Births on May 1

Geoff Lees (racing driver)

Born on May 1, 1951

Geoff Lees, English race car driver

Geoffrey Lees, born on May 1, 1951, in England, is a name familiar to ardent followers of motorsport, particularly those with an appreciation for the diverse paths a racing career can take. While his Formula One tenure may not have yielded championship points, his broader career, especially his dominant spell in Japanese motorsport, paints the picture of a highly skilled and adaptable driver.

Hailing from Derbyshire, Lees began his journey in the highly competitive junior categories, honing his craft in Formula Ford and then moving up to Formula 3. His talent was evident early on, as he finished runner-up in the British Formula 3 Championship in 1977, setting the stage for his progression to Formula Two.

Formula One Ventures

Lees’ ambition naturally led him to the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One. He participated in a total of 12 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, making his inaugural appearance on July 16, 1978, at his home race, the British Grand Prix. Over the course of his F1 attempts, he drove for several privateer and smaller teams, including Ensign, Shadow, ATS, Theodore, Toleman, and RAM. Unfortunately, the competitive landscape of Formula One, combined with the often-underfunded machinery at his disposal, meant that scoring championship points remained elusive during his brief F1 stints. His best finish in a Grand Prix was 13th at the 1980 German Grand Prix with the Ensign team.

A Dominant Force in Japan

Beyond the demanding and often unforgiving world of Formula One, Geoffrey Lees truly found his stride and achieved significant success, particularly in the vibrant Japanese racing scene. He became an icon in Japanese Formula Two and later Formula 3000, where his talent shone brightly. Lees secured the prestigious All Japan Formula Two Championship title a remarkable three times, in 1981, 1983, and 1984, establishing himself as one of the most successful foreign drivers in the series' history. This sustained period of dominance showcased his exceptional racecraft, consistency, and ability to adapt to diverse circuits and car characteristics, earning him a dedicated following among Japanese fans.

Other Notable Achievements

His versatility wasn't limited to open-wheel racing. Lees also proved his capabilities in various other disciplines, including sports car racing and touring cars. He was a regular competitor in the World Sports-Prototype Championship, driving for prominent teams and manufacturers like Porsche and Toyota. He participated in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on multiple occasions, achieving a commendable 6th place overall finish in 1990 with a Toyota 90C-V. Earlier in his career, he also clinched victory at the challenging Macau Grand Prix in 1979, further cementing his reputation as a formidable driver.

FAQs About Geoffrey Lees

What was Geoffrey Lees' most successful racing discipline?: Geoffrey Lees achieved his greatest success in Japanese Formula Two (later Formula 3000), where he won the All Japan Formula Two Championship three times (1981, 1983, 1984).
Why didn't he score points in Formula One?: His Formula One career, while involving participation in 12 Grands Prix, was primarily with smaller, less competitive, and often underfunded teams. In that era, the cars often lacked the performance and reliability needed to consistently finish in point-scoring positions against factory-backed entries.
Which Formula One teams did Geoffrey Lees drive for?: During his Formula One attempts, Geoffrey Lees drove for several teams, including Ensign, Shadow, ATS, Theodore, Toleman, and RAM Racing.
Did Geoffrey Lees win any other major races?: Yes, besides his multiple Japanese F2 championships, he won the Macau Grand Prix in 1979 and achieved significant results in sports car racing, including a 6th place overall finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990.
Is Geoffrey Lees still involved in motorsport today?: While Geoffrey Lees retired from full-time professional racing in the early 1990s, he has occasionally been involved in historic racing events and makes appearances related to his past achievements. His primary focus has been outside of active competitive driving since then.

References

Geoff Lees (racing driver)

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Events on 1951

11 Apr

President Truman's relief of General Douglas MacArthur
Korean War: President Harry Truman relieves General of the Army Douglas MacArthur of overall command in Korea.
22 Apr

Battle of Kapyong
Korean War: The Chinese People's Volunteer Army begin assaulting positions defended by the Royal Australian Regiment and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the Battle of Kapyong.
25 Apr

Battle of Kapyong
Korean War: Assaulting Chinese forces are forced to withdraw after heavy fighting with UN forces, primarily made up of Australian and Canadian troops, at the Battle of Kapyong.
3 May

Harry Truman
The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services and United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations begin their closed door hearings into the dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur by U.S. President Harry Truman.
15 Oct

Combined oral contraceptive pill
Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes conducts the very last step of the first synthesis of norethisterone, the progestin that would later be used in one of the first three oral contraceptives.