Leslie Brooke

Henry Leslie Brooke, (12 September 1910 – 9 November 1967) was a British racing driver from England. He competed in various classes of racing, including non-championship Formula One, the Le Mans 24-hour race and the Monte Carlo Rally, in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Racing career Pre-World War II Brooke began his career in 1937 with a self-built special based upon a Riley Imp chassis, with an MG engine.

Post-war Brooke's career was then interrupted by World War II. He resumed thereafter, initially with his special, but subsequently purchased an ERA B-type. and hillclimb events. in February, but retired from the Vallentuna F1 race held later the same month and from the Jersey F1 race held at Saint Helier. Brooke then purchased an ERA E-type which he used to compete in the Reims Grand Prix retiring after five laps after which he shared Fred Ashmore's ERA B-type which also retired after 33 laps. At the Grand Prix d'Albi, Brooke resumed with his own B-type but having qualified sixth, retired after 18 laps with an engine problem. At the Nice Grand Prix, he finished seventh with the B-type having qualified 20th, and last. He achieved the first-ever race finish (fourth) for the E-type in the 1947 British Empire Trophy at Douglas Circuit He later sold the car back to ERA. but claiming third-place in the British Empire Trophy in May, followed by fourth place in the inaugural Zandvoort Grand Prix. He then moved to a Maserati 4CLT, entered by Scuderia Ambrosiana and finished 11th in the Grand Prix d'Albi and 11th in the 1948 Italian Grand Prix under his own name, but was forced to retire from the Monza Grand Prix and the Penya Rhin Grand Prix.

In 1949, Brooke finished seventh in the Grand Prix d'Albi with the Maserati, did not progress past the heats at the International Trophy and retired from the 1949 Italian Grand Prix.

Brooke made an appearance at the 1954 Goodwood F1 race with a Connaught A-type-Lea Francis. However, having set fastest time in qualifying, he failed to start the race.

Career highlights Season Series/event Position Entrant Car 1946 Grand Prix des Frontières 1st Leslie Brooke ERA B-type 1947 Swedish Winter Grand Prix 2nd Leslie Brooke ERA B-type 1948 British Empire Trophy 3rd Leslie Brooke ERA B-type

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps 1955 Standard Triumph Mortimer Morris-Goodall Triumph TR2 S2.0 214 19th 7th

Personal life Brooke was awarded the George Medal during World War II for bravery during the Coventry Blitz.