Herbert James Russell (born May 28, 1920), better known as Jim Russell , is a former British racer, garage owner and founder of Jim Russell Racing Driver School >.
Video Jim Russell (racing driver)
Early life and garage
Russell was born in a fish shop and his parents' chips and lived most of his life in Downham Market, Norfolk. His first job was to sell ice cream. After serving with the RAF during World War II, he became the owner of the garage.
In 1960, workshops, fuel stations and racial schools employed more than 100 people. The car garage was closed and destroyed in November 2007 with land designated for new housing. In late 2013 the first unit was marketed in its exclusive and gated development called Russell Gardens .
Maps Jim Russell (racing driver)
Racing career
Russell's driving career started at the age of 32, when a friend invited him to go to the local Snetterton racing circuit. Started with Cooper 500 cc with J.A.P. engine, Russell quickly developed into a Norton Manx machine made by a well-established bike tuner Steve Lancefield. He then moved to Formula Three and Formula Two.
Between 1953 and 1959 he won 64 Formula Three races, 11 Formula Two races, and 6 sports car races. He won the British Formula Three Championships for three consecutive years from 1955 to 1957 at the company of established racer Les Leston and newcomer John Surtees. Russell's racing career ended after suffering an injury in an accident at Le Mans in 1959, meeting his future wife Jennifer who was a nurse at the Norwich hospital. He went on to run a stud farm from his home in Bardwell Manor, Suffolk.
School racer
In 1956, Russell founded the first motor racing school in Snetterton. It was very successful and Jim Russell Racing Driver Schools has played a role in the development of many young drivers including Emerson Fittipaldi, Derek Bell, Danny Sullivan, Tiff Needell and Jacques Villeneuve. In 1966, Russell was responsible for the car and much action in the John Frankenheimer movie, Grand Prix , with actor James Garner learning to handle racing cars for his lead role. The name 'Jim Russell' continues with the franchise schools carrying the name.
Racing team
With the success of the driver's school, Russell included a promising driver in Formula 3 races in a car sponsored by Jim Russell Racing Driver School. These include Emerson Fittipaldi at Lotus 59 which won nine F3 races at the MCD Lombard Championship to become 1969 champions.
References
External links
- Jim Russell's Profile at the 500 Owners' Association
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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