Eric ran a historic motorsports bookshop until quite recently, based near Guildford in Surrey. Until just before his death, Eric was still attending motorsport events. Formerly a Lloyd's stockbroker, which severely curtailed his racing career and largely stopped Eric from progressing his career, as bar Le Mans, he very rarely was able to race abroad. When he did get an opportunity to show what he could do, he excelled, finishing 5th in his only Grand Prix. A delightful, self deprecating, witty fellow, a true gentleman, Eric retired from racing in 1956 to concentrate on his work at Lloyds, which he continued until 1979. He also worked as a time keeper for Aston Martin after his racing retirement and in 2013, was honoured by the Le Mans 24 Hours Hall of Fame. Thompson also fought in World War Two, serving as a Captain, and then a Major, in both North Africa and Italy and until 1946 was the commander in charge of the Central Mediterranean School of Signals in Padua.

Biography last updated 1 Oct 2015