Ken Tyrrell

Ken Tyrrell (May 3, 1924 – August 25 2001) was an auto racing driver and the founder of the Tyrrell Formula One constructor.

Related Topics:
May 3 - 1924 - August 25 - 2001 - Auto racing - Tyrrell - Formula One

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Tyrrell served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war he became a timber merchant. In 1951 he began racing a Cooper in Formula 3. By the end of the 1950s, Tyrrell had moved to preparing cars for other drivers.

Related Topics:
Royal Air Force - World War II - Timber - 1951 - Cooper - Formula 3 - 1950s

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Tyrrell was responsible for discovering Jackie Stewart, whom he had race for his team in Formula Junior in the mid 60s. With the help of Elf and Ford, Tyrrell achieved his dream of moving to Formula 1 in 1968, as team principal for Matra International, a joint-venture established between Tyrrell's own team and the French auto manufacturer Matra.

Related Topics:
Jackie Stewart - Formula Junior - Elf - Ford - Matra

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During his early years in F1, "Uncle" Ken, as he was affectionally known, reached the peak of his career. However, he was profoundly affected by the death of his driver François Cevert in practice for the 1973 US Grand Prix. In the following years, Tyrrell would slip down the ranks until it became a midfielder team, despite having employed natural talents such as Jody Scheckter, Ronnie Peterson and Patrick Depailler.

Related Topics:
François Cevert - 1973 US Grand Prix - Jody Scheckter - Ronnie Peterson - Patrick Depailler

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Still, Tyrrell found the time to introduce new concepts for F1. In 1976, the Tyrrell team created the six-wheeled P34, that had four front wheels. The Derek Gardner designed single-seater achieved a race victory but it was was abandoned after Michelin refused to develop the small tires needed for the car as they were too busy fighting the other tire manufacturers in F1.

Related Topics:
P34 - Derek Gardner - Michelin

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In the early 80s, Tyrrell's fortunes decreased to the point of having his team run without any sponsorship. Tyrrell still retained his eye for talent, bringing Michele Alboreto and Martin Brundle to F1, but never managed to retain them. Without the proper funding, Tyrrell was the last resistant with the Cosworth DFV at a time all teams had switched to turbocharged engines. In the early 90's Tyrrell relinquished much of the company's control to his sons and to Harvey Postlethwaite, who was the first to introduce the high nose concept in the 1990 Tyrrell.

Related Topics:
Michele Alboreto - Martin Brundle - Cosworth - Harvey Postlethwaite

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In 1999 the Tyrrell F1 team was bought by British American Tobacco and Craig Pollock to create British American Racing. In August 25 2001 Ken Tyrrell died at the age of 77 after fighting cancer.

Related Topics:
1999 - British American Tobacco - Craig Pollock - British American Racing

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