Len Lukey
Len Lukey (1921/1922 - 28 October 1978) was an Australian racing driver. He was the winner of the 1959 Australian Drivers' Championship driving a Lukey Bristol and a Cooper T45 Coventry Climax.
Motorsport career
[edit]Lukey made his motor sport debut in 1953[1] at the wheel of Ford Mainline Utility.[2] After such vehicles were ruled ineligible, he moved on to racing Ford Customlines, winning the main saloon car race at the Albert Park Circuit in March 1957.[1]
In October 1956 Lukey purchased a Cooper T23 Bristol which he first raced in the 1956 Australian Grand Prix meeting, finishing ninth in the main event.[3] The following year Lukey used the car at Coonabarabran to establish a new Category E Australian National Speed record of 147.4 mph for the flying kilometre.[3]
Lukey acquired a Cooper T45 from Jack Brabham in early 1959[3] and embarked upon a concerted campaign to win the 1959 Australian Drivers' Championship.[1] He won the title by 2 points, securing the championship at the twelfth and final race of the series.[1] His last race was the 1960 New Zealand Grand Prix after which he retired from active participation at the age of 38.[1]
In 1964 Lukey purchased the property which included what is now the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria for $40,000. Following extensive repairs, the circuit was reopened in 1967 and ownership was retained by Lukey's estate until 1984.[4]
Lukey died on 28 October 1978 in Melbourne,[5] aged 56.[6] Turn 9 on the Phillip Island circuit is named Lukey Heights in his memory.[4]
Career results
[edit]| Year | Series / Event | Position | Car | Entrant |
| 1957 | Australian Drivers' Championship | 5th | Cooper T23 Bristol | Len Lukey |
| 1958 | Australian Drivers' Championship | 3rd | Cooper T23 Bristol Lukey Bristol |
Lukey Mufflers |
| 1959 | Australian Drivers' Championship | 1st | Lukey Bristol & Cooper T45 Coventry Climax |
Lukey Mufflers Pty. Ltd. |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Len Lukey... driver of the year, Automobiles Australia - incorporating Australian Motor Sports Review 1959 - 1960, pages 82 to 86
- ^ W.P. Tuckey, The Book of Australian Motor Racing, The K.G. Murray Publishing Company Pty Ltd, page 39
- ^ a b c John B. Blanden, Historic Racing Cars in Australia, 1979, page 100
- ^ a b "Len Lukey". Monument Australia. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Death of Len Lukey, Racing Car News, November 1978, page 9
- ^ "29 Oct 1978 - Former racer dies". Trove. Retrieved 25 July 2024.