Bob Drake

Eldon Robert 'Bob' Drake (14 December 1919 - 18 April 1990) was an American racecar driver, naval diver, restaurateur, and stunt performer whose diverse career epitomized the adventurous spirit of post-war California. Drake participated in one Formula One Grand Prix on 20 November 1960, scoring no championship points but earning a unique place in motorsport history. By the 1950s and early 1960s, Drake had become a prominent sports car racing driver in Southern California, which was the epicenter of American sports car racing during the sport's golden age. He began racing his own privately owned MGTD in production car races before moving to a much quicker two-litre Triumph TR-2 when production cars were in vogue.

Drake's dominance in production car racing was extraordinary: he won so often and by such margins that his cars were challenged at least five times in 20 races for being illegally modified. Each time he won the challenges, proving his victories came from superior driving and preparation rather than rule-breaking. Drake and his racing partner rose to the top of the Southern California road racing scene, especially after they opened their Grand Prix Restaurant in West Hollywood, which immediately became the place to be for the racing community. At the 1960 United States Grand Prix, Drake became the last driver to race the famous Maserati 250F in a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, driving the legendary Italian machine in its final championship appearance.

Drake's life combined multiple passions and careers: aside from being a race car driver, he worked as a naval diver, operated his successful restaurant that served as a racing community hub, and performed as a stunt driver in Hollywood, embodying the multifaceted California lifestyle of the era.