George Eyston

Early life

George Eyston was educated at Stonyhurst College and Trinity College, Cambridge. His study of engineering at Cambridge was interrupted by World War I when he was commissioned in the Dorset Regiment and later served in the Royal Field Artillery. After the war he returned to Trinity College and was captain of the First Trinity Boat Club.

Career

Motor racing

Eyston's racing career began before World War One, when he was still a schoolboy, and raced motorcycles under an assumed name. After the war (in which he was awarded the Military Cross) he reverted to his own name, moved on to car racing and entered European road races, particularly in Bugattis, with success in races such as the 1921 and 1926 French Grand Prix

Later he became well known for racing supercharged MGs such as the Magic Midget and the K3 Magnette.{{cite book

Speed records

He fitted a diesel engine from an AEC bus into a car built on a Chrysler chassis and used it to set high-speed endurance records at Brooklands, attaining 100.75 mph in 1933 and 106 mph in 1936.{{cite web

In 1935, he was one of the first British racers to travel to the Bonneville salt flats of Utah, with his 24- and 48-hour record-setting car Speed of the Wind.

He is best known today for land speed records set in his car Thunderbolt.{{cite web

The rivalry was friendly, and in later years Eyston, as competitions manager for Castrol, assisted with Cobb's ill-fated attempt on the water speed record in Crusader.{{cite web

Thunderbolt's first record was set at 311.42 mph (502.12 km/h) on 19 November 1937 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Within a year, Thunderbolt returned with improved aerodynamics and raised its record to 345.50 mph on 27 August 1938.

Eyston was also involved in the design of his Thunderbolt car at the Bean Cars factory in Tipton, Staffordshire (now West Midlands).

Patents and engineering

As an engineer and inventor, he held a number of patents related to motor engineering and particularly supercharging. His work on developing high-power gearboxes was important for Thunderbolt, along with his invention of the Powerplus supercharger used on MGs.

World War II

During World War II Eyston served on various bodies connected with industry and was a Regional Controller for the Ministry of Production.

Honours and awards

• Eyston was awarded the Military Cross on 18 July 1917 - 2nd Lt. (temp Lt.) George Edward Thomas Eyston, RFA., Spec. Res. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rendered most valuable service when carrying out reconnaissance under heavy fire. On several occasions he went forward under heavy shell and machine gun fire. He carried out his duties with great courage and determination, and was able to obtain most valuable information.
• He was awarded the Segrave Trophy in 1935.
• He was made a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1938.
• He was made an OBE in 1948.

Racing record

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Complete European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

;Notes

• – Eyston was co-driver with Birkin at the French GP and Birkin drove with Lewis at the Belgian GP, therefore rules excluded Eyston from the Championship.

Publications

• {{cite book
• {{cite book
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References

--* {{cite book

• EYSTON, Capt. George Edward Thomas, Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007, accessed 8 Aug 2012
• Captain George Eyston (obituary), The Times, London, 23 November 1979, page VIII (Obituaries Supplement)

References

1. "MG Car Club of Western Australia marque".
2. "The Golden Era of GP Racing 1934-40 - Drivers".
3. {{London Gazette. (29 September 1914)
4. Goodwin, Colin. (November 2011). "The Racing Driver's Pocket–Book". Conway/Anova Books.
5. "George Eyston racing at Montlhery".
6. [https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/20/archives/eyston-sets-auto-record-at-31142-m-p-h-breaking-campbell-mark-on.html "Eyston Sets Auto Record at 311.42 M.P.H., Breaking Campbell Mark on Utah Salt Flats"], November 20, 1937, p.1
7. [http://www.sedgleymanor.com/schools/schools.htm]{{dead link. (July 2016)
8. "Improvements in and connected with the method of constructing impellers for rotary pump machines".
9. "Improvements in or relating to rotary pumps and blowers".
10. "Improvements in and connected with rotary pump and like machines".
11. {{London Gazette. (18 July 1917)
12. [http://www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/Motoring/Trophies-and-Medals#ctab4 Segrave Trophy] {{Webarchive. link. (13 September 2012 – Royal Automobile Club)
13. {{London Gazette. (1 January 1948)
14. "All Results of Giovanni Lurani". racingsportscars.com.
15. "THE GOLDEN ERA – OF GRAND PRIX RACING". kolumbus.fi.