Eric Thompson Biography: Eric David Thompson was a racing driver, book trader, and insurance salesman from the United Kingdom. Between 1949 and 1955, he competed in sports car racing, finishing third in the 1951 Les 24 Heures du Mans and competing in the 1952 RAC British Grand Prix. Read this blog till the end to know everything about him.
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Eric Thompson Biography
Eric Thompson Biography: Eric Thompson was born in Ditton Hill, Surrey, on November 4, 1919. He developed an interest in motorsport as a youth, being a follower of Richard Seaman. Thompson worked as a broker at Lloyd’s of London after high school. The employment was well compensated and needed commitment, dedication, and long hours. Thompson received many awards for his efforts and served in the Second World War.
Eric Thompson Wiki
| Name | Eric Thompson |
| Date Of Birth | November 4, 1919 |
| Birth Place | Ditton Hill, Surbiton, Surrey, England, UK |
| Died | 22 August 2015 (at the age of 53) |
| Height | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Profession | Racing Driver |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Car Collection | N/A |
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Eric Thompson Career
Thompson chose to pursue his passion for motor racing once the war ended. He began racing at the age of 28 in 1948 and was well-funded. Thompson kept working at Lloyd’s of London and was entitled to two weeks of vacation, with every third weekend off, when he raced. His debut race was the 12 Heures de Paris at the Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, where he finished fourth in the 1.5-litre class and 17th overall in a shared drive with Robin Richards driving an HRG.
Thompson debuted in the Les 24 Heures du Mans in 1949, driving alongside HRG and Jack Fairman. The team won the 1.5-liter class and came in ninth overall. They later competed in the 24 Hours of Belgium at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, where he won their class. At Goodwood, Thompson also won two handicap races. Thompson went on to win his class in the Silverstone International Trophy and finish sixth in the Prescott Hillclimb. He joined Aston Martin in 1950 and assisted three drivers: Reg Parnell, Peter Collins, and Roy Salvadori.
Thompson raced for Aston Martin for the first time in a one-hour race at Silverstone, finishing fourth in his class and 14th overall. He also raced in the 1950 24 Hours du Mans with John Gordon in an Aston Martin DB2 but was forced out after nine laps due to engine issues. Thompson also competed for HRG, finishing second overall at Blandford, third in a Goodwood Handicap, and first in the Cambridge University Sprint at Bedwell Hey. Thompson made his Formula Three debut in the same year, driving a Cooper-Vincent to a retirement at Castle Combe.
Thompson entered a works Connaught with a Lea-Francis engine for the 1952 RAC British Grand Prix and qualified tenth on the grid. He gained a spot in the race after Gordini driver Robert Manzon was forced to withdraw due to a clutch failure. He finished fifth, three circuits behind race winner Alberto Ascari, ahead of 1950 World Drivers’ Champion Giuseppe Farina, and three laps behind teammate Dennis Poore.
