Cooper Air Races information?

Hi all

I’ve come across a few references (photos of 607 Sqn and 610 Sqn RAuxAF Spitfires mostly) to the Cooper Air Races in the late 1940s, but there doesn’t seem to be much info available about them online.

So, to keep it short 🙂 what were they, when did they happen, who was/were Cooper and who took part?

Is there any further info available in print – books, magazines etc?

Cheers

Simon