Octave John Claes (/kleɪz/; 11 August 1916 – 3 February 1956) was a British-born racing driver who competed for Belgium.

In England, he began playing trumpet in a jazz band that included Max Jones on reeds, and another with Billy Mason on piano.

[1] Claes was one of several gentlemen drivers who took part in Grand Prix racing of post-World War II.

In April 1951 Claes crashed into a crowd while practicing at San Remo Grand Prix in Sanremo, Italy.

Claes entered occasional events until the end of the year, but finally succumbed to the disease in Brussels in 1956, aged 39.