Motor racing driver. Michael Henderson (Mike) Spence was born in Croydon, Surrey, into a motor racing family, his father owned a garage in Maidenhead. In 1962 he joined the Ian Walker Formula Junior team gaining much success. In 1963 this lead to him joining the Ron Harris Team Lotus Formula Junior team, and when Trevor Taylor was injured, was promoted into the F1 team for the Italian Grand Prix. For 1964 he teamed up with the legendary Jim Clark and Pete Arundell, and became Clark's No2 driver from the British GP onwards. In 1965 he won the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. For 1966 and 1967 he drove for BRM alongside Jackie Stewart. In 1968. he tested one of the Lotus 56 turbine cars in practice for the Indianapolis 500, and was warned about his 'unusual' lines through the high speed bends. He then crashed into the wall and the right front wheel struck his head with fatal results. After a service at St.Michael's Church in Bray, his body was taken to the Slough Cemetery & Crematorium where his ashes were interred.
Motor racing driver. Michael Henderson (Mike) Spence was born in Croydon, Surrey, into a motor racing family, his father owned a garage in Maidenhead. In 1962 he joined the Ian Walker Formula Junior team gaining much success. In 1963 this lead to him joining the Ron Harris Team Lotus Formula Junior team, and when Trevor Taylor was injured, was promoted into the F1 team for the Italian Grand Prix. For 1964 he teamed up with the legendary Jim Clark and Pete Arundell, and became Clark's No2 driver from the British GP onwards. In 1965 he won the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. For 1966 and 1967 he drove for BRM alongside Jackie Stewart. In 1968. he tested one of the Lotus 56 turbine cars in practice for the Indianapolis 500, and was warned about his 'unusual' lines through the high speed bends. He then crashed into the wall and the right front wheel struck his head with fatal results. After a service at St.Michael's Church in Bray, his body was taken to the Slough Cemetery & Crematorium where his ashes were interred.
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