Comish Hunter

Comish Hunter

Comish Hunter born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire and trained as an engineer, joining his father-in-laws business Atlantic Engine Company that specialized in diesel engines. He joined the RAF for the duration of the war then joined the family business T Hunter and Sons Ltd. Pre-war Comish raced dirt track speedway in 1930’s and became very influential in the development of motor racing in Scotland after the war.

He joined forces with Joe Potts and Pat Prosser in 1948 and all bought Cooper Mk IIs. Comish took a third at Bo'ness in September, failed to finish the same event in June '49 then another third at the inaugural Rest and be Thankful hill climb. September Bo'ness brought another third to Potts and Prosser.

In May 1950, still in the Cooper, Comish took ninth in the prestigious "Royal" Silverstone race one ahead of Pat Prosser then in June he beat Joe Potts at Bo'ness. Rest and be Thankful in July brought another fastest time ahead of David Swan and Joe Potts, Joe now driving the first JP. Soon after, Comish also acquired a JP and took a second at Bo'ness in September and won the inaugural event at Winfield in October.

Comish at Winfield in October 1951. Photo Courtesy Graham Gauld

1951 did not start too well, a trip to Dundrod in Ulster resulted in a DNF. Rest and be Thankful in July brought a third then a second to the JBS of Peter Collins at Winfield on 21st July, a DNF at Turnberry and a third to Ninian Sanderson's Cooper at Bo'ness in September. In April 1952, Comish took a second in his heat and a third in the final of the Royal Scottish Trophy at Kirkcaldy, behind Sanderson and McGlashan  He was fourth at Turnberry in May and eighteenth at Silverstone in the International Trophy.

He also competed in Alpine Rally with Bob Dickson in a Morgan. In the Spring of 1953, Comish moved to South Africa and, as far as we can tell, never raced again.

You can find out more about Comish and other Scottish drivers in Graham Gauld's book, Scottish Motor Racing and Drivers. Our thanks to Graham and Rob Young for help with this profile.