Fans in homage to Ken Wharton

Mar 10 2008 By Steve Johnson

FANS travelled hundreds of miles to pay homage to a former Midland garage owner who rose to become one of the top motor racing drivers of his era.

The extraordinary life of Ken Wharton, who was killed in a crash in a race in New Zealand in 1957, was celebrated in a special display over the weekend.

Admirers of his high octane talent converged on Smethwick, where he ran a garage and car sales business, to see photos, stories, film clips and other information charting his rise to the top of the racing world.

Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust spokeswoman Christine Round said: "We had more than 400 people at the display and they came from all over the country to remember Ken in their own way.

"People who saw Ken race in his heyday or had heard of him travelled from London, Dorset, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

"Fifteen members of Ken's family were there, which was terrific. The response to the exhibition shows the regard many people had for a great character."

The display, staged at at the Dorothy Parkes Centre in The Uplands, Smethwick, also featured three of the cars Wharton raced.

It was put together by Heritage Trust member Robin Hanny, who researched his life and career.

Wharton was just 40 when he was killed in a crash at the Ardmore Circuit in New Zealand in January, 1957.

Early in his career, he built and drove sprint and trials cars with great success, winning the RAC Hill Climb Championships.

He later enjoyed success in rally driving, winning the Tulip Rally three times, and also raced Formula 3 and Formula 1 cars.

He was at the wheel of a Ferrari Monza in the New Zealand Grand Prix when he met his death.

Wharton's funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Bearwood. Up to 2,000 people gathered to pay their respects. He was laid to rest in Quinton Cemetery.