Ken Downing was a genuine privateer who bore allegiance to the Connaught marque for most of his career, both in sports cars and single saters. Although Downing only made two Grand Prix starts, he was a regular podium finisher in National events. The high point of his Grand Prix outings was running as high as fourth in the 1952 British GP before he spun avoiding a backmarker which relegated him to ninth. After a disappointing year with Aston Martin in 1953 he retired from the sport.

1948:Ken made his competition debut on the Eastbourne Rally and won the novice award. His racing debut came at the inaugral Goodwood meeting, taking 2nd place in his Healey road car despite being left on the grid.

1949: Bought the Brooke Special with a 2ltr Riley engine and raced it mainly for fun as it was totally outclassed. He did however take 3rd and two 4ths in Goodwood Handicaps, 7th in the Lavant Cup and 8th in the Madgwick cup.

1950: Ken was persuaded to put a 2ltr 12 cylinder engine into the Brooke special. Oil leaks plagued his first outing with it at Gamston although he did manage victory at the same meeting with his Connaught. Most of the year was spent trying to sort the Connaught out, but he did however come 3rd in Class at the Gravesend speed trials and 3rd at Silverstone, (despite throwing the gearstick to his mechanics as he passed the pits - he finished using only third gear). He also raced a Healey in Standard Sports and Saloons, winning at Castle Coombe, the Gambson Handicap, and finished 28th at the Silverstone International Trophy.

1951: A regular club winner in the Connaught sports with 15 victories, only unplaced once. He was also the founder of the Cheshire Car Circuit Club which started racing at Oulton Park, although he never actually raced there himself. His wins included; Gamston, SIlverstone, Ibsley and Winfield, along with many more 2nd and 3rd places. He won the sports class at Replow Speed Trials in the Connaught and took his Healey road car to victory in the Gamston Handicap with 2nd at Silverstone and Winfield.

1952: Graduating into single seaters with a Connaught A-type, he oiled a plug, broke the drive to the magneto and blew the headgaskett in the Silverstone International heat. Despite this he still managed to start the final and finished 13th. He used the same car his British Grand Prix debut, finishing 9th.He retired from his only other GP, the Dutch, but did win the Madgwick Cup at Goodwood and looked set to win the GP des Frontiers at Chimay having led from the first corner. However he backed off too early in the spectator lined streets and was pipped on the line. He took 4th at Boreham and in a Goodwood Handicap and set an F1 hill record at Prescott that stood for five years. He also won a Boreham sports car race in his Connaught and took 2nd in the Handicap and 10th in F2. While at Silverstone he rounded his year off with third in both the Allcomers and Handicap races.

1953: Ken changed to an Aston Martin DB3 and despite a win at Silverstone there was little forthcoming success. He retired half way through the season.

Ken would like to add that Connaughts gave him some of the best moments of his life. In particular he would like to thank Mike Oliver who did wonders for Ken and his two cars.