Mike Beckwith

Michael Geoffrey Beckwith is a British former racing driver from England who competed in various classes in the 1960s and 1970s including non-championship Formula One and the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Early life Beckwith was born in Hendon, North London.

Career Early years (1962–1965) Beckwith began his racing career in 1961, competing in two races with a Lotus 11. His best finish was fourth, in his first race, at Goodwood, in March.

1962 was Beckwith's first full season of racing. Using a Lotus 23, entered by Normand, a motor dealership for whom he worked, he achieved 6 victories and 6 other podium finishes out of 15 starts. He had one failure to finish and only three other results outside the top five. The race was his only Formula One entry.

In 1964, Beckwith won the Marlboro 12 hour race in a Lotus Cortina, partnered by Jackie Stewart. He competed in domestic series using a Lotus Elan. Although eight entries were made, he took part in five events with a best finish of third at Mallory Park. He also acted as test-driver for BRM.

In 1965, out of six entries, the two events contested both resulted in wins at the Prix de Paris.

In 1968, Beckwith drove for A. G. Dean racing. Co-driven by Dean, in the latter's Ferrari Dino 206 S, he retired from the Brands Hatch six-hour race. At the Tourist Trophy, he finished 17th in Dean's Porsche Caerrera 6. In Formula Two, a move to a Tecno chassis was not successful. The Tecno was the chassis of choice in 1968 but Beckwith's rivals used conventional gearboxes. He also drove in European Formula Two for David Bridges using a Lola T100.

In 1969, Beckwith was entered in the Brands Hatch six-hour race in a works Lotus 62 (co-driven by Mo Nunn). However they did not attend. An entry alongside Nathan in the Costin-designed car (renamed as Astra RNR1 after Costin withdrew) in the 1000 km Monza was also not fulfilled. However, co-driven by Nathan, Beckwith finished 23rd in the car at the Nürburgring 1000 km race.

In 1970, Beckwith finished 16th in the Brands Hatch six-hour race in an Astra RNR2. co-driven again by Nathan, but did not finish in an Interserie event at Hockenheim using a group 7 Allegro sports car. An entry at the Nürburgring was not fulfilled. This marked the end of Beckwith's major career, 1971 yielding only a non-finish at Croft in the Lotus 62. He retired to concentrate on his career in the motor trade.

Non-championship Formula One results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1963 British Racing Partnership Lotus 24 BRM V8 LOM GLV PAU IMO SYR AIN INT ROM SOL KAN MED AUT OUL RAN