Tommy Bridger was born in Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire in June1934. He first entered racing with a Cooper in 1953, quickly transferring the following season to a Kieft-Norton. Although still a Junior, he started to string some decent results together. He continued with the Kieft through 1955 before buying a Cooper Mk IX towards the end of the season in preparation for his first full Championship season.

Although this was now the period of Jim Russell domination, Bridger enjoyed some dices with ‘the master’, usually emerging second best but dogging his rival’s footsteps race in and race out. In 1957 he is credited with sharing the BRSCC Championship with Russell.

For 1958 Tommy tried his hand at Formula 2, finishing second on aggregate in the minor Crystal Palace Trophy race, and eighth in the Coupe de Vitesse at Reims. His only Grand Prix appearance, in Morocco, ended in a crash from which he luckily emerged shaken but otherwise unharmed. He continued to compete in Formula III, now against the new breed of Jack Pitcher, Trevor Taylor and Phil Robinson.

Tommy exits Druids, 1955.

Despite several wins for Bridger, it was Taylor who would emerge as BRSCC National champion. Again in 1959, he would win five Championship races in his faithful Cooper-Norton, although this time Don Parker took the title. For 1960 Bridger moved on to Formula Junior, racing a third works Lotus at the British Grand Prix meeting. Tommy died in Scotland in July 1991.

At Brands Hatch in August 1958, now in the Cooper.