Archie Scott-Brown. A tragic life

This ‘Blue Plaque’ on a property in Hills Road, Cambridge caught my eye this morning. I had never heard of William Archibald Scott Brown but a bit of internet research shows that he had a truly remarkable life cruelly cut short aged just 31 in the most tragic of circumstances. I think it is worth a read.

He was born in Paisley in 1927 to a family with strong links to the motor racing industry. As a result of rubella in his mother's pregnancy, he had severely disfigured legs and a semi-developed right arm. A total of 22 operations and months of rehabilitation eventually left him able to walk.

Despite only growing to a height of 5ft - his fully-developed torso belying his stunted legs – he was soon driving. At the age of 7, Archie's father had presented him with a pedal car modified with a 125cc engine and three-speed transmission. He passed his driving test the day after his 17th birthday. Aged 24, he began entering his first competitive events and by 1953, in a partnership with Brian Lister, a pioneering motor racing engineer and constructor based in Cambridge, he won twelve races out of twelve in Lister's 1,100cc Asteroid.

While competing at Oulton Park in the Spring of 1954 a rival reported Scott Brown to the stewards and, despite his obvious talent, he was declared "unfit to drive owing to a disability." However, supporters of Archie came to his defence and his racing licence was soon reinstated. Driving a 2.0-litre works Lister he claimed 13 wins in 1955, as well as two second places and two thirds. He drove regular cars which were fitted with extended steering columns and pedals, but when the need arose he would simply pack in cushions behind his back.

Despite going toe to toe at the front of the grid with the likes of Stirling Moss at Goodwood and Silverstone, he was denied entry to many races abroad, particularly in Italy, and struggled to gain the recognition and acceptance he clearly deserved. Nonetheless, he claimed a total of 71 race victories throughout his career. Many more might have followed, too, with seats in F1 teams and at major manufacturers beckoning, had it not been for a fatal accident at Spa in May 1958. Whilst engaged in a fierce battle for the lead with rival Masten Gregory, both cars encountered a localised rain shower, which had left the track slick. Archie’s car collided with a road sign which fellow racer Paul Frere had previously asked to be removed - causing it to roll, spill its fuel and ignite its magnesium chassis. As he was dragged from the car he was heard to say, "I made a right bloody mess of that, didn't l?"

If you google his name and You Tube, you can see a film clip of the incident but it is not for the faint-hearted. His photo is copyright free.