James Burgoyne was born in September 1908, in Warwickshire. After leaving school, he was apprenticed to the Austin company and took up speedway. He became a farmer and later ran a printing and stationary business. Jim began competing in 1950 in the ex Moss Cooper Mk III  achieving a number of good placings, including a second to Moss at Brands in June. He continued in this car through to '53 and became a member of the BRDC.

Jim at Prescott in May 1950 on his way to third fastest time. Photo Guy Griffiths, courtesy Graham Burgoyne.

Second to Moss at Brands in June 1950. Photo Guy Griffiths, courtesy Graham Burgoyne.

By the end of the year, he recognised that the car was uncompetitive and sold it John Love in Southern Rhodesia. Jim's business' at the time were in Wolverhampton so he soon found his way to Cyril Kieft's works nearby. In search of more power than the dominant Manx Norton, Jack Turner had commissioned a four cylinder engine and Jim chose to use this in his new Kieft. At Oulton Park, in August 1954, he gave the Turner Kieft its debut. Jim made considerable efforts were made to improve power output and reliability and some good placings were achieved but it never matched the performance of the Norton.

The business end of the Turner Kieft at Mallory Park in 1954.

By 1958, he saw that Formula 3 was on the wane and returned to farming. James Burgoyne died in July 1963 at the young age of 55. The Turner Kieft is now in the Coventry Motor Museum. Our thanks to Graham Burgoyne for his assistance and photos.