A financier, entrepreneur and driver, Eton-educated Dennis Poore made a massive contribution to British motorsport, not least by using his wealth to bankroll the launch of Autosport magazine in 1950. He served throughout the war in the RAF, rising to the rank of wing commodore in 1944. The highpoint of his driving career came in 1950 when he won the British Hillclimb championship, he also entered two grand prix in 1952. On his debut, at Silverstone, he finished fourth in his Connaught, a result all the more creditable as he was stung on his tongue by a wasp during the race. In later years he took great pains to save the British motorbike industry - at one time his company owned AJS, BSA, Norton and Matchless.

Martin Williamson November 2009