David Hobbs

9/6/1939

Record updated 05-Jun-06

A likable versatile driver who could turn his hand to anything from Formula 1 to sports cars and from touring cars to Indycars.

David Hobbs is an English former racing driver currently employed as a SPEED Channel commentator.

Hobbs was born in Royal Leamington Spa, England just months before the outbreak of World War II. He has a vast, 30-year history of international driving experience at all levels of motor sports, including sports cars, touring cars, Indy cars, IMSA and Formula One. He has participated in both the Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1971, Hobbs won the Formula 5000 championship; twelve years later, he would claim the 1983 Trans-Am Series championship as well. He has raced in the renowned 24 hours of Le Mans twenty times, with a pole position and a best finish of third (which he achieved three times) to his credit.

His best Formula 1 result was seventh in the 1974 Austrian Grand Prix at the wheel of a Yardley McLaren M23 in which he was deputizing for the injured Mike Hailwood.

Hobbs provides commentary for Formula One races and the SCCA Valvoline runoffs. He currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife Margaret, with whom he has two sons, Gregory and Guy. In 1986, Hobbs opened a car dealership, David Hobbs Honda, which is still doing business; the company takes great pride in its customer and employee relations, with many original employees still working for the company after 17 years. Hobbs's eldest son Greg has also taken an active role in the company. His youngest, Guy, worked for SPEED as a pit reporter on their sports car coverage.