Life with Legends 003: David Hobbs

Life with Legends

I don’t actually remember a time when I didn’t know David in my life!

Dad raced against him a lot when I was young and there was always a fun rivalry between them that brought an edge to many a conversation.

The Hobbs family were the ‘fun’ one and we celebrated very boozy and misbehaved 21st birthday parties at their beautiful house in England. The common theme being me passed out in their rose garden having being horribly sick!

So, many of you will know ‘Hobbo’ from his most excellent F1 broadcasting over a couple of decades (and now sadly missed) and his ability to turn any moment or event into an impromptu comedy hour. But to focus on that alone doesn’t do his racing career justice.

He raced in almost everything from Sports cars to Indy Cars, IMSA, Can am and even Formula One! He stood out in the Formula 5000 ranks, winning the championship in 1971 as well as a Trans Am Championship a few years later. He never won the big prize at the Le Mans 24 despite taking the green flag 20 times, and just how close he got on more than one occasion is something that he will remind you more than once!

I stayed with David and his wonderful wife Margaret at his house in Florida earlier this year to do the interview, and as you can imagine it was a fun time. The painting behind him in the image is a magnificent portrait done of a well known photo from his racing heydays so it seemed the perfect backdrop for mine. I actually took many photos of David smiling and laughing but when it came down to selecting one for this series, I was drawn to his face in contemplation. Everyone knows he is a funny chap but he is also a very intelligent and focused man, and to me this reflects that side of him.

As much as anything David is universally loved and just getting the chance to sit down and hear his stories and take this portrait was a real treat for me.

As I hope it is for you.

JB