Don Parker

[HiRich]

I've somehow volunteered myself to interview an associate of Don Parker in about a week's time. Problem is, the information about both 1950s F3 generally, and Don in particular is very piecemeal and can be summarised as:
- Was 40 before he even saw a race
- Developed the CFM and Kieft-based Parker Specials
- Was very successful
- Often beat Stirling Moss
- Hardly ever raced outside F3
I've got a fairly decent understanding of the 500s anyway, but I'm struggling to put all the pieces together to define a timeline and develop a framework for the interview. Best source has been www.500race.org, but seeing as it was written by my brother, it's hardly trustworthy!

I've done the usual internet searches, but does anyone have access to any decent biographical pieces that I can bone up on?

Thanks Awfully
Rich

[j w davies]

there was an article on Don in Motor Sport June 2003.

[RAP]

Hope this helps.From Motor Racing Register 1964 (summarised)

Born 1908 Married 1 daughter
Business - Don Parker Motors London
First race 1950 Parker Spl 500 At Silverstone. Sebsequently became leading 500 exponent in Kiefts tuned by Steve Lancefield and Francis Beart. Winner Autosport 500cc Championship 1952-54.in 1953 31 1st, 12 2nd, 3 3rds. Wins at Monaco , Reims, Zandvoort, Nurburgring as well as all UK cicuits. At various times held lap record at Brands, Oulton, Fairwood, Silverstone, Snetterton, Cadwell, Crystal Palace & Shelsley Walsh. Also competed with Jensen (1960 after 500 racing more or less folded up as I recall) Jaguar (I don't recall this) and Cooper (1956-1959 after the Kieft was no longer competative - I'm pretty certain he was 1959 500 champ although the MRR bio doesn't say so)

All in all pretty much the "top dog" in 500s.
RAP

[HiRich]

Thanks for that RAP. Particularly, whilst I was aware of a couple of races (such as the Dundrod TT) in Kieft sportscars, I have not heard of any other races outside of F3-500.

I also thought there was only one F3 race at Monaco, which I'm pretty sure was a Moss victory.

Does anyone know where/what Fairwood is/was?

Rich

[RAP]

[QUOTE=HiRich]
I also thought there was only one F3 race at Monaco, which I'm pretty sure was a Moss victory.
Me too. Parker was 3rd not 1st - just goes to show yet again that you can't believe all that is published!!

Does anyone know where/what Fairwood is/was?

Yes- airfield near Swansea. Used only twice (by cars) 26/7/52 and 24/7/54 by Welsh Motor Racing Club / Swansea MC for "500cc Car Championship of Wales"

[j w davies]

Fairwood Circuit is now Swansea airport.
On July 26 1952 it held the 500cc Championship of Wales. Don Parker (Kieft) won heat 3 but only finished 4th in the final which was won by George Wicken in a Cooper.
On July 24 1954 Don Parker (Kieft) finished 3rd in the second heat after hitting a straw bale at the hairpin. Don won the final with a fastest lap of 1min 22.1 secs (74.27 mph). He also drove a Kieft 1100 in the 1500cc sports car race but didn't place, Colin Chapman (Lotus 8) won, Archie Scott-Brown (Lister-MG) second.

[RAP]

j w davies
Any idea why no 1953 event? I assume financial, the 54 event had Daily Telegraph as supporter. I supose that, like other venues, Fairwood dropped out after the tighter safety requirements after the Le Mans disaster.

[Steve Wilkinson]

The two things that killed off most circuits in the aftermath of the Le Mans accident were the huge increase in the cost of Insurance plus for the first time people actually started to think 'what if....'

[HiRich]

Thanks for all the info.

Rich