Jack Barclay - History of Mr. Barclay
Jack Barclay always lived life to the full and on occasions, very close to the edge.
His first competition was on two wheels. In 1920 he suffered his first serious accident whilst riding as a sidecar passenger in an MCC Trial. Undeterred he left two wheels and went on to four, beginning his racing career in a Vauxhall in 1923, when he made the first of many appearances at Brooklands. His small slight figure became a familiar sight on the track and in the paddock.
1925 saw him achieving no fewer than eight World Records in the International 3 litre class, but it was for his ability to survive phenomenal near-misses at high speed and to regain control of a car travelling at well over 100 mph backwards that his racing career is best remembered. He did this most notably in the Easter 1926 100 mph Long Handicap meeting at Brooklands.
In October 1929 Jack had the chance to drive his unsupercharged Bentley 4½ litre car in the BRDC 500 Mile race at Brooklands. The race almost ended in disaster when Jack’s front tyre blew at 130 mph just after two hours. The car skidded to the top of the banking, made two complete turns and shot to the very brink. Somehow he regained control when it appeared certain that the car would overturn, pulled it out slowly to the foot of the banking and limped safely to the pits. Clement actually piloted the car over the finishing line and the tyre change did nothing to prevent him winning the race at an average speed of 107 mph.