Doug Serrurier

9/12/1920 - 6/6/2006

Record updated

A mainstay of South African motor racing, both as a driver and constructor with his LDS specials. He raced in the South African Grand Prix 3 times between 1962 and 1965.

Doug Serrurier
Louis Douglas Serrurier was born in Germiston in the Transvaal. He started competing on two wheels and carved out a distinguished international grass track and speedway career alongside riders such as Buddy Fuller, Henry Long and Roy Bester.

He started racing cars in 1956, driving a Triumph TR2 before getting involved with single seaters, building his own LDS specials (Louis Douglas Serrurier). With these cars he became a mainstay of South African motor racing, both as a driver and constructor.

He travelled to Europe and ended up buying a Cooper T51 from Alan Brown. He bought more Coopers and these became the basis for the first LDS cars. Serrurier switched to modifying Brabham BT11s, much to the chagrin of Black Jack, in the late sixties, however during the early sixties, he built up a nice business selling his cars to various locals competing in the Gold Star series. These included Gold Star race winner Fanie Viljoen (driving for George Mennie), as well as Gene Bosman and Errol Hammon and Sam Tingle who was undoubtedly the best known LDS customer.

One of the other Coopers he bought was a lowline T53 which became the basis for his LDS Mk2 in 1961. Powered by an Alfa Romeo engine driving through a Porsche five-speed gearbox.

Doug raced in 3 South African Grand Prix making his F1 debut in 1962. He also raced in the 1963 and 1965 events and was also a stalwart of the sports car racing scene. After sharing Roy Pierpoint’s Lola T70, finishing second in the Cape Town 3 Hours, Serrurier decided to buy one for himself. He went on to win the Roy Hesketh 3 Hours in 1967, sharing with Jackie Pretorious.

After more or less retiring from racing at the end of 1969, Serrurier became an entrant. He provided the Surtees for Pretorious to race in the South African F1 championship.

He still made occasional appearances in races and rallies as well as trying his hand at powerboat racing. Serrurier continued to work on cars in his workshop near Johannesburg until he was well into his seventies, rebuilding and preparing cars to his exacting  standards, often incorporating his own modified suspension designs.



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