Record-breaking recognition

A reader tells me that in Winchester, where he lives, there is a George Eyston Drive. I am so glad to know this, as it is some recognition of one of the most successful of record-breakers and a good racing driver, who never received the recognition due to him.

GET Eyston, OBE, MC, MIME, MSAE, was fearless in cars from the 100mph MG Midget to his preposterous 73-litre, 4700hp, eight-wheeled, 7-ton, 357.5mph LSR car ‘Thunderbolt’. But he took prudent precautions against racing risks, such as his asbestos overalls after he had had to jump from the burning MG, or his gas mask against cockpit fumes in the LSR car.

The road named after him may well be the very one where Eyston was waiting for me when I went to interview him, not long before he died.

A gentleman, a versatile sportsman and pilot, George was never recognised as Segrave and Campbell were with knighthoods; he said he was content to be a member of the Legion d’Honeur, with which France recognised his accomplishments. Nice that Eyston is remembered, as are Locke King, Lonsdale, Segrave and Cobb after whom roads in the vicinity of Brooklands have been named.