Donald Frederick Truman was born on 21st February 1922. He became a member of the 500 Club in 1947, driving a production Marwyn. He described that car as "probably the worst and most dangerous racing car ever built! Lord Strathcarron and I were the only ones with enough nerve or ignorance to drive them". Don had originally bought the car with Barbara Longmore (who would later become Mrs. Truman) and her brother Jack, though Don did almost all the driving. Inevitably, and perhaps fortuitously, the car was damaged extensively in a test ahead of the Prescott 1948 May meeting. Though it would appear several times in 1948, a process of redevelopment had commenced. By 1949 the dramatically altered car, renamed the Bardon Special, appeared. Don and Barbara seemed to be at almost every event that year, offering a decent challenge to the Coopers, though often without ultimate success. His enthusiasm led the Club to award him the "Good Loser Trophy" that year. For 1950, with assistance from Jack Turner, the Bardon reappeared as the Bardon-Turner, now sporting a more Cooper-like body.
 

Don in the Bardon at Goodwood

Don stuck with the car through to 1951, finally succumbing to a Cooper Mk VI for 1952. He continued to be reasonably successful, winning a heat first time out in the Cooper at Ibsley, winning at Silverstone in May and taking the first 500 victory (again a heat) at Oulton Park on the 8th August 1953. Don continued racing until 1959, also driving for Doretti, and racing a Cooper Jaguar in France for old 500 compatriot Bertie Bradnack. On retirement he joined the ranks of the marshals, and has been doing so ever since.

Don in his Mk VII at Beckets on his way to fourth place in the International Trophy Race.

Don had been elected into the BRDC in 1952, and would play a significant role on the board. He was also a board member of the BRSCC. Trackside, he variously acted as Chief Observer for the BRSCC at Brands Hatch, Club Steward at Silverstone and until 1999 Senior Clerk for the BRSCC at Mallory Park, only retiring when the MSA refused to renew his licence.

Don celebrated his 85th birthday at Mallory Park in April 2007 and the 500 Owners were invited to compete for the Don Truman Trophy. Here, Don presents the Trophy to John Turner.