Pioneer Auto Race Car Driver. Born at Concord, near Sydney, Australia, he was brought to England in 1871. At the age of 19 he won his first bicycle race and became involve with the Dunlop Tyre Company. By 1897 he began his motoring career and the following year bought the famous Panhard and Levassor No.8 which won the Paris-Marseilles race in 1898. He then pursuaded Montague Napier to begin building cars and became closely involved with the development of their them. In 1902 he won the Gordon-Bennett Cup, a major prize at the time in motor racing. In 1907, soon after the opening of the Brooklands Track, he drove a 60hp Napier around the circuit for 24 hours covering 1,581 miles at an average speed of 65mph. He also began to be interested in powerboat racing. By 1912 he sold his interest in Napiers, and began successful pig breeding in Surrey. In 1917 he became Controller of Agricultural Machinery and Minister of Munitions. In 1940 he died at the age of 71 at Eastbourne.
Pioneer Auto Race Car Driver. Born at Concord, near Sydney, Australia, he was brought to England in 1871. At the age of 19 he won his first bicycle race and became involve with the Dunlop Tyre Company. By 1897 he began his motoring career and the following year bought the famous Panhard and Levassor No.8 which won the Paris-Marseilles race in 1898. He then pursuaded Montague Napier to begin building cars and became closely involved with the development of their them. In 1902 he won the Gordon-Bennett Cup, a major prize at the time in motor racing. In 1907, soon after the opening of the Brooklands Track, he drove a 60hp Napier around the circuit for 24 hours covering 1,581 miles at an average speed of 65mph. He also began to be interested in powerboat racing. By 1912 he sold his interest in Napiers, and began successful pig breeding in Surrey. In 1917 he became Controller of Agricultural Machinery and Minister of Munitions. In 1940 he died at the age of 71 at Eastbourne.
Bio by: Paul Narramore
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