Back in the early 1950s I was racing my own Cooper 500 fairly successfully. I managed to beat the works team a couple of times, and I got noticed. Colin Chapman was looking for another driver. The people who did most of the sponsorship in those days, probably the only sponsorship then, were the fuel companies. I was already signed up with Esso and so was Colin. Colin made it known that he wanted another driver to Reg Tanner who…

Cliff Allison at the wheel of the Climax-powered Lotus 12 During the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in 1958. Allison considers this 4th place finish one of his best performances in the 12.