15 replies to this topic

[Jerry Entin]

Hondo, Texas 1960. Charlie Barns finished 1st in GP in his Alfa Giulietta

 

It is with great sadness we have to report that Charles A. "Charlie" Barns died on December 15, 2017. He was 85 years old.

 

Based in Dallas, he began racing in 1959 with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta in GP class. Various other Giuliettas followed, as well as a Veloce raced in EP class in 1960. Open wheel rides followed with Formula Juniors, first at Mansfield in 1961 with Homer Rader's Cooper/DKW, then with a Ford-engined Cooper T56 he bought from Hap Sharp.

 

By 1963 Charlie had moved up to a Merlyn Mk 6 and a Cooper T59 with 1.5-liter Holbay Ford engine. By 1966 he was a regular competitor in one of the factory Ford Lotus Cortinas in which he ended his race career in 1967.

 

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 December 2017 - 22:11.

[Jerry Entin]

Charlie taking the checkered for another GP1, this time at Longview, Texas, in 1960. He had bought the car the week before the race, installed a roll bar, won his class and sold the car on Monday, with his trophy included. It was proof for the new owner that the car was fast.

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

 

Edited by Jerry Entin, 17 December 2017 - 22:15.

[Jerry Entin]

Here is a nice story on Charlie Barns Cortina Barn Find

 

http://www.lotus-cor...find/bf-pic.htm

[Jerry Entin]

Charlie Barns in action at Hilltop Raceway near Bossier City in Louisiana  in 1960. The car is a Veloce running in EP class. Charlie raced mostly in the Southwest.

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 18 December 2017 - 13:07.

[RA Historian]

I believe that Charlie was the 1964 SCCA G Mod champion in a Merlyn Mk VI

[Jerry Entin]

Back at Hilltop Raceway, Louisiana, in 1962, for USAC's formula libre Pipeline 200. Charlie ran a formula junior car, a Ford-engined Cooper T56 he had bought from Hap Sharp.

 

Photo  Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 18 December 2017 - 22:27.

[Jerry Entin]

Hilltop Raceway, Pipeline 200 1962. In spite of being outclassed in his FJ Cooper T56, Barns finished a remarkable 4th overall behind the more powerful cars of Dan Gurney, Roger Penske and Bobby Donner. USAC paid him a few hundred dollars in prize money.

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

Edited by Jerry Entin, 18 December 2017 - 22:30.

[Jerry Entin]

Here is Charlie Barns Obituary:

 

In Memory of

CHARLES A BARNS

 

October 30, 1932 - December 15, 2017

Obituary

Charles Albert "Charlie" Barns went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, December 15, 2017. Charlie was born on October 30th, 1932 in Dallas, TX, the third son of W.C. and Clara Barns, following his older brothers, Bill and Jim. He graduated from Highland Park High School, then Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After serving in the United States Air Force, Charlie met Martha Black at Park Cities Baptist Church and they were married on September 2nd, 1961 in Beatrice, Alabama. Martha was truly the love of his life and they enjoyed over 56 wonderful years together. They were best friends, unconditionally committed to each other and never happier than when they were together. A well-respected and successful businessman, Charlie was involved in a wide variety of business interests and ventures. He was an avid HP Scots fan and a mainstay at Highlander Stadium, where he held season tickets for over 67 years. Until his 80th birthday, Charlie raced sports cars internationally and all over the United States where he was National Champion multiple times. He was also a very avid and accomplished fisherman, fishing all over the world. Later in life, Charlie loved nothing better than spending time with his family and going to his grandkids' performances and sporting events. He was a life-long and faithful member of Park Cities Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Deacons and was on countless other committees. Regardless of the occasion, Charlie Barns was always remarkably kind, gracious and genuinely interested in how other people were doing. A true gentleman, Charlie was also known for his wit and firm handshake. Charlie Barns was always true to his faith, to his family and to himself. He is greatly loved and respected by his family and friends, and will truly be missed. He is survived by his lovely wife, Martha Black Barns; his son John William Barns, John's wife Molly Martindale Barns, and their children, Julianne and William; his daughter Barbara Barns Gilley, Barbara's husband, John Gilley, and their children John Robert and Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19th at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, and a Memorial Service will be held in Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20th, with a reception following in Ellis Parlor. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions are made to the Park Cities Baptist Church General Fund, the Highland Park Sports Club or the service organization of your choice.

[Ray Bell]

Jerry, you've mentioned that Charlie 'ended his race career in 1967'...

However, the obituary says he raced until he was 80. I'm guessing he made some sort of a comeback?

And many thanks to yourself and Willem for yet another informative thread.

[Jerry Entin]

Green Valley Raceway 1963. Charlie Barns and his Cooper T59 with 1.5-liter Holbay Ford engine leading Roy Miles in a Lotus 22.

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

 

 

Ray: In later years Charlie raced in Vintage events.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 00:45.

[Jerry Entin]

Charlie braving the elements at Green Valley during another 1963 racing weekend. His Cooper T59 was acquired from Hap Sharp, just like his earlier T56. Later that season he took the car to an overall victory at Randolph AFB near Seguin, Texas, beating the Lotus 23s of fellow Texans Homer Rader and Mason O'Keiff.

 

Photo Credit: Bob Jackson

 

[Willem Oosthoek Collection]

 

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 02:02.

[Jerry Entin]

A copy of the letter dated October 1962 between Charlie Barns and Paul Flanery of Merlyn of North America, Charlie's initial involvement with the Merlyn Cars

 

 

Willem Oosthoek Collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 02:10.

[Jerry Entin]

It seems as though Charlie Barns raced the $4,000 Merlyn Mk 4, discussed in the above letter to Paul Flanery, only once, at Caddo Mills, Texas, in February 1963, for a GM1 finish. By mid 1963 Charlie acquired a new Mk 6 in which he, as Tom mentioned already, he won the 1964 SCCA Championship in GM class. Next, Charlie entered the Mk 6 at Green Valley in February 1965, where he had his epic battle with Ken Miles.

Photo: Bob Jackson

Willem Oosthoek collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 21:18.

[Jerry Entin]

 

But in the end, Charlie and his Merlyn Mk 6 prevailed.

 

 

Photo: Bob Jackson

Willem Oosthoek collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 21:23.

[Michael Ferner]

Thanks, Jerry & Willem , and RIP, Charlie!

[Jerry Entin]

Green Valley 1965. Driving a new Shelby Mustang, Ken Mikes tried every trick in the book to stay ahead of Charlie's Merlyn.

 

Photo: Bob Jackson

Willem Oosthoek collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 December 2017 - 22:40.