Cliff Allison facts for kids
| Born | 8 February 1932 Brough, Westmorland, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 7 April 2005 (aged 73) Brough, Cumbria, England |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1958–1961 |
| Teams | Lotus, Scuderia Centro Sud, Ferrari, UDT Laystall |
| Entries | 18 (16 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Career points | 11 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1958 Monaco Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1961 Belgian Grand Prix |
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Cliff Allison was a British racing driver. He was born on February 8, 1932, and passed away on April 7, 2005. Cliff raced in Formula One from 1958 to 1961. He drove for famous teams like Lotus and Ferrari. Cliff was born and died in Brough, England.
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Cliff Allison's Early Racing Career
Cliff Allison began his racing journey in 1953. He started with a Formula Three Cooper 500 car. Soon, he caught the eye of Colin Chapman, a famous car designer.
Success in Sports Car Races
In 1957, Cliff Allison drove a Lotus car. He won a special performance award at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans race. This is a very long and challenging endurance race.
The next year, in 1958, Cliff teamed up with Colin Chapman. They finished sixth in the 12 Hours of Sebring race. This was another tough endurance race for sports cars. Later that year, Cliff finished fourth in his Lotus at the Grand Prix of Europe. This race was held at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
In 1959, Cliff Allison joined Dan Gurney and Jean Behra. They drove for the Ferrari team. They competed in the 1000 km Nürburgring race in Germany. This was a world championship event for sports cars. Cliff and Jean Behra also finished second in the 1959 12 Hours of Sebring race. Cliff even set the fastest lap time in that race.
A Scary Moment in Targa Florio
In May 1960, Cliff had a big scare. He was practicing for the Targa Florio race in Sicily. His Ferrari was going very fast, about 100 miles per hour. A tire burst, and his car crashed into a forest. The car was badly damaged. Luckily, Cliff was not hurt, but he was very shaken.
Cliff Allison in Formula One
Cliff Allison raced in Formula One, the highest level of motor racing. He drove for Lotus and Ferrari.
First Points with Lotus (1958)
In the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix, Cliff had to make many pit stops. His Lotus car finished sixth. This was a big moment because it earned the very first World Championship point for Team Lotus.
Racing for Ferrari (1959–1960)
For the 1959 season, Cliff joined the Ferrari team. He raced alongside other top drivers.
At the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix, Cliff was involved in a crash. Another driver, Wolfgang von Trips, lost control of his Porsche. Cliff's Ferrari crashed into him. Another car also joined the pile-up. Cliff's car had the least damage, and he was okay.
In 1960, Cliff had his best Formula One result. He finished second at the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix. This was a great achievement for him.
Serious Crashes and Recovery
Later in 1960, Cliff had a serious crash. It happened while he was practicing for the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix. His Ferrari hit a straw barrier. He was unconscious and taken to the hospital. Cliff suffered a broken arm, broken ribs, cuts on his face, and a concussion. It took him almost the rest of the year to recover.
The next year, in 1961, Cliff had another bad crash. This happened during practice for the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix. His Lotus car went off the track and overturned. He broke both his knees and fractured his pelvis.
Life After Racing
These serious injuries meant Cliff could no longer race. His career in motor sport came to an end. However, he stayed connected to the racing world. He often attended reunions and was always a welcome guest.
Cliff Allison returned to his hometown of Brough. He took over his family's business, Allison's Garage. His father had started the garage. Cliff also drove the village and school buses.
Images for kids
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Silverstone Grand Prix, "Formula Two" Race, July 1956. Cliff Allison, driver of Lotus Eleven car no.16 leaning on car. He finished fourth. Graham Hill, driver of Lotus Eleven no.18 standing on left. Senior mechanic John Crosthwaite holding cloth
