BRM - a mechanic's Tale

British Racing Motors (generally known as BRM) was a British Formula 1 motor racing team often described as Britain's Ferrari as it built its own cars. Founded in 1945, the team raced from 1950 to 1977, competing in 197 Grand Prix and winning 17.This is the BRM story told by a man who was both a devoted fan and a loyal member of the British Racing Motors team. Seen purely from a mechanic's point of view this account of BRM is generally complimentary, but at times is critical of personnel and procedures. Dick Salmon was involved in the repeated failures and humiliations of the 1950s, through the gradual progress of winning minor races to the excitement of Jo Bonnier winning the first World Championship Grand Prix in Holland in 1959. BRM's glory culminated in the ultimate honor in 1962, when in East London, South Africa, Graham Hill drove a BRM to victory to win both the Driver's World Championship and in doing so brought the Constructor's Championship to the BRM team, thereby making a considerable contribution to international motor racing history. Probably for the first time, criticism is levelled at both Louis Stanley and the introduction of the H16 engine as contributory factors to the ultimate failure of British Racing Motors: Louis Stanley for his freeloading extravagance, and the rather foolish decision by BRM's management to build such a complicated and bulky power unit.

Richard was born in the small village of Irnham, where his parents kept the Post Office and village general store.  After school he served an apprenticeship at a local garage before being conscripted into Royal Engineers in 1944, serving in South Iraq and being demobilized in 1947.  Richard went on to work for British Racing Motors racing team for 17 years.  Subsequently working for Lotus cars, Perkins diesel engines, Fiat-Allis, rebuilding BRM cars for sale by Christies and running a restoration business Richard has a thoroughbred motoring background.