Bob Anderson (racing driver) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Anderson
Born	(1931-05-19)19 May 1931 Hendon, London, UK
Died	14 August 1967(1967-08-14) (aged 36) Northampton, UK
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1958–1960 First race 1958 350cc Isle of Man Junior TT Last race 1960 350cc Nations Grand Prix Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 13 0 3 N/A 1 35 Isle of Man TT career TTs contested 3 (1958–1960) TT wins 0 First TT win – Last TT win – Podiums 2 Formula One World Championship career Nationality British Active years 1963–1967 Teams DW Racing Enterprises (non-works Brabham or Lola) Entries 29 (25 starts) Championships 0 Wins 0 Podiums 1 Career points 8 Pole positions 0 Fastest laps 0 First entry 1963 British Grand Prix Last entry 1967 British Grand Prix

Robert "Bob" Anderson (born May 19, 1931 – died August 14, 1967) was a super talented British racer. He raced both motorcycles and cars! Bob competed in big motorcycle races from 1958 to 1960. Then, he switched to Formula One car racing from 1963 to 1967. He even won the famous North West 200 motorcycle race twice in Northern Ireland. Bob was special because he was one of the last racers to compete in Formula One on his own, without a big team or lots of sponsors. It became too expensive for others to do that!

Bob Anderson's Racing Journey

Motorcycle Racing Adventures

Bob Anderson was born in Hendon, London. He started his motorcycle racing career in 1953. He raced a 500cc Triumph Special at Cadwell Park. By 1955, he was racing a Matchless G45. He even finished 8th at the 1955 Senior Manx Grand Prix.

In 1956, Bob switched to a Norton bike. He came in second at the Senior Manx Grand Prix. He also won the 500cc North West 200 race. This helped him become one of the best national racers in 1957. He won races at places like Cadwell Park and Brands Hatch. He also won the 350cc North West 200.

In 1958, Bob finished second to world champion John Surtees at the Isle of Man Senior TT. This was considered the most important motorcycle race back then. Bob then started racing in the Grand Prix world championships. He got another second place at the 350cc Swedish motorcycle Grand Prix.

Switching to Car Racing

At the end of 1960, Bob got a back injury while racing in South Africa. This made him switch to car racing when he was 29 years old. In 1961, he drove a Lola in a Formula Junior race. He kept racing cars and even joined Team Lotus in the Formula Junior championship. He won a race in France and came in second at Monaco.

In 1963, Bob joined Formula One with his own Lola Mk4 car. His team was called DW Racing Enterprises. It was a small team, just Bob and a few mechanics! Even so, he won a non-championship race, the Rome Grand Prix, that first year.

Later, he raced private Brabham cars. His best result was a third-place finish at the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix. He even received the Von Trips Memorial Trophy. This award was for the most successful private racer in 1964.

Sadly, in 1967, Bob had an accident while testing his car at Silverstone. His car slid off the track in wet conditions and hit a marshal's post. Bob was badly hurt and passed away later in Northampton General Hospital.

Racing Results

Motorcycle Grand Prix Results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Formula One World Championship Results

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Non-Championship Formula One Results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)