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Cliff Allison
Cliff Allison
Cliff Allison
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Silverstone Grand Prix, "Formula Two" Race, July 1956. Cliff Allison, driver of Lotus Eleven car no.16 leaning on car. He finished fourth. Graham Hill, driver of Lotus Eleven no.18 standing on left. Senior mechanic John Crosthwaite holding cloth

Key Information

Henry Clifford Allison (8 February 1932 – 7 April 2005)[1] was a British racing driver from England, who participated in Formula One during seasons 1958 to 1961 for the Lotus, Scuderia Centro Sud, Ferrari and UDT Laystall teams. He was born and died in Brough, Westmorland (now Cumbria).

Formula Three and Sports Cars

[edit]

Cliff Allison started his racing career in a Formula Three Cooper 500 in 1953 before being spotted by Colin Chapman. Allison won the Index of Performance prize driving a 744cc Lotus in the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans.[2] The Lotus of Allison and Colin Chapman finished sixth in the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race for sports cars.[3] Allison came in fourth with his Lotus in the 1958 Grand Prix of Europe at Spa-Francorchamps, more than four minutes behind victor Tony Brooks.[4]

Allison and Dan Gurney shared one of three team Ferrari cars that competed in the June 1959 1000 km Nürburgring race. Seventy-five cars entered the 1000 kilometre race which was a world championship event for sports cars.[5]

Allison was paired with Jean Behra in a Ferrari which finished second in the 1959 12 Hours of Sebring.[6] The drivers received $1,500 in prize money.[7] Allison was credited with the fastest lap of the Sebring race in the No. 9 Ferrari. He was clocked at 3 minutes 21.6 seconds on the 97th lap of the 5.2-mile course.[8]

In May 1960 Allison skidded off the road during practice for the Targa Florio in Palermo, Sicily. His Ferrari had reached a speed of 100 miles per hour when a tyre burst, or so the driver believed. The car crashed into a scrub forest, destroying itself and most of what it touched. When the mishap occurred the Ferrari was nearing the end of a five-mile straight by the sea. This was the only very fast stretch of road in the event. Allison escaped from the wreck without a scratch, but his face was ashen and his mouth hung open with an expression of fear.[9]

Formula One Lotus (1958, 1961), Ferrari (1959–60)

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Allison was forced to make numerous pit stops during the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. His Lotus finished sixth, 12 laps behind race winner Maurice Trintignant.[10]

Ferrari's stable of drivers for 1959 were Olivier Gendebien, Phil Hill, Tony Brooks, Jean Behra, Dan Gurney, and Allison.[11]

For the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix the Ferrari factory team fielded truncated versions of the cars they ran in future grand prix races. At Monte Carlo the Ferraris' long sleek snouts (air scoops) were cut away to allow more air into the cooling systems.[12] Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his Porsche in a bend where the street was steeply inclined to Casino. Allison's Formula 2 Ferrari crashed into him as he spun. The Lotus of Bruce Halford came next into the blind curve and became part of the wreck. Allison and his Ferrari suffered the least damage while von Trips sustained a gashed face, and Halford had a cut to his arm. None of the three cars could continue.[13]

In the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix he scored the best result of his Formula 1 career when he finished 2nd. He suffered a major crash behind the wheel of his Ferrari while practising for the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix, and it took him almost the rest of the year to recover from his injuries. Allison was hurt when his Ferrari slammed into a straw barrier. He was unconscious when he was taken to a hospital. Allison sustained a broken left arm, rib fractures, facial cuts, and a concussion. He was listed in serious condition.[14]

The following year he suffered another crash at the wheel of his Lotus in practice for the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix. He broke both his knees and fractured his pelvis when his car careened off the course and overturned in a field.[15]

Post-Formula One career

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This marked the end of his career in motor sport. He kept in touch with the sport through reunions and was always a popular visitor to the paddock.

Allison owned and managed Allison's Garage in Brough. The business had been started by his father and he returned to it after his racing career ended. Allison's also provided the village and school bus services, which Cliff Allison would drive.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 WDC Points
1958 Team Lotus Lotus 12 Climax
L4 		ARG MON
6 		NED
6 		500 BEL
4 		FRA
Ret 		GBR
Ret 		ITA
7 		MOR
10 		18th 3
Lotus 16 Climax
L4 		GER
10
Scuderia Centro Sud Maserati 250F Maserati
L6 		POR
Ret
1959 Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari Dino 156 Ferrari V6 MON
Ret 		17th 2
Ferrari Dino 246 Ferrari V6 500 NED
9 		FRA GBR GER
Ret 		POR ITA
5 		USA
Ret
1960 Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari Dino 246 Ferrari V6 ARG
2 		MON
DNQ 		500 NED BEL FRA GBR POR ITA USA 12th 6
1961 UDT-Laystall Racing Team Lotus 18 Climax
L4 		MON
8 		NED BEL
DNS 		FRA GBR GER ITA USA NC 0

References

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Cliff Allison

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Henry Clifford "Cliff" Allison (16 February 1932 – 7 April 2005) was a British racing driver known for his participation in the Formula One World Championship from 1958 to 1961, where he drove for Team Lotus, Scuderia Ferrari, and the UDT-Laystall Racing Team, achieving a career-best second-place finish at the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix. He was among the early drivers to represent Lotus in the championship and the first to start a Grand Prix for both Lotus and Ferrari. Allison began his racing career in national sports car events before joining Team Lotus in 1955, and he earned notable success outside Formula One, including winning the Index of Performance at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans with Lotus and securing victory in the 1960 Buenos Aires 1000 km alongside Phil Hill for Ferrari. His Formula One results included a fourth place at the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix and a points-scoring finish in his debut season with Lotus, followed by further top-ten results after his move to Ferrari in 1959. His career ended abruptly due to severe leg injuries suffered in a practice crash ahead of the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix while driving for UDT-Laystall. After retiring from motor racing, Allison followed his father's path into the motor trade, operating the Grand Prix Garage in his hometown of Brough for many years.

Early life

Birth and family background

Henry Clifford Allison was born on 8 February 1932 in Brough, Westmorland (now part of Cumbria), England. He was the son of Frank Allison, who owned the local garage business in the village, and Sarah Mabel Allison (née Wilson). The family was involved in both the garage trade and farming, and Allison grew up in this rural setting in Brough, where he remained a lifelong resident. His early interest in cars stemmed from the family garage business. Allison later worked as a farmer in the same area. He died in Brough on 7 April 2005.

Introduction to motorsport

Cliff Allison's interest in motorsport was fostered by his family's garage business in Brough, where he gained early hands-on exposure to mechanics and vehicles as the son of a garage owner. He entered competitive racing at age 20 in 1952, making his debut at Kirkcaldy in Scotland driving his own 500cc Formula 3 Cooper MkIV-JAP. Allison continued competing in Formula 3 events throughout the mid-1950s, achieving consistent placings and occasional strong results that helped establish him as a promising talent in the highly competitive British 500cc scene.

Racing career

Early career in Formula Three and sports cars

Cliff Allison's early racing career began in Formula Three, where he started competing in 1952 driving his own Cooper 500. He purchased a Cooper Mk4 using winnings from a horse race and achieved early success in the category. Allison continued in Formula Three through 1956, achieving notable success in 1955. In 1955, his performances led to an invitation to join Team Lotus as a leading contender in national sports car events. He transitioned to driving Lotus sports-racing cars, including the Lotus Eleven, and built a strong record in national and international races. In 1957, Allison shared a factory Lotus Eleven-Climax with Keith Hall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The pair finished 14th overall and won the Index of Performance handicap, recognizing their efficiency relative to engine size. These results established Allison's reputation as a capable and versatile driver in sports car competition.

Formula One debut with Lotus

Cliff Allison made his Formula One World Championship debut with Team Lotus in 1958, driving alongside Graham Hill as the team's inaugural works drivers. The partnership began at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Allison finished sixth in the Lotus 12-Climax, marking Team Lotus's first championship appearance though sixth place earned no points under the season's top-five scoring system. He achieved the same sixth-place result at the Dutch Grand Prix two weeks later. Allison's most notable performance that year came at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, where he finished fourth in the Lotus 12-Climax to score three points—Team Lotus's first World Championship points. Through these early Grand Prix starts, Allison accumulated valuable experience and points for Lotus in its debut championship season.

Ferrari years and key performances

Allison joined Scuderia Ferrari for the 1959 and 1960 Formula One seasons, becoming one of the few British drivers to race for the prestigious Italian team. He competed in six World Championship Grands Prix for Ferrari during this period. His standout performance occurred at the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires, where he finished second driving the Ferrari Dino 246, securing his only podium finish in Formula One. This result represented the high point of his Ferrari tenure and helped him achieve his best Drivers' Championship position of 12th in 1960. Across his entire Formula One career, Allison made 16 Grand Prix starts (from 18 entries) and accumulated 11 championship points.

Accidents and retirement

Allison's Formula One career was effectively ended by two serious accidents in successive years. During practice for the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix, he lost control of his Ferrari coming out of the tunnel and crashed heavily into a straw barrier, being thrown from the cockpit onto the track. He remained unconscious for 16 days and woke up speaking French, a language he did not know. The crash caused serious facial and arm injuries, along with other fractures, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 1960 season. After a year of recovery, Allison attempted a comeback at the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix, driving a Lotus 18-Climax entered by the UDT-Laystall team. During practice, he rolled the car at the Blanchimont corner and sustained broken legs. This second major accident led to his immediate retirement from competitive racing.

Post-racing life

Return to Brough and private life

After retiring from motor racing following his severe accident at the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix, Cliff Allison returned to his lifelong home in Brough, Cumbria. He settled into a private life there, purchasing a farm near his family's Esso garage and working as a farmer. Allison also worked in the family garage business after his return. It took many years for the bitterness over his career being cut short by injuries to finally leave him.

Continued engagement with motorsport

After retiring from competitive racing due to serious leg injuries sustained in the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix practice session, Cliff Allison remained deeply connected to the motorsport community. He was a popular member of the British Racing Drivers' Club, where his self-effacing nature and knowledge of the sport endeared him to fellow members. In his later years, Allison maintained a regular and friendly presence in the paddocks at circuits such as Silverstone and Monaco, often engaging warmly with those around him. He was known for being an approachable enthusiast who genuinely enjoyed discussing his early racing days and experiences in Formula One with fellow fans, drivers, and spectators. This ongoing involvement reflected his lifelong passion for the sport, even as he lived quietly in his home village of Brough, Cumbria.

Personal life

Cliff Allison was born on 8 February 1932 in Brough, Westmorland (now in Cumbria). He lived in Brough for most of his life.

Marriage and family

Cliff Allison married Mabel Dowson. The couple lived in Brough, Cumbria, where they raised their family. He died on 7 April 2005, aged 73, after collapsing while driving near his home in Brough. He was survived by his wife Mabel, three sons, and one daughter.

Television appearances

Self appearances in Formula 1 coverage

Cliff Allison appeared as himself in the television series Formula 1, where he was credited in 18 episodes between 1958 and 1961. These appearances took place during his active participation in Formula One as a driver for teams including Lotus, Scuderia Centro Sud, Ferrari, and BRP. No other self-appearances in Formula 1-related television coverage are documented from this period or afterward.

Death

Circumstances of death

Cliff Allison died suddenly on 7 April 2005 in Brough, Cumbria, England, at the age of 73. The death occurred in his lifelong home village, where he had been born and to which he returned after his racing career. He collapsed while driving near his home in Brough. Local reports indicate that Allison fell ill at the wheel on the morning of 7 April while driving through Main Street in Church Brough with his wife Mabel, as the couple headed to spend a weekend with friends. He died suddenly while at the wheel following the medical event.

Legacy

Impact on motorsport

Cliff Allison was one of a small number of British drivers to race for Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One during the late 1950s and early 1960s. This was notable given Ferrari's status as a leading team. Allison amassed a total of 11 World Championship points over his Formula One career. These points were earned through solid performances in a period dominated by front-engined cars, where drivers faced unique handling challenges that demanded precision and bravery on demanding circuits. His ability to extract competitive results from such machinery underscored his talent during the transition phase of grand prix racing. His time with Ferrari included a podium finish that highlighted his speed and potential against top international opposition. Allison's achievements formed part of the growing presence of British drivers at the highest level of motorsport.

Recognition and remembrance

Cliff Allison was remembered in his obituaries as a self-effacing British racing driver whose talent shone brightly despite a career tragically curtailed by severe accidents. The Guardian described him as a modest member of Ferrari's elite team, noting his near-misses that highlighted his speed and potential, while emphasizing the bitterness he felt over opportunities lost to injury. These tributes underscored his skill and the unfortunate end to his top-level racing, portraying him as a respected figure who never achieved the widespread fame of some contemporaries but earned lasting admiration for his abilities. In his later years, Allison remained a popular and friendly presence in the Formula One paddock, particularly during occasional visits to grands prix in the 1990s and at events like Silverstone and Monaco, where he chatted happily about old times. He was a well-liked member of the British Racing Drivers' Club and discovered to his surprise that he had not been forgotten, receiving warm receptions and gestures of respect from the motorsport community. The Independent obituary highlighted him as "one of the finest fellows in the sport," noting his participation in historic events, such as a Mille Miglia re-run where Ferrari's president personally congratulated him. Following his death in 2005, Allison's legacy endured through these affectionate recollections, with tributes emphasizing his approachable character and enduring popularity in historic racing circles.
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