Laurence Bristow

Laurence Alan Bristow (born 18 July 1952) is a British racing driver and businessman, best known for his time in the British Touring Car Championship. He is son of helicopter magnate Alan Bristow.[1]

Racing career

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Laurence Bristow's BTCC Labatts Team Ford Sierra RS500. At 2008 BTCC 50th anniversary

He first started racing in 1985 when he entered the MG Metro Challenge. In 1987 he raced in the Uniroyal Production Car Championship driving a Ford Sierra RS500 where he finished second in class. A year later he stepped up to the BTCC, again driving a class A Ford Sierra RS500. In 1989 he drove for the Labatts team along with team mate Tim Harvey. This year he got his only BTCC win along with Tiff Needell at the Donington Park 1 hour endurance race. Bristow got his highest championship finish of 9th in 1990. When the BTCC switched to the single Super Touring class in 1991, the Labatts team changed to a BMW M3 for two more years with Bristow.

Other racing in 1989 included the British Sportscar Championship and the 24 hours of Le Mans. The 1991 season was sit between the BTCC and the Thundersaloon championship, which Bristow won.[2] In 1993 he left the BTCC and raced in the Thundersaloons full time, back in a Ford Sierra. [1] He is now director of Bristow Helicopters, following in his father's footsteps.[3]

Racing record

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Complete British Touring Car Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position – 1988–1990 in class) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap – 1 point awarded ?–1989 in class)

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DC Pts Class
1988 CAM Shipping Ford Sierra RS500 A SIL
Ret
OUL
Ret
THR
17
DON
2
THR
Ret
SIL
4
SIL
3
BRH
4
SNE
Ret
BRH
Ret
BIR
C
DON
14
SIL
3
16th 21 7th
1989 Labatt's Team Ford Sierra RS500 A OUL
NC
SIL
3
THR
Ret
DON
1
THR
18
SIL
6
SIL
5
BRH
6
SNE
5
BRH
2
BIR
3
DON
10
SIL
4
12th 32 4th
1990 Labatt's Team Ford Sierra RS500 A OUL
3
DON
3
THR
4
SIL
4
OUL
5
SIL
4
BRH
Ret
SNE
3
BRH
5
BIR
DNS
DON
Ret
THR
Ret
SIL
6
9th 88 5th
1991 BMW Team Labatt's BMW M3 SIL
Ret
SNE
6
DON
7
THR
12
SIL
161
BRH
10
SIL
11
DON
1

8
DON
2

5
OUL
Ret
BRH
1

Ret
BRH
2

DNS
DON
Ret
THR SIL
7
13th 20
1992 Bristow Motorsport BMW M3 SIL
17
THR OUL SNE BRH DON
1
DON
2
SIL
12
KNO
1
KNO
2
PEM
DNS
BRH
1
BRH
2
DON SIL NC 0
  1. ^ – Race was stopped due to heavy rain. No points were awarded.

Complete European Touring Car Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 DC Pts
1988 United Kingdom Baynard Cars Ltd Ford Sierra RS500 MNZ DON EST JAR DIJ VAL NÜR SPA ZOL SIL
9
NOG NC 0

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary: Alan Bristow". TheGuardian.com. 4 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Formula Saloons - Special Saloon Racing Series".
  3. ^ "News & Media".
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