Born in Yorkshire in 1930, Innes Ireland began motor racing in 1953 and progressed to Formula One, driving for Team Lotus in 1959. Ireland not only competed in F1, but competed in sportscars and endurance racing at Le Mans, Spa, Targa Florio, Nurburgring, and finishing his career with a contract drive at the famous Daytona 500 in 1967, where he ran 7th before retiring.
Ireland was a talented all-round racing driver, able to work under the hood as well as behind the wheel. Throughout his career he drove many cars and had nerve-wrenching crashes. As a rival team boss said, “[Ireland] lived without sense, without an analyst and provoked astonishment and affection from everyone.”
A talented writer, Ireland wrote his autobiography ‘All Arms and Elbows’, and wrote as a journalist for ‘Road & Track’ magazine. In 1992, he was elected president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club which he held until his death in 1993.
Ireland Motorsports was formed to preserve his heritage and achievements and to inspire the next generation of drivers. It aims to encourage young people to get involved in the many different areas of motorsport, and promotes young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.