GEORGE PARKINSON (E 10-14) CONTINUES OLD EVANIAN VINTAGE MOTORSPORT TRADITION

In October the OS Club shared a biographical article on the tragic story of the talented young racing driver Johnny Wakefield (E 29-33). We are glad to report that another Old Evanian, George Parkinson, has been keen to follow his family interest in Vintage Motorsport, originally driving his father’s 1929 Riley at a number of Hillclimb events. Alongside his father, Philip, George races, trials and tours vintage cars around the UK, having several years ago secured a race licence to compete at most of the major race circuits, including Silverstone.

George decided to purchase a car of his own selecting a 1928 Rosengart Torpedo Sports. In the early part of the 2016 race season, George was involved in a ‘racing incident’ at Oulton Park Circuit which culminated in him rolling his car. He sustained significant bruising and chemical burns but was otherwise able to walk away. The car, however, needed some considerable fettling to be drivable once again. George’s enthusiasm wasn’t dented and he entered the next race, meeting at Mallory Park where he won the Burghley Trophy.

Following a number of race meetings, it soon came around to defend his trophy in August 2017. On this occasion driving his fathers 1928 Austin Tourer he again won the Burghley Trophy for the second year running. As a family, George and Philip race, trial and tour Vintage cars which they describe as tremendous fun and all the more so given the connection with Evans House and Johnnie Wakefield.