Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Joseph Gibson Fry, born on 26 October 1915 in Winterbourne, Gloucestershire, England, was a British racing driver with a notable background as a distant member of the Fry’s Chocolate family. His racing career was intertwined with the development of the “Freikaiserwagen”, a highly successful Shelsley Special car, created by his cousin David Fry and Hugh Dunsterville. The Freikaiserwagen, initially built in 1936 in Bristol, started with an Anzani engine and later upgraded to a Blackburne engine in 1937. Joe Fry’s racing prowess was evident in the late 1930s, as he set numerous hill records, including an unofficial outright record at Prescott in 1938.
Major Successes and Highlights
Joe Fry’s racing career saw significant achievements, particularly in hill climbs. He held both the blown and unblown 1,100 c.c. records at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb at the outbreak of World War Two. Post-war, he continued to excel, achieving second in class at the Brighton Speed Trials in 1947 and subsequently winning the class in 1948 and 1949. His performance at the Blandford hillclimb in 1949 was remarkable, where he made the fastest time of the day. Fry also led the British Hill Climb Championship in 1949 and was a strong contender in the final standings.
Life and Legacy
Tragically, Joe Fry’s life and racing career were cut short when he was killed at the wheel of the Freikaiserwagen during the 1950 Blandford hillclimb. His death was a significant loss to British motor sport, as noted by Raymond Mays. Despite his brief Formula One career, with only one entry in the 1950 British Grand Prix, Fry’s impact on motor racing, especially in hill climbs, was profound. His legacy continued through the Joe Fry Trophy, held at Castle Combe Circuit from 1952 to 1954, commemorating his contributions to the sport.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Joe Fry | Maserati 4CL | Maserati Straight-4 | NC | 0 |