Chris Locke
San Anselmo, California
USA
Chris has had a passion for racing, sports cars and all things motorsport since his youth. From an early age, he followed Formula One, Indy, Le Mans, Can Am and sports car racing, and was enthralled with the technical innovation of the teams and the skill and demeanor drivers of that era – especially Team Lotus, Jim Clark and Mario Andretti. What really sealed the deal was when, at age 12, he saw the Indianapolis 500-winning Lotus 38 on display at the Ford Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair.
From slot cars and go-karts of his childhood, Chris moved on to a ’61 Corvette in high school and a ’70 Lotus Europa in college, purchased by working part-time for a building contractor. (The building contractor owned a Lotus Elan and helped fan the flames.) His interest in sports cars and racing continued, but college, law school, and a career as a federal prosecutor followed by private law practice sidelined his pursuit of race car driving for several years. Finally, when he had an opportunity to acquire a ‘67 Elan and a competition license, Chris entered the world of historic racing.
Chris acquired his first purpose-built historic race car – a 1965 Lotus 23B sports racer – a short time later, followed by a 1963 Lotus 27 Formula Junior and an ex-Mario Andretti 1976 Lotus 77 Formula One. He has also been entrusted to drive the ex-Jim Clark 1965 Tasman Championship-winning Lotus 32B from Clive Chapman’s personal collection.
Chris has raced throughout North America and Europe, including at historic venues like Monaco, Goodwood, Monza, Mont-Tremblant, Nürburgring Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Watkins Glen, Road America and Laguna Seca, with many top five finishes and a few wins. He and his Lotus 77 Formula One car have also been featured in the motion pictures Rush (2013) and Iron Man 2 (2010).
Chris is honored to be a member of the Road Racing Drivers’ Club (RRDC), and to have received Historic Grand Prix’s Koni Heritage Award; Classic Sports Racing Group’s Jack McKee Award and Carter Alexander Cup; the Historic Grand Prix Car Association’s Driver of the Day Award; and Best Presentation and Performance Awards at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races and the Wine Country Classic.
Most of all, Chris is enormously grateful for the opportunity to live his dream of racing these iconic cars at legendary circuits, and for the camaraderie he enjoys and enduring friendships he has developed in pursuing this passion.
Checkered Past Racing
Chris Locke