John Cooper is best remembered as the driving force behind the Cooper Car Company. In 1946, John and his best friend, Eric Brandon, both recently demobbed, decided they they would build two cars for themselves to hillclimb and race. They had already concluded that a light weight, small engined car would be the only practical way forward and the new 500 rules were ideal. Their first effort, the Prototype Cooper 500, wasn't entirely reliable but showed itself to be quick from off and led directly to the first production Cooper 500 (Mk II). What is often forgotten is that he was a fast driver as well and drove regularly in the early years with considerable success on hills and circuits, at home and abroad and invariable in his own cars. As time went on, John drove less and less as the demands of running a growing business reduced the time available. In October 1951, John used the streamlined  Mk V to set six new records at Montlhery and at the end of 1953,  used the streamlined car Mk VIII (T28), with a Francis Beart Norton engine,  to set 14 new records, again at Montlhery. The company he founded had even more success and came to dominate 500cc racing. This, in turn, led to diversification into Formula II and Formula I and two World Championships.

John on his way to victory at Rouen in July 1952.

John on his way to victory at Avus in July 1953 with the streamlined Mk V.

The start of something big (left). John, aged nine, with the first Cooper Special, built by his father, Charlie.

John examines the new Mk VIII with Stuart Lewis-Evans, Les Leston and Charlie Cooper.

John Cooper CBE died in December 2000. His contribution to motorsport, especially British motorsport, was immense.

The John Cooper Tribute, on the grid of the Goodwood Revival, in September 2001. Your editor was honoured to stand along with the other Cooper 500s and later Cooper cars. After the formalities, the drivers enjoyed a particularly high speed "parade". We hope John would have approved.