Eddie Jordan
Biography of, and Q&A with, Eddie Jordan of BBC Two's Top Gear.
Published: 20 May 2016
The car that I’ve always wanted to own was a thing called a Borgward Isabella. It’s gorgeous, so stylish, so sexy.
Eddie Jordan is an Irish former racing driver, team owner and entrepreneur. A host of drivers owe their breaks to Eddie as a champion of young talent, including Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine. Having suffered a number of major accidents whilst competing in racing himself Eddie retired to set up his Jordan team in 1980. The team went on to be champions in Formula 3 with Johnny Herbert in 1987, Formula 3000 in 1989 with Jean Alesi - and in 1990 Eddie established Jordan Grand Prix and entered Formula 1.
He sold Jordan Grand Prix in January 2005 and has since developed a portfolio of business interests as well as presenting the BBC's coverage of Formula 1 as an analyst since 2009. He has been inducted into the Irish Motorsport Hall of Fame and in 2012 he was awarded an honorary OBE by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of his services to charity and motor racing.
Q&A
What is your first car memory?
Slipping up the Dublin mountain in my dad’s Morris 1000. We all had to get out and push. There was smoke billowing out of it, but we were just so proud of it.
Who taught you to drive, in what car and did you pass first time?
My dad taught me how to drive in our Anglia 1200. I didn’t pass first time, I was going too fast and I had to do it again.
Tell us about your best car...
I had a little Mini 1000 - a Mini Cooper. I lowered the suspension and put it on little magnesium wheels. It also had a small little leather steering wheel, a bucket seat for me and a straight-through exhaust. I loved it.
Tell us about your worst car...
A Saab 99. It didn’t have a brake pedal as such, it had a little ball and if you put your foot on the ball it slowed. It was the most ridiculous thing ever.
And what is your current daily car?
A BMW 235i. I love it.
What’s the car you most wish you’d owned?
The car that I’ve always wanted to own was a thing called a Borgward Isabella. It’s gorgeous, so stylish, so sexy.
What was the best drive of your life, and why was it so special?
It was on the circuit of Ireland in Kerry. It’s memorable because I stopped in a lay-by and asked an 18 year-old girl to marry me... and she did. I’m still married to her 38 years later.
What’s your favourite road?
The Tyrrellspass is one of the all-time classics. It’s just fantastic.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in a car?
When I was 14, I nicked the car keys out of my dad’s pocket and took our Anglia 1200 out for a spin to Powerscourt, near Bray. I hit the kerb, went into the bank and put this car on its side.
If you could buy just one car to last the rest of your life, what would it be?
Actually, I adore my little 235i, I think it’s the greatest car I’ve ever had.
Who’s your all-time favourite Formula One driver?
Totally biased. Ayrton Senna by a mile. He was just an awesome character - calm, very kind and warm.
Of the six of you, who is the quickest around the TG track?
Sabine. She walks all over us.
What motorsport event would you most like to compete in?
I’ve already done Le Mans with Pink Floyd. I was driving a 908 twin-turbo Porsche, which was the most awesome thing. Le Mans is quite a special thing, especially for us F1 guys. To compete there ticked the box for me.
What’s the fastest you’ve ever gone in a car and when?
Going down the Mulsanne Straight, I had to be doing over 200mph.
Who in history would you most like to have been driven by?
I was once driven by Ayrton Senna from the centre of São Paulo out to the airport. That was something special. He was an amazing man. I loved him.
