Harold Daniell

Harold Daniell was better know for his motorbike racing where he was a highly successful rider including winning the Isle of Mann TT and christening the Norton "featherbed" frame, designed by Rex McCandless after describing it as "riding on a featherbed" as opposed to riding the "garden gate". Harold's brother in law was Steve Lancefield and both were in demand for their expertise as Manx Norton tuners by 500 folk.

Harold took to driving, at the age of 42, in Formula 3 at the wheel of an Emeryson, finishing fourth in his heat and fourth in the Final of the Junior Race at Brands Hatch in April 1951, fourth again in the Junior Final and second in the April Handicap two weeks later. By May he had graduated to the International Trophy Race, finishing fourth behind Paul Emery. In June he finished second to Curly Dryden in the Open Challenge and later in October took fifth in the Brands Hatch Championship Final to close the season.

Ready for a push at Silverstone. Photo courtesy John Pearson

1952 started with a second in his heat of the London Trophy in April and a DNF in the final at Brands in May. He took a fine second to Stuart Lewis-Evans at Brands in July and a win in the Consolation race on 4th August and second to Stuart again in his heat on 21st September. By 1953, the Emeryson would have been thoroughly outclassed but Harold continued, failing to finish at Brands in the Easter 25 but achieving a third in the April Sprint and third in the Easter Open final. He managed fourth in his heat of the Open Challenge on 24th May at Brands and won the Petit Prix at Crystal Palace on 11th July but DNF'd the Invitation race. At the International Trophy meeting in August, Daniell took third in the heats but soon after retired from driving.

Harold at Brands Hatch, April 1953. He would finish third in the Easter Open Final.

Harold Daniell died in January 1967.