Archie Scott Brown

William Archibald Scott Brown, known as Archie, (13 May 1927 – 19 May 1958) was a British Formula One and sports car racing driver from Scotland who had a prodigious racing ability despite having the fingers of his right hand missing and having to use his palm to drive.

Early life Scott Brown (although often shown as Scott-Brown, the name should not be hyphenated) was born in Paisley on 13 May 1927. As a result of German Measles during his mother's pregnancy, he was born with severe disablement to his legs (with his feet twisted almost backwards) and without the fingers of his right hand. Tremendous determination, 22 operations over a two-year period, and months spent in plaster meant that he was able to walk, although he never grew over 5'0" (152 cm) tall. He was educated at Clifton Hall School and Merchiston Castle School, in Edinburgh, Scotland. In his short career, he scored a total of 71 race victories, 15 of which came from international competition. Scott Brown was famous for racing the Lister Knobbly. Sir Stirling Moss also raced the car and is pictured here with an owner of Lister Cars

Death

Scott Brown was fatally injured on 18 May 1958 during a sports car race at Spa-Francorchamps, driving a Lister Knobbly and duelling for the lead with Masten Gregory driving an Ecurie Ecosse Lister Jaguar. Battling hard, they swapped the lead between them, inches apart. The competition was so fierce that Scott Brown dented his car's nose on the rear of the Ecosse car on lap three. With Scott Brown leading on lap six, they arrived at Blanchimont, then in the Clubhouse bend (where Richard Seaman had died in 1939), found the track slick with rain; the right-hand front wheel of the Lister hit a road sign, snapping the track rod and causing a disastrous accident. Scott Brown died in hospital at Heusy the following day, less than a week after his 31st birthday.

Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Points 1956 Connaught Engineering Connaught B Alta Straight-4 ARG MON 500 BEL FRA GBRRet GER ITA NC 0