Farewell to Rally Legend – Stuart Turner

Tony Pounder writes:

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Stuart Turner on 9th September 2025, and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

Stuart will forever be remembered as Comps Supremo at both BMC and Ford — the mastermind behind the countless race and rally triumphs of the all-conquering Mini, and later the Escort. His influence also extended to iconic projects such as the jaw-dropping RS200 Group B Rally Car.

Before those legendary years, Stuart had a short but memorable stint with the Standard-Triumph Works Rally Team.

In his own words:

“Through doing fairly well on events in a TR borrowed from the local Triumph dealer (it went back on the demonstrator fleet after events!) Ron Gouldbourn and I were given a works Standard Pennant for the RAC in 1958. We finished second overall and first in class; we also took the Team Prize with Tom Gold and a certain Paddy Hopkirk. This led to a drive for Ron and I in a works TR3 on the Tulip Rally. We won our class… and then were dropped from the Triumph Team. No, I couldn’t understand it either.”

In the 1958 RAC Rally, Standard had come close to repeating their astounding 1955 RAC Rally success. The co-drivers of the leading Standard Pennants, Stuart Turner and Willy Cave had meticulously studied the regulations. By calculating the penalties for missing a few controls they navigated the two Pennants into second and third place overall and first and second in their class. Paddy Hopkirk’s determination to finish in his Standard Pennant ensured that the three Standard Pennants won the team prize.

The two Standard Pennants that finished second and third overall in the 1958 RAC Rally. From left to right Stuart Turner and Ron Gouldbourn, with Tom Gold and Willy Cave by the car behind them.

The Ron Gouldbourn, Stuart Turner car on the final tests at Hastings. This photo was passed to me by a fellow member of the Bath Motor Club. It was taken using a Kodak Box Brownie when he was 12!

His last outing with Standard was as co-driver to Ron Gouldbourn in a works-prepared Standard 10 on the 1959 Monte Carlo Rally, his first international event. Out of 360 entrants, they placed a credible 102nd — just missing out on the coveted top 100 cut for the final dash through the mountains.

I had the privilege of meeting Stuart again on the 2008 Norwich Union Run at Prescott Hill. He kindly agreed to be photographed with my car. Expecting a Mini or Escort, he was visibly surprised and delighted when he saw my Standard 10. “You know,” he smiled, “I competed in the 1959 Monte Carlo Rally in the exact same car.”
“I know,” I replied, “152 RMT!”
With a laugh he said, “You’re quite the anorak.”

Once asked to sum up rallying in just five words, Stuart’s reply was as perfect as it was timeless:
“Escort sideways in the Forest.”
I don’t think many would disagree