George Saunders

George Saunders

George Saunders was a successful speedway rider, prior to the war, and ran the Atlantic Restaurant in Surbiton, close to Cooper's Garage. During the war, Charlie Cooper serviced fire engines and George was responsible for inspecting the work. When Cooper launched the production 500, the Mk II , Charlie persuaded George to become one of the first customers.

 

George takes delivery of his new Cooper Mk II

 

He raced his Mk II for the later half of 1948, with little success, a DNF at Silverstone for the Grand Prix in October and a DNS at Dunholme Lodge a week later. 1949 was a big improvement with a third at Brough in April, fourth at Prescott in May, fourth in the All Comers race at Silverstone in July, a respectable ninth in the 50 Mile race at Silverstone and eighth at Goodwood in September and fifth at Weston Super Mare in October. After this he gave up competition.

Later, in 1956, he became an unpaid team manager for Cooper as they toured Europe and when Charlie Cooper died in in 1964, George bought his house in Box Hill.

 

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