Ian Grob

Ian Grob (born 24 August 1952) is a former English racing driver. He raced in a number of events, including European Formula 2 and Le Mans 24 Hours. He retired from international motor sport after his last race, 1980 24 Hours of Daytona.

Early life Grob was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. His father, Ken Grob, of Token Racing fame, ran his cars, which allowed Ian his opportunity to race.

Career In 1973, he decided to head to Europe with his Chevron B23 to learn his trade. His best results from these outing was a fifth place at the Circuit de Croix-en-Ternois in a round of the Championnat de France des Circuits. His team, KVG Racing recruited John Hine, to partner Grob in the South African Springbok Trophy Series. His partnership brought Grob his first podium finish, a third place in the Kyalami 9 Hours, with it, a class win.

1974 saw Grob returned to Europe with his KVG Racing entered Chevron B23, partnered by Hine in the Endurance races. Despite a win in a non-championship at Avus, he either finished in the lower reaches of the top-ten, or did not finish. They did secure a class win in the Nürburgring 1000 km, when finishing eighth. However, the following season started very well for Grob, with a class win in the 1000km of Mugello (fifth overall) alongside Hine. The pairing repeated this a fortnight later in the 800km of Dijon, finished on the podium as he and Hine took third overall. On the same day, 5 April, Grob also won a non-championship race at Nogaro, aboard the same model, Chevron B31. After a second place in another non-championship at Silverstone, a week later, this partnership seemed to lose their way. Grob did visit the podium following his second place in the Britannica 2000, at Brands Hatch in a round of the European 2-litre Sports Car Championship.

Come 1977, Grob stepped down to Formula Three, hoping that would improve his results. He raced in both the British Formula Three Championships for Alan Docking Racing. In a Chevron-Toyota B38, he managed some decent results, such as fifth at Silverstone, and a third place in the non-championship B.R.S.C.C. Trophy race at Mallory Park.

During the European winter, Grob travelled to New Zealand for the 1978 Peter Stuyvesant International Formula Pacific Series. After teaming up with Sphere Drake Racing, he drove their March-Ford 763/77B, managing just one top sixth finish, on the temporary circuit at Wigram. For rest of the 1978 season, Grob returned to England, joining Ibec Racing Developments Hesketh Team for an assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Partnered by Guy Edwards, the team's Ibec P6 suffered from mechanical troubles which dropped it to 42nd position after just a few hours. Despite recovering well from this early setback, in the 19th hour its Cosworth DFV engine failed completely and the Ibec's race was over.

Both Grob and Edwards returned to Le Mans in 1979. This time, they were entered by March Racing, in a BMW March M1, with the BMW supported driver, Dieter Quester. Despite this strong line-up, the trio failed to qualify for the race. A few weeks later, Manfred Winkelhock had replaced Quester for the Brands Hatch 6 Hours. After a strong qualifying, the car was fourth on the grid, but failed to finish the race.

Modus CarsFred Opert Racing Modus-Hart M7Chevron-Hart B35

B.R.D.C. Vandervell British F3 Championship

Alan Docking Racing Chevron-Toyota B38 B.A.R.C. BP Super Visco F3 Championship

Alan Docking Racing Chevron-Toyota B38

Complete European Formula Two Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate *fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pts KVG Team Modus Modus M7 Hart HOCDNQ THR15 VALDNQ SALDNQ PAU HOCDNQ ROU MUG21 PERRet EST15 NOGDNQ HOCDNQ NC 0

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results Year Class No Tyres Car Team Co-Drivers Laps Pos. ClassPos. 1978 S+2.0 19 Ibec P6Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc Ibec Racing Developments Hesketh Team Guy Edwards 195DNF (Con rod) 1979 S+2.0 16 BMW March M1 BMW M88 L6 4v 3497cc March Racing Dieter Quester Guy Edwards DNQ (Reserve)

Complete 24 Hours of Daytona results Year Class No Tyres Car Team Co-Drivers Laps Pos. ClassPos. 1980 GTX 11 BMW March M1 BMW M88 L6 4v 3497cc March Engineering Michael Korten Patrick Nève 260DNF (driveshaft)