NEWS
VSCC Silverstone ‘Spring Start’ – A Race by Race Report
Thursday 25 April 2013
For those who were unable to make it to Silverstone for the Club’s fantastic two day ‘Spring Start’ or for those who simply want to re-live the excitement, here’s a detailed Race by Race report of the weekend.
The first day of the ‘Spring Start’ was bathed in glorious sunshine and Silverstone enjoyed warm weather not experienced so far this year. A traditional ‘short’ scratch race for Pre-war cars, the type of racing which is the backbone of the VSCC, got proceedings underway with Mike Painter taking victory in his 1935 MG Kayne Special.
The 500 Owners Association took to the Silverstone National Circuit next, with the first part of their double-header Commander Yorke Trophy, bringing with them the biggest entry for any F3 (500) race since 1955. Following the morning practice session, only the fastest 36 qualifiers circulated behind the Safety Car for two tension-building warm-up laps before it pulled off the circuit and allowed pole-sitter Steve Jones in his Cooper Mk 10 to set the pace around the complex and into the Start/Finish Straight for a well-choreographed rolling start across the line. An epic race followed with multiple changes for the lead and throughout the grid at every turn, as the swarms of machines tussled around every bend, frequently five or six abreast. Although not known for their mechanical reliability, an impressive majority lasted the gruelling 25 minutes to the chequered flag, led home by pace-setter Jones, followed by multiple 500 OA Series Champion Nigel Ashman in his Cooper Mk 11 whilst Roy Hunt in his Martin held off the Cooper Mk 9 of John Turner in the battle for the final podium spot.
V12 Telecom once again sponsored the Pre-1961 Front-engined Racing Cars event associated with the Patrick Lindsay Memorial Trophy and Amschel Rothschild Trophy. Philip Walker had qualified his 1959 Lotus 16 on pole putting him in prime position to defend the Rothschild Trophy that he won for the first time in 2012. Julian Bronson’s 1960 Scarab was making its first appearance at a VSCC event and was poised to hassle Walker having qualifying second. Bronson briefly led after Walker ran wide on their first visit to the Luffield complex, but Walker quickly regained the lead and started to pull away on the second lap, a position that was maintained to the flag. Meanwhile, an epic battle between Bronson and Tony Wood in the 1959 Tec Mec Maserati unfolded. As the front runners met the back markers on lap 6, Wood managed to pass, an advantage that he maintained until lap 10 when the pair came into Brooklands side by side, Bronson had the upper hand and pulled clear and then set to reeling in Walker but the chequered flag halted his pursuit. Wood drove gallantly to secure third position. Mark Gillies was the first ERA home and claimed his eighth Patrick Lindsay Trophy in Mary Smith’s ERA R3A.
A race for the VSCC’s most prestigious sports-car trophy the Fox and Nichol followed with a full grid of ‘Standard and Modified Sports-Car’ racers, keen to contest the first race of the 2013 ‘Owner-Driver-Mechanic’ series. Charles Gillett made a welcome return in his ultra fast 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sports and qualified on pole ahead of Sam Stretton’s 1937 Alta Sports, a rose between two ‘Nashes as popular American, Fred Wakeman started third in his slightly earlier, 1928 Super Sports. Stretton was ahead off the start, but Gillett managed to get ahead pulling off a brave out-braking manoeuvre into Brooklands, by lap 3 they were already lapping the field, Gillett using the traffic to his advantage to maintain his lead to the flag. Behind, a three-way battle ensued as Stretton, Wakeman and HRG driver, Andrew Mitchell fought for the final two podium spots, the Alta and HRG taking the spoils, the three cars separated by less than half a second. The trophy itself went to 5th placed car and defending champion Neil Twyman, as the first over 2950cc (or 2237cc supercharged) car in his Alfa Romeo 8C.
Gillett dashed to the pits fresh from his victory (skipping the garland presentation) as he had to quickly remove his wings and lights to run the car in ‘racing’ specification for the headline ‘GP Itala Trophy’ that followed. Pumped from his previous victory he slotted into his third qualifying position alongside fellow ‘chain gangers’ Justin Maeers in the 1926 Parker GN, Tony Lees in the 1925 AC/GN ‘Cognac’ and Robert Carr in his 1930 AC/GN. Off the start, this mob bullied pole man Geraint Owen in his 1930 Bugatti T35 who slipped several places and Maeers took the lead into the complex for the first time; Gillett then tried to muscle in on Owen, but by lap 2 the T35 was well on song and took the lead. Meanwhile, Lees and Carr were neck and neck in their similar machines and both passed Gillett heading into lap 3. Lees then quickly saw away Justin Maeers and then begun to threaten Owen but faster straight-line speed saw the Bugatti nudge ahead on Woodcote corner. Lees then dropped out with overheating problems which niggled him all weekend. Bentley racer Clive Morley had a scare as his wheel collapsed and he spun off at Luffield unharmed. Carr and Maeers were now battling hard, Carr taking the advantage. The Parker GN then slowed, and Gillett passed for third. Longstone Tyres proprietor, Dougal Cawley was doing well in his GN ‘Piglet’ sporting a new Ford engine while Sue Darbyshire was the lead Morgan after Duncan Wood failed to start the race. The lead trio settled into position over the last 3 laps and a thrilling GP Itala was concluded with Owen claiming the trophy for a fifth time, Carr enjoyed his highest place finish at Silverstone (second) and gallant Gillett took the last podium place.
The VSCC’s ever-popular short handicap race for Pre-war Cars, sponsored by NAI Haywards (whose Chief Executive Nick Hayward-Cook was competing in his single-seater Austin 7) was won by Robert Lewis in his glorious 1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans Replica.
The second short scratch race for Pre-war cars included many of the day’s faster cars, including a quartet of ERA machines. It was R4D and Mac Hulbert who dominated from the front ahead of Terry Crabb in the sister ERA, R12C, and Mark Gillies, this time behind the ‘unfamiliar’ wheel of the Riley ERA Special.
Late entrant John Harper dominated the first HGPCA Pre-1966 race of the weekend in his Brabham BT4. The record entry boasted a real international flavour with five nations represented amongst the stellar driver line-up, which also included HGPCA Chairman Barry Cannell in his 1961 Lola Mk 3, victorious in his ding-dong battle in midfield with the Connaught of Michael Steele as they crossed the finish line together.
Dougal Cawley, pleased with his performance in the GP Itala Trophy, was in the pole position hot seat in his 1929 GN/Ford ‘Piglet’ for the ‘Silverstone Trophy’ Race for Special Pre-war Sports-Cars, with the Riley 12/4’s of David Pryke and Tim Kneller in second and third slots respectively. Cawley was heading for a walkover as he dominated the race for seven laps of eight but began to suffer with a slipping clutch; by the last lap, Pryke had closed the gap to three seconds and on their final visit to the complex, they were neck and neck, Pryke just ahead on the line. Further down the pack, Brian Maille’s hot Alvis Speed 25 Sports was under increasing pressure from the Riley of Durward Lawson and the Alvis of Guy Plante, but clung on for an eventual third place finish.
History was made and celebrated as period cars raced in lined up for the George Abecassis Centenary Trophy Race. Because of the wide variety of vehicles, the drivers were to be congratulated with class awards, however, this did not lessen anyone’s competitive spirit and Spike Milligan started to fly in his well campaigned 1953 HWM Jaguar. With compulsory pit stops the order of the day, Mark Midgley and Chris Woodgate shared a 1952 Aston Martin DB3 which capitalised on Milligan’s mistake with fifteen minutes to go and pushed the battle scarred DB3 to cross the finish line first despite Milligan remaining a constant threat. In honour of George and his eclectic racing career, awards were presented not to the Race Winners but to the various winners of the Classes: Midgley/Wood Gate (Aston Martin), Spike Milligan (Jaguar-engined HW-Altas and HWMs), Peter Thornton/David Garrett (Austin Healeys) and Grahame Bull (Healey Silverstones).
Longstone Tyres kindly provided beer from the Doncaster Brewery for Marshals and Competitors to enjoy on Saturday evening which was kindly hosted in the Blakeney Motorsport truck awning.
Sunday dawned fresh and slightly cooler, but the on-track action was just as hot as on the previous day! A new style race, a scratch race for Pre-1941 Standard and Modified Pre-war cars saw post 1930s racers such as ERAs and Altas reunited with Vintage Bugattis and Frazer Nashes. Mac Hulbert, fresh from his antipodean winter, had put ERA R4D on pole and led the race from start to finish in dominant fashion. Another ERA, AJM 1 of Ben Fidler was putting on a strong display battling with the Alta ‘Norris’ Special of Paul Jaye for third place before succumbing to mechanical gremlins allowing the local pilot to hold off the fast-charging Terry Crabb in ERA R12C to take spoils. Nick Topliss was also going well in his second ever race in ERA R4A whilst Charles Gillett was on form again and flying in his Frazer Nash Super Sports. Maserati expert, Sean Danaher had a lonely race but drove his beautiful 1938 Maserati 6CM gallantly to second place.
A capacity grid of Front-engined Formula Juniors lined up for a round of their Millers Oils and JWM Championships. Off the line, Elva 100 driver, Mark Woodhouse harried pole man, Stuart Roach in his 1960 Alexis Mk2. Millers Oils man, Robin Longdon had qualified fourth but passed Crispian Besley’s third placed Elva 100 and went in pursuit of Woodhouse to pass on the fourth lap. As Roach extended his lead, Woodhouse and Longdon were engaged in a great tussle as they got mixed amongst the backmarkers. Woodhouse passed Longdon again on lap 8, only to lose the position in the final stages of the race and by now Roach had a nine second lead on the pair and added a second victory to his 2013 season after a recent win at Thruxton.
The Standard and Modified Pre-war Sports-Cars then had an opportunity to settle scores from Saturday as another full representation from this popular group took to the track. Before the race, Fred Wakeman (qualified second) doubted he had the speed to get near pole man Gillett given his excellent performances on Saturday yet the pair was set to embark in an epic ‘chain gang’ battle and delight the crowds. Off the line, Wakeman made chase on Gillett, and by lap 3, they were side-by-side into the complex and the silver ‘Nash of Wakeman streaked into the lead. On lap 5, Gillett tried some new tactics and took a different line at Brooklands, thusmanageing to get up the inside of Wakeman and was then glued to his back bumper going into Woodcote and stuck with him into Becketts to pass again. As they came down the Wellington straight neck and neck, Gillett was later on the brakes and nipped ahead. Meanwhile Andrew Mitchell manoeuvred his HRG past Sue Darbyshire’s Morgan for third and David Cottingham was running well in his BMW 328. Neil Twyman was on the charge in his Alfa Romeo 8C and made up several places to fifth position. Whilst the 3rd, 4th and 5th placed cars settled into their finishing positions, Wakeman and Gillett were still at it hammer and tong and, going into the last lap, they were inseparable into Copse corner. Gillett came out with a narrow advantage only for Wakeman to take a risky outside line as they went round the Luffield complex, which left him in the perfect place to power to the chequered flag. This was the race of the weekend and, with six changes of position between the two, was an excellent advert for the fun that can be had in a Pre-war car!
Brabham racer, John Harper, was keen for a second victory in round 2 of the HGPCA Pre-1966 Grand Prix Cars Race, starting on pole ahead of Peter Horsman’s Lotus 18/21, Will Nuthall’s 1960 Cooper T53 and John Fairley’s 1964 Brabham BT11. Whilst Harper asserted his dominance, Jonathan Hughes came through from 9th on the grid to second in his 1960 Cooper T53. Eddie McGuire was also making great progress in his Lotus 16, keeping Michael Steele’s 1957 Connaught C Type at bay until he ran wide at Brooklands and took to the grass. With a minute left in the race, Harper pitted with mechanical problems, handing Hughes the win. Peter Horsman came in second and young Nuthall took the third podium spot for a second time this weekend.
Mac Hulbert (ERA R4D) and Robert Cobden (1937 Riley Falcon Special) were the ones to beat in the All-comers’ Scratch Race for Pre-war Cars. Tony Lees made good ground on Robert Carr in the battle of the AC/GNs and then went for Pete Candy’s Riley ‘Super Rat’ before retiring again with the same overheating issue that had plagued the car all weekend. Cobden then retired with a sickening Riley, disappointingly after appearing to be the only car capable to keep up with R4D. Candy looked like he might snatch second until Charles McCabe crept up on him on the last lap in the glorious ERA R5B, ‘Remus’ leaving ERAs in the two top-spots.
A new longer format two-driver 1950s Sports Racing Cars was well received so a capacity grid made the start, whilst disappointed reserves dreamt of what might have been. It was set to be a re-match between Philip Walker’s Lotus 15 and Julian Majzub’s Canadian Sadler Mk3, who had enjoyed a memorable duel at the closing meeting of the 2012 VSCC season at Snetterton. Whilst the Sadler was on form, Majzub was sharing the car with Mercedes F1 technical ace, Robin Tuluie who was an unknown quantity having never driven the car before this weekend. Off the line Majzub and Walker powered away whilst Peter Horsman flew into third in his recently acquired Lotus 15 with one eye on Tony Bianchi’s Farrellac Allard who was in his mirrors. By lap 3, Majzub and Walker were still neck and neck, the Sadler nudging ahead coming out of Copse corner. Whilst Majzub took a comfortable lead, Walker then had to deal with Horsman who passed him on lap 5. The Lotus duo then scrapped up to the pit stop window whilst Majzub took an impressive 2 second lead. The two Lotuses then pitted and Majzub stayed out for another 2 laps to try to extend his advantage before handing over to Tuluie. Horsman’s Lotus then failed with a leaking diff unit and Walker was in the prime slot as Majzub came in to hand over. Tuluie did not disappoint, only driving a few seconds off Majzub’s pace, an incredible feat given his inexperience with the Sadler, a machine renowned for its difficult handling. And they stayed that way to the close of the 35 minute race, with Bianchi ever present to finish a very competitive third.
The VSCC commemorated the Aston Martin Centenary with a special race for Pre-war models. The grid had attracted many rarities including Andy Bell’s 12/50 Coupe and Josh Sadler’s 1939 Monoposto and several original 1½ litre team cars. Charles Knill-Jones had qualified Nick Mason’s ‘LM 21’ (star of the VSCC Race Retro stand back in February) well in 2nd place, but was under pressure from the larger capacity cars, including Jane Varley in her 15/98 Speed Model who eventually took 2nd and birthday boy Josh Sadler who took 3rd. Meanwhile, Tony Armstrong dominated the race in his Le Mans 2/4, known as the ‘Green Monster’.
In the Pre-1961 Racing cars race Julian Bronson and Tony Wood did not disappoint the crowds, re-igniting their Scarab and Maserati ‘Tec Mec’ battle from the previous day. Whilst Wood got ahead on the fourth lap after qualifying in third behind him he then slipped behind again. Meanwhile, Philip Walker was asserting him dominance again in his Lotus 16 and powered off into the lead for a flag to flag victory, although only winning by a 2.4 second margin in the end. Towards the close of the 15 minute race, Wood looked to be reeling in Bronson but they held their second and third positions to the end. Charles McCabe, all the way from California, ended his busy weekend in ERA R5B as the first Pre-war finisher in 11th place, ahead of fellow ERA pilot Nick Topliss, who completed his own impressive debut weekend in R4A, in 14th place.
The VSCC welcomed the Historic Racing Driver’s Club to the meeting for the first time and spectators were impressed by the exotic line up of the ‘Allstars’ race which featured everything from hot Pre-war MG TAs and TBs to the stunning , Le Mans, Aston Martin Project 214 car of Wolfgang Friedrichs. This mighty Aston made a great race with Bill Shepherd’s thirsty seven litre 1963 Ford Galaxie and they battled hard in the 30 minute race, Shepherd eventually taking the victory by a little over 10 seconds, whilst Rae Davis held off the charge of the Austen-Healey WSM Sprite of Ian Hulett and Peter Alexander’s Ford Anglia 105E in his quick, agile and aptly named Mini Jem GT, a mere 2 seconds splitting the eclectic trio of machines in the fight for the final podium spot.
The VSCC’s ‘Special’ Pre-war Sports-Cars were honoured with the task of showcasing off the Club’s much-loved Handicap Race format next. Deemed to be the quickest car in the pack, the GN/Ford ‘Piglet’ of Dougal Cawley was allocated the ‘hare’ tasked with hunting down the slower ‘tortoises’ ahead from the race’s staggered start procedure. He was joined at the back of the grid by the Rileys of Pryke, Kneller and Iliffe, once again inseparable on track. As the race progressed, it was clear ‘Piglet’ was not quite up to the challenge as the laps soon ran out with the Longstone Tyre man a commendable 15 seconds behind the winner, Guy Plante, who defied the Handicappers and lapping in a blistering 1 minute 18s, worked his way through the pack to take the victory.
The meeting was brought to a fitting close with the 20 minute second part of the 500 Owners Association’s Commander Yorke Trophy. It was again down to the Cooper Mk 10 of Steve Jones to lead the way ahead of Ashman (Cooper) and Hunt (Martin) as 500 OA Competition Secretary Gordon Russell finished an impressive 6th in his 1952 Mackson. The results of the two races were combined to give our overall winners, unsurprisingly led by those same podium incumbents of the two races, whilst the event organiser Xavier Kingsland was rewarded for his efforts with a respectable 11th place overall in his 1953 Staride Mk 3.
The 500 Owners Association took to the Silverstone National Circuit next, with the first part of their double-header Commander Yorke Trophy, bringing with them the biggest entry for any F3 (500) race since 1955. Following the morning practice session, only the fastest 36 qualifiers circulated behind the Safety Car for two tension-building warm-up laps before it pulled off the circuit and allowed pole-sitter Steve Jones in his Cooper Mk 10 to set the pace around the complex and into the Start/Finish Straight for a well-choreographed rolling start across the line. An epic race followed with multiple changes for the lead and throughout the grid at every turn, as the swarms of machines tussled around every bend, frequently five or six abreast. Although not known for their mechanical reliability, an impressive majority lasted the gruelling 25 minutes to the chequered flag, led home by pace-setter Jones, followed by multiple 500 OA Series Champion Nigel Ashman in his Cooper Mk 11 whilst Roy Hunt in his Martin held off the Cooper Mk 9 of John Turner in the battle for the final podium spot.
V12 Telecom once again sponsored the Pre-1961 Front-engined Racing Cars event associated with the Patrick Lindsay Memorial Trophy and Amschel Rothschild Trophy. Philip Walker had qualified his 1959 Lotus 16 on pole putting him in prime position to defend the Rothschild Trophy that he won for the first time in 2012. Julian Bronson’s 1960 Scarab was making its first appearance at a VSCC event and was poised to hassle Walker having qualifying second. Bronson briefly led after Walker ran wide on their first visit to the Luffield complex, but Walker quickly regained the lead and started to pull away on the second lap, a position that was maintained to the flag. Meanwhile, an epic battle between Bronson and Tony Wood in the 1959 Tec Mec Maserati unfolded. As the front runners met the back markers on lap 6, Wood managed to pass, an advantage that he maintained until lap 10 when the pair came into Brooklands side by side, Bronson had the upper hand and pulled clear and then set to reeling in Walker but the chequered flag halted his pursuit. Wood drove gallantly to secure third position. Mark Gillies was the first ERA home and claimed his eighth Patrick Lindsay Trophy in Mary Smith’s ERA R3A.
A race for the VSCC’s most prestigious sports-car trophy the Fox and Nichol followed with a full grid of ‘Standard and Modified Sports-Car’ racers, keen to contest the first race of the 2013 ‘Owner-Driver-Mechanic’ series. Charles Gillett made a welcome return in his ultra fast 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sports and qualified on pole ahead of Sam Stretton’s 1937 Alta Sports, a rose between two ‘Nashes as popular American, Fred Wakeman started third in his slightly earlier, 1928 Super Sports. Stretton was ahead off the start, but Gillett managed to get ahead pulling off a brave out-braking manoeuvre into Brooklands, by lap 3 they were already lapping the field, Gillett using the traffic to his advantage to maintain his lead to the flag. Behind, a three-way battle ensued as Stretton, Wakeman and HRG driver, Andrew Mitchell fought for the final two podium spots, the Alta and HRG taking the spoils, the three cars separated by less than half a second. The trophy itself went to 5th placed car and defending champion Neil Twyman, as the first over 2950cc (or 2237cc supercharged) car in his Alfa Romeo 8C.
Gillett dashed to the pits fresh from his victory (skipping the garland presentation) as he had to quickly remove his wings and lights to run the car in ‘racing’ specification for the headline ‘GP Itala Trophy’ that followed. Pumped from his previous victory he slotted into his third qualifying position alongside fellow ‘chain gangers’ Justin Maeers in the 1926 Parker GN, Tony Lees in the 1925 AC/GN ‘Cognac’ and Robert Carr in his 1930 AC/GN. Off the start, this mob bullied pole man Geraint Owen in his 1930 Bugatti T35 who slipped several places and Maeers took the lead into the complex for the first time; Gillett then tried to muscle in on Owen, but by lap 2 the T35 was well on song and took the lead. Meanwhile, Lees and Carr were neck and neck in their similar machines and both passed Gillett heading into lap 3. Lees then quickly saw away Justin Maeers and then begun to threaten Owen but faster straight-line speed saw the Bugatti nudge ahead on Woodcote corner. Lees then dropped out with overheating problems which niggled him all weekend. Bentley racer Clive Morley had a scare as his wheel collapsed and he spun off at Luffield unharmed. Carr and Maeers were now battling hard, Carr taking the advantage. The Parker GN then slowed, and Gillett passed for third. Longstone Tyres proprietor, Dougal Cawley was doing well in his GN ‘Piglet’ sporting a new Ford engine while Sue Darbyshire was the lead Morgan after Duncan Wood failed to start the race. The lead trio settled into position over the last 3 laps and a thrilling GP Itala was concluded with Owen claiming the trophy for a fifth time, Carr enjoyed his highest place finish at Silverstone (second) and gallant Gillett took the last podium place.
The VSCC’s ever-popular short handicap race for Pre-war Cars, sponsored by NAI Haywards (whose Chief Executive Nick Hayward-Cook was competing in his single-seater Austin 7) was won by Robert Lewis in his glorious 1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans Replica.
The second short scratch race for Pre-war cars included many of the day’s faster cars, including a quartet of ERA machines. It was R4D and Mac Hulbert who dominated from the front ahead of Terry Crabb in the sister ERA, R12C, and Mark Gillies, this time behind the ‘unfamiliar’ wheel of the Riley ERA Special.
Late entrant John Harper dominated the first HGPCA Pre-1966 race of the weekend in his Brabham BT4. The record entry boasted a real international flavour with five nations represented amongst the stellar driver line-up, which also included HGPCA Chairman Barry Cannell in his 1961 Lola Mk 3, victorious in his ding-dong battle in midfield with the Connaught of Michael Steele as they crossed the finish line together.
Dougal Cawley, pleased with his performance in the GP Itala Trophy, was in the pole position hot seat in his 1929 GN/Ford ‘Piglet’ for the ‘Silverstone Trophy’ Race for Special Pre-war Sports-Cars, with the Riley 12/4’s of David Pryke and Tim Kneller in second and third slots respectively. Cawley was heading for a walkover as he dominated the race for seven laps of eight but began to suffer with a slipping clutch; by the last lap, Pryke had closed the gap to three seconds and on their final visit to the complex, they were neck and neck, Pryke just ahead on the line. Further down the pack, Brian Maille’s hot Alvis Speed 25 Sports was under increasing pressure from the Riley of Durward Lawson and the Alvis of Guy Plante, but clung on for an eventual third place finish.
History was made and celebrated as period cars raced in lined up for the George Abecassis Centenary Trophy Race. Because of the wide variety of vehicles, the drivers were to be congratulated with class awards, however, this did not lessen anyone’s competitive spirit and Spike Milligan started to fly in his well campaigned 1953 HWM Jaguar. With compulsory pit stops the order of the day, Mark Midgley and Chris Woodgate shared a 1952 Aston Martin DB3 which capitalised on Milligan’s mistake with fifteen minutes to go and pushed the battle scarred DB3 to cross the finish line first despite Milligan remaining a constant threat. In honour of George and his eclectic racing career, awards were presented not to the Race Winners but to the various winners of the Classes: Midgley/Wood Gate (Aston Martin), Spike Milligan (Jaguar-engined HW-Altas and HWMs), Peter Thornton/David Garrett (Austin Healeys) and Grahame Bull (Healey Silverstones).
Longstone Tyres kindly provided beer from the Doncaster Brewery for Marshals and Competitors to enjoy on Saturday evening which was kindly hosted in the Blakeney Motorsport truck awning.
Sunday dawned fresh and slightly cooler, but the on-track action was just as hot as on the previous day! A new style race, a scratch race for Pre-1941 Standard and Modified Pre-war cars saw post 1930s racers such as ERAs and Altas reunited with Vintage Bugattis and Frazer Nashes. Mac Hulbert, fresh from his antipodean winter, had put ERA R4D on pole and led the race from start to finish in dominant fashion. Another ERA, AJM 1 of Ben Fidler was putting on a strong display battling with the Alta ‘Norris’ Special of Paul Jaye for third place before succumbing to mechanical gremlins allowing the local pilot to hold off the fast-charging Terry Crabb in ERA R12C to take spoils. Nick Topliss was also going well in his second ever race in ERA R4A whilst Charles Gillett was on form again and flying in his Frazer Nash Super Sports. Maserati expert, Sean Danaher had a lonely race but drove his beautiful 1938 Maserati 6CM gallantly to second place.
A capacity grid of Front-engined Formula Juniors lined up for a round of their Millers Oils and JWM Championships. Off the line, Elva 100 driver, Mark Woodhouse harried pole man, Stuart Roach in his 1960 Alexis Mk2. Millers Oils man, Robin Longdon had qualified fourth but passed Crispian Besley’s third placed Elva 100 and went in pursuit of Woodhouse to pass on the fourth lap. As Roach extended his lead, Woodhouse and Longdon were engaged in a great tussle as they got mixed amongst the backmarkers. Woodhouse passed Longdon again on lap 8, only to lose the position in the final stages of the race and by now Roach had a nine second lead on the pair and added a second victory to his 2013 season after a recent win at Thruxton.
The Standard and Modified Pre-war Sports-Cars then had an opportunity to settle scores from Saturday as another full representation from this popular group took to the track. Before the race, Fred Wakeman (qualified second) doubted he had the speed to get near pole man Gillett given his excellent performances on Saturday yet the pair was set to embark in an epic ‘chain gang’ battle and delight the crowds. Off the line, Wakeman made chase on Gillett, and by lap 3, they were side-by-side into the complex and the silver ‘Nash of Wakeman streaked into the lead. On lap 5, Gillett tried some new tactics and took a different line at Brooklands, thusmanageing to get up the inside of Wakeman and was then glued to his back bumper going into Woodcote and stuck with him into Becketts to pass again. As they came down the Wellington straight neck and neck, Gillett was later on the brakes and nipped ahead. Meanwhile Andrew Mitchell manoeuvred his HRG past Sue Darbyshire’s Morgan for third and David Cottingham was running well in his BMW 328. Neil Twyman was on the charge in his Alfa Romeo 8C and made up several places to fifth position. Whilst the 3rd, 4th and 5th placed cars settled into their finishing positions, Wakeman and Gillett were still at it hammer and tong and, going into the last lap, they were inseparable into Copse corner. Gillett came out with a narrow advantage only for Wakeman to take a risky outside line as they went round the Luffield complex, which left him in the perfect place to power to the chequered flag. This was the race of the weekend and, with six changes of position between the two, was an excellent advert for the fun that can be had in a Pre-war car!
Brabham racer, John Harper, was keen for a second victory in round 2 of the HGPCA Pre-1966 Grand Prix Cars Race, starting on pole ahead of Peter Horsman’s Lotus 18/21, Will Nuthall’s 1960 Cooper T53 and John Fairley’s 1964 Brabham BT11. Whilst Harper asserted his dominance, Jonathan Hughes came through from 9th on the grid to second in his 1960 Cooper T53. Eddie McGuire was also making great progress in his Lotus 16, keeping Michael Steele’s 1957 Connaught C Type at bay until he ran wide at Brooklands and took to the grass. With a minute left in the race, Harper pitted with mechanical problems, handing Hughes the win. Peter Horsman came in second and young Nuthall took the third podium spot for a second time this weekend.
Mac Hulbert (ERA R4D) and Robert Cobden (1937 Riley Falcon Special) were the ones to beat in the All-comers’ Scratch Race for Pre-war Cars. Tony Lees made good ground on Robert Carr in the battle of the AC/GNs and then went for Pete Candy’s Riley ‘Super Rat’ before retiring again with the same overheating issue that had plagued the car all weekend. Cobden then retired with a sickening Riley, disappointingly after appearing to be the only car capable to keep up with R4D. Candy looked like he might snatch second until Charles McCabe crept up on him on the last lap in the glorious ERA R5B, ‘Remus’ leaving ERAs in the two top-spots.
A new longer format two-driver 1950s Sports Racing Cars was well received so a capacity grid made the start, whilst disappointed reserves dreamt of what might have been. It was set to be a re-match between Philip Walker’s Lotus 15 and Julian Majzub’s Canadian Sadler Mk3, who had enjoyed a memorable duel at the closing meeting of the 2012 VSCC season at Snetterton. Whilst the Sadler was on form, Majzub was sharing the car with Mercedes F1 technical ace, Robin Tuluie who was an unknown quantity having never driven the car before this weekend. Off the line Majzub and Walker powered away whilst Peter Horsman flew into third in his recently acquired Lotus 15 with one eye on Tony Bianchi’s Farrellac Allard who was in his mirrors. By lap 3, Majzub and Walker were still neck and neck, the Sadler nudging ahead coming out of Copse corner. Whilst Majzub took a comfortable lead, Walker then had to deal with Horsman who passed him on lap 5. The Lotus duo then scrapped up to the pit stop window whilst Majzub took an impressive 2 second lead. The two Lotuses then pitted and Majzub stayed out for another 2 laps to try to extend his advantage before handing over to Tuluie. Horsman’s Lotus then failed with a leaking diff unit and Walker was in the prime slot as Majzub came in to hand over. Tuluie did not disappoint, only driving a few seconds off Majzub’s pace, an incredible feat given his inexperience with the Sadler, a machine renowned for its difficult handling. And they stayed that way to the close of the 35 minute race, with Bianchi ever present to finish a very competitive third.
The VSCC commemorated the Aston Martin Centenary with a special race for Pre-war models. The grid had attracted many rarities including Andy Bell’s 12/50 Coupe and Josh Sadler’s 1939 Monoposto and several original 1½ litre team cars. Charles Knill-Jones had qualified Nick Mason’s ‘LM 21’ (star of the VSCC Race Retro stand back in February) well in 2nd place, but was under pressure from the larger capacity cars, including Jane Varley in her 15/98 Speed Model who eventually took 2nd and birthday boy Josh Sadler who took 3rd. Meanwhile, Tony Armstrong dominated the race in his Le Mans 2/4, known as the ‘Green Monster’.
In the Pre-1961 Racing cars race Julian Bronson and Tony Wood did not disappoint the crowds, re-igniting their Scarab and Maserati ‘Tec Mec’ battle from the previous day. Whilst Wood got ahead on the fourth lap after qualifying in third behind him he then slipped behind again. Meanwhile, Philip Walker was asserting him dominance again in his Lotus 16 and powered off into the lead for a flag to flag victory, although only winning by a 2.4 second margin in the end. Towards the close of the 15 minute race, Wood looked to be reeling in Bronson but they held their second and third positions to the end. Charles McCabe, all the way from California, ended his busy weekend in ERA R5B as the first Pre-war finisher in 11th place, ahead of fellow ERA pilot Nick Topliss, who completed his own impressive debut weekend in R4A, in 14th place.
The VSCC welcomed the Historic Racing Driver’s Club to the meeting for the first time and spectators were impressed by the exotic line up of the ‘Allstars’ race which featured everything from hot Pre-war MG TAs and TBs to the stunning , Le Mans, Aston Martin Project 214 car of Wolfgang Friedrichs. This mighty Aston made a great race with Bill Shepherd’s thirsty seven litre 1963 Ford Galaxie and they battled hard in the 30 minute race, Shepherd eventually taking the victory by a little over 10 seconds, whilst Rae Davis held off the charge of the Austen-Healey WSM Sprite of Ian Hulett and Peter Alexander’s Ford Anglia 105E in his quick, agile and aptly named Mini Jem GT, a mere 2 seconds splitting the eclectic trio of machines in the fight for the final podium spot.
The VSCC’s ‘Special’ Pre-war Sports-Cars were honoured with the task of showcasing off the Club’s much-loved Handicap Race format next. Deemed to be the quickest car in the pack, the GN/Ford ‘Piglet’ of Dougal Cawley was allocated the ‘hare’ tasked with hunting down the slower ‘tortoises’ ahead from the race’s staggered start procedure. He was joined at the back of the grid by the Rileys of Pryke, Kneller and Iliffe, once again inseparable on track. As the race progressed, it was clear ‘Piglet’ was not quite up to the challenge as the laps soon ran out with the Longstone Tyre man a commendable 15 seconds behind the winner, Guy Plante, who defied the Handicappers and lapping in a blistering 1 minute 18s, worked his way through the pack to take the victory.
The meeting was brought to a fitting close with the 20 minute second part of the 500 Owners Association’s Commander Yorke Trophy. It was again down to the Cooper Mk 10 of Steve Jones to lead the way ahead of Ashman (Cooper) and Hunt (Martin) as 500 OA Competition Secretary Gordon Russell finished an impressive 6th in his 1952 Mackson. The results of the two races were combined to give our overall winners, unsurprisingly led by those same podium incumbents of the two races, whilst the event organiser Xavier Kingsland was rewarded for his efforts with a respectable 11th place overall in his 1953 Staride Mk 3.
