George Abecassis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Abecassis
Abecassis on left, with Lance Macklin and Aston Martin DB2 LML/50/8 at 1950
Born	George Edgar Abecassis (1913-03-21)21 March 1913 Oatlands, Surrey, England
Died	18 December 1991(1991-12-18) (aged 78) Ibstone, Buckinghamshire, England
Formula One World Championship career Nationality British Active years 1951 – 1952 Teams HWM Entries 2 Championships 0 Wins 0 Podiums 0 Career points 0 Pole positions 0 Fastest laps 0 First entry 1951 Swiss Grand Prix Last entry 1952 Swiss Grand Prix
24 Hours of Le Mans career Years 1950–1951, 1953 Teams Aston Martin Best finish 5th (1950; 1951) Class wins 1 (1950)
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve)
Years of service	c. 1940–1953
Rank	Squadron leader
Service number	115865
Unit	No. 161 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in dispatches

George Edgar Abecassis (born March 21, 1913 – died December 18, 1991) was a British race car driver. He also helped start the HWM Formula One racing team.

George Abecassis: Early Life and Racing Beginnings

George Abecassis was born in Oatlands, England. He went to Clifton College for his education.

He started his racing career in 1935. His first race car was a changed Austin 7 that people called The Einsitzer. After taking a break in 1937, he got an Alta car. He became well-known in English racing during 1938 and 1939.

In 1939, George won the Imperial Trophy race at Crystal Palace. He was driving his Alta car and beat Prince Bira. This was a big win because his 1500cc car beat a more powerful one in a wet race.

Abecassis also set speed records. He held the lap record at Brooklands at 72.61 miles per hour (116.85 km/h). On July 3, 1938, he broke the Prescott Hill Climb record. He finished the climb in just 47.85 seconds in his supercharged Alta.

Wartime Service: A Pilot's Story

When World War II started, George Abecassis joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was part of the Volunteer Reserves. He became a very skilled pilot.

He joined the secret "Moon Squadrons." These squadrons flew special Halifax and Stirling planes. Their job was to secretly fly agents into and out of countries in Europe that were under enemy control.

For his bravery and service, Abecassis received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also mentioned for his good work in official reports. He was praised for being a great flying instructor. He inspired new pilots with his dedication and careful teaching.

George reached the rank of Squadron Leader. After the war, he continued to serve in the RAF Volunteer Reserves until 1953.

Post-War Racing and HWM Team

After World War II, George Abecassis returned to car racing. He first used cars he had before the war. In 1946, he won a race at Gransden Lodge in a Bugatti. In 1947, he finished second in the Swedish Grand Prix, which was held on a frozen lake.

In 1948, he teamed up with John Heath to form Hersham and Walton Motors Ltd. (HWM). This company was a car dealership and garage. Building on his past experience with Alta cars, Abecassis and HWM helped develop the Alta GP car. This car was made for the new Formula One racing rules.

When the Alta GP car didn't work out, Abecassis and Heath decided to build their own cars. They called these cars HWM, and they used Alta engines. At first, HWM cars raced in the Formula Two class. But in 1952, the World Championship switched to Formula Two rules. This meant HWM cars could compete in the big Grand Prix races.

Famous drivers like Stirling Moss and Peter Collins raced for HWM. The team won its first race with Johnny Claes in Belgium. HWM also won the International Trophy race at Silverstone in 1952, with Lance Macklin driving.

When Formula One cars returned to the World Championship in 1954, HWM tried to build a new car. It used a 2.5-litre Alta engine, but it wasn't successful. HWM cars only raced in two more Grand Prix events after 1953.

George Abecassis raced in his only two Formula One World Championship races with his own HWM cars. These were the 1951 and 1952 Swiss Grand Prix in Switzerland.

He had more success in sports car racing with Aston Martin. He won his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1950. He shared his Aston Martin DB2 with Lance Macklin. In 1953, he finished second in the 12 Hours of Sebring race.

In 1953, Abecassis built a special HWM sports car for himself. It had a Jaguar engine. He used this car to win many British races until 1956. In the 1955 Mille Miglia race, he drove an Austin Healey 100S very fast. He finished 11th overall, showing incredible speed.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1956, John Heath, George's partner, died in a racing accident. After this, Abecassis stopped racing. He focused on running the HWM business. He became the importer for Facel Vega cars in Britain.

His connections in the car industry were helped by his marriage to Angela. She was the daughter of Aston Martin chairman Sir David Brown.

George Abecassis passed away at the age of 78 in Ibstone, England.

In 2010, his son, David Abecassis, wrote a book about his father called A Passion for Speed. George's grandson, Jonathan Abecassis, also loves vintage sports car racing. He races an Austin Healey 100/4 in the Fifties Sports Car Racing Club series.

Racing Highlights

George Abecassis had many great moments in his racing career. Here are some of his top achievements:

Images for kids

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  Abecassis with Lance Macklin and Aston Martin DB2 at Le Mans, 1950.

See also

In Spanish: George Abecassis para niños