Peter Jopp

Peter Munro Jopp, a car dealer from West London, began racing 500s with a Cooper Mk IV in 1952, taking fourth in the Junior Race Final at Brands in October. In '53 he took a respectable fifth place in the Easter 20 Final at Brands on the 7th April before moving to an Emeryson in which he won the Consolation Final on 14th June, took second in the Petit Prix at Crystal Palace in July to the sister Emeryson of Harold Daniell in July.

 In 1954 he finished a creditable fifth in the Whitsun meeting at Goodwood and sixth in the Yuletide Trophy at Brands.

One amusing story concerns the fellow driver and gentlemen, Arthur Gill who used to travel to events with the family butler, Courtney. At one meeting Gill was parked next to Peter whose car was suffering from transmission troubles. Seeing Joppie’s plight, Courtney was summoned: “pour Mr Jopp a Pimms and then fix his clutch”, was the order. Peter used to recall the moment with a big grin and say he knew he was in the right sport from that moment onwards!

In 1956, Peter shared the Halseylec with Eric Brandon and partnered with Reg Bicknell in a Lotus XI for the the Le Mans 24 hour race and most of the season  They finished seventh overall and won the 1,100 cc class. He competed several more times at Le Mans, in Peerless in '58 finishing 16th overall with Colin Crabbe), a Triumph TR3 ('59), Sunbeam Alpine ('61 and AC Cobra before turning his attentions to rallying for Rootes, Ford, Lancia and BMC. Peter also became a Director of the BRDC. Peter died in August 2008.

Photo courtesy of the Association of Rootes Car Clubs.