Author publishes inspiring story of Formula 1 driver, Archie Scott Brown, who overcame disability to race

The story of a trailblazing motorsport driver, who rose through the ranks despite a disability, has been published.

Archie: The Clubman Years is a semi-fictional account of the early racing days of Archie Scott Brown and his rise to fame.

Born in Scotland in 1927, the driver battled against deformed legs and a partially formed right arm as a result of his mother contracting German measles during her pregnancy.

Challenged at every turn as he sought to fulfil his ambition of becoming a motorsport driver, his story captured the imagination of author Leigh Trevail.

“As a 14-year-old, I would go to Snetterton and spotted a plaque in memory of Archie,” he said.

“Five years later, in 1979, I started working for Wren’s Bakery on Fair Green in Diss.

“Occasionally, my boss would come with me on my deliveries. We talked about racing and he said he had raced against Archie. That really piqued my interest.”

Working as a tobacco salesman, Mr Scott Brown was a member of the Eastern Counties Motor Club, which held regular meets at Fersfield and Snetterton, meaning he would often be spotted in Norfolk and Suffolk.

“The car went into Walsingham’s garage in Rickinghall and Archie would be seen driving around the local roads,” said the 65-year-old author.

“They would drive the car from Cambridge to get it warmed up for each race.”

Having started racing in Fersfield in 1951, his career was not always an easy ride, as he continued to fight off prejudices.

When he got to national level, he had his racing licence suspended temporarily when the manager of another team objected to him racing due to his disabilities.

“Locally, no-one worried about his disability but, as he got better known and at a higher level, some could not see passed that to the brilliant driver that he was,” said Mr Trevail.

On May 18, 1958, Mr Scott Brown died at Spar in Belgium, when he spun off and hit a road sign, with his vehicle bursting into flames. He died in hospital the next day.

Mr Trevail spent years collecting clippings of Mr Scott Brown’s races, as well as talking to those people who knew him and saw him race.

Eventually, with the help of Attleborough artist and fellow racing fan Andrew Kitson, he was able to compile a book to honour a man who refused to not be bound by his physical limitations.

“All of this was the basis for a good story,” said Mr Trevail. “It was one I felt needed to be told.”

Archie: The Clubman Years can be bought on Amazon.

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