Alan Rippon

Alan Charles Rippon, born 1912, came from Chelmsford in Essex and began racing in 1949 in his own Rippon Special (sometimes referred to as the AR Special or its original name ASA), which was Triumph powered and had Fiat derived suspension, without significant success; Silverstone 9th July 1949, DNF and Silverstone 3rd September 1949, DNF

For 1950 he switched to a Cooper, probably Ken Watkins' Mk III JAP and by April 1950, the special was being advertised in Iota. Partly as a result, the year saw some improvement:

Royal Silverstone 13th May 1950, 20th in Final,

Silverstone 100 Mile Race 8th July 1950, 2nd,

Zandvoort Dutch Grand Prix 23rd July 1950 6th.

Alan continued with the JAP powered Cooper into 1951 and also drove an MG at Le Mans in June '51, partnering George Phillips but they did not finish:

Luxemburg Grand Prix 3rd May 1951, 5th in heat, 2nd in final,

Brands Hatch 12th May 1951, 3rd in heat of International Trophy,

Grand Prix Silverstone 14th July 1951,  DNF,

Zandvoort  Dutch Grand Prix 21st July 1951, DNF

For 1952, Alan formed Ecurie Britannique with John Coombs driving Cooper Mk VIs with Norton power to take in a Continental tour:

Goodwood Earl of March Trophy 14th April 1952, 7th,

Draguignan 18th May 1952, 3rd,

Luxembourg Grand Prix 22nd May 1952, 6th in heat,

Nürburgring 24th May 1952, 10th,

Chimay, Belgium 31st May 1952, 8th,

Orleans 8th June 1952, 3rd,

Amiens 15th June1952, 3rd in heat, DNF in final,

Grand Prix Silverstone 19th July 1952 DNF,

Silverstone 100 Mile Race 23rd August 1952 6th.

As a result, Alan was awarded a Plaque by the Half-Litre Club at the end of the year. He seems to have faded from the 500 scene thereafter but was still racing in 1955 and drove the Kieft Climax at Dundrod.