Reg Barrett

Reg Barrett's first recorded appearance was at the Brands Hatch Easter Meeting in 1954 driving an Emeryson where he finished a respectable fifth in the Open Challenge heat. He followed this with a ninth place at Snetterton a week later then a third in his heat of the Senior Race back at Brands Hatch on Whit-Monday and a win in the Junior Race. Thereafter, Reg switched to a Cooper, recording a third in his heat at the Brands Hatch Daily Telegraph meeting in August and a fourth in the Open Challenge and a fifth in the Seniors on the 3rd October.

Reg's Emeryson rests in the paddock at Brands, 7th June 1954. Photo Robin Fairservice

1955 continued in a similar vein, third in the Seniors heat on 11th April, third on the 1st May, fourth in the Second Final on May 29th, all at Brands Hatch. Crystal Palace on the 30th brought a sixth in his heat for the Redex Trophy, back at Brands on 12th June for a second in the Seniors Heat and sixth in the Final. Silverstone, 25th June brought second in the heats. Fourth in the Second Final for the Sporting Record Trophy in July and a win in the Second Final at Brands on 1st August. Back at Silverstone for the Commander Yorke Trophy, Reg managed fourth in his heat followed by a third in his heat of the Sporting Record Trophy on 9th October. Reg's year ended on a high with fourth in the final of the Yuletide Trophy, on Boxing Day, beating Ken Tyrrell.

Reg in his modified Cooper.

In 1956, he finished second in the Consolation Final at the Sporting Record meeting on 3rd April, won his heat and was third in the Final at Silverstone in June, won both races at Brands on 19th August, third at Silverstone in September and third again in his heat for the Commander Yorke Trophy at the end of the month. The season closed with a heat win at Brands on 14th October.

For 1957, Reg made rather less appearances, starting with a second in the heats to Gordon Jones and a third in the Final, to Jones and Ian Raby at Brands on the 31st March, followed by Fourth in the Sporting Record Trophy on 22nd April. Crystal Palace in June brought a fourth in the heats and the year ended with a fourth in the Yuletide Trophy on Boxing Day. That would appear to be the sum of Reg's racing career but if you know more, please get in touch

Reg must have known a little about extracting money from the marketing men!