Everitt W Vero & Co Ltd was founded in 1878 by Bill Vero's grandfather making pith helmets and 'skidlids' for despatch riders, but it was post 1945 with the increasing demand for motorcycle helmets that saw the company firmly established as a leading helmet manufacturer.

 

"We made helmets for Les Leston and Herbert Johnson of New Bond Street, and they supplied all the leading drivers, including Stirling Moss."

 

Bill's father joined the British Standards committee to improve helmet safety, and following the research done by Sir Hugh Cairns (who attended Lawrence of Arabia when he was fatally thrown from his Brough Superior in 1935), started fitting cork lining to helmets as a layer of protection. The Everoak 'Corker' was born.

 

In the 1950s Everoak introduced a helmet shell made from glassfibre and in 1957 it was one of these that Mike Hawthorn chose (with extra long chin straps to accommodate his lantern jaw), using it in his 1958 Championship winning season. For 1959 a revised design, with added temple protection, based on the lines of USAF fighter pilot lids, was introduced. Vero named it the Racemaster.

 

In those days, Formula 1 drivers chose their own apparel, and Racemasters quickly became the helmet of choice in top-level racing. Innes Ireland's example was famous for its bold chequered band.

 

"The order came in from Herbert Johnson, Innes told them exactly what he wanted, so I sat down at my kitchen table and marked it all out, it was a labour of love, it took me all day, but it was terrific to see in photographs."