In an age where diversity is heavily pushed for, gender and race tend to take a front seat - while physical, neurodivergent and learning disabilities perhaps are overlooked. In this article, I’m going to focus on Archie Scott Brown, a Scottish driver who overcame tremendous physical adversity to race at motorsport’s top level.
Born William Archibald Scott Brown and referred to as Archie, in Paisley, Scotland in May 1927 - Scott Brown would go on to become an incredibly talented racing driver.
With his mother’s contraction of German Measles during pregnancy, Scott Brown was born severely disabled, with his feet twisted almost right around and his right hand underdeveloped, with no fingers - meaning he learned to race using his palm.
📸 Chasing down teammate Desmond Titterington at the British Grand Prix.
Scott Brown overcame tremendous adversity to make it as a racing driver, after 22 surgeries over two years and months spent in plaster to aid him to walk, though he never grew taller than five foot. Sadly, and perhaps a sign of prejudice towards disabled people at the time - it seems clear that Scott Brown attempted to hide his disability as in images he is regularly seen hiding his hand.
He won two races at lower formula level in April 1954 before being reported by Gilby Engineering’s Sid Green to race stewards and was subsequently banned from motor racing, due to his disability.
📸 On the grid.
Scott Brown, aided by British Racing Drivers Association president Earl Howe, Dr Benjafield and then Autosport editor, Gregor Grant, appealed the decision and by June 1954 Scott Brown had his license back.
Scott Brown would ultimately make it to Formula 1, racing just once for a Connaught- Alta entry at the 1956 British Grand Prix where he would retire from the race.
He made a name for himself driving Lister-Jaguar sports cars, with a courageous driving style that often saw him ‘very sideways’ in corners. Once asked about the possibility of his brakes failing he replied; “carry on without them, old boy", a testament to the boldness of his approach to racing and to life.
📸 Scott Brown getting race ready.
He would sadly succumb to crash related injuries after an accident at the Blanchimont section on a wet portion of the otherwise dry Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 1958, aged just 31.
He leaves a legacy behind in being F1’s first disabled driver, and in doing so knocked down a barrier that allowed future disabled drivers to race at elite levels. His determination and grit through physical adversity will forever be an inspiration to many.
Rest in peace Archie Scott Brown.
📸 Image credits: British Racing Drivers Association, Goodwood
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