Formula 1 Teams

 John Cooper Fitch

Races: 2

Year	Team	Constructor	Points	Position	Engine	Chassis
1953	HW Motors				Alta GP 2.5 L4	HWM 53
1955	Stirling Moss Ltd	Maserati			Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6	250F

John Fitch: More than Speed

By Jeremy McMullen
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In a career spanning less than two decades, John Fitch would ascend the ranks to become one of the premier sportscar drivers in the world. Though speed would forever define Fitch's life right up to that last day on the 31st of October, there would be much more to the man than just speed.

It is nearly impossible to experience terrible and absolute devastation and not be affected by it in some form or manner. Such memories of a silver Mercedes-Benz disintegrating and flying through the air decapitating bodies and causing other such horrific memories would plague the minds of many who were at Le Mans in 1955. In the case of John Fitch, the memories of that terrible moment would lead him to live a life of dual identities, forever striving to turn back the clock in his own way and saving those many lives lost those early evening hours on the 12th of June in 1955.

Those knowledgeable in motor racing history would recall John Cooper Fitch as a talented racing driver. But there would be many others that would recall the man first as an innovator in safety. And, because of his equal passion to both, a discussion of the man almost always requires a delineation of the two halves, the racing and the safety. A man devoted to his art, Fitch would impact all facets of the automotive industry, from inside and outside the cockpit and everywhere else in between. And it would all begin a couple of generations before his birth.

Those astute in history would likely recognize the name 'John Fitch', but there may be some difficulty as to pinpointing from what time period the name comes. The truly astute would recognize there are two inventors/innovators sharing the name 'John Fitch', but which one could still offer some difficulty. But in the case of John Fitch and John Cooper Fitch, though there are differences, they are truly one in the same, for they are from the same family. Therefore, it is not at all surprising to marvel at all John Cooper Fitch would be capable of creating/devising when it is remembered that his great-great grandfather, John Fitch, had been the inventor of the steamboat.

Though those of the time period would likely disagree, unlike his great-great grandfather, John Cooper Fitch would be born into the world in a place filled with speed. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on the 4th of August in 1917, John Fitch would soon find himself being raised in an automotive family when his stepfather, George Spindler, came into his life at the age of 6. George Spindler was an executive with the Stutz Motor Company and even showed an interest in amateur racing. Because of this upbringing, John would be quite adept and building cars, and throughout his early life he would spend hours taking wrecked or incomplete cars and turning them into proper road-going machines.Being surrounded by the automotive industry it would be practically impossible if motor racing wouldn't come to attract the young boy. This would lead him to enter Lehigh University to study civil engineering after a period of time at the Kentucky Military Institute. Though Fitch would enroll in civil engineering at Lehigh University, he would only be there a short period of time before he would be persuaded to tour Europe with a friend. Therefore, instead of studying, John would be enjoying the privilege of seeing some of the sights and sounds of Europe. One of those 'privileges' Fitch would enjoy, and that would ultimate determine a course for his life, would be seeing the final motor race held at Brooklands in England before the outbreak of World War II.

Although England and all of Europe was on the verge of war when the young American visited Brooklands in 1939, it would be another couple of years before the war would catch up to the United States and the boy from Indiana.

When the war did reach the United States, Fitch would be an honorable young man and would volunteer his service to his country, but if war could ever be considered slow-paced, Fitch would choose a path of service that was anything but.

Year Chassis Engine 1955 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 1953 53 Alta GP 2.5 L4

Having attended Kentucky Military Institute and then, briefly, Lehigh University to study civil engineering, Fitch would be able to enter the military as an officer. This opened the door to being a pilot and, coming into service in 1941, he would find himself in some of the hottest and most dangerous theaters of war.

Volunteering for the US Army Air Corps, Fitch's military career would begin in North Africa as a pilot of a Douglas A-20 Havoc in the 15th Bombardment Squadron. This attack/medium bomber aircraft meant Fitch would be right in the fight, down low at times with the sand kicking up and the fighting intense. He would serve throughout North Africa for a couple of years before being shipped to England.

Upon arriving in England, Fitch would be assigned what many would consider a dream position as pilot of a North American P-51 Mustang as part of the 4th Fighter Group in the 335th Fighter Squadron. Part of the famous 'Red Nose' squadron, Fitch would be a part of a Fighter Group that would boast of such famous war aces as Don Gentile, Duane Beeson, Pierce McKennon and Don Blakeslee. But while Fitch himself wouldn't become a fighter ace, he would have the distinction of being just one of a handful to ever shoot down one of the first operation jets, the German Messerschmitt ME 262.

Nothing in war is truly glorious, but, in Fitch's case, his experience would get worse when he would get shot down during a strafing pass on a German train. Crash landing the Mustang, Fitch would suffer a broken arm but would obviously survive. However, just two months before the end of the war, Fitch would find himself a prisoner of war.

During his spontaneous tour of Europe, John would have the opportunity to take to the wheel of an MG Magnette. This experience would be enough for him to start his own MG dealership back in the United States following the end of the Second World War. Based in Connecticut, the dealership would be simple a means, a front for a man with a passion, an obsession with going fast.

Fitch had gone to the Indianapolis 500 as a boy and had even taken some laps of the circuit with his stepfather George Spindler, he had seen the very last race at Brooklands, he had sailed around the Gulf of Mexico and had shot down a jet and had the opportunity to fly what is considered to be the best fighter of all time. Fitch's life was one filled with speed and adventure, and it would have been considered an impossibility had he lived a quiet and serene life afterward. Not surprisingly, he wouldn't.

Not only would Fitch experience some incredible moments, but his life itself would be amongst the jet-setters and affluent. Returning from the war, Fitch would originally settle in Palm Beach, Florida and would be seen with such influential people as Orville Wright, Noel Coward and even the Kennedy family. In such a setting, he would soon form some very interesting and influential friendships, including people like the poet George Barker and the Duke of Windsor, whom Fitch likes to recall as having met and formed a friendship with while urinating on a bush while at a party.

Quoted as saying, 'I've always needed to go fast', Fitch wouldn't remain docile behind the wheel of a car for very long. Already having picked up a life racing yachts, Fitch would decide to make the obvious jump to motor racing. Born to a grandfather that invented Fitch's Chewing Gum and having such an extensive family line of innovators, Fitch believed he could make a go of a racing career. The fact his car dealership wasn't selling very many cars would be further motivation for the still young man to chase adventure and speed. Therefore, in 1949, Fitch's motor racing career would begin with a 100 mile race at Bridgehampton driving an MG TC.

Actually, Fitch tried to get his motor racing career jumpstarted toward the end of 1948 by taking part in the Watkins Glen Grand Prix in the MG TC. However, despite his best efforts, he would fail to qualify for the race.

F1 Drivers From United States
Dennis Aase Tony Adamowicz Jim Adams Fred Agabashian Warren Agor George Alderman Bill Amick George Amick Richard 'Red' Amick Mario Gabriele Andretti Michael Mario Andretti Cliff Apel Fred Armbruster Chuck Arnold Fred Baker John 'Skip' Barber III Dick Barbour Melvin E. 'Tony' Bettenhausen Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Robert Bondurant Johnny Boyd Don Branson Merle Brennan Mike Brockman Bobby Brown Dick Brown James Ernest Bryan Bob Bucher Ronnie Bucknum Temple Hoyne Buell Stan Burnett Jim Butcher Tom Butz Joe Buzzetta Philip Cade Duane Carter David Causey Bob Challman Jay Chamberlain Bill Cheesbourg Edward McKay 'Eddie' Cheever, Jr. Paul Christianson Bob Christie Kevin Cogan George Constantine Ron Courtney Jerry Crawford Ray Crawford Bill Cuddy Chuck Daigh Candido DaMota Jimmy Daywalt Norman Demler John Dennis Eno DePasquale Steve Diulo Frank J. Dochnal Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. Brooke Doran Bob Drake George Drolsom Dick Durant Steve Durst Tom Dutton Don Edmunds Ed Elisian Jerry Entin Bill Eve Walt Faulkner Len Faustina Ed Felter Gene Fisher John Cooper Fitch George Francis 'Pat' Flaherty, Jr. George Follmer Billy Foster Anthony Joseph 'A.J.' Foyt, Jr., Chuck Frederick Don Freeland	David Fry Richard Galloway Fred Gamble Mike Gammino Billy Garrett Bud Gates Elmer George Paul Richard 'Richie' Ginther Ron Goldleaf Paul Goldsmith Mike Goth Jerry Grant Ross Greenville Peter Holden Gregg Masten Gregory Robert 'Bobby' Grim Dick Guldstrand John Gunn Miles Gupton Daniel Sexton Gurney Jim Hall Ed Hamill Sam Hanks Jerry Hansen Walt Hansgen Bob Harris Dennis Harrison J Frank Harrison Leslie 'Gene' Hartley Charlie Hayes Hurley Haywood Al Herman Ron Herrera Tom Heyser Philip Toll Hill, Jr Jay Hills Mike Hiss Bill Holland George Hollinger Doug Hooper Danny Hopkins Skip Hudson Gus Hutchison Leonard Janke Don Jensen Anson Johnson Eddie Johnson Earl Jones Parnelli Jones Tom Jones Dave Jordan Frank Kahlich Al Keller Charlie Kemp Bruce Kessler Charlie Kolb Oscar Koveleski Mak Kronn Roy Kumnick Lynn Kysar Ron LaPeer Clarence Walter 'Jud' Larson Bob Lazier Joe Leonard Ed Leslie Andy Linden Gerard Carlton 'Pete' Lovely Joe Lubin Robert Brett Lunger Herbert MacKay-Fraser Charles Michael 'Mike' Magill Timothy A. Mayer II Roger McCluskey Jim McWithey Rick Miaskiewicz Jack Millikan Milt Minter Don Morin Bud Morley William Morrow	Lothar Motschenbacher Rick Muther Bob Nagel Dennis 'Duke' Nalon Danny Ongais Robert O' Brien Pat O'Connor Brian O'Neil Chuck Parsons Johnnie Parsons Scooter Patrick Jim Paul Bob Peckham Roger S. Penske Ted Peterson Fred Pipin Sam Posey Hugh Powell Wedge Rafferty Robert Woodward 'Bobby' Rahal George Ralph Dick Rathmann Jim Rathmann Jimmy Reece Paul Reinhart Doug Revson Peter Jeffrey Revson Lloyd Ruby Eddie Russo Paul Russo Troy Ruttman Jack Ryan Edward Julius Sachs, Jr Boris 'Bob' Said Ralph Salyer David Earl 'Swede' Savage Jr. Harry Schell Robert Schroeder Skip Scott Tony Settember James 'Hap' Sharp Carroll Hall Shelby Monte Shelton Pete Sherman Norman Smith Scott Andrew Speed Gene Stanton Jef Stevens Spencer Stoddard Daniel John 'Danny' Sullivan III Len Sutton Tom Swindell Marshall Teague Clark 'Shorty' Templeman Tom Terrell Johnny Thomson Bud Tinglestad Jerry Titus Tom Tobin Johnnie Tolan Ralph Treischmann Jack Turner Alfred 'Al' Unser Robert William 'Bobby' Unser Jerry Unser Jr. Alfred 'Little Al' Unser, Jr. Bob Veith Fred Wacker Lee Wallard Rodger M. Ward Herb Wetanson Chuck Weyant Dempsey Wilson Gary Wilson William Wonder Roy Woods John M Wyatt III Bill Young Gregg Young

After a 5th place in the debut at Bridgehampton, Fitch would try his hand at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix once again. This time he would not only qualify, but he would again finish in 5th place. Taking part in the Seneca Cup on that same day, Fitch would finish in 6th place.

Focusing on sports cars mostly, Fitch would even try his hand at designing and building his own cars. Taking from a Simca, John would create a car that would become known as the Fitch Model B and he would campaign the car in a couple of different races throughout the 1950 season. Unfortunately, the best result the car would earn throughout the season would come at Watkins Glen during the Grand Prix where Fitch finished the race in 8th place.

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Formula One World Drivers' Champions
1950 G. Farina 1951 J. Fangio 1952 A. Ascari 1953 A. Ascari 1954 J. Fangio 1955 J. Fangio 1956 J. Fangio 1957 J. Fangio 1958 M. Hawthorn 1959 S. Brabham	1960 S. Brabham 1961 P. Hill, Jr 1962 N. Hill 1963 J. Clark, Jr. 1964 J. Surtees 1965 J. Clark, Jr. 1966 S. Brabham 1967 D. Hulme 1968 N. Hill 1969 S. Stewart	1970 K. Rindt 1971 S. Stewart 1972 E. Fittipaldi 1973 S. Stewart 1974 E. Fittipaldi 1975 A. Lauda 1976 J. Hunt 1977 A. Lauda 1978 M. Andretti 1979 J. Scheckter	1980 A. Jones 1981 N. Piquet 1982 K. Rosberg 1983 N. Piquet 1984 A. Lauda 1985 A. Prost 1986 A. Prost 1987 N. Piquet 1988 A. Senna 1989 A. Prost	1990 A. Senna 1991 A. Senna 1992 N. Mansell 1993 A. Prost 1994 M. Schumacher 1995 M. Schumacher 1996 D. Hill 1997 J. Villeneuve 1998 M. Hakkinen 1999 M. Hakkinen	2000 M. Schumacher 2001 M. Schumacher 2002 M. Schumacher 2003 M. Schumacher 2004 M. Schumacher 2005 F. Alonso 2006 F. Alonso 2007 K. Raikkonen 2008 L. Hamilton 2009 J. Button	2010 S. Vettel 2011 S. Vettel 2012 S. Vettel