Frank Newton
Frank Newton (1873-1961), racing driver for Napier
1895 Went to the Klondike as a gold prospector.
1900 In Argentina on the building of the Trans-Andes Railway
1902 Joined the MMC
1903 Joined Napier and became driver tester
In July 1907, Newton won the Century Stakes at the first meeting ever held at Brooklands, attended by 13,500 people.
On 23 September 1908, he won the Montagu Cup at Brooklands, driving a Napier motor car nicknamed 'The Meteor', after having fought "a terrific duel" with Dario Resta, where their cars "banged wheels at top speed". "For a moment, it looked bad, but both drivers regained control." After the race The Brooklands Automobile Racing Club awarded Frank the Montagu cup and was given a certificate authenticating that he drove 1 complete lap at an average speed of 113.01 MPH.
1908 At Brooklands, Newton drove a 90hp Napier for Selwyn Edge, who had a £500 bet with D'Arcy Baker that his car could go faster than Felice Nazzaro's Fiat, but the Napier suffered from mechanical trouble.
At the end of 1908, he retired from racing and later opened a garage in Northampton.
1910 July. Accident. 'Mr. Frank Newton, the Brooklands record-breaker and son of the late Mr. W. Newton, of Crowmarsh Battle, has, we regret to state, met with a serious accident. Mr. Newton was on a visit to his relatives at Hook Norton, and on Sunday evening, shortly after eight o'clock, left the village to return to London. He was driving a large and powerful Napier car. At about 5.20 Mr. Newton was found lying on the roadside in an unconscious condition, on the road between Hook Norton and Wigginton turn. The motor car was turned completely over and was considerably damaged. Medical aid was at once summoned, and Mr. Newton was conveyed to his relatives' house. His injuries consist of broken ribs, and he is naturally suffering from shock. On recovering consciousness, Mr. New ton attributed the accident to having collided with a heap of stones on the side of the road. We are glad to hear that the unfortunate motorist is making a good recovery.'[1]
ca. 1911 Married to Margaret Cox and they has one daughter and three sons
1939 Living at Greenways, Worthing, a Consulting Engineer.[2]