Downing akachinjira kumotokari dzechigaro chimwe chete muna 1952 achimhanya neConnaught A-Type, uye akahwina Madgwick Cup kuGoodwood uye nzvimbo yechipiri paGrand Prix des Frontières kuChimay Belgium, kwaakarasikirwa nekutungamira pakupera kwemujaho mamita anoverengeka asati asvika kumugumo. Akapedza ari wechipfumbamwe mumutambo wake wokutanga weWorld Championship kuSilverstone
, asi akanga amhanya wechina munhangemutange asati atenderera achidzivisa kumashure. Akakwikwidza mumakwikwi ekupedzisira gore iroro, asi akasiya basa nekuda kwedambudziko remafuta. Akachinjira kuAston Martin DB3S muna 1953, asi akasarudza kurega kubva kumakwikwi nokukurumidza pashure.