Ken Tyrrell; Founder of Auto Racing Team
Ken Tyrrell, 77, who launched Jackie Stewart’s auto racing career and founded the Tyrrell team in 1970, died in London after an illness, his family said Saturday. He was 77.
Stewart, a three-time Formula One champion and TV commentator, said Tyrrell gave him his first chance to drive a single-seat race car, in Formula Three in 1964. Stewart raced for Tyrrell until 1973.
“My heart is deeply saddened by the passing of a great friend,” Stewart said. “Ken was the most important person in my life outside my family. Without Ken Tyrrell, I would not be where I am today. His influence on my driving career was enormous. He was so much more than the team owner and team manager. Ken was like a father.”
The Tyrrell Racing Organization was bought out by British American Racing in November 1997, and Tyrrell retired from the sport in February 1998.
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