Jody Scheckter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jody Scheckter
Scheckter at the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix
Born	Jody David Scheckter (1950-01-29) 29 January 1950 (age 75) East London, Eastern Cape, Union of South Africa
Spouse(s)	Pamela Bailey Clare Fawkes
Children	6, including Toby and Tomas
Relatives	Ian Scheckter (brother)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	South African
Active years	1972–1980
Teams	McLaren, Tyrrell, Wolf, Ferrari
Entries	113 (112 starts)
Championships	1 (1979)
Wins	10
Podiums	33
Career points	246 (255)
Pole positions	3
Fastest laps	5
First entry	1972 United States Grand Prix
First win	1974 Swedish Grand Prix
Last win	1979 Italian Grand Prix
Last entry	1980 United States Grand Prix

Jody David Scheckter (born 29 January 1950) is a South African former racing driver and businessman. He competed in Formula One from 1972 to 1980. Jody Scheckter won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1979 with Ferrari. He is the only African driver to have won a Formula One Grand Prix or the World Drivers' Championship. He won 10 Grand Prix races over nine seasons.

Born and raised in East London, Cape Province, South Africa, Jody quickly became a top driver. He moved to the United Kingdom in 1970 to pursue his racing dreams. His Formula One journey began two years later at the 1972 United States Grand Prix. He drove for McLaren at that time.

Jody Scheckter: A Racing Legend

Early Life and Start in Racing

Jody David Scheckter was born on 29 January 1950 in East London, South Africa. He went to Vincent Primary School and Selborne College. He showed a talent for racing from a young age.

Formula One Journey

Jody quickly moved up the ranks in motor racing. He made his way to Formula One after moving to Britain in 1970.

First Steps in F1

His first Formula One race was in 1972 at the US Grand Prix. He drove for McLaren. In that race, he reached third place before spinning and finishing ninth. People immediately saw him as a driver to watch.

In 1973, he continued to develop his skills. He won the 1973 SCCA L&M Championship in Formula 5000. He also raced in five more F1 Grands Prix. During a race in France, he almost won but crashed into Emerson Fittipaldi. Later, at the British Grand Prix, his spin caused a big accident. Many cars had to leave the race. After these events, Jody became a more careful and thoughtful driver. He learned a lot from these early experiences.

Success with Tyrrell

Scheckter in a Tyrrell 007 at the 1974 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.

In 1974, Tyrrell gave Jody his first full-time F1 driving spot. He did very well, finishing third in the Drivers' Championship. He also won two races, one in Sweden and one in Britain. He scored points in eight races in a row that year.

In 1975, he became the only South African to win the South African Grand Prix. In 1976, he finished third in the Drivers' Championship again. That year, Tyrrell introduced a very unusual car, the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34. Even though Jody later said the car was "a piece of junk," he won its only race at the Anderstorp circuit in Sweden. He is the only driver to ever win a Grand Prix on six wheels.

Championship with Ferrari

Scheckter in the iconic six-wheel Tyrrell P34 at the Nürburgring in 1976.

In 1977, Jody moved to Wolf's new team. He won several races with them, including the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix. He finished second in the championship behind Niki Lauda. After a year without wins for Wolf in 1978, Jody moved to Ferrari. He teamed up with Gilles Villeneuve.

Scheckter driving for Ferrari at the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix.

In his first season with Ferrari in 1979, Jody won three Grands Prix. He secured the championship title with his victory at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix. This made him the first Formula One World Drivers' Champion from Africa. He tried to defend his title in 1980, but Ferrari's car, the 312T5, struggled. He retired at the end of the season. Jody Scheckter was the last driver to win a Drivers' Championship for Ferrari until Michael Schumacher did so in 2000.

Life After Racing

After retiring from motor racing, Jody Scheckter worked as a commentator for TV channels like CBS, ABC, and ITV.

From Racing to Business

In 1984, Scheckter started a business called Firearms Training Systems (FATS). This company built training simulators for military and police. By the early 1990s, the company was earning over £100 million.

Organic Farming Pioneer

Later, Jody got into organic farming. He bought Laverstoke Park Farm in England, which is about 2,500 acres. He became an expert in organic farming. In 2005, he appeared in documentaries about health and organic food. His farm was also shown on the BBC show Countryfile. In 2009, he announced plans to make a special organic sparkling wine. In 2015, his farm was the setting for a TV show called Sugar Free Farm. In 2024, the farm stopped dairy and buffalo farming, but it still hosts the carfest event.

Family and Legacy

Jody Scheckter is married and has six children. Two of his sons, Toby and Tomas, are also racing drivers. Tomas raced in the Indy Racing League and won two races. Jody's older brother, Ian Scheckter, also raced in Formula One.

Awards and Honours

In 1983, Jody Scheckter was added to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Career Summary

See also

In Spanish: Jody Scheckter para niños

• Formula One drivers from South Africa
• List of select Jewish racing drivers