Archie Scott Brown facts for kids
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| Born | 13 May 1927 Paisley, Renfrewshire |
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| Died | 19 May 1958 (aged 31) Heusy, Belgium |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1956 |
| Teams | Connaught |
| Entries | 1 |
| First entry | 1956 British Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1956 British Grand Prix |
William Archibald Scott Brown, known as Archie, was a British Formula One and sports car racing driver. He was born on May 13, 1927, and passed away on May 19, 1958. Archie was from Scotland. He was an amazing driver, even though he was born without fingers on his right hand. He had to use his palm to steer his race cars!
Archie went to Clifton Hall School and Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. He became known as motorsport's first disabled hero. He faced many challenges, including losing his racing license for a time. But he fought to race and won some of the biggest races of his time. He was a huge inspiration to his fellow Scottish driver, Jim Clark.
Brian Lister discovered Archie and helped him a lot. Archie had great success racing cars made by Lister Cars. He won the British Empire Trophy in 1957. In his short career, Archie won 71 races. Fifteen of these wins were in international competitions. He raced in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix on July 14, 1956. He did not score any championship points in that race. He also tried to race in the Italian Grand Prix that same year. However, he was not allowed to race because of his disability. At that time, his condition prevented him from getting the special international license needed.
Overcoming Challenges to Race
Archie Scott Brown was born in Paisley on May 13, 1927. His mother had German Measles when she was pregnant. Because of this, Archie was born with severe problems with his legs. His feet were twisted almost backward. He also did not have fingers on his right hand.
Archie was very determined. He had 22 operations over two years. He also spent months in plaster casts. Thanks to his hard work, he was able to walk. However, he never grew taller than 5 feet.
After Archie won two races at Snetterton on April 3, 1954, something happened. Sid Green from Gilby Engineering noticed his unformed right hand. He told the race officials about it. Archie was then banned from motor racing. This was a terrible blow to his rising career. His future in racing looked uncertain.
However, Earl Howe, who was the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, had seen Archie drive before. He had made a note to find out who Archie was. When he learned that Archie had been banned, he supported Archie's appeal to the RAC (Royal Automobile Club). Dr. Benjafield and Gregor Grant, who was the editor of Autosport magazine, also helped Archie. By June 1954, Archie Scott Brown had his racing license back!
Early Life in Racing
Archie Scott Brown started in motor sports early in his life. His father built him a small car to help him move around. His first real race was in 1951. He drove his own MG roadster. He bought it with a small amount of money he had inherited.
As Archie's reputation grew, he became very well known for working with Brian Lister. At first, he drove Lister's Tojeiro special car. Later, he drove sports racing cars built by Lister himself. These cars were named after Lister. Archie had a lot of success driving Lister-Jaguar cars. These were the famous Knobblys.
Archie was known for his brave driving style. People often saw him taking corners by sliding his Lister car sideways. Once, someone asked him about the Lister's brakes failing completely. He famously replied that he would "carry on without them, old boy." Over the few years he was in the sport, he had a strong but friendly rivalry with a rising American driver named Masten Gregory.
Archie's Final Race
Archie Scott Brown was badly hurt on May 18, 1958. This happened during a sports car race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. He was driving a Lister Knobbly car. He was battling for the lead with Masten Gregory, who was driving an Ecurie Ecosse Lister Jaguar.
They were racing very hard, inches apart, and swapping the lead. The competition was so fierce that Archie's car even dented the back of Gregory's car on the third lap. On lap six, Archie was in the lead. They arrived at a part of the track called Blanchimont, then the Clubhouse bend. The track suddenly became slippery with rain. The front right wheel of Archie's Lister hit a road sign. This broke a part of the steering, causing a terrible accident.
Archie Scott Brown died in the hospital (Heusy) the next day. This was less than a week after his 31st birthday.
