Friday 22nd October 1993

Robert MacGregor Innes Ireland died from cancer at the age of 63. Arguably the most spectacular talent of his generation, Innes Ireland won the 1961 US-Grand Prix for Lotus. A couple of weeks later Colin Chapman sacked him as the Lotus boss saw more potential in youngster Jimmy Clark. Innes, a former RAF parachuter, declined yet another offer from BRM to join the independent UDT/LAystall outfit for the 1962 season. Probably not the best choice of his life as this cost him the chance to fight for the World Championship.