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{{Infobox Driver |
{{Infobox Driver |
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− | |name =Birabongse <!--Bhanudej -->Bhanubandh |
+ | |name = Birabongse <!--Bhanudej -->Bhanubandh |
− | |image =[[File:1945_Bira.png|240px]] |
+ | |image = [[File:1945_Bira.png|240px]] |
− | |birth date ={{Birth date|1914|7|15|df=yes}} |
+ | |birth date = {{Birth date|1914|7|15|df=yes}} |
− | |birthplace = Bangkok, {{abbr|Siam|Now Thailand}} |
+ | |birthplace = Bangkok, {{abbr|Siam|Now Thailand}} |
− | |death date ={{Death date and age|1985|12|23|1914|7|15|df=yes}} |
+ | |death date = {{Death date and age|1985|12|23|1914|7|15|df=yes}} |
− | |placeofdeath =Barons Court, London, UK |
+ | |placeofdeath = Barons Court, London, UK |
− | |nationality ={{Flag|THA}} |
+ | |nationality = {{Flag|THA}} |
− | |status =Deceased |
+ | |status = Deceased |
− | |firstrace =[[1950 British Grand Prix]] |
+ | |firstrace = [[1950 British Grand Prix]] |
− | |lastrace =[[1954 Spanish Grand Prix]] |
+ | |lastrace = [[1954 Spanish Grand Prix]] |
}} |
}} |
||
Prince '''Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh''' of Siam, commonly known as '''Prince Bira''', '''Prince Bira of Siam''' or '''"B. Bira"''' ({{respell|beer|RAH|'}}, born [[July 15|15 July]] 1914 in Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand) – [[December 23|23 December]] 1985 in Barons Court, London, England, United Kingdom) was a Thai racing driver who competed in [[Formula One]] in its inception. |
Prince '''Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh''' of Siam, commonly known as '''Prince Bira''', '''Prince Bira of Siam''' or '''"B. Bira"''' ({{respell|beer|RAH|'}}, born [[July 15|15 July]] 1914 in Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand) – [[December 23|23 December]] 1985 in Barons Court, London, England, United Kingdom) was a Thai racing driver who competed in [[Formula One]] in its inception. |
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− | During his early motor racing career he enjoyed success with his privately entered ERA under his White Mouse Racing Team and the pale blue and yellow colour scheme he used would become the national racing colours of Siam. |
+ | During his early motor racing career he enjoyed success with his privately entered ERA under his White Mouse Racing Team, and the pale blue and yellow colour scheme he used would become the national racing colours of Siam. |
After his motor racing career Bira [[List of Formula One Olympians|competed as a sailor]] in various disciplines at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1960 Rome Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1972 Munich Olympics. |
After his motor racing career Bira [[List of Formula One Olympians|competed as a sailor]] in various disciplines at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1960 Rome Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1972 Munich Olympics. |
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== Before Formula One World Championship == |
== Before Formula One World Championship == |
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− | Bira, educated at Eton and Cambridge, first raced alongside his cousin [[Prince Chula Chakgrabongse]] in a {{Riley-CON}} at the [[Brooklands Speedway]] in England |
+ | Bira, educated at Eton and Cambridge, first raced alongside his cousin [[Prince Chula Chakgrabongse]] in a {{Riley-CON}} at the [[Brooklands Speedway]] in England. |
[[File:1930_Bira.jpg|frame|left|Bira loved his ERA]] |
[[File:1930_Bira.jpg|frame|left|Bira loved his ERA]] |
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− | In 1935, Bira was given a new {{ERA-CON}} R2B by his cousin which |
+ | In 1935, Bira was given a new {{ERA-CON}} R2B by his cousin which of course was also painted pale blue and yellow and Bira named this car Romulus. Bira and Romulus came second in their very first race and Bira consistently raced well against more powerful Grand Prix cars of this era. In 1935 Bira achieved another second place and a 5th at [[Donington Park]]. |
In 1936 Bira purchased a second ERA which he called Remus. He raced Romulus in International races and Remus in UK races. He also raced his cousins Maserati which he used to finish another 5th at Donington and 3rd at Brooklands. |
In 1936 Bira purchased a second ERA which he called Remus. He raced Romulus in International races and Remus in UK races. He also raced his cousins Maserati which he used to finish another 5th at Donington and 3rd at Brooklands. |
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− | In 1937, British driver [[ |
+ | In 1937, British driver [[Richard Seaman]] was signed to Mercedes, to his parents disapproval. Bira and his cousins then purchased Seaman's {{Delage-CON}} (which Seaman had enjoyed much success in) and hired future Jaguar manager Lofty England as crew chief. But the cars underperformed and often Bira would race his now out of date ERA's instead. |
− | The cousins were spending a lot of money on upgrades to the Delage which sapped their racing fund and this made them less competitive. |
+ | The cousins were spending a lot of money on upgrades to the Delage, which sapped their racing fund, and this made them less competitive. |
==Formula One Career== |
==Formula One Career== |
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In a mixed season Bira retired in [[Silverstone]] after being the marques highest qualifying driver, ahead of his teamate and the factory team but scored points as he finished 5th at [[Monaco]], successfully negotiating his way around the first lap chaos when the field arrived at Tabac to find the track flooded. |
In a mixed season Bira retired in [[Silverstone]] after being the marques highest qualifying driver, ahead of his teamate and the factory team but scored points as he finished 5th at [[Monaco]], successfully negotiating his way around the first lap chaos when the field arrived at Tabac to find the track flooded. |
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− | Bira then went one better at [[Bremgarten]] finishing 4th ahead of works |
+ | Bira then went one better at [[Bremgarten]] finishing 4th ahead of works Maserati driver [[Felice Bonetto]] but, with an increased grid for the final race of the season, could not make it three point scores in a row in his next World Championship outing, retiring on lap 2 at [[Monza]] with engine trouble. |
Bira had a good season, finishing 8th in the Championship, ahead of all other Maserati entries including the factory team. |
Bira had a good season, finishing 8th in the Championship, ahead of all other Maserati entries including the factory team. |
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[[Category:HWM Drivers]] |
[[Category:HWM Drivers]] |
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[[Category:Prince Bira| ]] |
[[Category:Prince Bira| ]] |
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+ | [[Category:Pre-war drivers]] |
Revision as of 06:40, 6 March 2017
Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh of Siam, commonly known as Prince Bira, Prince Bira of Siam or "B. Bira" (beer-RAH, born 15 July 1914 in Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand) – 23 December 1985 in Barons Court, London, England, United Kingdom) was a Thai racing driver who competed in Formula One in its inception.
During his early motor racing career he enjoyed success with his privately entered ERA under his White Mouse Racing Team, and the pale blue and yellow colour scheme he used would become the national racing colours of Siam.
After his motor racing career Bira competed as a sailor in various disciplines at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1960 Rome Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Bira was the only driver from South East Asia to compete in a Grand Prix until 2001 when Alex Yoong drove Minardi.
Before Formula One World Championship
Bira, educated at Eton and Cambridge, first raced alongside his cousin Prince Chula Chakgrabongse in a Riley at the Brooklands Speedway in England.
In 1935, Bira was given a new ERA R2B by his cousin which of course was also painted pale blue and yellow and Bira named this car Romulus. Bira and Romulus came second in their very first race and Bira consistently raced well against more powerful Grand Prix cars of this era. In 1935 Bira achieved another second place and a 5th at Donington Park.
In 1936 Bira purchased a second ERA which he called Remus. He raced Romulus in International races and Remus in UK races. He also raced his cousins Maserati which he used to finish another 5th at Donington and 3rd at Brooklands.
In 1937, British driver Richard Seaman was signed to Mercedes, to his parents disapproval. Bira and his cousins then purchased Seaman's Delage (which Seaman had enjoyed much success in) and hired future Jaguar manager Lofty England as crew chief. But the cars underperformed and often Bira would race his now out of date ERA's instead.
The cousins were spending a lot of money on upgrades to the Delage, which sapped their racing fund, and this made them less competitive.
Formula One Career
1950
In 1950 Prince Bira drove for the Swiss Enrico Plate Maserati team alongside Toulo de Graffenried.
In a mixed season Bira retired in Silverstone after being the marques highest qualifying driver, ahead of his teamate and the factory team but scored points as he finished 5th at Monaco, successfully negotiating his way around the first lap chaos when the field arrived at Tabac to find the track flooded.
Bira then went one better at Bremgarten finishing 4th ahead of works Maserati driver Felice Bonetto but, with an increased grid for the final race of the season, could not make it three point scores in a row in his next World Championship outing, retiring on lap 2 at Monza with engine trouble.
Bira had a good season, finishing 8th in the Championship, ahead of all other Maserati entries including the factory team.
1951
Formula One Statistical Overview
Formula One Record
Year | Entrant | Team | WDC Points | WDC Pos. | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Championship | |||||
1935 | "B. Bira" | ERA | N/A | Report | |
1936 | Prince Chula of Siam | Maserati | N/A | Report | |
1937 | Prince Chula of Siam | Maserati | N/A | Report | |
"B. Bira" | Delage | ||||
1938 | Prince Chula of Siam Squadra Subauda "B. Bira" |
Maserati | Not classified | Report | |
1939 | "B. Bira" | Maserati | N/A | Report | |
1940–1945: no races run (World War II) | |||||
1946 | "B. Bira" | Maserati | N/A | Report | |
ERA | |||||
1947 | "B. Bira" | ERA | N/A | Report | |
Maserati | |||||
1948 | Equipe Gordini | Simca-Gordini | N/A | Report | |
"B. Bira" Scuderia Enrico Platé Prince Chula of Siam |
Maserati | ||||
Prince Chula of Siam | ERA | ||||
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | ||||
1949 | Scuderia Ambrosiana "B. Bira" Scuderia Enrico Platé Enrico Platé |
Maserati | N/A | Report | |
Formula One | |||||
1950 | Enrico Platé | Maserati | 5 | 8th | Report |
1951 | Ecurie Siam Enrico Platé "B. Bira" |
Maserati | 0 | NC | Report |
1952 | Equipe Gordini | Gordini | 0 | NC | Report |
Simca-Gordini | |||||
"B. Bira" | Maserati | ||||
1953 | Connaught Engineering | Connaught-Lea-Francis | 0 | NC | Report |
Scuderia Milano "B. Bira" Autocourse Ecurie Siam |
Maserati | ||||
HW Motors | HWM-Alta | ||||
1954 | Officine Alfieri Maserati "B. Bira" |
Maserati | 3 | 17th | Report |
1955 | "B. Bira" | Maserati | 0 | NC | Report |
Note: For Formula One years, italics indicates an entry or constructor that did not participate in World Championship races.
Career Statistics
Template:Statbox
Race Wins
Pre-Championship
Win Number | Grand Prix |
---|---|
1 | 1937 Campbell Trophy |
2 | 1937 London Grand Prix |
3 | 1938 London Grand Prix |
Non-Championship
Win Number | Grand Prix |
---|---|
1 | 1946 Ulster Trophy |
2 | 1948 Zandvoort Grand Prix |
3 | 1951 Richmond Trophy |
4 | 1954 Frontières Grand Prix |
Career Results
Complete Formula One Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Pts | Pos
Template:1950 Results/9 Template:1951 Results/9 Template:1952 Results/9 Template:1953 Results/9 Template:1954 Results/9 Template:1955 Results/9 |
Key | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Symbol | Meaning | Symbol | Meaning | ||
1st | Winner | Ret | Retired | ||
2nd | Podium finish | DSQ | Disqualified | ||
3rd | DNQ | Did not qualify | |||
5th | Points finish | DNPQ | Did not pre-qualify | ||
14th | Non-points finish | TD | Test driver | ||
Italics | Scored point(s) for Fastest Lap | DNS | Did not start | ||
18th† | Classified finish (retired with >90% race distance) | NC | Non-classified finish (<90% race distance) | ||
4thP | Qualified for pole position | [+] More Symbols |
Notes
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