Geoff Gartside |
Geoff Gartside started racing 500s in 1958 taking second place at Full Sutton in April and a respectable ninth in the Daily Express Trophy, Silverstone in May, against the top drivers of the day. Second again at Full Sutton in July, beating Jack Pitcher, closed the season In 1959, Geoff was fifth in the Empire Trophy at Oulton Park and at Snetterton in April and second to Jack in May. He took a fine fifth in the Commander Yorke Trophy in August followed by a win at Thomaby in September and second at Catterick in September. Geoff won at Rufforth in September to finish the year on a high. In 1960, he finished second to Jack at Rufforth and Silverstone in June, won the York Cup at Linton in July, second in the Commander Yorke Trophy to Gordon Jones, won again at Rufforth in September and second at Snetterton in October to close his 500 cc career. For 1961, like many others he moved to Formula Junior. Except, for Geoff this was not the end. After a visit to the Earl of March Trophy at Goodwood in 2001, he dusted off his original Cooper Mk VIII and returned to the cockpit. Geoff has been a regular racer since but has now handed over the steering duties to his son, Martin.
Geoff at the British Grand Prix, July 1958
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