Ernest Eldridge
| Ernest Arthur Douglas Eldridge | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Ernest Arthur Douglas Eldridge 18 July 1897 Hampstead, London, England |
| Died | 27 October 1937 Kensington, London, England |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Automobile engineer |
| Known for | Land speed record holder |
| Spouse(s) | Marjorie M Tooth |
| Partner(s) | Marie |
Ernest Arthur Douglas Eldridge (18 July 1897 – 27 October 1937) was a British racing car driver who broke the world land speed record in 1924. His was the last land speed record set on an open road.
Eldridge was born on 18 July 1897 at Hampstead, London to a wealthy family. His father was a successful "bill discounter". Educated at Harrow School he quit while in the 6th form to go to the Western Front, in the First World War. Eldridge joined the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John of Jerusalem, possibly as an ambulance driver. He may have also served in the French Artillery.
He married Majorie M. Tooth in 1915 at Brentford, Middlesex; she died before the Second World War. He married second, in 1925, a French woman named Marie whom he had "married" while still married to Marjorie
Not much is known about the years between 1918 and 1921 when he reappeared at Brooklands. There are unconfirmed myths about him flying with Count Zborowski. He was a pilot, surviving a crash in a B.E.2e at Brooklands in September 1922. He learned to fly in a Sopwith Grasshopper at Brooklands and finally received his pilot's licence (Number 7944) on 21 August 1923 at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware. His licence lists his profession as Automobile Engineer.
The early part of his racing career is littered with failures of large, often aero engined, racing cars. His first racing appearance was in 1921 with a rare chain-driven Isotta-Fraschini which was lapping at more than 90 mph.
In 1922 Eldridge startled the Brooklands crowd by appearing with a 240 horsepower (180 kW) Maybach aero engine in his 1907 Isotta-Fraschini chassis, which had been stretched to accommodate the giant power plant. This 20-litre racer had a tiny two-seater body made by Jarvis of Wimbledon and caused something of a sensation, even when monstrosities were not uncommon in motor racing circles. It won its first race at more than 101 mph (163 km/h) but over all was not terribly successful. He sold it to a Frenchman who went under the nom de course of 'Le Champion'.
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