I feel slightly guilty about only my second ever posting on 10-10ths being a request for information, but I would appreciate any help that can be provided. I’m trying to find out more about the career of a driver named Peter Pilsworth who raced from (I think) the late 50s to the mid 60s in, amongst others, Riley 1.5, Sunbeam Rapier, Sunbeam Alpine (the latter two entered by Alan Fraser) and a Mini Cooper S (entered by Boormans Performance Engineering). Any information on what became of him, photos etc would be much appreciated.
David McKinney
9 Feb 2004, 16:40
I seem to recall a Stirling Moss connection early in his career, though not what it was
He also raced in Formula Junior, I think in a team with Peter Jopp
David: Thank you, that’s interesting. I certainly hadn’t been aware of any Stirling Moss connection. Pilsworth and Jopp both drove Elva-BMCs in FJ in 1959, so I guess thay could have been in the same team – there was certainly a connection later on, as they shared an Alan Fraser-entered Sunbeam Rapier in the Motor 6 hour race at Brands Hatch in 1962 and the Sunbeam Alpine that Pilsworth drove in the 1962 Tourist Trophy was the one driven earlier that year at Le Mans by Jopp and Hopkirk.
I’m intrigued by the Stirling Moss connection – can anyone throw any light?
dereklola
18 Feb 2004, 04:23
I knew Peter in the 1963/64 period when he raced the Mini Cooper S - as I remember he ran mid-pack in big events. He owned or managed a "racing accessory shop" in Weybridge or somewhere around there and lived in Kingston. Might it have been connected with a Boorman's car dealership? The Boorman's name rings a bell. I bought the seats from him that I used in my Mini in the 1964 RAC RAlly.
I also remember meeting his wife who helped nurse Stirling after his big shunt - I think there was a picture in their living room inscibed "Thanks for all your help - Stirling" - or something like that. There maybe other connections - I don't know.
Funny that someone should ask about Peter - I was doing a bit of reminiscing myself the other week (you tend to do that after 65) and Peter was one of those I wondered about.
