Ken Downing

Kenneth Henry Downing (5 December 1917 - 3 May 2004): British racing driver from Chesterton, Staffordshire who was born into a wealthy family whose interests included manufacturing, transport, and garages. His father was Chairman and founder of G.H.Downing Ltd, who produced roofing tiles, bricks, and clay products. Born during World War I, Downing started racing after World War II, making his competition debut in 1948 on the Eastbourne Rally and winning the novice award.

His racing debut came at the inaugural Goodwood meeting, taking 2nd place in his Healey road car despite being left on the grid when he let in the clutch only to find he was still in neutral. His first Connaught came in 1950 and was an early sports car with a 1.5 litre engine so that he could run in the smaller class. He began racing with Connaught in 1951, winning 17 races throughout the year. The second Connaught Formula 2 car was chassis A3 and it was sold to Ken Downing.

Downing competed in two Formula One championship Grand Prix in 1952. He made his Formula 1 debut at the 1952 British Grand Prix driving for Connaught. At the end of practice at Silverstone, Ken Downing qualified with his Connaught in fifth place. He finished ninth in his first Formula One World Championship event at Silverstone but had run fourth in the race ahead of Alberto Ascari before spinning while avoiding a backmarker.

He competed in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort later that year but was forced to retire due to an oil-pressure problem. He won the 1952 Madgwick Cup and finished second in the Grand Prix des Frontières that same year. At the Grand Prix des Frontières at Chimay, Belgium, he lost the lead at the end of the race several metres before the finish line. Complete lack of success in 1953 led to his racing retirement.

He was a privateer racer who largely stayed loyal to Connaught and was quite adept at sportscars. He died in Monte Carlo.