50 Facts About Eddie Jordan

Early Life and Introduction to Racing

Eddie Jordan's journey from a bank clerk to a motorsport legend is nothing short of fascinating. His early life set the stage for a career filled with unexpected turns and remarkable achievements.

1. 01Eddie Jordan was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1948.
2. 02His introduction to motor racing came unexpectedly in 1970 when he moved to Jersey due to a bank strike in Dublin.
3. 03Initially a bank clerk, Jordan's experience in Jersey led him to kart racing, which sparked his passion for motorsport.
4. 04He won several karting races and later moved to Formula Ford, where he also achieved success.
5. 05Winning the Formula Atlantic Championship sealed his long-term contract as a driver with Marlboro.

Climbing the Racing Ladder

Eddie's success in karting and Formula Ford propelled him into higher tiers of racing, where he continued to make a name for himself.

6. 06This led to races in Formula 3 and Formula 2, and he even tested a McLaren Formula 1 car in 1979.
7. 07Jordan drove in the World Sports Car Championship with Porsche and the Pink Floyd BMW car at Le Mans.

Establishing Jordan Grand Prix

Inspired by his experiences and the success of his junior drivers, Eddie took a bold step by founding his own Formula 1 team.

8. 08Eddie established Jordan Grand Prix in 1990 and entered Formula 1.
9. 09Under his leadership, Jordan Grand Prix became one of only five teams to have won multiple Grands Prix in the past 25 years.
10. 10Jordan has been awarded the Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2001 for his achievements in motorsport.

Champion of Young Talent

Eddie Jordan has always been a champion of young talent, giving many future stars their big breaks in motorsport.

11. 11A host of drivers owe their breaks to Jordan, including Grand Prix winners like Hill, Mansell, Schumacher, and Senna.
12. 12In 1989, the Jordan F3000 team dominated the season with driver Jean Alesi winning the championship.

Memorable Wins and Achievements

Jordan Grand Prix had several memorable moments and significant victories that cemented its place in Formula 1 history.

13. 13At the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher’s finish in first and second place made history.
14. 14In 1999, Heinz-Harald Frentzen won the French and Italian Grands Prix for Jordan, and finished third in the World Championship.
15. 15The team also won the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2003 with Giancarlo Fisichella.

Transition and Media Career

After selling Jordan Grand Prix, Eddie transitioned into a successful media career, sharing his insights and expertise with a broader audience.

16. 16Eddie Jordan sold Jordan Grand Prix in January 2005, marking the end of his tenure as team owner.
17. 17He was the BBC F1 lead analyst until 2015, providing insightful commentary on the sport.
18. 18In February 2016, Jordan joined the cast of Top Gear as a presenter.
19. 19Since 2009, Jordan has played a leading role in the BAFTA-winning BBC coverage of Formula 1.

Honors and Recognitions

Eddie's contributions to motorsport and his entrepreneurial spirit have earned him numerous accolades and honors.

20. 20He holds honorary doctorates from the University of Ulster and Dublin’s Institute of Technology.
21. 21Jordan was made an honorary Musketeer in France for his racing victories in Nogaro, Pau, Le Mans, and the French Grand Prix.
22. 22He was recently inducted into the Irish Motorsport Hall of Fame.
23. 23Jordan received the James Joyce Award from the Literary and Historical Society of University College Dublin.
24. 24He also received the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society of Trinity College, Dublin.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Eddie's entrepreneurial spirit didn't end with motorsport. He has developed a diverse portfolio of business interests since selling his team.

25. 25Since selling Jordan Grand Prix, Eddie has developed a portfolio of business interests.
26. 26Despite selling Jordan Grand Prix, Eddie remains an entrepreneur with various business interests.

Basketball Career

Eddie Jordan also had a notable career in basketball, showcasing his versatility and talent in another sport.

27. 27Eddie Jordan played as a point guard in the NBA.
28. 28Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third round of the 1977 NBA draft, Jordan later became a member of the 1982 Los Angeles Lakers.
29. 29He is a member of the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame for his achievements as a point guard.
30. 30In the 1975-76 season, Jordan led the Scarlet Knights to a perfect 26-0 regular season mark and reached the Final Four.
31. 31He remains the all-time assist leader with 585 assists and steals leader with 220 steals in Rutgers’ record books.
32. 32Jordan is also the seventh-all-time leading scorer with 1,632 points.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Eddie's basketball career was marked by impressive statistics and memorable moments on the court.

33. 33In his NBA career, Eddie averaged 20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game.
34. 34His career high in points was 30, and in rebounds was 13. He played a total of 420 games in his NBA career.

Academic and Early Professional Life

Eddie's academic background and early professional experiences were diverse, reflecting his wide range of interests and skills.

35. 35Eddie received a $700 RPI scholarship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he studied engineering.
36. 36He was part of RPI’s cooperative engineering program, which provided him with paid semester-long work assignments with General Electric.
37. 37During his time at RPI, Eddie learned how to program a mainframe computer, the IBM 650.
38. 38Eddie Engel, a friend at RPI, taught him how to drive in the spring of 1956.
39. 39After graduating from high school, Eddie had a summer job at United Lawyers Service, earning $1 an hour.
40. 40Through AFROTC, Eddie’s first experience on an airplane was during his first two years at RPI.
41. 41Eddie didn’t learn how to ride a bicycle until graduate school at Stanford.

Transition to Social Science

Eddie's professional life took a significant turn towards social science, showcasing his adaptability and curiosity.

42. 42Eddie transitioned from a purely technical career to one in social science.
43. 43His professional life took a significant turn towards social science, showcasing his adaptability and curiosity.

Legacy in Motorsport

Eddie Jordan’s legacy in motorsport is profound, with many drivers crediting him for their breaks in the sport.

44. 44Eddie Jordan’s legacy in motorsport is profound, with many drivers crediting him for their breaks in the sport.

Media Presence and Charity Work

Eddie's media presence extends beyond motorsport, and his charity work has been widely recognized.

45. 45His media presence extends beyond motorsport, including his role as a presenter on Top Gear.
46. 46His contributions to charity work have been recognized with the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society of Trinity College, Dublin.

Awards and Honorary Titles

Eddie has received numerous awards and honorary titles for his contributions to various fields.

47. 47Eddie has received two prestigious awards in Ireland: the James Joyce Award and the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage.
48. 48He holds honorary doctorates from the University of Ulster and Dublin’s Institute of Technology, as well as being made an honorary Musketeer in France.

Dynamic Personality

Known for his irrepressible optimism and energetic joie de vivre, Eddie Jordan continues to inspire and influence various fields.

49. 49Known for his irrepressible optimism and energetic joie de vivre, Eddie Jordan is a dynamic personality.
50. 50Eddie Jordan’s legacy continues to inspire new generations in both motorsport and beyond.

Eddie Jordan's Lasting Impact

Eddie Jordan's life is a whirlwind of achievements in motorsport, basketball, and beyond. From his humble beginnings in Dublin to founding Jordan Grand Prix, his journey is nothing short of inspiring. Jordan's knack for spotting young talent brought stars like Schumacher and Senna into the limelight. His team’s historic wins, like the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, cemented his legacy in Formula One. Beyond racing, his contributions to basketball and his entrepreneurial ventures showcase his versatility. Honorary titles, awards, and media roles further highlight his influence. Eddie Jordan's story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and an unyielding spirit. His dynamic personality and relentless drive continue to inspire many, proving that with determination, anything is possible.