When Eddie Jordan competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Eddie Jordan, who died this Thursday, March 20, at the age of 76 from prostate and bladder cancer, was one of the most iconic figures in the paddock of the Formula 1 of the 1990s and 2000s with his eponymous team. The team competed in 250 Grands Prix in 15 seasons, winning four victories, two pole positions and 19 podiums, including a one-two finish.

Eddie Jordan was not, however, just a successful team boss. Before that, the Dublin native had a respectable racing career, starting with a national championship title. karting in 1971. His trajectory led him to the British Formula Ford Championship in 1974.

Eddie Jordan sells carpets to finance his races

Financing his Formula Ford races by any means possible, he already demonstrated an innate ability to raise funds. For example, he persuaded a Dublin carpet shop to sponsor him, but the payment for displaying the company's name on his car consisted of... carpet scraps! On Saturdays, he even set up a stall to sell these products.

His racing career came to a significant halt in 1975 when an accident at Mallory Park left him with both legs broken. This didn't stop him from continuing his career by moving into Formula Atlantic with Marlboro Team Ireland. Irish champion in the category in 1978, Jordan then moved on to Formula 3 British at the age of 31.

Eddie Jordan on track during his race Formula 2 at Donington in 1979 – Photo: DPPI

It was at this point that the Irishman's racing career declined, despite an appearance in Formula 2. Resigned to the idea of ​​becoming a Formula 1 driver, despite a trial with McLaren At Brands Hatch, Eddie Jordan decided to become a team boss in 1980. However, he maintained a connection with racing by competing in three endurance races in 1981 and 1982.

Three Endurance races to his credit, including one victory

He thus took the start of the 6 Hours of Silverstone, third round of the 1981 World Championship for Makes, where he won the Sport +2L category at the wheel of a Porsche 908/3 alongside Siegfried Brunn, also resulting in third place overall. On October 17, Eddie Jordan took part in the 1 km of Brands Hatch, an event he finished in 000th place in a Charles Ivey Racing Porsche 16 K953 alongside Glenn Louxton and Dudley Wood.

In the meantime, he made his only appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1981. The Dublin native was partnered with David Hobbs and Steve O'Rourke (manager of the Pink Floyd group from 1968 until his death in 2003) in a BMW M1 Group 5 of the EMKA team. Qualifying in 38th position, the trio was forced to retire two hours from the finish due to an injection problem.

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