5 replies to this topic

[bkalb]

I keep reading that Alex Yoong of Malaysia is the first Formula One driver from Southeast Asia. Not so.

Prince Birabongse Bhanubhand of Thailand, who was known as Bira (no relation to Atlas F1's Biranit Goren) started 19 championship races between 1950 and 1954. He lived in England at the time, and, by his own reckoning at least--I interviewed him in Bangkok in 1972--he was a real playboy. He wasn't much of a driver, scoring 8 points over those four seasons. He was very much a member of the Thai royal family, and Thailand, the last time I looked, was still very much a part of Southeast Asia.

[Rob G]

I had heard that "fact" mentioned on TV, but I can't remember if it was Speedvision or ABC. I immediately realized that they were wrong, and that they had forgotten about "B. Bira". I wasn't aware that that error had been reported elsewhere too.

[HouseOfDesai]

Well I believe he was going around claiming to be the 1st SE asain driver in F1.

[Corktree]

He wasn't much of a driver, scoring 8 points over those four seasons.

Not necessarily a fair assessment of Prince Bira. When the WDC rounds were only a comparatively small number of races each season, such low points totals were not at all uncommon. He was already somewhat past his prime with WW2 creating a big gap in his driving career. While certainly not consistently in the top tier after the war, he was a better driver than you credit him with being, having been a truly top notch Voiturette drive before the War.

Factual gaffes like this are to be expected when the "distant past" is perhaps three seasons ago....

[100cc]

what kind of an article did you come up with after the interview??

[Flying Panda]

Click here for more information on Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh , I love this guy, i have mentioned him several times in previous threads .....

The first ever Formula One pay-driver.
Don't let that be a detriment, he was F_____g quick!!