Kenelm Lee Guinness
Encyclopedia
Kenelm Edward Lee Guinness MBE
(14 August 1887 - 10 April 1937) was a racing driver of the 1910s - 1920s. He was part of the Guinness
brewing family
, and a director of the company.
His first major race as a driver was the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
. His Darracq
retired early, owing to axle failure. This involvement with the closely related Sunbeam, Talbot and Darracq marques continued throughout his career. In the same year he also took part in the Belgian Grand Prix
at the Circuit des Ardennes.
Around this time he acquired space in a disused pub, 'The Bald Faced Stag' in Putney
, London as a base for his motor-racing exploits.
From 1913 he was an official driver for Sunbeam, along with Henry Segrave
. Sunbeam's engine designer, Louis Coatalen
, became a friend and assisted his motor-racing career, driving Sunbeam or Talbot cars.
, a brandname surviving today.
His experience in the 1912 Manx Tourist Trophy led him to develop a more reliable spark plug. The innovation of the KLG spark plug was its use of mica
as an insulator. This mica was stacked in sheets and compressed by the centre electrode being tightened on a thread. These insulators gave more reliable performance than the porcelain ceramics used by others.
Production of these plugs began in a small way at 'The Bald Faced Stag', supplying other racers including Segrave and Campbell
.
KLG plugs developed a particular reputation for reliability in aircraft use and were in great demand during the First World War. At the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Navy
, but his work on spark plugs was considered to be more valuable to the war effort and he was asked to resign.
In 1919 he sold world distribution rights to Smiths
, then sold up completely in 1927. He remained as a consultant.
KLG's reliability was particularly attractive to the land speed record
contenders and their many-cylindered aero-engines, often with dual ignition systems. Segrave's 1,000HP Sunbeam
required 48 spark plugs, a mis-fire amongst which could be very difficult to detect and replace on a windswept beach.
In time, KLG out-grew their pub and a fine building was constructed in the most modern of styles. At one time 1,500 people were employed there. Sadly the building is now demolished and replaced by an Asda
store.
built the Sunbeam 350HP, powered by a V12 Manitou
engine.
On 18 May 1922 Guinness used the car to set new Land Speed Record
s at Brooklands
: the Brooklands lap record at 121.54 mph, then the flying-start land speed records over a half-mile, kilometre, mile and two miles. The fastest record being 136.05 mph for the half-mile. These were the last land speed records to be set on a racetrack rather than a beach or salt flat.
The Sunbeam was later sold to Malcolm Campbell
, who named it "Blue Bird" and also set land speed records with it.
After his accident, Guinness withdrew from record-breaking as well as track competition. However when his Sunbeam co-driver Segrave
took the 1,000HP
car to Daytona
in 1927, Guinness accompanied him.
In 1926, after his retirement from motor racing, he and his friend Malcolm Campbell
went on a treasure hunting trip to the Cocos Islands.
In his final months towards 1937, he was described as suffering delusions and was admitted to a nursing home. On 10 April 1937 he was found dead in a bedroom at his home near the KLG factory, having apparently gassed himself.
At the coroner's inquest, his brother Sir Algernon Guinness produced a letter that indicated the likelihood of suicide. The coroner's verdict was, "Suicide, while of unsound mind".
He was buried on 14 April at Putney Vale Crematorium, alongside the KLG factory.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(14 August 1887 - 10 April 1937) was a racing driver of the 1910s - 1920s. He was part of the Guinness
Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
brewing family
Guinness family
The Guinness family is an extensive aristocratic Irish Protestant family noted for their accomplishments in brewing, banking, politics and religious ministry...
, and a director of the company.
Beginnings in motor racing
Kenelm's interest in motor racing began whilst at Cambridge University, as his elder brother Sir Algernon Guinness's riding mechanic.His first major race as a driver was the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
RAC Tourist Trophy
The International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
. His Darracq
Darracq
Automobiles Darracq S.A. was a French motor vehicle manufacturing company founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq.Using part of the substantial profit he had made from selling his Gladiator bicycle factory, Alexandre Darracq began operating from a plant in the Parisian suburb of Suresnes...
retired early, owing to axle failure. This involvement with the closely related Sunbeam, Talbot and Darracq marques continued throughout his career. In the same year he also took part in the Belgian Grand Prix
1907 Grand Prix season
The 1907 Grand Prix season was the second Grand Prix racing season.-Grandes Épreuves:-Other Grands Prix:...
at the Circuit des Ardennes.
Around this time he acquired space in a disused pub, 'The Bald Faced Stag' in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, London as a base for his motor-racing exploits.
From 1913 he was an official driver for Sunbeam, along with Henry Segrave
Henry Segrave
-External links:* * * * *...
. Sunbeam's engine designer, Louis Coatalen
Louis Coatalen
Louis Hervé Coatalen was a Breton automobile engineer.Coatalen was born in the Breton fishing town of Concarneau and went on to study engineering at the Ecole des Arts et Métiers at Cluny ....
, became a friend and assisted his motor-racing career, driving Sunbeam or Talbot cars.
KLG spark plugs
As for many racing motorists of this era, he had commercial interests in automotive engineering; in this case being the inventor of the KLG spark plugSpark plug
A spark plug is an electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed fuels such as aerosol, gasoline, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas by means of an electric spark.Spark plugs have an insulated central electrode which is connected by...
, a brandname surviving today.
His experience in the 1912 Manx Tourist Trophy led him to develop a more reliable spark plug. The innovation of the KLG spark plug was its use of mica
Mica
The mica group of sheet silicate minerals includes several closely related materials having highly perfect basal cleavage. All are monoclinic, with a tendency towards pseudohexagonal crystals, and are similar in chemical composition...
as an insulator. This mica was stacked in sheets and compressed by the centre electrode being tightened on a thread. These insulators gave more reliable performance than the porcelain ceramics used by others.
Production of these plugs began in a small way at 'The Bald Faced Stag', supplying other racers including Segrave and Campbell
Malcolm Campbell
Sir Malcolm Campbell was an English racing motorist and motoring journalist. He gained the world speed record on land and on water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using vehicles called Blue Bird...
.
KLG plugs developed a particular reputation for reliability in aircraft use and were in great demand during the First World War. At the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, but his work on spark plugs was considered to be more valuable to the war effort and he was asked to resign.
In 1919 he sold world distribution rights to Smiths
Smiths Group
Smiths Group plc is a global engineering company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It has operations in over 50 countries and employs around 23,550 staff....
, then sold up completely in 1927. He remained as a consultant.
KLG's reliability was particularly attractive to the land speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
contenders and their many-cylindered aero-engines, often with dual ignition systems. Segrave's 1,000HP Sunbeam
Sunbeam 1000 hp
The Sunbeam 1000 HP Mystery, or "The Slug", is a land speed record-breaking car built by the Sunbeam car company of Wolverhampton that was powered by two aircraft engines. It was the first car to travel at over 200 mph. The car's last run was a demonstration circuit at Brooklands, running at...
required 48 spark plugs, a mis-fire amongst which could be very difficult to detect and replace on a windswept beach.
In time, KLG out-grew their pub and a fine building was constructed in the most modern of styles. At one time 1,500 people were employed there. Sadly the building is now demolished and replaced by an Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
store.
1914
- Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, 10–11 June 1914, Sunbeam TT 3.2 litre
- 1914 French Grand Prix1914 French Grand PrixThe 1914 French Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor race held at Lyon on 4 July 1914.-The Race:The restriction on Grand Prix cars for 1914 included an maximum weight and a 4500cc maximum engine capacity....
1922
- JCC 200 BrooklandsBrooklandsBrooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, Voiturettes, 19 August 1922, Talbot-Darracq 56
- Coupe des Voiturettes Le MansLe MansLe Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
, 18 September 1922, Talbot-Darracq 56
- Spanish Grand PrixPenya Rhin Grand PrixThe Penya Rhin Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor racing event staged at the three different circuits in three different eras in Spain. The race was held intermittently over its history, sometimes for full-size Grand Prix cars, sometimes for sports cars. In the 1920s, it was held at a street circuit...
, Voiturettes, 5 November 1922, Talbot-Darracq 56
1924
- Grand Prix de Suisse Voiturettes, GenevaGenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, 15 June 1924, Talbot 70
- JCC 200 BrooklandsBrooklandsBrooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, Voiturettes, 20 September 1924, Talbot 70
- Serious crash on 27 September 1924 at the San Sebastian Grand PrixSan Sebastián Grand PrixThe San Sebastián Grand Prix was an automobile race held at the Circuito Lasarte near San Sebastián, Spain.During most of its existence, it was the main race event in Spain, since the Spanish Grand Prix had not yet been properly established as a grand prix race...
, in which his riding mechanic was killed.
- He is often named as Bill Perkins, Guinness' regular mechanic. However Perkins was still recovering in hospital from injuries in a crash at BrooklandsBrooklandsBrooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
with Dario RestaDario RestaDario Resta , nicknamed "Dolly", was an Italian Briton race car driver. Raised in England from the age of two, he began racing there starting in 1907. He took part in the Montagu Cup the very first race of the now historic Brooklands track. He set a record of in a half-mile run a few years later...
, three weeks earlier. His substitute, and the mechanic killed, was Tom BarrettTom Barrett (Sunbeam mechanic)Tom Barrett was an English motor-racing riding mechanic. His death in the 1924 San Sebastian Grand Prix brought an end to the practice of riding mechanics in two-seat racing cars....
. - After this crash, Guinness never raced again.
Sunbeam 350HP and the Land Speed Record
After the First World War, Louis CoatalenLouis Coatalen
Louis Hervé Coatalen was a Breton automobile engineer.Coatalen was born in the Breton fishing town of Concarneau and went on to study engineering at the Ecole des Arts et Métiers at Cluny ....
built the Sunbeam 350HP, powered by a V12 Manitou
Sunbeam Manitou
The Sunbeam Manitou was an aero-engine produced by Sunbeam. Unsuccessful as an aero-engine, it is best known for having powered the Sunbeam 350HP racing car.-Development:...
engine.
On 18 May 1922 Guinness used the car to set new Land Speed Record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
s at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
: the Brooklands lap record at 121.54 mph, then the flying-start land speed records over a half-mile, kilometre, mile and two miles. The fastest record being 136.05 mph for the half-mile. These were the last land speed records to be set on a racetrack rather than a beach or salt flat.
The Sunbeam was later sold to Malcolm Campbell
Malcolm Campbell
Sir Malcolm Campbell was an English racing motorist and motoring journalist. He gained the world speed record on land and on water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using vehicles called Blue Bird...
, who named it "Blue Bird" and also set land speed records with it.
After his accident, Guinness withdrew from record-breaking as well as track competition. However when his Sunbeam co-driver Segrave
Henry Segrave
-External links:* * * * *...
took the 1,000HP
Sunbeam 1000 hp
The Sunbeam 1000 HP Mystery, or "The Slug", is a land speed record-breaking car built by the Sunbeam car company of Wolverhampton that was powered by two aircraft engines. It was the first car to travel at over 200 mph. The car's last run was a demonstration circuit at Brooklands, running at...
car to Daytona
Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...
in 1927, Guinness accompanied him.
Ocean Rover
Guinness' First World War Naval aspirations were assuaged a little in 1919, when he purchased a surplus minesweeper, the 'Samuel Green' that had been converted to a fishing trawler. He renamed her the 'Ocean Rover' and had her refitted as a gentleman's yacht. Guest accommodation was provided, together with a hold equipped to transport racing cars to foreign events.In 1926, after his retirement from motor racing, he and his friend Malcolm Campbell
Malcolm Campbell
Sir Malcolm Campbell was an English racing motorist and motoring journalist. He gained the world speed record on land and on water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using vehicles called Blue Bird...
went on a treasure hunting trip to the Cocos Islands.
Death
After the 1924 crash, Guinness suffered head and other injuries. These other injuries may have been enough to end his racing career on their own, but the head injuries and the trauma of Barrett's death also changed his personality.In his final months towards 1937, he was described as suffering delusions and was admitted to a nursing home. On 10 April 1937 he was found dead in a bedroom at his home near the KLG factory, having apparently gassed himself.
At the coroner's inquest, his brother Sir Algernon Guinness produced a letter that indicated the likelihood of suicide. The coroner's verdict was, "Suicide, while of unsound mind".
He was buried on 14 April at Putney Vale Crematorium, alongside the KLG factory.
External links
- K.L.G. and Miles Per Minute A 1946 advertisement for KLG spark plugs in FlightFlight InternationalFlight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
magazine