Jimmy Stewart, elder brother of three-time F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, has passed away. He was 77 years old. Stewart started his motor racing career at the age of 19, competing in local Scottish hillclimb events. Early success saw him progress to circuit racing driving a Healey Silverstone, and later being signed by David Murray’s Ecurie Ecosse team.
Just three short years from his start saw, what could be considered, the highlight of his career. He lined up in 15th place on a grid of 28, for the 1953 British Grand Prix in an Ecurie Ecosse Cooper Bristol. When recently asked about his one and only Grand Prix appearance, Stewart commented, “It was surely a moment to remember. The race was 90 laps long. I had just 10 to do, lying 6th, and leading the British contingent. Mike Hawthorn was just behind me. One of the Solex carburetors suddenly punctured. Fumes came up under my visor; I lost control, and went off at Copse—a very disappointing end.”
Later that year, he had success and podium positions at Goodwood, Thruxton, Snetterton, Silverstone, Charterhall, and a very creditable 2nd in class at the Mille Miglia. The 1954 season offered further achievement behind the wheel of the Ecurie Ecosse C-type Jaguar. However, the gradual decline of his career began when he crashed and was thrown from his Aston Martin DB3S at Le Mans sustaining a broken arm, ending racing for the rest of that year.
While driving a D-type Jaguar, at the grueling Nürburgring, in 1955, he was again involved in an accident resulting in the same arm being re-broken. The injury was so serious that it put an end to his racing, but not just for the season, this time it was for good.
By Mike Jiggle
