Charles David Headland was born in Boston, Lincolnshire in 1910, the son of a street cleaner. Charlie went on to make a fortune in the motor trade in Birmingham throughout the 1940’s and 50’s. From the very beginning, he had the constant support and backing of his wife, Ivy Headland who sadly died in 1964 at the young age of 54. Between them, they built a significant fortune based on a variety of businesses including property. Charlie Cooper once said that Charlie Headland either won or he went off. He was a man who had to win, becoming a top road race cyclist in the early 30’s.

Charles Headland in his Kieft, possibly Brands Hatch.

Charlie started in a Marwyn in the later part of 1949 but this was quickly replaced by Spike Rhiando's Cooper Mk II for 1950. He finished second to Joe Fry at Lulsgate in April and second at Croft in September. 1951 started with a win at Ards in April in the Cooper which was sold and, by the later part of 1951, he had acquired a Kieft resulting in a win against top opposition at Castle Combe in October. He won again at Ards in March '52, beat Don Parker at  Ibsley in April and finished second to Don at Snetterton at the end of May. Two wins at Silverstone in June and a third in the 100 Mile race, unusually aboard an Arnott, completed the 1952 season.

For the early part of '53 he continued with the Kieft, finishing second to Ken Tyrrell at Kirkcaldy in April and second at Silverstone on the 16th May,  Peter Collins spoke of a race against Charlie as “one of the greatest Formula 3 races I ever had”. (source - Mon Ami Mate). By mid '53, he had moved to a Martin, which he modified and is often referred to as the Martin-Headland. The Martin brought him a win at Silverstone in June and a handicap win at Cadwell Park in September plus a second at Silverstone in October and numerous placings. At the Easter 1954 Brands Hatch meeting, he finished third in the Open Challenge Final to Lewis Evans and Tyrrell, a win at Kirkcaldy and three wins at Silverstone.

1955 began with a win at Oulton Park on the 30th April. Charlie had a problem with weight, and, bearing in mind that he was in his early 40’s, a lot of his car was drilled for lightness, including the brake pedal. This broke in a race, whilst Charlie was coming downhill. The car took off, landed in a tree, he fell out of it and the car came down on top of him, putting him in hospital for six months. This event proved to be the end of Charlie’s racing career. After Ivy's death, Charlie sold off most of his business interests. He later remarried to Barbara and moved to Jersey.

Leading Don Parker at Silverstone.

With his Martin-Headland, Oulton Park 9th June '53.