About Jeff Francis
Jeff’s interest in motorsports stems from years of road racing on California west coast tracks, with Laguna Seca Raceway being considered “home track”. Racing since 1993 with such clubs as SCCA, NASA, POC, USTCC, HMSA… he’s had the privilege of piloting numerous different races cars at tracks such as Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen, Thunderhill, Buttonwillow, & Willow Springs, racking up several lap records, seven SCCA San Francisco Region Championships and 65 plus Class victories. Racing a historic 1962 Jaguar E-Type and also an IMSA 240Z in two Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunions have been racing career highlights.
Through The Speed Journal’s “Driver’s Series”, Jeff has traveled the world in search of unique driving experiences on historic circuits, including Spa-Francorchamps, Nürburgring Nordschleife, 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, Red Bull Ring, Paul Ricard, Brands Hatch, Watkins Glen, and Magny Cours among others. The “Driver’s Series” has provided opportunities to drive everything from McLarens to open wheel F1 and Indycars to NASCAR stock cars. Outings with a full-size dragster on the quarter-mile, Ice Driving with Porsche in Quebec, and a 360 Sprint car on a clay track have expanded The Speed Journal’s coverage of driving experiences. His personal collection has included a wide variety of marques over the years, including icons from Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes Benz. These days Jeff’s garage leans towards American powered sports cars with 2019 & 2006 Ford GT’s, a C8 Corvette, and a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera in the collection.
Racing Heritage
Jeff Francis’ racing heritage is strong, as Jeff’s father Ben Francis participated in developing and competing in the Sierra Midget Club during the late 1940’s and early 50’s. They raced throughout the Central Valley at tracks such as the famous “Kearney Bowl” and shared the track with the likes of Billy Vukovich of Indianapolis fame. In later years, Ben came out of race retirement and raced well into into his 70’s and competed in select SCCA events at Laguna Seca and Sears Point, including an impressive drive in the rain at Thunderhill Raceway Park, which landed him the nick name of “The Rainmeister”.
Ben Francis (1925-2009) | View Ben Francis Memorial Website Here
