Eric Brandon

British racing driver (1920–1982)

Eric Brandon
Born(1920-07-18)18 July 1920
East Ham, Essex, England, UK
Died8 August 1982(1982-08-08) (aged 62)
Gosport, Hampshire, England, UK
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Active years1952, 1954
Teamsnon-works Cooper
Entries5
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1952 Swiss Grand Prix
Last entry1954 British Grand Prix

Eric Brandon (18 July 1920 in East Ham, Essex – 8 August 1982 in Gosport, Hampshire) was a motor racing driver and businessman. He was closely associated with the Cooper Car Company, and was instrumental in the early development of the company.

When he and his boyhood friend John Cooper were released from military service after World War II they built two cars to the new National 500 cc (30.5 cu in) regulations. Brandon, whose family business was electrical goods, had access to BTH magnetos for the JAP engines, which Cooper's father Charlie then acquired. Brandon entered his Cooper in numerous hillclimbs and sprints and in 1947, at Gransden Lodge airfield, he won Britain's first-ever 500 cc circuit race.[1] He also won the first Formula Three title, in 1951.[2]

Later in the 1950s Brandon entered five World Championship Grands Prix in larger, Formula Two Cooper-Bristols, but failed to score any Championship points. For much of his career Brandon raced for the Ecurie Richmond team, which he formed with Alan Brown. In 1955 he funded the construction of his own Halseylec sports car, named after his electrical supplies company. He continued to compete in cars until 1956, but had become increasingly involved in hydroplane racing and by 1957 had devoted himself entirely to this outlet for his competitive spirit.[1]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1952 Ecurie Richmond Cooper T20 Bristol Straight-6 SUI
8 		500 BEL
9 		FRA GBR
20 		GER NED ITA
13 		NC 0
1954 Ecurie Richmond Cooper T23 Bristol Straight-6 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR
Ret 		GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0
Source:[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Eric Brandon Archived 22 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine 500race.org Retrieved on 8 April 2008
  2. ^ British F3 Champions motorsportsetc.com Retrieved on 4 September 2007. Archived 17 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. p. 80. ISBN 0851127029.