Mr Whoppit | |
---|---|
Team | BP |
Description | Teddy bear |
Mr Whoppit was the teddy bear mascot of Donald Campbell, the land and water speed record holder. Writing in his 2011 book, Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask, journalist David Tremayne described Whoppit as Campbell's "magic talisman".[1]
As was his father Sir Malcolm Campbell, Donald Campbell was highly superstitious.[2][3] Both consulted spiritualist mediums and fortune tellers, Donald also placed his faith in a lucky mascot, Mr Whoppit. He refused to drive unless Whoppit was with him.[2] One of his wife Tonia's tasks was to hand Whoppit to him on entering the cockpit.[4][5][6] Whoppit was noted in 2003 by reporter Frank Bennett as being part of the "threesome" arriving for the 1964 record run – the others being Campbell himself, and his wife. Bennett remarked that the mascot was in the cockpit each time, along with other memorabilia.[7]
Whoppit was with Campbell during his serious crash during a land-speed record attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960, driving the Proteus Bluebird.
Campbell died as a result of a crash while driving his jet hydroplane Bluebird K7 in a record attempt on Coniston in 1967. His body was not recovered, although Mr Whoppit floated free and was found almost immediately by Leo Villa.[8] Campbell's body was finally located and recovered in 2001.
Campbell also named one of his dogs 'Whoppit'.[4] Another teddy bear mascot was found as a 'wife' for Whoppit, named 'Mrs Whacko',[6] who did not ride with Whoppit but stayed with Tonia and the pit crew.