Racer was national speed champion

Charlie Harrison got the better of a young Sir Jackie during his first competitive race, at Heathfield in Scotland, before the Flying Scot went on to become three time world champion.

Matfen farmer Charlie died following a short illness last week, leaving two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Charlie grew up on his family’s farm at Ingoe, but took an interest in motor cars from a young age. He began racing competitively in 1953 by taking part in two Hexham rallies in his Austin Atlantic. He went on to drive both a VW Beetle and a Riley 1.5 saloon, and enjoyed success in the late 1950s.

After switching to a TVR in 1960, Charlie ended the season as Border Motor Racing Club champion, and Scottish national speed champion, following in the footsteps of another future world champion, Jim Clark, who had won the same two trophies the previous year.

Charlie held class records at both Charterhall and Ouston race circuits, and later won many sprints, but reluctantly turned down a request to drive for David Murray's award winning Ecurie Ecosse team at Le Mans 24hr race in 1960, in order to concentrate on his farming commitments.

It was during this period when Charlie defeated Sir Jackie. The pair kept in touch for decades afterwards, and were reunited at an event in Gateshead in 2011.

Charlie never lost his love of motor racing. He went on to serve as president of Hexham Motor Club, and proudly owned sports cars including an Aston Martin DBSV8.

The great granddad never lost his nerve either, and in his 88th year, drove a Lamborghini Aventador at great speed at Croft circuit.

Throughout his life, he improved and extended the farm at Ingoe. He was an early member of Tyne Grain Ltd, the North-East grain storage and marketing co-operative, on which he served as a director.

A keen traveller, Charlie visited many parts of the world, and reached the summit of the

Great Pyramid Khufu at Giza, in Egypt.