Kenelm Lee Guinness
Kenelm Edward Lee Guinness | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 14, 1887 London, England |
| Died | April 10, 1937 (aged 49) Near KLG factory, Putney Vale, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Racing driver, automotive engineer, company director |
| Years active | 1907–1924 (racing) |
| Known for | Setting 1922 Land Speed Record; inventor of KLG spark plug; director at Guinness brewing firm |
Kenelm Edward Lee Guinness MBE (14 August 1887 – 10 April 1937) was a British racing driver active during the 1910s and 1920s, best known for his association with Sunbeam race cars. In 1922, he established a new Land Speed Record. As an automotive engineer, he was the inventor and manufacturer behind the KLG spark plug. Outside of motorsport and engineering, he held a position as a director at the Guinness brewing firm.
Early life
Born in London on 14 August 1887, Guinness was familiarly called 'Bill' by his acquaintances. He was a grandson of Sir Benjamin Guinness and later became a member of the brewing company's board. His education took place at Cambridge University, and his passion for motor racing began when he worked as a mechanic for his older brother Sir Algernon Guinness.
Entry into motor racing
Guinness's first significant competition as a driver occurred in the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where his Darracq car retired prematurely due to axle issues. That same year, he also participated in the Belgian Grand Prix held at the Circuit des Ardennes. Throughout his career, he remained connected with marques such as Sunbeam, Talbot, and Darracq.
Starting in 1913, Guinness became an official driver for Sunbeam, partnering with fellow racer Henry Segrave. He developed a close working relationship with Sunbeam’s chief engineer, Louis Coatalen, who supported his racing endeavors in both Sunbeam and Talbot vehicles. This collaboration persisted through the seasons of 1914, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, competing alongside distinguished drivers including Jean Chassagne.
KLG spark plugs
As an automotive engineering innovator, Guinness created the KLG spark plug, a product line that remains in existence today. His involvement in the 1912 Manx Tourist Trophy motivated him to design a more dependable spark plug by replacing porcelain ceramic insulators with stacked and compressed mica, thereby improving durability and performance.
Production of these spark plugs began on a modest scale in 1912 at the disused 'Bald Faced Stag' inn located in Putney Vale. Early customers included racers such as Segrave and Malcolm Campbell. By 1914, manufacturing had expanded to produce approximately 4,000 plugs per week.
Robinhood Engineering Works
During the First World War, Guinness was recalled from service in the Royal Navy to concentrate on manufacturing KLG spark plugs, which were essential components for military aircraft engines. With increasing demand due to their reliability in aviation applications, production expanded significantly. In 1917, the larger Robinhood Engineering Works was established near the original location, employing over 1,200 workers—predominantly women—and becoming the largest employer in the vicinity. By 1918, most output was dedicated to supplying the Royal Air Force. In recognition of his leadership at Robinhood Works, Guinness was appointed to the Order of the British Empire in 1920.
In 1919, Guinness sold worldwide distribution rights to Smiths Group, eventually divesting completely by 1927 while remaining involved as a consultant.
KLG spark plugs earned a reputation for reliability among teams pursuing land speed record achievements and were widely used in multi-cylinder aero-engines equipped with dual ignition systems. For instance, Segrave’s 1,000HP Sunbeam required no fewer than 48 spark plugs—where dependable performance under extreme conditions was crucial.
Hydro-Pulsator
He developed the inaugural hydro-pulsator designed for gum therapy, utilizing a water-jet massage technique.
Land speed record
Following World War I, Louis Coatalen engineered the Sunbeam 350HP powered by a V12 Manitou engine.
On 17 May 1922, Guinness established multiple new Land Speed Records at Brooklands, including setting the lap record at , as well as flying-start records over distances of half a mile, a kilometre, one mile, and two miles. The highest velocity recorded was over the half-mile stretch. These achievements marked the final land speed records attained on a racetrack rather than on beaches or salt flats.
The vehicle was subsequently acquired by Malcolm Campbell, who rebranded it as Blue Bird and employed it for additional record attempts.
After his accident in 1924, Guinness withdrew from competitive racing and record pursuits. He later accompanied co-driver Henry Segrave to Daytona in 1927 when Segrave piloted the 1,000HP car.
Yachting
In 1919, Guinness bought a surplus minesweeper that had been converted into a fishing trawler and renamed it Ocean Rover. He transformed it into a gentleman’s yacht, outfitting it with guest quarters and storage space suitable for transporting racing automobiles internationally.
Following his retirement from motor racing in 1926, Guinness and his associate Malcolm Campbell embarked on a treasure-seeking voyage to the Cocos Islands aboard the yacht.
1913
- French Grand Prix (did not finish)
1914
- Victorious with fastest lap at Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, June 1914, driving a Sunbeam TT 3.2 litre
- French Grand Prix (did not finish)
1922
- Winner of the JCC 200 at Brooklands, Voiturettes category, August 1922, behind the wheel of a Talbot-Darracq 56
- Champion of the Coupe des Voiturettes at Le Mans, September 1922, piloting a Talbot-Darracq 56
- First place in the Penya Rhin Grand Prix, Voiturettes class, November 1922, driving Talbot-Darracq 56
1924
- Winner of the Grand Prix de Suisse Voiturettes in Geneva, June 1924, driving a Talbot 70
- Secured victory in the JCC 200 at Brooklands, Voiturettes division, September 1924, with a Talbot 70
- Suffered a crash in September during the San Sebastian Grand Prix, which caused the death of riding mechanic Tom Barrett; Guinness ceased racing following this incident.
Death
The injuries Guinness sustained in the 1924 accident—including head trauma—and the loss of his teammate Barrett effectively ended his career behind the wheel. This event also had a profound impact on his mental state.
In the months leading up to his death in 1937, Guinness experienced hallucinations and was placed in a nursing facility. On 10 April 1937, he was discovered deceased at his residence near the KLG factory, apparently having taken his own life by gas inhalation.
During the coroner’s inquiry, his brother Sir Algernon Guinness submitted a letter indicating suicide as the cause. The official ruling was "Suicide, while of unsound mind."
He was interred on 14 April at Putney Vale Cemetery, located adjacent to the KLG factory.