40 years of age has climbed into a Formula 1 car during a race weekend since Chanoch Nissany tested for Minardi at the 2005 Hungarian Grand Prix on the 29th of July. It was his 42nd birthday

• The last driver over 40 to start a race was Nigel Mansell, at the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix (41 years, 9 months and 6 days).

• The oldest driver ever to start a race was Louis Chiron: he was 55 years, 9 months and 19 days old at the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix.

• Michael Scumacher will beat a long-standing record in Formula 1: the one related to the longest career span between two races. At the moment Schumacher lays sixth in the rankings behind Jack Brabham, Riccardo Patrese, Luca Badoer, Rubens Barrichello, and Graham Hill who established the record in the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix, starting his last race 16 years, eight months and eight days after his maiden race, the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. Hill participated in another two race weekends that year, South Africa and Monaco, failing to qualify. When he starts the race in Bahrain, 2010, Schumacher will snatch that record with a career that will have spanned 18 years, 6 months and 17 days .

• Despite Schumacher’s presence in Bahrain, at the age of 41, the event won’t be the one with the highest age difference between two drivers on the starting grid. That record belongs to the 1952 French Grand Prix, when Peter Collins (20 years, 8 months) and Philippe Etancelin (55 years, 6 months and 8 days) were at the opposite edges of the age chart.

• Michael Schumacher already holds the record for the longest timespan between wins (14 years, 1 month and 1 day from Belgium 1992 to China 2006) and fastest laps (14 years, 1 month and 22 days from Belgium 1992 and Brazil 2006), but misses the one for pole positions (Rubens Barrichello, 15 years, 1 month and 20 days from the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix to the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix) and podiums (Rubens Barrichello, 15 years 4 months and 27 days from the 1994 Pacific Grand Prix to the 2009 Italian Grand Prix). But a pole or a podium next year will also claims these records.

Long-time Indianapolis 500 car entrant Jonathan Byrd passed away on Thursday.

The 57-year-old, who had suffered a stroke in 2004, had collaborated with a variety of leading team owners including AJ Foyt and Dick Simon to run cars at Indy from 1985 to 2001.

The best Indy 500 results for Byrd-entered cars were sixth places for Gordon Johncock in 1991 and Scott Brayton in 1993, but his partnership with Fred Treadway in 1996 saw their driver Arie Luyendyk set what has stood as the all-time record Indy qualifying speed.

Byrd also ran cars in the early years of the Indy Racing League, with John Paul Jr taking a victory for him in the 1998 Texas race.

Away from IndyCar, Byrd was also an occasional NASCAR sponsor and ran teams in USAC Midget racing, as well as running successful businesses in the catering and hospitality industries.

Former Indianapolis 500, Champ Car and sportscar star Lloyd Ruby has died at the age of 81.

A mild-mannered and extremely popular character in American racing, Ruby passed away in Wichita Falls, Texas on Monday.

Although he never won an Indy 500 or the USAC National Championship title, he was recognised as one of the finest American drivers of his era and was hugely respected by his rivals.

A midget racing star in his teens, Ruby contested every Indianapolis 500 from 1960 to 1977, leading on many occasions only to suffer misfortune. His best finish Indy finish was third in 1964, although he took seven victories in the USAC Championship.

Ruby also made a solitary Formula 1 appearance, driving a private Lotus in the 1961 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

On paper his greatest successes were in sportscar racing, where he was a star of Ford’s programme – winning the 1966 Daytona 24 Hours in a GT40 with Ken Miles, and the same year’s Sebring 12 Hours. He also helped Ford to two World Sportscar titles in the late 1960s.

Former Indianapolis 500, Champ Car and sportscar star Lloyd Ruby has died at the age of 81.

A mild-mannered and extremely popular character in American racing, Ruby passed away in Wichita Falls, Texas on Monday.

Although he never won an Indy 500 or the USAC National Championship title, he was recognised as one of the finest American drivers of his era and was hugely respected by his rivals.

A midget racing star in his teens, Ruby contested every Indianapolis 500 from 1960 to 1977, leading on many occasions only to suffer misfortune. His best finish Indy finish was third in 1964, although he took seven victories in the USAC Championship.

Ruby also made a solitary Formula 1 appearance, driving a private Lotus in the 1961 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

On paper his greatest successes were in sportscar racing, where he was a star of Ford’s programme – winning the 1966 Daytona 24 Hours in a GT40 with Ken Miles, and the same year’s Sebring 12 Hours. He also helped Ford to two World Sportscar titles in the late 1960s.

McLaren stalwart Tyler Alexander is to retire from the team later this month.

The American originally joined McLaren as a mechanic, working alongside founder Bruce McLaren in 1963. He worked on McLaren’s CanAm and USAC racing activities in the United States before returning to Europe to help McLaren’s expanding F1 operations.

He left the team in 1982 to help work on IndyCar efforts with former McLaren team principal Teddy Mayer, before the pair briefly switched their focus to the Beatrice F1 team.

When that ended, Alexander spent some time running BMW’s IMSA operations before he was recalled to McLaren to head up special projects.

Ron Dennis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the McLaren Group, said: “While McLaren represents the cutting-edge of modernity, we also have huge pride and respect for our roots. Very few people embody the blend of both those worlds as well as Tyler Alexander, who began working with Bruce McLaren at the very beginning of our company’s journey.

“That he has retained an important role on our race team until his leaving speaks volumes for both his passion for the sport and his vast experience, adaptability and intelligence.

“His is a legacy that has spanned every decade of this team’s involvement in Formula 1 and one that we will continue to cherish while missing his day-to-day involvement with the team.

“Everyone within the McLaren Group and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wishes Tyler a restful and creative time in the future.”

Marge Binks, Marc Gerstein, Carl Haas, Curtis LeMay and Ted Robertson will join the 15 individuals inducted in 2005 and 2006, during the February 3 enshrinement ceremony that will close the 2007 SCCA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Profiles:

Marge Binks: Marge Binks was actually involved with the San Diego Region years before becoming a member in 1965, serving as the region’s membership chair and Chief Communicator beginning in 1962. A license holder in virtually every specialty throughout the years, Binks served as the grid chief for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Long Beach and Las Vegas and has served as race chairman for over 175 events, including SCCA, Formula 1, IMSA, Champ Car and USAC. A former San Diego Regional Executive, Binks became the Club’s first female Chairman of the Board (1995-1996) during her two-term stint on the Board (1991-1996). She was bestowed with SCCA’s highest honor, the Woolf Barnato Award, in 1999 and has also received the San Diego Worker of the Year award, Wolfgang Krause Achievement Award, Dave Morrell award and Cal Club’s Lifetime Achievement award.

Marc Gerstein: Recognized with Vern Jaques (HoF 2005) and Grant Reynolds (HoF 2006) as one of the fathers of the Solo program, Gerstein was at the forefront of safety programs for both Solo I (now Time Trials) and Solo II. Throughout the years, he has been an active participant in Solo, Hillclimbs and Club Racing, still holding official licenses in all three programs. For his contributions to SCCA, Gerstein received the Solo Cup in 1978 and was the recipient of the Woolf Barnato Award in 2004.

Carl A. Haas: Initially a Club Racing driver, Carl Haas was a sports car racing pioneer, becoming the importer for Lola cars and building many successful race teams in Formula 5000, Can-Am (both first and second generation), Super Vee and (currently) Champ Car racing. Haas took time out from his business to serve the Club on its Board of Directors for a total of 12 years, acting as its Chairman for four. He was bestowed SCCA’s highest honor, the Woolf Barnato Award, in 1985.

General Curtis E. LeMay: When the era of early street road races ended abruptly in the early 1950s, sports car owner and enthusiast General Curtis LeMay, head of the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, opened up facilities of SAC bases to racing. While the “SAC era” was brief (from 1953 through 1955), it came at a crucial time for the Club as it transitioned to newly-built racing facilities. For his contributions, LeMay was presented the Woolf Barnato Award in 1954.

Theodore F. Robertson: Ted Robertson is considered by many to be the founder of Sports Car Club of America. Described as a virtual automotive encyclopedia, Robertson served as the Club’s first president (1944-1947) and designed the SCCA wire wheel logo, still used today.

The five 2007 inductees will join the two previous classes, including:
2005: Cameron Argetsinger, A. Tracy Bird, John Fitch, Arthur Gervais, Harry Handley, Vern Jaques, Bill Milliken, Sue Roethel, Art Trier and Rob Walker.
2006: John Bornholdt, John Buffum, Mark Donohue, Denise McCluggage and Grant Reynolds.

The Hall of Fame formation was announced February 7, 2004 at the National Convention. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for having made a significant contribution to the development and/or the preservation of SCCA that had a direct impact on the Club being the organization it is today.

Nominations were submitted to and reviewed by the Hall of Fame Nomination and Selection Committees. Of the nominated individuals, five were selected for the 2007 Class.

Link to story: http://www.scca.com/News/News.asp?Ref=729

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SCCA Announces 2007 Hall of Fame Class

Jensen replaces K.P. Jones as the Chairman of the Board for the membership-based organization which topped 62,000 this month. Jones served as Chairman since 1999, and will continue to serve on the Board as Director of Area three. In addition, Jones will retain his position as Chairman of the Board for SCCA subsidiary SCCA Pro Racing, Ltd.

“It is a great honor to be elected as Chairman of such an outstanding organization,” said Jensen. “I look forward to the challenges ahead as the SCCA continues to grow. As is the case with fellow Board members, working for the betterment of this organization is truly a labor of love. I revel the opportunity I’ve been afforded.”

An SCCA member since 1981, Jensen was elected to the BOD in 1997 to represent Area 11 of the club, which includes Arizona, Hawaii, Southern California and the majority of Nevada. In 1999, she was elected as the fifth member of the SCCA’s Executive Committee, which consists of the officers of the SCCA.

“This coming year will be monumental for SCCA with our headquarter relocation, the launch of SCCA University and the explosive growth we’ve been encountering over the past 15 months,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO of SCCA, Inc. “We are very fortunate to have JoAnne Jensen as Chairman working with us to oversee the development of our initiatives in this monumental year.

“I would also like to personally thank K.P. Jones for all his guidance and support in getting us to the position we are in today.”

Jensen brings a very diverse SCCA background and a wealth of motorsports experience to the position. She has held numerous SCCA licenses, including National Chief Steward, registration, race control and flagging and communications. For the past 15 years, she has served as chief communicator for SCCA street circuit events. Jensen has traveled throughout the country working both SCCA Club and Pro events in all divisions and past experience has also included work for other major sanctioning bodies, including NASCAR, CART, Grand-Am and USAC, for both oval and road course events.

Gary Pitts will assume Jensen’s former position of Vice Chairman. Pitts represents Area nine on the BOD, which covers the San Francisco, Calif. and Reno, Nev. SCCA regions. The Board also welcomes Brian Holtz, of Area two, and Charlie Clark, of Area six, joining Kathleen Barnes, Tom Campbell, Pete Hylton, Jones, John Martinsen, Phil Mellor, Ken Patterson, Robert Schader and Dan Sherrod.

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Jensen Elected To SCCA Board of Directors Chair