Johnny Dumfries 1958-2021

A moment to reflect on the career of Johnny Dumfries who sadly passed away on the 22nd March after a short illness at the age of 62. Although being a member of one of Scotland’s wealthiest families - John Colum Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute - Johnny chose to remain anonymous to pursue his motor racing dreams, not relying on family money to bank roll his efforts. He took jobs as a painter and decorator and a van driver for the Williams F1 team to fund his racing.

He soon proved he was quick and progressed through the junior categories, karting and Formula Ford. His first major success was winning the 1984 British F3 title with14 victories in a Dave Price Racing, BP sponsored Ralt RT3 /VW, and runner up to Ivan Capelli in Euro F3. A season in F3000 in ’85 brought him to the attention of F1 and Lotus signed him for 1986 pairing him with Ayrton Senna in the JPS Renault 98T. Up against such a huge talent, and in his maiden F1 season, a 5th place finish in Hungary was Johnny’s best result in a season blighted with many retirements. He was dropped by the team at the end of the season, perhaps prompted by the switch by Lotus to Honda engines for ’87 and obliged to take a Japanese driver.

A season in sports cars with the Kouros Sauber Mercedes Team for ’87, setting a new Le Mans lap record, brought him to the attention of TWR. Tom Walkinshaw recognised his talent, and he became part of the TWR Silk Cut Jaguar rosta, this giving him his greatest success – winning the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours alongside Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace in a Jaguar XJR-9LM. This was the first time a Jaguar had won the French classic since 1957. Johnny spent another couple of seasons racing Toyota sports cars and then retired to concentrate full time on managing the families Scottish estate as his father’s health was failing.

It takes a special talent to win the toughest endurance race in the world – his was a short career but he had some great achievements and left his mark on motor sport history. RIP Johnny.