Eric Thompson is a motor racing driver, book dealer, and Insurance broker. Eric Thompson was one of the oldest living Formula One drivers before his death in the early twenty-first century. Eric was so much more than a race car driver. He also worked as a bookseller and an insurance broker.
After all of that, he still had his glory days for us to remember. Eric raced for HRG and Aston Martin in Formula Libre, RAC Tourist Trophy, and Formula Two during his career.
Table of Contents
Childhood
Eric Thompson was born on November 4, 1919, under the sign of Scorpio.
His birthplace appears to be Ditton Hill, Surrey, England, UK, and he appears to have siblings.
Thompson lost his father when he was eight years old, according to the sources.
His father was a managing director of the independent Hammerton Brewery in London, according to reports.
Unfortunately, little information about his family or past is available.
Thompson had a long-standing fascination with motor racing, but he didn’t get off to the best start.
Eric finished his education at Bryanston School in Dorset and then went on to Trinity College, Cambridge.
He studied English and joined the Local Defence Volunteers throughout his time there.
Thompson began working at Lloyd’s of London as a break during his high school years.
The employment required hard hours and obligations, but he would be well compensated.
Thompson went on to serve in the Second World War after that. During his time in the army, he rose to the rank of captain and was in charge of the 6th Armoured Division.
Eric also led the 7th Armoured Brigade Signal Squadron in North Africa while he was a major.
He also worked at the Central Mediterranean School of Signals near Padua by the end of his service.
Thompson completed a business studies course at Kingston College after his active service in the war.
Facts of Eric Thompson
| Full Name | Eric David Thompson |
| Date of Birth | 4 November 1919 (Scorpio; Zodiac Sign) |
| Birth Place | Ditton Hill, Surbiton, Surrey, England, UK |
| Date of Death | 22 August 2015 |
| Death Place | Guildford, Surrey |
| Nick Name | None |
| Nationality | British |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Liz Simon |
| Kid | A son and two daughters |
| Profession | Motor racing driver Bookdealer, under Insurance broker |
| Formula One World Championship (Teams) | Connaught Engineering |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (Teams) | HRG Aston Martin Lagonda Connaught Engineering |
| Active Years | 1949–1955 |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
Net Worth
Eric Thompson’s net worth is unknown.
Professional Career
Eric Thompson was 28 years old when he began his career in professional motor racing. He was, nevertheless, well-funded financially and in the ideal position to pursue his love.
He’d continue to work as a broker in addition to racing. In trials and rallies, he primarily raced with a TB MG and a Ford V8.
Following that, Eric made his debut with the British Racing Drivers’ Club team in the 12 Hours of Paris at Montlhéry.
He finished fourth in the 1.5-liter class and 17th overall, alongside Robin Richards. Meanwhile, he made his debut with Jack Fairman for the Les 24 Heures du Mans.
Following that, he won the Belgian 24 Hours at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the Silverstone International Trophy.
Simultaneously, he ran for Aston Martin alongside Reg Parnell, Peter Collins, and Roy Salvadori in 1950. At Silverstone, he made his debut for it, finishing fourth in his class and 14th overall.
As a result, he competed in the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Goodwood Handicap, and the Cambridge University Sprint at Bedwell Hey for Aston Martin.
He also competed in the RAC Tourist Trophy and the Les 24 Heures du Mans with his Aston Martin DB2.
Except for Parnell, who was with DB3, he spent the entire year with the DB2.
Eric reportedly made his Formula Three debut with his class triumph at the Cambridge University Sprint. At Castle Combe, he drove a Cooper-Vincent for the occasion.
Eric stood with Poore in an Aston Martin DB3S for the 1953 Les 24 Heures du Mans.
Despite issues with clutches and punctures, he and Parnell won the Tourist Trophy at the Goodwood Nine Hours.
He was competing in the Goodwood Easter Handicap, single-seater races at Snetterton, and the Formula Two Championship at the same time.
Formula One racing
Eric debuted in Formula One with the Connaught in the 1952 RAC British Grand Prix.
He finished fifth overall after Gordini driver Robert Manzon retired due to a clutch problem.
Post-Work and Retirement
In 1955, Thompson made his public retirement announcement. He indicated that the pressure from his job was too much for him to bear.
As a result, after retiring, he concentrated only on his work at Lloyd’s.
Thompson left Lloyd’s after more than two decades and switched his concentration to book dealerships.
In fact, he began his career in a bookshop near Guildford, where he specialized in rare motorsports books.
Eric returned to maritime insurance in 1982 as chairman of a small London broker. He did, however, retire in 1987. It also featured information on the history of motor racing. Thompson would also appear at a number of classic festivals.
Bumps and Accomplishments
In 2013, Eric became the first driver admitted into the Le Mans Drivers Hall of Fame. He has undoubtedly surmounted several obstacles during his brief career.
To give you an example, Eric’s first lag in his career occurred when his engine failed after nine laps and he had to be forced out.
It appears to have started with Thompson and John Gordon sharing an Aston Martin DB2 at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans.
His pairing with Parnell suffered later in 1952 when Parnell had to quit due to transmission troubles.
In addition, the experience was rather nasty because their automobile caught fire; however, they were unharmed. In the Goodwood Nine Hours with Parnell, Eric battled a punctured tire and clutch issues.
Eric also battled in the final of Les 24 Heures du Mans owing to engine troubles after 60 laps during his final game days.
Eric began his Formula One World Championship career with Connaught Engineering in total. He had one entry in the 1952 British Grand Prix during his reign.
Thompson worked with teams like HRG, Aston Martin, Lagonda, and Connaught Engineering during his 24 Hours of Le Man career.
Eric’s best finish came in 1951, one of his two class victories during the period.
Eric had minor successes and achievements while racing in the Formula Libre, RAC Tourist Trophy, and Formula Two.
Also Read: Marie Tillman, Tony Snell, Tegla Loroupe
Personal Life
Eric Thompson had his own nuclear family in addition to his wealth.
He was indeed married to Liz Simon, whom he had known since 1952. Overall, they had a long-lasting and happy relationship.
They also have a son and two daughters together.
Regrettably, there is no detailed information about his wife and children.
Eric, sadly, passed away on August 22, 2015, in Guildford, Surrey.
Eric was 95 years old at the time of his death.
Additionally, it should be no surprise that the late British racer didn’t have any social media accounts.
As the technologies were developed later, he is not present on any platforms.
