Michael Thomas Salmon (12 October 1933 – 13 January 2016)[1] was a British racing driver from England, who competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1962 and 1984.
[1] He served an apprenticeship with Jaguar Cars and subsequently joined their service department, working at various dealerships around the UK to gain experience.
[5] In 1963, Salmon began the year with the Aston Martin DB4GT, but competed in the Nürburgring 1000 km race in a Ferrari 250 GT alongside entrant Chris Kerrison, finishing eighth.
[3][6] He also won the Brands Hatch six-hour race in July, a round of the European Touring Car Championship, co-driven by Peter Sutcliffe in a Jaguar Mk II.
[4] He also competed on behalf of John Coombs, in a Jaguar E-type and Ferrari 250 GTO, finishing eighth in the Silverstone 1963 British Grand Prix support race and fifth in the Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch respectively.
The car completed 235 laps, but was disqualified due to an infringement of the rules in respect of taking on oil, having been running third in class at one point.
[3] In domestic competition, Salmon competed regularly for Dawnay Racing in a Ferrari 250 GTO, with the best result of fourth in the Sussex Trophy at Goodwood.
[3] In 1967, Salmon competed at Le Mans in a GT40 entered by J. W. Automotive alongside Brian Redman but the car retired after 20 laps.
[4] In 1977, he returned to Le Mans with a Robin Hamilton-entered Aston Martin DBS RHAM/1 V8 finishing 17th overall and third in class, co-driven by Hamilton and David Preece.
[3] At Le Mans, co-driven by Phillips and American driver Steve Earle, the car also failed to finish, retiring after 140 laps.
[3] At Le Mans, joined by Simon Phillips, the Nimrod finished seventh overall and fourth in class despite late race brake problems and a misfire.
[16] 1984 was Salmon's final entry at Le mans, teamed with Richard Attwood and John Sheldon the Nimrod again did not finish, completing 92 laps.