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INSPIRATION
The Front Page
explained...
 John
Cobb grew up near Brooklands in Surrey the world's first permanent racing
circuit. Built in 1907 it hosted the first British Grand Prix and was the
venue for several Land Speed Record attempts. Cobb’s first career was as a fur
trader based in Lime Street. He decided to take his passion for fast cars to
the next level and become a racing driver. He won his first race in 1925. John
Cobb’s record stood for nearly 17 years. On the 14th July 1964 another Lime
Street man, Donald Campbell broke the official record with a speed of 403.10
mph. A staggering £3 million was spent on his car to beat Cobb’s record by
just 8.9 mph.After setting the Land Speed Record three times cOBB turned to
the Water Speed Record. Tragically he died in a high-speed crash during a
record attempt on Loch Ness, Scotland.
 Malcolm
Campbell, a well known member of Lloyd's, working for surviving Lloyd's
Broker, Tyser amongst others was a shareholder in Brooklands and very active
in the design and running of the track. Throughout this period he was very
active in all classes of racing at Brooklands driving a 1½ litre Talbot,
several Bugattis and the ex-Benoist straight eight supercharged G.P. Delage
which was at the height of its fame in 1928 after numerous 1927 Grand Prix
victories. His later cars, all exotic and streamlined, and all named
"Bluebird," somehow provided both excitement and hope for the future in a
world turned upside down by the economy and the war. MALCOLM was also known
for his water speed achievements.
Donald Campbell was the son
of Captain Malcolm Campbell. Captain Campbell set the record 9 times during
the 1920s and 1930s.
Donald Malcolm Campbell was born on March 23, 1921 in Horley, Surrey. He was a
British car and motorboat driver who broke many speed records. Campbell was
the son of Sir Malcolm Campbell and as well as following in his father's
career footsteps at Lloyd's, he strove to set speed records on land and water.
Following the demobilisation
of the Army in 1946, Eric Thompson started his career as a Marine Insurance
Broker at Lloyds. At this time, he also enjoyed some success in Trials and
Rallies driving a TB MG and a Ford V8.In 1950 Eric was asked to join the Aston
Martin Works Team but before Le Mans, where his DB2 retired with engine
problems, all the time earning his living as a Marine Insurance Broker, time
for motor racing was very limited and in 1951 he managed 8 races, including Le
Mans, where
with Lance Macklin he came first in class and third overall.
In 1952 he raced an aston at Le Mans, and in the British Grand Prix drove a
works Connaught to 5th place.
During 1953, when Eric founded the Lloyd's motor club (LMC) he won the
Goodwood 9 hour Race in an Aston Martin DB3S with Reg Parnell, and followed by
2nd place in the Tourist Trophy.1955 saw him in a works 1.5ltr Connaught at le
Mans and the Goodwood 9 Hour Race, retiring in both. A CUAC Sprint the
following Spring in a 500cc Jason was his last competitive event with a Class
win. He is still a revered patron of LMC.
More to come....
“Story Time”
Irish Racing GreenIn the early days of racing the foremost event was without question “The Gordon Bennett Cup”. Count Eliot Zborowski father of inter-war racing legend Louis Zborowski initially suggested that each national entrant be allocated a different colour. Each component used was to be produced in the country of origin and the driver had to be of the same nationality. In the motoring industry there is an interesting nothing new comparison often made. It is interesting to observe that whilst A1 Grand Prix as a series emerged relatively recently, its origins are a little deeper seated.
 The 1902 Gordon Bennett race had been won by Selwyn Edge for Britain in his Napier, and the tradition was that the following years race be held in the homeland of the previous years winner. However there was a major problem as Britain was unable to hold the event because even then the depressingly backward attitude of government toward the motor car had banned motor racing, and Brooklands was still 4 years away from being built. Despite this national overture Ireland was far more progressive and stepped into the breach, so it was arranged to hold the 1903 race in Ireland.
Motor sport is about what we do, and there is little finer example than the British entrants painting their cars in green as a mark of respect for their Irish hosts. Whilst initially the colour distinction which followed only applied to the grands epreuves it was later completely adopted by the FIA. This gesture became the basis for British racing green which in various shades was later adopted as a works colour by Bentley, Aston, Vanwall, BRM, cooper, Lotus and Napier to name an important few. Being Irish I have therefore always been cheery about BRG as the nationalism it signifies is at its heart respectful and good spirited. Motor sports are often considered reckless although many other sports could well learn from the gentility it embodies.
Famously, pillar of British society, The Earl Howe, publicly took exception to Irish Racing Green in the thirties, turning out at an international event with his car painted a favourite shade of Blue – curious given that these were French colours. Such was the respect for the historical significance by the competitors in the paddock, Campbell amongst them, that his attempt to stir dissent failed and he was forced to repaint the car in order to run.
In 1970 the commercialism we see today crept in following Lotus gaining dispensation to run Gold Leaf livery in F1 in 68. The identifying colours soon disappeared, replaced by team and sponsor decals. If only in name Lime Street still attempts to hold regard for a little colour and tradition. Mind you what we make of it is now up to us.
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