A pioneering British racing driver and entrepreneur who founded the ERA and BRM racing teams, contributing significantly to the development of British motorsport.
Raymond Mays, a pioneering auto racing driver and entrepreneur, is best known for being the driving force behind the development of the motor racing stables of English Racing Automobiles (ERA) and British Racing Motors (BRM). His relentless passion for innovation and speed propelled him to become one of the most revered figures in the world of motorsports.
Born on August 1, 1899, in Bourne, Lincolnshire, England, Mays attended Oundle School, where he forged a lifelong friendship with Amherst Villiers. After serving in the Grenadier Guards in France during World War I, he enrolled at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he notched his first win at Brooklands while still an undergraduate.
Mays' illustrious racing career spanned over three decades, with him competing in various cars, including a Speedmodel 1-litre Hillman, two 1-litre Bugattis, an AC, Mercedes, Invictas, Rileys, and ERAs. He was particularly renowned for his performances at Shelsley Walsh, where he raced in the early 1920s with a pair of Brescia Bugattis, dubbed Cordon Bleu and Cordon Rouge.
Mays' partnership with Amherst Villiers led to the development of supercharged engines, which became a hallmark of his racing career. This collaboration continued from AC to the Vauxhall-Villiers and eventually to the iconic White Riley, which later became the foundation for ERA.
Raymond Mays' contributions to motorsports extend far beyond his impressive racing career. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for ERA and BRM, two institutions that have left an indelible mark on the world of auto racing. Mays' relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence continues to inspire generations of racing enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The Raymond Mays room at the Bourne Heritage Centre serves as a testament to his enduring legacy, where the ribbon from his 1935 German Grand Prix victory is proudly displayed.
96 Years Old
A legendary racing driver and sportscaster who won 16 Formula One Grands Prix and was inducted into the Motorsport Hall of Fame, known for his exceptional driving skills and charismatic commentary.
Born in 1911
A five-time Formula One World Champion, known for his dominance and innovative driving style in the 1950s.
97 Years Old
A British Formula One driver who won the World Championship in 1958, known for his aggressive and stylish driving style.
94 Years Old
1950s Formula One driver who won six Grands Prix, including the 1957 British Grand Prix, and is considered one of the greatest drivers of his era.
97 Years Old
A two-time Formula One World Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, known for his charismatic personality and versatility in various racing disciplines.
90 Years Old
A two-time Formula One World Champion, known for his dominant racing skills and tragic death at a young age.
Born in 1926
Australian Formula One driver who won three World Drivers' Championships and founded the Brabham racing team. He's credited with being the first driver to win a championship in a car of his own construction.
