NOTICE OF DEATH - ROY JACKSON-MOORE (1925 - 2017)

We regret to have to inform Members that Life Member Roy Jackson-Moore passed away on Sunday 30 April at the age of 91.

Although he raced other makes of car, Roy will be principally remembered for his exploits in Austin-Healeys both in racing and particularly record-breaking in the 1950s. After serving in the Royal Air Force in the 1940s, Roy moved to the USA, initially to work as a salesman for the short-lived Henry J Kaiser car which was followed by a similar position with the Rootes Group before joining the Austin Motor Company. When the Austin-Healey 100 was about to be launched in the USA, Roy was given the responsibility of accompanying Donald Healey on a nationwide tour of all Austin dealers to introduce them to the elegant new sports car and its creator. In the course of the trip Donald and Roy conceived the idea of gaining publicity for the Austin-Healey with record-breaking attempts at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.

In 1953 Roy was a member of the team of drivers which also included Donald Healey himself, Hollywood film star Jackie Cooper, John Gordon Benett and former World Land Speed record holder George Eyston who set new International and National records from 25 kms to 30 hours at speeds of over 130 mph with Austin-Healey 100s taken straight from the showroom. The following year Carroll Shelby and ‘Mort’ Morris-Goodall joined Roy and the rest of the team when further International records were broken up to 24 hours. When the 100/6 arrived in 1956 Roy and Carroll Shelby were entrusted with further record attempts in the new model and again established new figures between 200 miles and six hours.

In addition to the record-breaking, Roy raced Austin-Healeys extensively in the mid-50s both in SCCA regional and national events and also internationally. In 1954 he was co-driver to Carroll Shelby in what proved to be the last great Mexican Road Race, the Carrera Panamericana, with one of the new 100S versions, Lance Macklin sharing the other with Donald Healey. The latter car ran out of time on the first stage with a misfire but Carroll and Roy arrived at the end of the stage in sixth place having swapped seats halfway along the route. Neither had found being a passenger an enjoyable experience so it was agreed that they would take it in turns to drive solo for the remaining three days. As it turned out, this was a wise decision for Carroll crashed heavily on the very next stage, sustaining a broken arm. Had he been in the passenger seat, Roy would have been fortunate to escape unharmed.

Through 1954 to 1956 Roy raced Austin-Healeys extensively with results which included sixth place in the Nassau Trophy during the 1954 Bahamas Speed Week and three participations in the Sebring 12 Hours although ironically it was not with an Austin-Healey but an AC Ace-Bristol that he achieved his best Sebring result in 1959 when, with American drivers Robert Burns and James Cook, he finished 14^th overall, won the 2-litre GT class and was the third GT finisher. Roy also raced a Cooper-Climax T39, a Siata and a Morgan Plus 4 on occasions.

After returning to England at the end of the decade, Roy worked for Aston Martin as export sales manager before moving on from the motor industry first to Ibiza where he established a drinks company and later, once more in England, a music manufacturing company. The owner of an Austin-Healey 100 himself, Roy never lost touch with the clubs and events which are dedicated to the Austin-Healey and was a frequent guest at Austin-Healey celebrations. Roy’s wife Denise pre-deceased him and the Club offers its sincerest condolences to his son Jamie and daughter Robyn. There will be a private family funeral and at Roy's request, any donations to the BRDC Benevolent Fund would be welcomed.