Jack Sears, British race and rally driver, Died at 86

Jack Sears was born on February 16, 1930, and died on August 7, 2016.

He was a British former race and rally driver, and was one of the principal organizers of the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon.

Sears was popularly known as “Gentleman Jack”.

Jack’s son David is also involved in motorsport.

Sear’s won the inaugural British Saloon Car Championship in 1958, driving an Austin Westminster.

Competing on joint maximum points with Tommy Sopwith, it was initially suggested the champion would be decided by the toss of a coin.

That idea became unpopular with both drivers and at the final meeting at Brands Hatch, with a draw being a likely possibility, two identical looking Marcus Chambers-owned Riley One-Point-Five works rally cars were brought along for a five lap shoot-out.

For a fair competition they raced five laps, switched cars, then raced five laps again with the driver who had the quickest combined time being crowned champion.

During pouring rain, he became the first ever champion by 1.6 seconds.[citation needed]

Jack regained the title in 1963, driving a variety of cars including a Ford Cortina GT, a seven litre Ford Galaxie and a Lotus Cortina, which was used for the final two races.

He was also the co-drove a Ferrari 330 LMB with Mike Salmon to a fifth place in the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours, the best result in the abbreviated racing history of the LMB.

Jack Sears passed away at 86 years old.