Ralph Firman Sr. is a notable figure in British motorsport engineering and entrepreneurship. In 1973, he co-founded Van Diemen International, a race car manufacturer that became a leading producer of Formula Ford cars, significantly influencing junior single-seater racing.

After selling Van Diemen in 1999, Firman established Ralph Firman Racing (RFR) in 2008. RFR developed cars for various racing series, including Formula 1000 and F2000, and was selected to supply vehicles for the BRDC Formula 4 Championship in 2013. Firman's contributions have been instrumental in shaping the careers of many drivers and advancing the development of junior racing categories. His son, Ralph Firman Jr., competed in Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix in 2003, and his daughter, Natasha Firman, has also been involved in motorsport.