Former Team Lotus mechanic, Jim Endruweit, has passed away at age 83. He joined Colin Chapman and Lotus in 1957 and was a major contributor to the team. His 12-year service in the Fleet Air Arm gave him significant credentials to deal with the day to day logistics required. In 1960, he was promoted to chief mechanic as the Lotus empire grew and enveloped all types of racing—F1, F2, sports cars and touring cars. Later, in 1962, the Indy 500 became another target for Chapman and his team to conquer, and Endruweit was the man to take charge of the team—a real David and Goliath scenario. He enjoyed Lotus successes at all levels, in particular Jim Clark’s wins at the Brickyard and as F1 World Champion.
On that grey day in Hockenheim, in 1968, Team Lotus was shaken to the core with Clark’s tragic death. This left Endruweit distraught; he left the racing team and became service manager at Lotus Cars. Time healed a little and again he was back to racing with the Team Lotus F2 outfit, managing drivers Emerson Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson. His strengths lay in his ability to motivate those around him—which in the early days of Lotus, managing on a shoestring budget and with minimal staff—was a significant asset.
To his wife Celia, family and friends, Vintage Racecar offers sincere condolences.
By Mike Jiggle
