Brian Redman

2.1. Birth and early years

Brian Redman was born on 9 March 1937, in Colne, Lancashire, England. Details of his family background and early childhood are not extensively documented, but he began his racing career in 1959.

3.1. Early career and Formula One debut

Redman began his racing career in 1959. He participated in 15 World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut on 1 January 1968 at the 1968 South African Grand Prix. Driving for teams such as McLaren, Shadow, Cooper, and Williams, he achieved one podium finish, a third place at the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix in a Cooper-BRM. He scored a total of 8 championship points in his F1 career, including two fifth-place finishes in 1972 at the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix and the 1972 German Grand Prix while driving for Yardley Team McLaren. He also raced for Surtees in 1971.

3.2. Sports car racing successes

Redman achieved spectacular success in sports car racing, earning his first of four Manufacturers Championships in 1968. He was a key driver for prominent teams including John Wyer's Gulf team in 1968, as a Porsche works driver in 1969 and 1970, and with Ferrari driving the Ferrari 312PB in 1972. His numerous victories include five wins at the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 km, three at the Nürburgring 1000 km, two at the 24 Hours of Daytona, two at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and single victories at the Watkins Glen 6 Hours and Targa Florio in 1970 with a Porsche 908. He also won the Osterreichring 1000 km twice, the Monza 1000 km twice, the Brands Hatch 6 Hours twice, and the Kyalami 9 Hours twice. He also won the 1970/71 South African Springbok series. For many years, Redman was closely associated with the Chevron marque, founded by his fellow Lancastrian, Derek Bennett.

3.3. Formula 5000 and IMSA GTP championships

In 1973, Redman transitioned to full-time racing in the United States. He dominated the SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship, winning three consecutive titles from 1974 to 1976. Driving a Lola T330/332C for Carl Haas and Jim Hall's Chaparral Cars, he competed against formidable opponents such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Jody Scheckter, and Jackie Oliver. Redman was also employed at Haas's business office in Highland Park, Illinois, where he resided for a period. In 1981, he secured the IMSA Camel GTP Championship driving the brand new Lola T600, winning the inaugural race at Laguna Seca.

3.4. Major accidents and recovery

Redman's career was marked by a severe accident at Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Canada at the beginning of the 1977 season. The SCCA had introduced new rules for F5000, which transformed into the new Can-Am series, requiring single-seaters to use full-width bodywork. During practice for the first race, his new car lifted off at 160 mph, rising 40 ft in the air, before flipping over and landing upside down. Redman sustained a broken neck (C1), a fractured shoulder and sternum, and bruising of the brain. The ambulance transporting him to the hospital experienced a tire blow-out, and he was even declared dead. It took him nine months to recover from these extensive injuries. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he made a spectacular return to racing by winning the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1978, driving a Porsche 935.

3.5. Later career and post-retirement activities

Following his recovery, Redman continued racing for Dick Barbour Racing through 1979 and 1980. His last year of professional racing was at the age of 52, when he drove for the works Aston Martin team in the 1989 World Sports Prototype Championship. In this season, he competed full-time in the Aston Martin AMR1, achieving a fourth-place finish at Brands Hatch. After his professional racing career, he co-managed the Redman Bright racing team. Currently, Redman holds his 61st racing license, resides in Florida, and remains active in historic racing events, including the Monterey Historic Automobile Races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

4.1. Honors and Halls of Fame

Redman has received numerous prestigious honors and inductions into various motorsport Halls of Fame, reflecting his impactful career. These include the Daytona International Speedway Hall of Fame, the Sebring International Raceway Hall of Fame, the Talladega Superspeedway Hall of Fame, the Motor Sport Hall of Fame (UK), and the Long Beach Pavement of Fame. In 2002, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in the sports car category.

4.2. Influence and recognition

His enduring influence on the motorsport field is further highlighted by events held in his honor. Road America hosts "The WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman" for vintage and historic cars, which has become one of the largest and most prestigious vintage racing events in the United States. He also founded the "Targa 66 club," a group for owners and drivers of historic sports cars.

5.1. Complete British Saloon Car Championship results

† Events with 2 races staged for the different classes.

5.2. Complete European Formula Two Championship results

5.3. Complete Formula One World Championship results

5.4. Non-Championship Formula One results

5.5. Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results