Rob Anderson

Rob Anderson was born in 1927 or as he put it "arrived in this mysterious world floating in a barrel of fine malt whiskey". After National Service, he returned to Loughborough College to obtain a degrees in aeronautical engineering, worked in aviation and other industries, later establishing his own business in engineering consultancy, working for major clients on Europe and the USA. Rob was introduced to 500s through a friend's brother, Alan Rogers, who allowed Rob to have a run at Silverstone. He started his 500 career in the Spring of 1953, initially in a Cooper Mk V, which he acquired from Norman Gray. He achieved some respectable results for a car that would have been out classed by that time:

Snetterton 18th April 1953, DNF due to holed piston

Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy 25th April 1953, 1st in heat, 4th in final

Brands Hatch 24th May 1953 Coronation Trophy, 3rd in junior heat

Crystal Palace 11th July 1953, 4th in Petit Prix (junior race)

Oulton Park 8th August 1953 Inaugural Meeting, 4th in heat

Silverstone 22nd August 1953 Commander Yorke Trophy, 10th in Silverstone 100

Rob at Prescott, 17th May 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Anderson

Before the end of 1953, he had switched to a new Staride and continued until 1956:

Snetterton 18th April 1953, DNF due to holed piston

Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy 25th April 1953, 1st in heat, 4th in final

Brands Hatch 24th May 1953 Coronation Trophy, 3rd in junior heat

Crystal Palace 11th July 1953, 4th in Petit Prix (junior race)

Oulton Park 8th August 1953 Inaugural Meeting, 4th in heat

Silverstone 22nd August 1953 Commander Yorke Trophy, 10th in Silverstone 100

Brough 3rd October 1953, 3rd in final

Oulton Park 3rd October 1953, 4th in final

 

Brough 17th April 1954, 5th in scratch race final

Brands Hatch 19th April 1954 Easter Meeting, 1st in junior heat, 3rd in junior final

Silverstone 5th June 1954, 3rd

Brands Hatch 7th June 1954 Whit-Monday Meeting, 1st in junior heat

Brands Hatch 4th July 1954, 1st in junior heat, 1st in junior final

Oulton Park 10th July 1954 Francis Beart Trophy, 4th in heat

Davidstow 2nd August 1954, 4th

Oulton Park 7th August 1954 Gold Cup, 1st in 25 mile race

Cadwell Park 10th October 1954, DNF in handicap race

Stapleford Tawny October 1954, 2nd

 

Brands Hatch 11th April 1955, 3rd in senior race heat

Snetterton 30th May 1955, DNF

Cadwell Park 31st May 1955, 1st

Oulton Park 2nd July 1955,.2nd

Aintree 16th July 1955 British Grand Prix, DNF

Brands Hatch 1st August 1955 Daily Telegraph Trophy, 2nd in second final

Oulton Park 27th August 1955 John Bull Trophy, DNF in heat

Aintree 3rd September 1955, 9th

Silverstone 17th September 1955 Commander Yorke Trophy, 6th in heat, 10th in 100 mile final

 

Aintree 21st April 1956, 12th

 

Rob receives his friends after finishing second to David Boshier-Jones, Oulton Park 2nd July 1955. Photo courtesy Rob Anderson

Rob is reunited with his Staride at Oulton Park

Rob chats with Sir Jack Brabham