Bob Drake driver profile!

[eytl]

Hi everyone,

Our latest driver profile is now up. And what a story it is as well. Originally I chose to do the profile of Bob Drake because I knew he was the last man to drive the fabled Maserati 250F in a World Championship Grand Prix, and I thought that was profile-worthy enough. Little did I know that I would be unearthing the story of one of the most colourful characters to ever compete in F1, and whose life off the track was as exciting as it was on the circuits of Southern California, where he was one of the stars of the golden age of SoCal sports car racing. And, trust me, some of his exploits on the track were enthralling ...

This was the time when the likes of Phil Hill, Dan Gurney and Richie Ginther cut their teeth, when exotic European thoroughbreds went head-to-head against American junkyard specials, when larger-than-life drivers were matched by larger-than-life car owners. And Bob Drake was in amongst it all ... not to mention being a restaurateur, and a stunt driving double for Fred Astaire and Elvis Presley.

Trust me, his is quite some story. Enjoy the read!

http://www.f1rejects.com/drivers/drake/index.html

Cheers,
Enoch

[tommykl]

Brilliant read, as always Enoch

And now, guessing time based on your hints.

-Peter Walker
-Rewrite of Alex Zanardi
-Kazuyoshi Hoshino

[W12]

Brilliant work, Enoch!

[mario]

I certainly enjoyed reading that - as you say, the further on you go, the more colourful the story becomes, and it is a remarkable account of a remarkable driver.

[Cynon]

Why is there not a movie being made about him? O_o

[watka]

Wow, anything could happen in the 50s! Shame he didn't get a better shot at F1.

[Wallio]

Awesome article, what a story. Loved those early days in America when you could bolt a bunch of utter shite together and go racing!


I must ask though, in your research did it say what driving Bob did on The Hollywood Knights? That is probably my favorite movie ever, so I'm curious.

[dr-baker]

A prancing donkey on his helmet, you said? Shame that there isn't a close-up photo of that...

[Onxy Wrecked]

Wow, anything could happen in the 50s! Shame he didn't get a better shot at F1.

I think he was simply hampered by an obsolete car. I wonder what he could have done with a second race.

[eytl]

I must ask though, in your research did it say what driving Bob did on The Hollywood Knights? That is probably my favorite movie ever, so I'm curious.

I'm afraid I didn't find that out. The listings on the Internet Movie Database didn't go beyond simply saying that he was credited in that film.

[dinizintheoven]

Another fine job - and it makes me wonder what the Grand Prix restaurant would be like were it to be conceived now. Certainly there'd be a lot more motorsport films to choose from, even if not all of them are genuine classics...

I suppose this is also a fine epitaph for the Maserati 250F. No arguments here, that car is (aesthetically at least) to the 50s what the Jordan 191 is to the 90s - and still looks right even in American racing colours.

[Wallio]

I must ask though, in your research did it say what driving Bob did on The Hollywood Knights? That is probably my favorite movie ever, so I'm curious.

I'm afraid I didn't find that out. The listings on the Internet Movie Database didn't go beyond simply saying that he was credited in that film.

I figured, but thanks for answering. And again, great article.