June 1, 1964
Davy Jones
(Photo;theautochannel.com)
Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
In 1983 he came 3rd in the British Formula Three Championship behind Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle. He also that year tested the Brabham F1 car at Brands Hatch with Bernie Ecclestone, the then team owner, looking at Jones as the next American hope for F1 competition. In the mid-1980s Jones competed in New Zealand Formula Atlantic during the off season and twice won the New Zealand Grand Prix, in 1984 & 1987
In 1986 Jones drove for the Factory BMW McLaren Team in IMSA GTP with teammate John Andretti and earned the only BMW GTP victory that season at Watkins Glen. Jones won the 1990 24 Hours of Daytona driving a Jaguar XJR-12, along with Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace.
Jones won the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans with teammates Manuel Reuter and Alexander Wurz in a TWR-Porsche. He also placed second to Buddy Lazier in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, the first of the Indy Racing League era. He has five total starts in the race as well as 16 starts in CART from 1987 to 1996. Jones also made seven Winston Cup starts in 1995 for Jasper Motorsports with a best finish of 20th at Darlington Raceway and participated in the 1992 and 1993 editions of the International Race of Champions finishing 8th and 9th respectively.
Jones was seriously injured in a practice crash for the IRL race at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 1997. This was the first race where the IRL used their brand new cars with normally aspirated engines. The accident left him with an injured neck, and led to his brief retirement from racing.
Jones has since then competed in sports cars, mainly in the Grand-Am Road Racing Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. He currently works as a guest speaker, racing advisor, instructor and specialises in launching new up-market vehicles.
Davy Jones reminiscing in the Jaguar XJR-9.
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