Michael Tyrrell: Difference between revisions
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'''Michael "Mike" | '''Michael "Mike" Tyrrell''' (born 1946 in Antigua, died May 30, 2013 in Durham, United Kingdom) was an Antiguan racing driver and drug trafficker, famous for his appearances in [[Formula One]]. He was briefly the owner of [[Wheatcroft Racing]]. | ||
Tyrrell was the first driver from the Caribbean to enter a Formula One World Championship event. | |||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Born into a wealthy family on Antigua, | Born into a wealthy family on Antigua, Tyrrell was infamous in the Caribbean for the smuggling of marijuana between Guadaloupe and Antigua - for which he served a prison sentence. | ||
After emigrating to the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, | After emigrating to the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, Tyrrell used his considerable wealth to enter the British Formula Three championship in a March 733 with Tony Roles Racing - his best result being a second place at Silverstone in early 1975. | ||
==Formula One== | ==Formula One== | ||
===[[1977 Alternate Formula One season|1977]]=== | ===[[1977 Alternate Formula One season|1977]]=== | ||
In May 1977, it transpired that | In May 1977, it transpired that Tyrrell would be entering the [[British Grand Prix|John Player Special British Grand Prix]] at the Silverstone circuit for [[Wheatcroft Racing]], replacing regular driver [[Gimax]]. It was soon revealed that Tyrrell had purchased the team - a method of money laundering - ahead of the British Grand Prix. At the race, both Wheatcrofts failed to pre-qualify for the Grand Prix. | ||
In the immediate aftermath of the race, | In the immediate aftermath of the race, Tyrrell vanished from the motorsport community for several years. | ||
==Later life== | ==Later life== | ||
Following his exit from Formula One, | Following his exit from Formula One, Tyrrell began making more moves in the trafficking circuit - up until his eventual arrest in the late 1990s. In 2002 he was sentenced to 26 years in prison, where he would remain until his death in 2013. | ||
[[Category:Real-life drivers]] | [[Category:Real-life drivers]] | ||
[[Category:Formula One Drivers]] | [[Category:Formula One Drivers]] | ||
Revision as of 21:00, 13 November 2017
Michael "Mike" Tyrrell (born 1946 in Antigua, died May 30, 2013 in Durham, United Kingdom) was an Antiguan racing driver and drug trafficker, famous for his appearances in Formula One. He was briefly the owner of Wheatcroft Racing.
Tyrrell was the first driver from the Caribbean to enter a Formula One World Championship event.
Early life
Born into a wealthy family on Antigua, Tyrrell was infamous in the Caribbean for the smuggling of marijuana between Guadaloupe and Antigua - for which he served a prison sentence.
After emigrating to the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, Tyrrell used his considerable wealth to enter the British Formula Three championship in a March 733 with Tony Roles Racing - his best result being a second place at Silverstone in early 1975.
Formula One
1977
In May 1977, it transpired that Tyrrell would be entering the John Player Special British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit for Wheatcroft Racing, replacing regular driver Gimax. It was soon revealed that Tyrrell had purchased the team - a method of money laundering - ahead of the British Grand Prix. At the race, both Wheatcrofts failed to pre-qualify for the Grand Prix.
In the immediate aftermath of the race, Tyrrell vanished from the motorsport community for several years.
Later life
Following his exit from Formula One, Tyrrell began making more moves in the trafficking circuit - up until his eventual arrest in the late 1990s. In 2002 he was sentenced to 26 years in prison, where he would remain until his death in 2013.