A documentary by Coleman Television

Gentleman
Racer

Like father, like son.

The astonishing story of two men, one car, and a lifetime apart.

Trailer

Full documentary

The documentary

One car.
Two remarkable men.

The lost son & the found racer

The name Jim Russell still conjures memories for anyone who ever raced. World champions passed through his doors — Fittipaldi, Bell, Villeneuve, Senna. As he lay recovering from a life-threatening accident in the 1950s, his son Stephen was born in the same hospital and left without ever meeting his father. Decades later, Steve Banham found his birth family, tracked down his father's Cooper Grand Prix racer, and set about racing it himself — in Jim's memory.

Hollywood, Monaco, Norfolk

Russell trained Hollywood stars James Garner and Yves Montand for the 1960s epic Grand Prix — still rated the greatest motor racing film ever made. Filmed over three years at classic circuits across Britain and Europe, this is Drive to Survive in a retro setting: wheel-to-wheel historic racing, charm, wit, and a heart-warming backstory.