Robert O'Brien

11/3/1908 - 10/2/1987

Record updated 01-May-20

Robert O'Brien was an American amateur racing driver.

Drove in the Carrera Panamericana Date (10.5.1950)

15.9.1951 Drove in the Seneca Cup at Watkins Glen in his Jaguar XK120. Later that day the car was driven by John Bentley in the Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

9.12.1951 Riviera Beach Trophy at the 2nd Annual Palm Beach Shores Road Race he once again drove his Jaguar XK120.

In March of 1952 he drove a Jaguar XK120 in the Vero Beach 12 hour race in Florida. He followed this with a drive in a 2-litre Ferrari 166MM (0054M leased for the occasion from Bill Spear) at Sebring 12hr driving with Richard Cicurel, finishing 4th.

24.5.52 Drove at Bridgehampton in a Connaught

To broaden his racing experience, O'Brien toured Europe that season, towing his Frazer Nash behind a Cadillac. In June O'Brien borrowed a Simca-Gordini from Belgian driver Johnny Claes and somehow managed to get an entry to the Belgian GP. Thus becoming the first American born driver to compete in a Formula One World Championship race. Driving the Ecurie Belge Gordini (T15 c/n 0015-GC) he started 22nd (and last) and finished 14th in the European GP at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Later on 31 Aug he drove the same car in the F2 race at Grenzlandringrennen. The result is not known.

A strong rumour persists that O'Brien was a CIA agent who used this alias as a cover for his racing activities!