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Of the british racing drivers’ club Bulletin Volume 29 No 4 • winter 2008 Of the british racing drivers’ club Volume 29 No 4 • winter 2008 Saturday 20 July 1968 Just a few short months after the death of Jimmy Clark, Two laps into the race Graham takes over the lead and setting fastest lap in the process, to take victory by 4.3 his successor at Gold Leaf , , is tailed by Jackie until a drive shaft fails on the leading seconds, the fi rst for Rob Walker in a World Champion- leads off the line at the start of the car. This is Jackie’s fi fth race in a Grand Prix car and on ship race since ’s rout of the at at from the middle of the front row with one of his favourite circuits he seems to be heading for the Nurburgring in 1961 with the /21. But the team mate and World Champion-to-be on a superb win as he pulls away from the battle raging days of the private entrant in Formula 1 are numbered his right,’s 312 to his left and Jo Siff ert between ‘Seppi’ and Chris, the Ferrari having passed the and Rob’s team never wins again. For Seppi there is in Rob Walker’s brand new Lotus 49B slotting in behind. blue and white Lotus. But then it all turns sour in a small another win in store with the Yardley BRM P160 at the After a hefty shunt at Rouen two weeks earlier Jackie cloud of smoke at South Bank as the fails Osterreichring in 1971 but a few weeks later it all came has been handed ‘Seppi’ Siff ert’s old 49 and, like the just after half distance. A little further back, Seppi has to an end for the popular and courageous Swiss driver in 49Bs, a rear wing a further 12 inches higher than before. repassed the Ferrari and keeps it at bay to the end, a horrifi c fi ery crash in the Brands Victory Race. BULLETIN THE BRITISH RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB Volume 29 No 4 • WINTER 2008 OF THE BRITISH RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB

President in Chief HRH The Duke of Kent KG Volume 29 No 4 • WINTER 2008 President OBE CONTENTS Chairman 06 PRESIDENT’S LETTER 42 ROAD TEST Robert Brooks 10 Damon Hill It’s electric, and it’s only got two wheels. Directors We test the Vectrix scooter Ross Hyett Jackie Oliver 09 NEWS FROM YOUR CIRCUIT Stuart Rolt The Latest from the Offi ces of SCL 44 BLAST FROM THE PAST Ian Titchmarsh The magnifi cent story of the glorious Nick Whale 10 REVIEW Lister-Jaguar Knobbly reviews the 2008 season Club Secretary Stuart Pringle Tel: 01327 850926 50 OBITUARIES email: [email protected] 16 PA to Club Secretary Why the rough edges only add to 56 BTCC REVIEW Becky Simm Tel: 01327 850922 32 the excitement email: [email protected] 63 SECRETARY’S LETTER BRDC Bulletin Editorial Board 18 RACING MEMBERS Ian Titchmarsh, Stuart Pringle Our end of year round up of 62 BECKETT’S CORNER Guest Editor international action Beckett’s taken one last time Will Buxton

BRDC 20 2008 BRDC SILVER STAR 66 BOOK REVIEWS hits a four A few last-minute Christmas ideas Towcester Northants NN12 8TN 21 2008 BRDC GOLD STAR 68 CAR OF THE YEAR Who else but Lewis? A more expensive Christmas present… Sponsorship and advertising 44 Adam Rogers Tel: 01423 851150 email: [email protected] 30 MACAU MUSINGS

© 2008 The British Racing Drivers’ Club. All rights in and relating to Ian Titchmarsh looks back on a brilliant this publication are expressly reserved. Nothing in this publication may Macau GP be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission from the BRDC. The views expressed in Bulletin are not necessarily those of the editor, the BRDC or the publishers. 32 BRDC ANNUAL AWARDS Relive our annual celebrations in Design Damion Chew Front cover Produced by 36 SIR STIRLING MOSS 2 November 2008 – Lewis Hamilton holds aloft the Union Jack as he Barker Brooks Media Ltd 56 Barker Brooks House The legend refl ects on the BRDC and its celebrates becoming Formula One’s youngest World Champion in Parc 4 Greengate, Cardale Park modern role Ferme at the in Sao Paulo, . (Photo LAT) Harrogate HG3 1GY Tel: 01423 851150 Back Cover email: [email protected] 38 BRDC MCLAREN AUTOSPORT AWARD Two Gold Stars to signify an incredible year. 50 Years on from the www.barkerbrooks.co.uk Alexander Sims takes the prize awarding of a BRDC Gold Star to in recognition of him becoming Britain’s fi rst F1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton receives his www.brdc.co.uk 40 UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT World Championship Gold Star. (Images courtesy of Bonhams) James Winslow in profi le

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 3 3 August 1978 One of the great drivers in one of the great cars on one of the great circuit almost immediately after the start. From Ronnie to dry tyres, before carrying on as before to win by nearly 50 seconds. circuits of 30 years ago. takes his JPS romps off into the lead as in the other Lotus 79 slides off Two weeks later Ronnie dutifully follows Mario home at Zandvoort for a through the Hella Licht S, the fi rst corner at the full strength, original into retirement. After seven increasingly wet laps, the race is stopped JPS Lotus 1-2. Two weeks more and tragically Ronnie loses his life after Osterreichring, in an utterly dominant display of his and his car’s and it is Ronnie’s turn to slide off but not so as to prevent him taking being caught up in an accident at the start of the . But, capabilities on his way to his 10th and last Grand Prix victory. pole position for the restart. Once more the brilliant Swede disappears as one of the fastest and most spectacular Formula 1 drivers ever, he will It becomes a race of two parts, heavy rain arriving over part of the long into the distance, temporarily loses the lead whilst everyone changes never be forgotten.

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GPA.indd 1 10/12/08 5:26:25 pm DAMON HILL OBE PRESIDENT’S LETTER

ear Fellow Member, compromises the possibility of being effective in Opposite I hope you enjoy this edition of the a range of different (and sometimes confl icting) Damon Hill crosses the Suzuka fi nishing line to win the 1996 and seal a famous and richly deserved Formula One World Championship. Thrust into the limelight as D Bulletin. The excitement is all over for this roles. My feelings today are that the BRDC could Williams team-leader in only his second full season of Formula One following the tragic and untimely death of in 1994, it had been here, in Suzuka, during that 1994 season year, and all we can do now is prepare for the benefi t from a good re-think about where the that Damon had truly emerged as one of the drivers of his generation, putting in one of the next. But what excitement! The BRDC club house Club is going, and what is needed to satisfy its performances of his career in appalling conditions to take the championship to the wire. Ultimately pipped at the post in Adelaide by the, shall we say heavy handed race tactics of Michael was the place to be, if not Brazil itself. It was a good name, and what exactly it is that members Schumacher, it was the German again who triumphed in 1995. But by 1996 Damon was into terrifi c evening with high tension right the way want from membership...and for how much! his stride and rose to the challenge in superb style. Damon’s victory in Japan sealed his World Championship and made him the eighth British F1 Champion, and the fi rst son of a previous to the fl ag and beyond. The consequences for A last word about ; he did not champion to emulate his father. Damon would be Britain’s Formula One World Champion for over our last F1 GP event for the foreseeable future are win the World Drivers’ Championship, but there a decade, until this very 2008 season, when Lewis Hamilton, who was just 11 in 1996, became Britain’s ninth Formula One World Champion. signifi cant of course, with sales of tickets to see is more to life than racing cars. I think we have yet the new British Formula One World Champion, to see the best of David. All the very best to him , September 8 1957 (overleaf, page 8) Lewis Hamilton taking off the very next day. with his exciting new career move in 2009, and Arguably the greatest day for British motor racing ever and certainly to that time. Three fi ll the fi rst three places on the grid for the fi nal round of the World Championship. But that makes this sounds as if this is all about my warmest congratulations to him and Karen on They should have been unaccompanied but overnight the organisers have changed the rules to business! The consequence for the Club is that the birth of their baby son. David, you are always allow a fourth car - ’s 250F no less – on to the front row. The eyes of the man who made it all possible, (in white hat and shirt sleeves to the right yet again this country has produced a driver welcome in the Clubhouse, as long as you keep of his cars) and those of his drivers (Stuart Lewis-Evans on pole, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks) are focused on the starter who is about to drop the fl ag on more than two and a half hours of a of world class who will add to the incredible your trousers on. classic Monza battle involving the three Vanwalls, Fangio’s Maserati and ’s V12 250F. list of champions already enshrined in the Meanwhile, enjoy perusing the Bulletin. The Ferraris are outclassed despite the best eff orts of Mike Hawthorn, Peter Collins and . The Vanwalls of Tony Brooks and Stuart Lewis-Evans hit problems, as does the V12 membership. This Club is like a natural history Best wishes, Maserati, but inexorably the remaining pulls away until Stirling is a full lap ahead of museum of British racing drivers, but which is the World Champion. A late by the leader allows the Maserati to fi nish on the same lap but “those bloody red cars”, for so long the object of Tony Vandervell’s attention, have been well now right up to date. I suppose that makes me a and truly beaten on their home ground. To cap it all, with his Vanwall restored to full health, dinosaur, along with all the others! But that is as it Tony Brooks sets the fastest lap of the race. The balance of power in Grand Prix racing has moved for the fi rst time from to Great Britain. should be. Congratulations to Lewis. Thankfully, we still have enough gas in the tank to soldier on for a few more years and try to put something back into the sport. It is not easy. The structure of the sport does not have much room for an organisation of circuit owners, or of drivers. Damon Hill OBE Also, the structure of the BRDC sometimes President, BRDC

6 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4

NEWS FROM YOUR CIRCUIT NEWS FROM YOUR CIRCUIT Richard Phillips refl ects on the year past and looks towards an exciting 2009

008 has been an extremely positive venue for motor sport, education and welcome Lewis Hamilton to Silverstone for world media, Members and staff alike. year for Silverstone in many respects. technology, these plans remain in place his fi rst home race as World Champion. It I look forward to seeing you at Silverstone 2 On the business side of things we and we are looking forward to keeping you also looks set to be our last Grand Prix, so in the New Year, if not before. Finally, my have enjoyed one of our most successful updated as we proceed. we are determined to make it an occasion very best wishes to you and your families years in recent times, with all three days of 2009 will be another exciting year for to remember for fans, drivers, teams, the for the festive period. the British Grand Prix selling out; healthy Silverstone. We are conscious of the need attendance fi gures at all our events; our to continue diversifying the business, Silverstone Experience Centre attracting expanding the circuit’s offerings and more and more customers through its reaffi rming our position at the forefront of doors; usage of the circuit being maximised UK and International motor sport. With this in all its various confi gurations; plus in mind, we will carry on working closely our involvement with , for whom with local authorities and the governments we are managing a series of launch and on developing Silverstone, while expanding test activities for the new GTR on an on our successful tourism, education and international stage. These are just several of health initiatives. the highlights in this, our 60th year. Meanwhile, on track, we can look forward I would also like to reiterate our thanks to to welcoming some of the most prestigious all of the drivers, riders, car and national and international events to owners for their fantastic support at the Silverstone in 2009. The British Touring various events that were organised to Car and Superbike Championships will celebrate the circuit’s 60th Anniversary in return, as well as rounds of international 2008. The British Touring Car and British series such as FIA GT and the Superbike Championships in particular Series. World Series by will also brought together friends, bikes and cars be back at Silverstone next year after a from six decades of racing and appeared successful move from to be as popular with the Members as it and we also look forward to welcoming was with the fans that attended these two United and the World Aerobatic popular events. Championships in 2009. However, one of Despite the fact that it has been a the highlights of the year will undoubtedly challenging year in terms of plans to be the Formula 1 British Grand Prix on develop Silverstone into a world-class 19-21 June, when we will be delighted to

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 9 FORMULA 1 Lewis makes his point Peter Windsor dissects the pivotal moments in the thrilling climax to a 2008 season which saw Britain’s Lewis Hamilton become the youngest Formula One World Champion in history

10 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 FORMULA 1

o he did it. In Brazil he secured the maths. In Monaco, on December 12, Lewis Carl Hamilton was offi cially crowned the 2008 FIA Formula One World Champion. Within minutes of that race fi nish in Brazil, wreathed as it was in torrential, Sao Paulo rain, I couldn’t help recalling the moment on the Saturday night of the British Grand Prix when, under pressure from his mistake in the pit lane in Canada, and after yet another penalty in , Lewis had had everything further to lose at Silverstone. I attended an Abbey banking event with Lewis that Saturday evening at nearby Althorp House. It rained then, too: well-laid plans changed at the last minute; Lewis fl ew in by helicopter and McLaren’s soon-to-be Sporting Director, Dave Ryan, waited back at base with a stopwatch, determined to ensure that Lewis was not one minute late for his cocoa and early tuck-in. Event over – Lewis had to be dragged away, as usual – I walked with him to the nearby fi eld / helipad. “Lots to do tomorrow,” I said – or something to that effect. “I know! They’re forecasting rain! Should be a lot of fun.” “Car should be good,” I said, basing my thought on how Lewis had dominated Fuji in 2007. “Either way, it’ll be fi ne,” he said, in that even, soft tone of his. “I’m really looking forward to it. Whatever’s happened has

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 11 FORMULA 1 happened for a reason. I fi rmly believe our options. I like to think that it heralds a that.” change in the way F1 handles itself. We’ve It took a while for his words to sink got the recession to consider, and costs to in. I don’t know Lewis particularly well control – but there’s also something more. but I think I know him well enough to There is a potential richness out there – and understand that he is above all extremely I don’t mean money - that F1 has yet to tap. spiritual – spiritual in the sense of believing With Lewis and Felipe around, the sky’s the in the God of his time. Lewis saying that limit. These are good guys who could be “everything has happened for a reason” was fantastically good for the sport. A new era his way of saying “I’m kind of a passenger hopefully is upon us. here. I’m going to do the best I can, and I guess at a more practical level it’s also work as hard as I can, but ultimately I know clear that Lewis and Felipe are pretty sharp that it’s not just me. I make mistakes. I learn as race drivers. Something bad happens from them. Apart from giving it 100 per cent (and by “bad” I mean something well what else can I do?” The interesting thing, I think, is that not only emerged as Lewis’s He reminded himself that ultimate rival for the championship but dignity in “defeat” is even more also as a driver as spiritual as Lewis. Lewis important than gratitude in was surprised to hear this when we chatted victory briefl y about it in Brazil… but then he lost no time in saying “It fi gures. Felipe is a gentleman. A true sportsman. I have a lot beyond their control)… and they recover of respect for him and for his family. We’ve beautifully. Both are self-critical in ways arrived here on different paths but in many that you see rarely amongst drivers at this ways we’re similar.” level. And both, appreciating the gifts with So who would have thought it? Who which they were born, are hard-workers in would have thought that the 2008 F1 the racing (as distinct from “professional World Championship would reach its Formula One”) driver sense of the word. climax – would reach the end of a season They give 100 per cent in bad cars as well as fraught again with penalties, sordid good. headlines, serious back-biting and good Brazil was a microcosm of the season; no old materialism at its worst – with the two doubt about that. Felipe did what he did drivers on top being the ones who are in Bahrain, , , Valencia and strong on being open about spiritual ethics – but it wasn’t quite enough. He and their rights and duties… the antithesis was brilliantly quick in qualifying. Felipe is of virtually every characteristic of the sport, -esque in the way he surgically in other words. elevates the boring stop-go corners of the It all means something, of course average F1 circuit to the places where he – although exactly what it means I guess is gains his advantage – and then he defi ed up to our individual interpretations of this McLaren’s predictions in the race by life we lead and what we should do with running the right fuel load, maximizing his

12 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 FORMULA 1

Bridgestones or not wilting under pressure. Problem was, the “unraceable” light-fuel He also defi ed the nonsense of Ferrari, I strategy of Felipe Massa proved just fi ne should add. Just as he was the fi rst to put in the wet, the dry and throughout the full his arms around the Ferrari mechanic race distance… The same thing happened who messed up in Singapore (in vivid in Valencia. The race there between Felipe contrast to the team management, who and Lewis was defi ned by the driver who quickly dismissed the best new race on won the pole. McLaren had the better the F1 calendar as “a circus”) and he was strategy; Felipe had the pole… a million miles away from smashing TV Late in the race, when Lewis was running screens in the post-race turmoil in Brazil. fourth, it again began to rain. I have to be On the contrary, he looked up at the sky, honest and admit that at this point I would held his hand to his heart and reminded not even have dreamt about bringing him himself that dignity in “defeat” is even more in for wets. No-one does a better job on dry important than gratitude in victory. If only tyres in the wet than Lewis Hamilton – and the Ferrari management were so mature… the downsides of a pit stop were too many For his part, Lewis in Brazil was what he to mention. For one thing, something could always is – the best driver out there who, have gone wrong: a wheel nut may have because this is only his second season in F1, jammed; a wheel nut could have loosened. is not only still learning how to juggle the For another, what would McLaren have technical and strategic variables but also done if everyone else had stayed on dries? when to push and when to… back away. Game over. The hardest job in the world for a driver of Again, though, better brains went to Lewis’ quality is to “cruise into the points work. Lewis came in. Lewis re-took his and not take any risks”. Drivers like Alain championship place on the last corner. Prost and the aforementioned Niki were Easy. born to do nothing else but cruise; drivers Afterwards I spent a lot of time with like Lewis fi nd driving for points about as Felipe. Great sportsmen in defeat are always comfortable as sitting in an empty room for more interesting than winners in victory. about a week and a half. And he was astoundingly solid. There were And he wasn’t helped, of course, by tears in his eyes – but why wouldn’t there McLaren being so good at what they do. be? He’d won from the pole and set fastest Most of us, for example, would have run lap. He’d been World Champion for about Lewis very light into Q3, ensured he was on fi ve minutes. And now he was the guy that the pole and then let the pit stops defi ne Lewis had beaten. his race into the points. The critical thing, There were no histrionics. There was no going in, was always going to be Turn One. anger. Only gratitude that he’d had such a McLaren don’t have all those guys on great car and such a great opportunity. He’s the pit wall, and in the garage, for nothing, allowed himself to learn massively from however. They expected rain – they believed over the past three in the forecasts in Ferrariland! – and so they years and in 2008 he achieved what no ran Lewis at the lightest extreme of a wet- driver of his era had ever achieved before: weather strategy. Sounds good on paper. he annihilated Kimi Raikkonen in the same

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 13 FORMULA 1

Toyota had “massaged” their power curves within the confi nes of the “frozen” regulations, the BMW boys struggled with slow- pick-up and all the downsides that fl ow from that in a year when traction control is disallowed along with automatic engine rev compensation when downshifting. The latter obliged everyone to run their brake bias more towards the front than ever before, opening the door to a mini-championship in one of the most fertile areas of competition still alive in F1. I refer to brakes of course – to the battle between Carbone Industrie (McLaren- Mercedes), Hitco (Renault) and Brembo (Ferrari and BMW). You may think that all was in the name – but you would be wrong. hated the harsh feel of the CIs at McLaren and obliged the team to switch his car to the softer-feeling Hitcos; McLaren also prefer Hitcos when it rains: Lewis won with them at Monaco and used them at Silverstone and Brazil. Ferrari, meanwhile, lost the Italian car. That, to my mind, is an achievement was good, too. His defence of margin under braking with which to play GP at Monza because they felt obliged to that should be placed right up there with of second place in Fuji – again with Kimi and yet he hit it, right on the knuckle, for switch from their regular Brembos (which, winning the Drivers’ title. And I’m sure Sir as the yardstick – was fl awless. F1 receives lap after lap. like the Hitcos, are great in the wet) to the Stirling Moss would agree with me. a lot of fl ak as a result of gormless surveys And he did so in a BMW that wasn’t CIs for what they believed was going to be a There were some wondrous drives in that ask “fans” puerile questions like “would particularly easy to drive – not by Ferrari/ dry-weather race on a hard-braking circuit. 2008. Lewis was up there in Clark territory you prefer to see more overtaking?” (as McLaren/Renault standards, at any rate. In What a mess – particularly as a young kid at Monaco and I don’t think any of your distinct from a more correctly-weighted “if practice at Fuji, at the enthralling section called stole the day…on wet-weather maestros from the past – your having more overtaking meant the advent of road between Turn Five (a fast right- Brembos and with a Ferrari engine! By Big Johns, your Stirlings, your Jimmys, of control tyres, control engines and control hander) and Turn Six (a tight left-hander), the time they got to Singapore, where rain your Jackies your Jackys, your Ayrtons and plus the loss from the sport of 50 BMW’s problems fi nally were exposed: Nick threatened throughout the weekend, they your Nigels – would have beaten Lewis at per cent of the major names, including Heidfeld and Robert were having to slow had decided to split their options: Felipe Silverstone in July. Ferrari, would you be happy?”) but here, in their cars down to a high second gear for raced on Brembos, Kimi on CIs. Felipe, Equally, Felipe destroyed Kimi at circuits Fuji, under heavy braking into a downhill Turn Six; everyone else in the race used a meanwhile, won with CIs in Bahrain – a fi rst like Bahrain, Turkey and Valencia. Kimi was right-hander, was a case study in why F1 low third for that hairpin. for the French brakes on the Italian car. the driver who bobbled under pressure in and “overtaking” need each other about So it was drivability, then: from mid- This being season’s end, I should Q3; Felipe was the Ferrari driver who took as much as needs to buy a season onwards, by which time Ferrari, mention the other British drivers in the the race to McLaren. Ferrari road car. Robert had about a metre Mercedes, Renault and to some extent championship. showed

14 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 FORMULA 1 frequently that he still possesses a the title if he had not made basic mistakes. beautifully silky feel for slow corners and Lewis’s season was similarly-balanced. for the wet but – as was the case at Renault, He should have had ten points from Spa when the car was similarly uncompetitive and he could have been an easy second in and annoying to drive – he allowed himself Hungary; and in Fuji he didn’t deserve to be to be out-paced by his team-mate. In this penalized. respect, 2008 was a year of going nowhere No denying it, though: he ran into Kimi’s for Jenson: he could, by contrast, have Ferrari in the pit lane in Canada and paid emerged as a driver who wrung 100 per for that not only on the day but also in the cent from ’s dire situation. race that followed. That was all Lewis in his David Coulthard drove bravely all year second year, still learning his craft. – brave in the sense that he was carrying on, Yet still he won the championship, still he past his time – but the signs were quickly pulled it off. there: he became even more accident- That was the measure of the man – of the prone in traffi c and he was obliged to man and the people behind the man. take risks in the early laps to make up for disappointing Qs one and two. DC was quick and competitive until the last but I think the speed of was something he couldn’t ignore. No team- mate had ever previously dominated DC the way Mark dominated him – which says as much about the still un-tapped talent of Webbo as it did about DC’s future. His last race was a celebratory affair which ultimately made me feel sorry for , a pre-DC-era driver who beat Jenson at Honda and still looked good by world standards. Rubens doesn’t want to give up but, a possible Toro Rosso aside, it’s diffi cult to see how he’s going to continue into 2009. Brazil could have been Rubens’s last race, in other words – but no- one seemed to notice. Thus it ended: it came down to the last corner of the last lap. When Felipe looks back on his season he will justifi ably point to the engine failure in Hungary or the fuel rig drama in Singapore that lost him the World Championship. Deep down, though, he will also remember Malaysia, Silverstone and Fuji as races that could have won him

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 15 LEWIS HAMILTON: WORLD CHAMPION Against all odds By Will Buxton

ver since he burst onto the F1 scene as a blindingly fast upstart just two E seasons ago, Lewis Hamilton seemed destined for the world championship. In a sport where nothing can be taken for granted, there was a nigh-on inevitability that one day, the crown would be his. It is perhaps because of this feeling that he has so divided opinion. To some he’s cocky, arrogant and insincere; a driver who has had the world placed on a silver platter, who has never had to want for a competitive car or a chance to shine. To others he’s a genius, a driver with an immense gift. To his ever-growing legion of fans, Lewis is every bit the young Senna or Schumacher. He’s simply that good, so why would anyone deny him one of the best cars on the grid? In this author’s opinion, the latter opinion holds by far the greater resonance. There is something about Lewis and the way that he drives that makes you feel like a 12 year old

16 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 LEWIS HAMILTON: WORLD CHAMPION all over again, eyes peeled wide, jaw on the sponsor events, most notably in Turkey that most people still think he won the race. fl oor, agog at the sheer skill. where a stage show of the Battle of Troy It is in these moments that Lewis is at his But to say that the 2008 season featured fl ying onto the stage as the Greek strongest. It was this resolve which came was a perfect year would be a heavy God Apollo… only Apollo, from what I to the fore in this season. Twelve overstatement. He may have won the remember of A Level Classics, never wore months earlier, the Chinese Grand Prix championship, but Lewis was very nearly Vodafone branded overalls. had been where his 2007 championship beaten to the title at the fi nal Brazilian All of these things bore heavy on him. challenge had started to unravel. It was hurdle for a second year in succession. The pressures of being a man in demand his bogey track, if you like, and he arrived And there are many who believe he’d have took their toll, as the media, even at after a barrage of criticism from his fellow deserved that extra slice of humble pie. home, started to mock him. The stewards drivers in Japan. His performance that day That Lewis made more mistakes en route decisions took their toll. After Monza, his was breathtaking. He was unstoppable. His Bouncing Back to a Formula One World Championship than fellow drivers slammed his racecraft and pole position had been one thing, but the Top: Hamilton’s Bahrain F3 Superprix win in 2004 saw him fl y should have been conceivable, is clear. In what they deemed to be heavy-handed dominance he showed at such a pivotal through the fi eld after a dismal qualifying. any other season, one might realistically tactics. Every time he made a mistake, it moment of the season showed just how Below: Lewis contemplates where it all went wrong in Hungary have expected either Ferrari driver to have impacted him. much he had matured over the year. during his 2006 GP2 season. wrapped up the title with three races to And yet he bounced back. Lewis will continue to make mistakes, Bottom: En route to second position at Istanbul in 2006, following go. Only a combination of Kimi Raikkonen It’s been a part of Lewis’s armoury for as but in many ways it’s all part of what makes one of his most incredible comebacks. falling to pieces, Felipe Massa’s early long as I’ve watched him race. When the him so great to watch. His is a talent of season inconsistency and Ferrari’s brace of chips are down, you’ll never see anyone staggering proportions, and such is his engine problems and pitlane errors, allowed come back harder. self-belief and confi dence that there will the season to go to the wire. Take 2004 and the end of his fi rst F3 be times where he goes overboard. The red Lewis had some dreadful moments in season. Things weren’t going tremendously, mist descends and the belief that things 2008. In Bahrain a nightmare start dropped and he knew that if he wanted to keep should be turning out differently manifests him behind Fernando Alonso, whom he McLaren’s support for the next year he itself in frustration. was so eager to pass that he rear ended needed to pull out a result at the Bahrain Whether Lewis can learn to absorb the his former team-mate twice. Then there Superprix. With the pressure on him, he pressure, eliminate the mistakes, and hone was Canada and his momentary lapse qualifi ed a dismal 21st. But in the race he his craft to perfection is unclear. He’s only of concentration in the pitlane. The ten was outstanding and obliterated the entire 23 years old for heaven’s sake, and has place grid penalty he received for that fi eld to win. time on his side, but he sits today as the misdemeanour put him into the midfi eld in His GP2 season in 2006 had a similar youngest Formula One World Champion in France, and the penalty he picked up there moment. Following a shocking weekend in history, with the world and the record books for cutting a cost him even more Hungary where his title rival of this mighty sport at his feet. points. And then came Japan and his fi rst had picked up the fi rst, and only, perfect One thing is for sure: regardless of corner faux pas. score in GP2 history, the Brazilian went on mistakes and regardless of inconsistencies, The left a bitter taste. to win the next race in Turkey. At the start Lewis is a worthy world champion. The But regardless of the rights or wrongs of of the second Turkish race, Lewis knew he British have never truly taken to those who that much-debated incident, it was yet again needed a result, but spun to the back seem too perfect. A few rough edges, here another knock-back. Coming on the back of of the fi eld early on. What followed was one and there, only serve to endear him all the such a hard-fought win made it harder still of the fi nest races of Lewis’s young career, more. And perhaps crucially, they make him to accept, but Lewis, as ever, simply got on as he scythed through the fi eld of identical one of the most enthralling drivers to watch, with the job at hand. cars to fi nish in the sweetest second whether in the fl esh or on television, of this He was put into awkward positions at position of his life. So impressive was it, or any other generation.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 17 RACING MEMBERS

At home and abroad, BRDC Members have continued to set the pace

he new 2008/09 A1GP season got off to time), was another familiar Main: The fi nished the a fi rst class start for BRDC Members in stunned on his face to make a comeback to the series. Dan Le Mans season on a high. various capacities. A1 Team GBR driver A1GP debut with two podiums. was back with Panther Racing with an eye Below: got back to T winning ways. had a cracking fi rst outing in the on getting some practice in for the 2009 Bottom: and new Ferrari-engined car, securing two thirds season and fi nished a creditable 11th, one Robbie Kerr share the A1GP in what was for them the opener in China, spot ahead of fellow Member Justin Wilson, Podium. the team not having made the opening round who once again fi nds himself with a busy off- Right: James Thompson won at the new Imola. in the in early October. He was season searching for a drive. Right Below: Team tactics kept off the top step by Team Ireland driver, Sticking with North American fare and an caught out di Resta. and should-be BRDC Member, Ulsterman incredible 14 Members, one BRDC Superstar Adam Carroll. Indeed, following a strong and one BRDC Rising Star, contested the race two victory in Malaysia, Adam leads the penultimate round of the 2008 ALMS for Championship. Danny will want to forget an the at . The race unfruitful Sepang with two DNFs, so we’ll proved to be another famous victory for move swiftly on. , with Allan McNish clawing his team Back to the fi nal rounds of the 2008 season back into contention having been caught for the rest of , and the IRL Surfers out on cold tyres on the warm up lap. Ryan Paradise event, in which there was signifi cant Briscoe secured LMP2 honours, while Marino Member interest. The fi nal race of the season Franchitti narrowly missed out on an LMP2 (and let us not forget the inaugural year of podium, but nevertheless fi nishes ahead of Gil re-unifi ed US single-seater championships) de Ferran and Guy Smith in class. was won by local Aussie Ryan Briscoe, but not only won GT1 in the C6R was notable for the return of 2007 IRL and Corvette, but was en route to securing second Indy 500 winner following a in the Championship which he would do after character-building season in NASCAR. a similar class victory at Laguna Seca – the Dario seemed to slip straight back into his fi nal round of the year. In GT2 old ways and qualifi ed a magnifi cent fourth. brought some greatly appreciated experience The race was looking good too as the Scot to the Drayson-Barwell briefl y held the lead before contact with a Vantage that had been plagued by so many tyre barrier ultimately dropped him to 16th. development problems this year. The car ran Fellow BRDC Member, and also former IRL much better on this outing and Johnny Cocker champion and Indy 500 winner (2005 this (and no doubt the owner) will have taken heart

18 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 RACING MEMBERS

DTM at Hockenheim. Sandwiched between In the World Touring Car Championship, the Audis of Mattias Ekstrom and title rival the fi nal rounds in Macau are covered within , team tactics came into play at the race report, but there have actually been the fi rst corner, and contrived to get Scheider four rounds since the last Bulletin. Imola into a lead that he would not lose. Despite clearly suited the N. Technology Honda setting fastest lap, Paul just couldn’t get past Accord of James Thompson who secured a but was magnanimous in defeat of the race third and a well deserved win, while outgoing and the title. champion picked up a third in His considerable achievements this season the fi rst race at Monza. In Japan, at Okayma, have not gone unnoticed by either Mercedes, Andy bagged another third in the fi rst race F1 partners McLaren, nor their new chums with Rob Huff right behind him in fourth. at , so Paul has had a busy time Thommo secured fourth spot in race two with since the end of the DTM season testing GP2 Rob fi fth. and an F1 McLaren. The future looks rosy. FIA GT1 saw Ryan Sharp eventually fi nish in was still in the hunt at the fi nal sixth position in the Championship after failing round of the year and came a creditable third to score in the fi nal round of an enthralling ahead of Honorary Member season. In GT2 , who has in fi fth. and were been prolifi c in his fi rst season as a 10th and 11th respectively. ‘works’ driver, took the class win at Nogaro, F3 Euro Series, which supports DTM, saw 11 seconds ahead of fellow Member Tim stand on the second step of the Mullen in the CR Scuderia after podium for two of the three fi nal rounds of two hours of racing. Andrew Kirkaldy and Rob pretty forgettable too. His performances over the year, no doubt restoring some of Sam’s Bell were some way back in 17th in the sister the complete year in the Patron Highcroft slightly bruised self belief after a season CRS car. Jamie Davis secured seventh in GT2 Racing , however, certainly merited that has been trying at times. in the same race for Scuderia Ecosse, also second in the LMP2 Championship. squeezed just one championship point out in an F430, but could only manage eighth, Both Jamie Campbell-Walter and Johnny of the fi nal rounds of the year before making some 13 laps adrift, at Zolder. was Mowlem will have been frustrated by the way his GP2 Asia bow for Super Nova. Both were partnered with BRDC SuperStar James Sutton their seasons fi nished for Creation and Corsa in action in Macau, but more of that in the for Zolder and the two managed sixth in class. in LMP1, although Laguna was kinder to the race report. In FIA GT3 Ian Khan went to Nogaro with latter. Danny Watts, who quite rightly jumps James Walker has been busy in both a two point lead in the championship but at every chance offered him, was a creditable World Series by Renault and the new had a disastrous weekend. Punted out of fourth in LMP1 in the newly labeled Ginetta , although results had contention in the fi rst race and troubled by Zytek run by Lawrence Tomlinson’s Team LNT. eluded him in both until he took a surprise mechanical woes in the second, he and team Before leaving the States, Robin Liddell fi rst Superleague win for Borussia Dortmund mate Thomas Mutsch were left licking their should be congratulated on his second place (having previously driven for Rangers) in the wounds. Bradley Ellis and new Full Member from this more positive performance, which in the Grand Am GT Class in the 57 fi nal race of the season at Jerez. Another team-mate Alex Mortimer enjoyed better luck continued to the fi nal round. Pontiac GXP-R. James (Winslow of whom there is more in the South of France where a fourth and David had a Petit Le Mans to Back in , deserves elsewhere in this Bulletin) secured a last a third from the weekend kept them in the forget (save for the fact he was joined by considerable praise for the way in which minute funding boost which allowed him to Championship hunt going into the fi nal round Dario Franchitti) and by the standard of his he soaked up the pressure at the fi nal, complete the Australian F3 season and take of the year in Dubai in early December. season, ninth in class at Laguna Seca was championship deciding round of the 2008 the title. Stuart Pringle

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 19 BRDC SILVER STAR SILVER PLATO lthough enjoyed a rather better BTCC Finals weekend at Brands Hatch than Jason A Plato, his results with the Team RAC BMW 320si were not enough to deprive Jason of another Silver Star. For Jason, Brands Hatch was a bitter sweet occasion for it was the swansong of Seat Sport UK in the BTCC, the team which he has served so well with fi rst the Toledo and then the petrol and diesel-engined Leons without ever quite managing to take the title. At the time of writing, Jason’s BTCC plans for 2009 have yet to be revealed but it is no overstatement to say that the THE TOP THREE championship would not be the same without him. BRDC SILVER STAR POINTS Above and top left: Jason Star of the day at Brands was undoubtedly Mat Plato may have missed out on FINAL STANDINGS Jackson in the BMW Dealer Team UK 320si who took second in the BTCC, nut a fourth Silver Star was deservedly his. two wins and a fourth, the last from the reverse grid. 1. Jason Plato BTCC 211 (258) Far left and below: Oliver Not only did these results see Mat pip Jason for second Turvey, too, may have missed 2. British F3 188 (230) in the Championship to ’s VX Racing out on the British F3 title, but a 3. Colin Turkington BTCC 182 (254) superb season has done much Vauxhall Vectra but also took him above in for his reputation. 4. BTCC 171 (208) the Silver Star points. Had former BRDC Rising Star Left and top right: Colin 5. Matt Neal BTCC 155 (224) Mat been a Full Member from the start of the season he Turkington fi nished the Silver 6. Darren Turner BTCC 144 (153) would have been second only to Jason. Star standings above a plethora of BTCC rivals and will be 7. Luke Hines British GT 121 (122) As it turned out fi rst runner up slot went to Oliver Turvey hoping for even more in 2009. both in the British Formula 3 International Series and in 8. BTCC 112 (127) the Silver Star after a diffi cult, rain-affected weekend at 9. BTCC 95 (101) Donington Park in October which saw him qualify so far 10. Piers Johnson British GT 45 down the grid for the second race of the day that he was in 11. Michael Bentwood British GT 42 no position to prevent his team-mate 12. Mike Jordan BTCC 36 (37) Jaime Alguesuari from taking the title. 13. Bradley Ellis British GT 35 For 2009 the Silver Star scoring will continue to 14. British GT 16 be based on a Member’s best 12 results in rounds of British-based championships, whether the races take 15. British GT 16 place in the UK or overseas. The races must be those 16. BTCC 13 which qualify someone for Full Membership under 17. British GT 7 Article 8 (A) iii. In effect this means British F3, British GT 18. British F3 1 and the BTCC. Ian Titchmarsh *As at 31 October 2008

20 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BRDC GOLD STAR

BRDC GOLD STAR POINTS FINAL STANDINGS*

1. Lewis Hamilton (F1) 248 THE NEW GOLDEN BOY 2. Rob Huff (WTCC) 144 3. Paul Di Resta (DTM) 142 his racing heyday Sir Stirling Moss his fourth straight WTCC title but he was 4. Andy Priaulx (WTCC) 131 was known as ‘Golden Boy’ and indisputably the best of the BMW drivers 5. Dan Wheldon (IndyCar) 129 IInnin Lewis Hamilton we surely have even without the support of a team-mate. 6. Allan McNish (Le Mans/LMS/ALMS) 109 a worthy successor to this soubriquet. It For next year, which has already begun 7. (ALMS) 101 comes as no surprise that the new Formula of course, the Club Committee has refi ned 8. Jamie Green (DTM) 99 1 World Champion has won the 2008 BRDC the scoring system so that the successes Gold Star but to have done so by more of Members who compete in important 9. Ryan Sharp (FIA GT) 82 than 100 points over the next Member is a classes such as LMP2 and GT2 will not 10. Ian Khan (FIA GT3) 75 truly remarkable feat. And this is without be overlooked. For example, for the 11. Bradley Ellis (FIA GT3) 67 including the which fell considerable achievement of winning the 12. James Thompson (WTCC) 65 just outside the points-scoring year to the GT class at Le Mans this year for Aston 13. Robbie Kerr (A1GP/LMS) 58 end of October and which surely produced Martin, David Brabham and Darren Turner 14. (GP2) 47 the most dramatic World Championship of scored no Gold Star points. In future, class all time, replacing the extraordinary last lap points will be awarded on the basis of: 1st – 15. Danny Watts () 42 in City in 1964. 14; 2nd – 10; 3rd – 7, provided there are at least 16. Justin Wilson (IndyCar) 41 While Lewis’ win in China saw him secure six starters in the class and the Member has 17. Oliver Jarvis (A1GP/DTM) 40 his second successive Gold Star, it was three driven for at least 30% of the race. (ALMS) touring car drivers who moved into the next If a Member is eligible both for overall (Japanese Super GT) three places ahead of IndyCar racer Dan and class points, as can happen particularly 20. (Japanese Super GT) 38 Wheldon, whose season ended earlier. with LMP2 cars in the ALMS, only the higher Even without counting his splendid score will be counted. This will also apply to 21. Guy Smith (ALMS) 29 Macau win in the fi nal round of the the Independents category of the WTCC. 22. Mark Webber (F1) 28 WTCC, Lacetti driver Rob Huff To refl ect the scoring system in F1, 23. (ALMS) 26 has emerged as fi rst runner up although Gold Star points will be awarded down to 24. Robin Liddell (Grand Am) 24 Rob lost out by just one point to Gabriele eighth place as follows: 1st – 27: 2nd- 21: 3rd Hamilton celebrates in Brazil 25. Gary Paffett (DTM) 22 Tarquini for second place in the WTCC – 16: 4th – 12: 5th – 9: 6th – 7: 7th – 5: 8th – 3. Below: Rob Huff (left) and Paul di Resta 26. David Coulthard (F1) 21 itself. Paul Di Resta’s excellent season with In accordance with tradition this will also Mercedes in the DTM ended with a third continue to apply to Le Mans and the Indy Dario Franchitti (Grand Am) place in the fi nal round, not quite enough 500. All other qualifying races, essentially Darren Turner (Grand Am/FIA GT) to win him the title over Audi driver Timo those which fall within the criteria for Full 29. Jamie Campbell-Walter (LMS) 11 Scheider and leaving him two points shy of Membership, will continue to be scored as 30. Paul Tracy (IndyCar) 9 st nd rd th th Rob in the Gold Star standings. before: 1 – 21: 2 – 16: 3 – 12: 4 – 9: 5 31. Jenson Button (F1) 7 The third of our touring car front runners, – 7: 6th – 5. And before you ask, the weighting 32. Richard Westbrook (FIA GT) 5 Andy Priaulx, never gave up what must have of points in favour of F1 is not new! seemed at times an unequal struggle to take Ian Titchmarsh *As at 31 October 2008

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 21 Spinnaker Tower, Park Plaza County Hall John Madejski Garden, V&A Museum GP2 Series Trust Team Arden BT Tower BRDC Clubhouse Cinema 1, the Barbican Centre Virgin Radio Headquarters

A.C. Special Projects Ltd. Centauri House, Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4HQ Tel: 01494 838392 Fax: 01494 461024 [email protected] www.acspecialprojects.com

A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd., formerly known as A.C. Lighting Ltd., are proud to be a Patron of the BRDC’s exclusive Rising Stars programme.

A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. and A.C. Special Projects Ltd. are sister companies within the "A.C. Lighting Group". 3 August 1978 Following on from the photo and caption of Ronnie Peterson on page 4, this is how it looked at the start of the 1978 British Grand Prix and Brands Hatch. Mario Andretti and Ronnie lead the fi eld away in the iconic John Player Special-liveried lotus 79s. BRDC RISING STARS TEN OF THE BEST ooking at the achievements of our 37 BRDC Rising Stars in 2008, many RISING L individual performances stand out as memorable and to list them all would take up nearly the whole of this edition of the Bulletin, so numerous are they. We have therefore focused on those who have won their championships, three of whom – , and Jason Moore – were also fi nalists for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, as were STARS UK Championship runner up Alexander NATIONAL CLUB | SCOTTISH FORMULA BRDC RISING STARS 2008 Sims – who won and is therefore now a Full FORD 1600 | STAR OF BRDC Member – and BRDC Superstar and ANGLESEY FORMULA Sam Abay Euan Hankey Matt Nicoll-Jones FORD 1600 | NORTH WEST BRITISH F3 F3 EUROSERIES BRITISH GT British Formula Ford Champion Wayne Boyd. FORMULA FORD 1600 INTERNATIONAL SERIES Jay Bridger BRITISH F3 NATIONAL CLASS Talking of Formula Ford, at club level this was Henry Arundel BRITISH F3 BRITISH F3 dominated by young Scot Graham Carroll BRITISH F3 INTERNATIONAL SERIES INTERNATIONAL SERIES INTERNATIONAL SERIES who travelled far and wide to win no less than Andrew Jordan Tom Onslow-Cole four championships in , and BTCC BTCC BRITISH FORMULA FORD . Ryan Lewis Tom Bradshaw ALMS F3 EUROSERIES Congratulations are due to Alex Mortimer on being elected a Full Member, joining Sam Hywel Lloyd Adrian -Hobbs BRITISH F3 FORMULA RENAULT Bird, Mat Jackson, Phil Keen and James Jakes SPANISH F3 INTERNATIONAL SERIES EUROCUP as former Rising Stars who have become Full Jay Bridger Callum MacLeod Phil Quaife Members in 2008. BRITISH F3 BRITISH F3 PORSCHE CARERRA INTERNATIONAL SERIES INTERNATIONAL SERIES CUP GB Wearing sackcloth and ashes, we must also mention Formula 3 driver Henry Arundel Tim Bridgman Greg Mansell Dean Smith FORMULA RENAULT who is very much a Rising Star but who was EUROCUP Oliver Bryant Michael Meadows somehow omitted from the last Bulletin, an BRITISH GT BRITISH GT Dean Stoneman oversight made worse by the fact that father FORMULA RENAULT UK Jeremy Metcalfe Eddie is a Life Member. Profuse apologies all FORMULA RENAULT UK BRITISH GT round. BRITISH F3 Graham Carroll INTERNATIONAL SERIES Finally a word of thanks to Associate Member FORMULA FORD 1600 BRITISH F3 Dick Bennetts of WSR who took time out from INTERNATIONAL SERIES Ben Winrow Adam Christodoulou ELF CUP running the Team RAC in the BTCC to FORMULA RENAULT UK Jason Moore FORMULA PALMER AUDI inform and entertain many of the Rising Stars Ollie Hancock in the Clubhouse with tales of Ayrton Senna, BARC FORMULA Nigel Moore RENAULT /BRITISH GT Mika Hakkinen, et al. Even the Adam Christodoulou FORMULA RENAULT UK President admitted to learning something new! James Calado FORMULA RENAULT UK WINTER CUP

24 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BRDC RISING STARS

Graham Carroll Ollie Hancock BARC FORMULA RENAULT Nigel Moore GINETTA G50 Dean Stoneman FORMULA RENAULT UK GRADUATE

Jason Moore FORMULA PALMER AUDI Matt Nicoll-Jones BRITISH GT4 Ben Winrow ELF RENAULT CLIO CUP

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 25 BRDC SUPERSTARS BRDC Superstars SEASON REVIEW-2008

he inaugural year for the BRDC Superstars has achieved all of the aims and objectives set out for the programme and in some cases far exceeded them. The 14 drivers supported by the Tscheme this year have had their talents recognised and nurtured with all of the advice and experience the BRDC has to offer. Superstar drivers have won 2 national championships, narrowly : SEAT CUPRA CUP CHAMPION SAM BIRD: 11th FORMULA 3 EUROSERIES missed out on two more and in all categories drivers have either been winning or at the forefront of In overcoming early season car troubles to become Sam came tantalisingly close to winning with two competition. The hard work has continued off the track with individual fi tness programmes, pr and a prolifi c winner and take the championship for the second places, but misfortune and bad luck hampered second year running, Jonathan has reinforced the belief his championship. This was typifi ed with a front row media work, sponsor appearances and of course the benefi t of member networking in the clubhouse. that he could be the next Touring Car star. A stunning qualifying in Macau prior to yet another accident in The Superstars programme has elevated some drivers to become household names and seen others performance in a BTCC test organised by the Superstars which Sam was entirely blameless. His spirits have come from relative obscurity to be overnight sensations. It has assisted with career enhancing drives programme, with the kind assistance of Team Motorbase, been lifted with Williams F1 testing duties and a strong that otherwise would not have been possible and provided valuable advice in all departments. proved Jonathan is ready for the BTCC in 2009. season-ending GP2 test. A further season in F3 or possibly GP2 beckons in 2009.

WAYNE BOYD: BRITISH FORMULA FORD CHAMPION : 10th BRITISH FORMULA 3 : 5th FORMULA RENAULT UK JOEY FOSTER: LE MANS SERIES/F3/FF1600 AND FESTIVAL WINNER CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP A diffi cult season of racing with a best fi nish Wayne has been the sensation of the junior single-seater Still in only his second season of single-seaters, Max Race wins, pole positions and frequent fastest laps were of 4th in the Lola was rejuvenated at the end formula, dominating both the championship and the showed his speed with pole positions and podiums but simply not enough to claim the championship for Riki. of the year with two stunning wins in the Austrian F3 prestigious . From a shy young a win eluded him. Points from 14 of 22 races will have If results were decided on effort and enthusiasm Riki championship and a stunning drive in the Irish driver 10 months ago, Wayne is now being heralded given Max valuable experience in whichever category he would be fi rst across the line every time. Renault World meeting. Joey is exploring all options for 2009. as the next big star. A big step up to British F3 looks chooses for 2009. Series a possibility for 2009. likely for 2009.

26 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BRDC SUPERSTARS

STUART HALL: LE MANS SERIES : GP2 MAT JACKSON: 2nd BTCC : 12th FORMULA 3 EUROSERIES Stuart’s reputation as a future sports car star remains Ben has been evaluating options for 2009 since leaving In a stunning fi nale to the BTCC Mat usurped Jason Two podiums, one of which was a win on at the intact despite a season of mechanical unreliability and GP2 and the Renault Driver Development scheme mid Plato to fi nish runner up to champion Fabrizio Nurburgring, showed Jon has the speed if not the fi ghting against the superior diesel powered LMP1 cars. season. Giovanardi. In his privately run BMW this was a huge consistency to win at this high level. With a year’s Expect to see Stuart in something refl ecting his talent achievement over the multiple works entries. Mat will be experience under his belt he will be a championship in 2009. gunning for the BTCC championship again in 2009. challenger if he remains in the series for 2009.

JAMES SUTTON: 9th BRITISH GT CHAMPIONSHIP : RENAULT WORLDSERIES/ OLIVER TURVEY: 2nd BRITISH F3 CHAMPIONSHIP STEFAN WILSON: 4th NATIONAL CLASS F3 The highlight of James’ season was a brilliant ‘come SUPERLEAGUE/LMS Oliver came within a whisker of winning the prestigious CHAMPIONSHIP from behind’ drive to win the 2 hour race at Silverstone Unbelievably Duncan started the year with nothing to British F3 Championship. Leading into the last meeting Stefan’s 4 wins late in the season showed his true in what was a frustrating season overall for the drive. However with some assistance from the Superstars only misfortune robbed him of the Championship. pace in an F3 car. Hopefully he will step up to the defending Porsche Carrera Cup Champion. James speed programme Duncan has been able to show his talent Nevertheless his pedigree on the track and demeanour International class for 2009 and with a season of was rewarded by the CR Scuderia team with some guest and speed in no less than 4 different championships! off it has marked him out as an outstanding F1 experience behind him this former BRDC McLaren drives in the FIA championship in which he excelled. Podiums and points in World Series and Superleague have prospect. Oliver will hopefully be racing in GP2 with Autosport winner should fl ourish. Hopes to graduate to this series full time in 2009. demonstrated his single-seater prowess and hopefully he support from the . will have a full season in 2009.

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Our New Technical Centre: LEDA Technical Centre 20 Victoria Road Draycott Derby DE72 3PS New phone: 01332 871 821 New email: [email protected] www.leda.com We’re on track to help you win. MACAU MACAU MUSINGS By Ian Titchmarsh

otor racing at Macau is addictive. Stir in the other attractions, which experienced a roller coaster of fortune. Take Sam Bird, on his second visit, and have done. He stalled as the lights went out and started dead last instead. His this former Portuguese enclave on the edge of mainland China, has driving for Associate Member John Booth’s team, previous drive to seventh, overtaking cars at the rate of two per lap, was reminiscent M to offer and there is only one place to be in the middle of November. winners at Macau in 2005 with . of his performance in the fi nal British F3 race a month earlier at Donington. The cream of Formula 3 drivers arrives from Europe, Japan and Australia to In second qualifying Sam set the fastest time with less than 10 minutes Anyone who says you can’t overtake in F3 should have a word with Oliver. contest the for the FIA Intercontinental Formula 3 Trophy in remaining. On his next lap he was quicker still in the second, and longest, His Carlin team-mate, Rising Star Brendon Hartley, had an incredibly busy conjunction with the fi nal rounds of the World Touring Car Championship. All sector of the lap… until the red fl ags came out. On the restart, in the Macau. Surprisingly for his second visit to Macau, he qualifi ed a modest this in perfect weather on a unique circuit, the roads of which have remained remaining few minutes, Sam’s time was eclipsed by pre-event favourite Carlo unchanged since the fi rst Macau Grand Prix in 1954 even if the surrounding van Dam (whose racing hero is incidentally!) and to add insult to scenery is now very different as Macau has developed into a kind of oriental Las injury, Sam was relegated a further three places on the grid as a penalty for Anyone who says you can’t overtake Vegas and rolled into one. failing to stop at the scrutineering area in the pit lane. in F3 should have a word with Oliver 2007 was a memorable year for BRDC Members with Andy Priaulx securing Fifth on the grid was converted into fi fth in the qualifi cation race. A great his hat trick of WTCC titles in cliff-hanging circumstances whilst Oliver Jarvis start saw Sam challenging Roberto Streit for third place as they built up succeeded 2006 winner Mike Conway in the GP itself. This year, whilst Andy’s to 150+ mph on the approach to the fl at out Mandarin Bend only for the 11th and sullied his copy book by colliding with Full Member James Jakes chances of retaining his crown had disappeared before arriving in Macau, aggressive Brazilian to squeeze Sam into the barrier and out of the race. even before the fi rst corner. He was able to limp his damaged car back to the among the four Full Members, two SuperStars and one Rising Star contesting Roberto was handed the maximum permitted fi ne of US $5000 but that was pits however, where the Carlin boys repaired it in time for Brendon to go out the Grand Prix, hopes were high for a BRDC hat trick. small consolation for Sam. again and set fastest lap. His earlier antics meant he’d start the GP in a lowly As usual, over the two days of free practice and qualifying and then the Oliver Turvey, one of the 18 Macau rookies, qualifi ed eighth for the fi rst race 20th, but he put in a staggering race to storm past nearly everyone and, once 10 lap qualifi cation race to decide grid positions for the GP itself, drivers and fi nished fourth so started the GP just ahead of Sam. Or at least he should again setting the fastest race lap, found himself third at the fl ag behind the

30 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 MACAU

Main: Sam Bird impressed unexpectedly impressive youngest ever winner Keisuke Kunimoto in a Sadly by now the TV director had lost the plot and so we never saw but just didn’t have the luck Tom’s -powered and pre-race favourite . what happened next. Maternity Bend is not recognised as an overtaking in Macau. For James Jakes it was a disappointing weekend with crashes in opportunity but Augusto tried to be creative. It didn’t work and James Top Left: Oliver Turvey was fi rst qualifying and the aforementioned qualifi cation race collision with was punted into the barriers quite hard. As he dragged his battered stunning, scything through the Hartley. For all his misfortune however he was able to salvage 12th Honda around the remaining two miles of the lap, spreading lubricant fi eld at the tightest of tracks. place in the GP. Superstar Max Chilton was elbowed down the order in on his way, Augusto took over the lead, only to receive his comeuppance Left: Brendon Hartley bagged the closing stages of qualifying to start 13th and was caught up in the when he skated into the wall on the last lap on the Honda’s oil, taking a podium and a fastest lap. fi rst lap chaos, but persevered in the GP to fi nish 14th while the other second-placed with him. Rob Huff steered through the Below: The champion, the race SuperStar Jon Lancaster, after an early brush with the barriers, seemed chaos to take the win, while his team mate had also gone victor and the legend. Podiums to take things gently on his fi rst visit to fi nish 11th in the GP. Australian off on the oil, so who should be on the podium again but the “old” and don’t get much better. F3 Champion and Full Member James Winslow (who is the topic of Under the “new” Champions with Yvan holding off Andy by 0.7 sec. Top Right: Rob Huff edges the Spotlight, page 40) started the GP 11th but was an early retirement. In action in the supporting races were Full Member Danny Watts, out-going champ Andy Priaulx around Macau’s narrow twists. There were just three Members in the WTCC races – Andy P, Jimmy who had to settle for second behind the similar but rather more T and Rob Huff. Two made the podium, in Andy’s case twice, while powerful Porsche 997 GT3 Cup of Hong Kong resident Canadian James Thompson certainly should have done. As ever at Macau Andy Darryl O’Young in the new Macau GT Cup, and Rising Star Alexander was magnifi cent, qualifying second to the brilliant Alain Menu as he Sims who, with an eye on participation in the GP next year, sampled shadowed the Swiss driver’s Chevrolet Lacetti in the dying moments Formula BMW for the fi rst time, was plainly the fastest driver, but of the session. Andy harried Alain all the way to the fl ag in race one to was pushed down to last at Lisboa on the fi rst lap by his team mate fi nish 0.5 s behind. Third was his successor as Champion, , Ross Jamison. He recovered to eighth, setting much the fastest lap which provided a very pleasing podium, particularly when Andy made a en route, but was thwarted from making further progress by the race point of showing the BRDC badge on his overalls! being stopped two laps early. James had fi nished eighth in his Honda Accord which gave him pole Other Members in non-driving action at Macau included Charlie position for race two and he was determined to make the most of it. For Whiting as Race Director, as one of the WTCC seven of the nine laps he kept the world’s fi nest at bay. At the end of lap International Stewards and Peter Riches as Scrutineer Consultant. All 7 the Brazilian BMW driver was closing in once more. of which gives rise to the thought of a BRDC Macau lunch next year.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 31 TTHEHE BBRDCRDC AAWARDSWARDS he British Racing Drivers’ Club celebrated an incredible 2008 season at a gala Annual Awards ceremony at London’s exclusive Café Royal in the fi rst weekend of December. Of course, with a newly-crowned British Formula One World Champion there was much to celebrate, and despite an increasingly heavy schedule, Member 1107 Lewis Hamilton was present to not only collect his many and varied awards, but also to present one. With BRDC Member adopting the role of Master of Ceremonies, it was he who called the new World Champion to the stage to begin the afternoon’s proceedings with what he termed “The Lewis Hamilton Collection,” of a staggering fi ve awards. There was the John Cobb Trophy (“the heaviest award I’ve ever had,”) presented by David Coulthard, whom Hamilton thanked for his inspiration as a McLaren driver and British hero over his career. There was the ERA Trophy, the Graham Hill Trophy (presented by Bette Hill) and the Tophy, which was presented by The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP. “On behalf of the whole British people I am delighted to be able to present this award to Lewis Hamilton who is a true world champion. His success has brought so much and put Great Britain truly on the sporting map – it is a great honour to present him with this award,” said the Prime Minister. “Let me say to this great club, 80 years old, what a privilege it is to be able to present

32 Left Main: BRDC President Damon Hill stands alongside Lewis Hamilton and BRDC Vice President Sir Stirling Moss, both of whom were honoured. Centre Top: The Cafe Royal was the perfect venue. Centre Bottom: Alexander Sims picks up the Trophy. Left , top: Tiff Needell works his magic. Left, middle: The trophies on display. Left, bottom: Jason Plato takes a record fourth Silver Star. Right: The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, delivers an informed and sincere speech in recognition of Lewis Hamilton.

this award, in a great sport that makes us so a man so rarely lost for words, simply thanked proud to be British, to Lewis Hamilton,” he the club and said he hoped to live long concluded at the end of an impassioned and enough to be able to do his position justice. It highly knowledgeable speech. was a wonderful moment, and a fi tting tribute Lewis himself admitted he was honoured to a man who is so loved and respected within to have received the trophy from the Prime this sport and this Club. Minister, but, after being handed his two Gold But the emotions didn’t end there. Ron Stars by Sir Stirling Moss, admitted that “for Dennis was awarded a second BRDC Gold any youngster to be presented with such a Medal, becoming the fi rst man in history to prestigious award by someone you respect so be given the accolade twice, and he admitted much, makes me very honoured.” to having been quite embarrassed by the His next task, therefore, fi lled him with even touching sentiment. greater pride. Thanks must go to all of the award’s For it was left to the reigning Formula One sponsors, whose involvement enabled the World Champion to bestow upon Sir Stirling awards to refl ect the grand achievements of the Moss, a new and unique honour of becoming BRDC’s Membership in 2008; and to the many the Club’s fi rst Vice President for Life and BRDC members who took the time to attend present him with a one-off BRDC badge with what was a truly memorable event. It was, a diamond set into the middle of a Gold Star. once again, a superb afternoon, and the Club’s A visibly humbled and emotional Sir Stirling, congratulations are extended to all the winners.

33 Left: Allan McNish receives the ACO Plate from his teammate Tom Kristensen who also congratulated Alexander Sims (left, middle). Below: The Royal Air Force’s Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson meets Lewis. Bottom: The Earl Howe Trophy, presented to David Coulthard by Lady Charlotte Dinan, granddaugher of Earl Howe.

Top left: Sir Stirling accepts the position of the Club’s fi rst Vice President for Life. Top right: Dick Bennetts received the Bruce McLaren Award on behalf of fellow Kiwi . Above: Ron Dennis was humbled by a second Gold Medal. Right: Lewis Hamilton accepts the ERA Club Trophy. Top right: Sir Stirling receives a standing ovation.

34 Left: Darren Turner and David Brabham accept the Trophy from Jackie Oliver. AWARD WINNERS Middle left: The Prime Minister and Lewis Hamilton. BRDC GOLD STAR LEWIS HAMILTON Bottom left: was awarded the Sir BRDC SILVER STAR Trophy. JASON PLATO Middle right: Bette Hill presents THE BRUCE McLAREN TROPHY Lewis with the Graham Hill Trophy. SCOTT DIXON Above right: Lewis points out the THE CHRIS BRISTOW TROPHY diamond in Sir Stirling’s new Club ALEXANDER SIMS lapel pin. THE TROPHY Top, far right: The Prime Minister SIR FRANK WILLIAMS CBE presented Lewis with the Richard Seaman Trophy. THE EARL HOWE TROPHY DAVID COULTHARD Bottom right: The last three British Formula One World THE ERA CLUB TROPHY Champions, , Lewis LEWIS HAMILTON Hamilton and Damon Hill. THE FAIRFIELD TROPHY ROB BELL THE GRAHAM HILL TROPHY LEWIS HAMILTON THE TROPHY BRADLEY ELLIS THE JOHN COBB TROPHY LEWIS HAMILTON THE TROPHY OLIVER TURVEY THE JOHNNY WAKEFIELD TROPHY KIMI RAIKKONEN THE NIGEL MOORES TROPHY VIRGO MOTORSPORT THE RICHARD SEAMAN TROPHY LEWIS HAMILTON THE SILVERSTONE-LE MANS CHALLENGE ALLAN McNISH and DINDO CAPELLO THE SIR JACKIE STEWART AWARD STEVE HALLAM THE SPENCER-CHARRINGTON TROPHY OLIVER TURVEY THE WOOLF BARNATO TROPHY DARREN TURNER and DAVID BRABHAM THE ACO AWARD ALLAN McNISH BRDC GOLD MEDAL RON DENNIS CBE

35 SIR STIRLING MOSS Stirling Achievement By Will Buxton

n 1948 Stirling Moss, the then-19 year- old son of BRDC Member , I was elected to the Club as one of a new, young and eager generation of aspiring racing drivers. Over the next 60 years not a day would go by in which he failed to wear the Club’s badge with pride on either his person, his overalls or his racing cars. Sir Stirling Moss, as he became at the turn of the millennium, is a name and a man who has become synonymous with all that people adore about racing, racing drivers and racing cars: a veritable legend and one of the fi nest ambassadors to the sport, and the club, to which he has given his life. “In those days if you wanted to know anything about motor racing and where racing was being held, you’d talk to the BRDC and they’d tell you all about it and who you contacted to compete in a race,” he says, looking back on the post-war years. “My father was a member, but I joined because it was a very important club and one that was held in very high esteem. It was one which you had to qualify for and as such it really was an honour to be a but in England there were no real races “Captain George Eyston I remember member. I was quite excited when I was until Goodwood. I had won quite a few being a member, all the drivers were pre- elected a member. hill climbs, but they didn’t count so I had war really. There was Peter Walker, Tony “Hill climbs, as far as I remember, didn’t to wait until I could actually get out and Rolt of course, , my Father, and count towards membership. We’re talking compete in races.” Prince Bira who had been a Member since now just after the war when motor racing On gaining election to the BRDC, the well before the war. didn’t really exist in this country. I saw a young Sir Stirling found himself surrounded “I was part of a new generation, and there race in Nice in 1946 and then in Jersey by his heroes. was so little stuff going on that we stayed in

36 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 SIR STIRLING MOSS

one time if you were a Member of the World Championship. The Gold Star is the BRDC it was something of which you were Gold Star, and a Gold Medal should be for tremendously proud and you put the badge something special. on your car and wore it on your lapel and so “We are the leading country in the world on, but now it would appear that many of for motorsport, let’s face it, and the Gold the top drivers don’t really seem to bother Star is our top award.” with it. Sir Stirling however is tremendously “In my opinion I can’t see any reason proud of the BRDC’s new policies, aimed why the drivers can’t put a BRDC logo towards the promotion of youth within the somewhere on their overalls… even if it’s the sport. At a time in which both the sport part he sits on! I think it would be nice if they and global economics are changing beyond did, but I can understand why they don’t. recognition, concepts such as the BRDC “I must say that because of the SuperStars are a vital element in keeping commercialisation of the sport or for the club relevant to the present day. Far Left: Stirling Moss, BRDC touch at a club called ‘The Steering Wheel’ whatever other reasons, I can’t think of “Something such as the Superstars, which badge in pride of place, where all the drivers would go quite a lot a current Formula 1 car that has a BRDC gives money and support to young drivers, celebrates victory at the 1957 and you’d hear about an event going on in badge on it. If you count up the British would have helped me tremendously. The British Grand Prix. this place or that place, and after speaking drivers that have a BRDC badge I don’t BRDC couldn’t do it then because they didn’t Middle: Today, 60 years on, with Desmond Scannell you’d get all your know which of them would carry a BRDC have the fi nances, but they did help with and Sir Stirling still wears the information. badge. I’ve tried to get Lewis to do it, but contacts. The BRDC would get you in touch BRDC badge. “I was very, very proud of being a they always say McLaren won’t allow with if you needed brake linings or Member of the BRDC. I think it’s fair to say it. Honestly though, I think if you are whatever, but today they don’t need to as Above: En route to taking victory in the 500cc race at that every day of my life from then to now important to your team, they will listen to it’s much easier from that point of view. But Goodwood in September 1948, I’ve had a BRDC badge on my person – what you ask.” today the numbers are so much larger that to the year in which Stirling Moss either in the button hole, or on my overalls, Even today, however, the recognition of have that support for young drivers is hugely was elected as a Member of or whatever, you know? I don’t think you’ll the BRDC still holds great sway. The BRDC valuable.” the BRDC. ever see a photo of me anywhere without it, Awards, and in particular the Gold Star, Sir Stirling has, since his election to the other than if I’ve got my jacket off and my of which Sir Stirling won a staggering ten, BRDC 60 years ago, lived his life as a beacon badge is on that.” remain of huge importance. of integrity and correctness both on and off “Elements of the BRDC still remind me of the race track. He has been an ambassador I think it’s fair to say that every day of my life from when I fi rst joined,” he smiles. “They’ve still not only for the sport and his country, but got the Gold Star, and have supplemented for this club. 1948 to now I’ve had a BRDC badge on my person that with the Silver Star and quite a few other At the 2008 BRDC Annual Awards, he was awards. I won ten Gold Stars, twice more surprised to be awarded the position of Vice Times, of course, have changed but Sir than anyone else I’m proud to say. But if you President for Life of the BRDC. The Club, Stirling is yet to be seen without a BRDC win the Formula 1 World Championship whose membership for which he has done badge. He is unhappy, however, that today’s and the Gold Star, you get two! Originally if so much, is pround to acknowledge all that new generation of young British stars seem you won the Gold Star, that was it, you just he has done over 60 years membership with on the whole to lack that eagerness to wear got one. But I think when Mike Hawthorn this new and unique honour. It is the fi rst, the club colours. won the World Championship they decided and perhaps sole time that such an honour “I’m very unhappy that it has lost the to give him one for that, but in my opinion has or will ever be bestowed on a Member. kudos that it once had,” he confi rms. “At I think it should be a gold medal for the Nobody could have deserved it more.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 37 MCLAREN AUTOSPORT BRDC AWARD

the Brands Hatch Indy circuit is notoriously diffi cult and Alexander’s manoeuvre seriously impressed at least one watching former Formula 1 driver. A STAR HAS RISEN: When asked by Autosport recently to offer his thoughts on the test days, Alexander used the word “cerebral” to describe his approach, not a word which passes the lips of many young drivers but it typifi es the intelligent and focused way in which he manages his ALEXANDER SIMS racing career. He was the best prepared of By Ian Titchmarsh the six fi nalists and had clearly profoundly thought through the whole process. Looking rom some 15 years of involvement as a Primera on a very wet Silverstone Grand Prix ahead to next year, with his sights set on judge of the McLaren Autosport BRDC circuit in the 1998 fi nals when he lapped at Formula 3, probably in the F3 Euroseries, he F Award, I can say that it is not often that the same pace as works driver David Leslie. has emulated former winner of the Award, the panel arrives at a unanimous decision Until now it would not be unfair to say that Jamie Green, by preparing himself for the as quickly as it did this year. And when you Alexander’s car racing career has been a 2009 Macau Grand Prix with an outing in this consider that two members of the panel, case of nearly but not quite. In his second year’s supporting Formula BMW race. and Darren Turner, are ever car race, at Brands Hatch in the 2006 Having fi rst encountered a shy and themselves former winners and not easily Formula Renault Winter Series, he just somewhat reserved 18 year old Alexander impressed, the achievement of BRDC Rising missed out on a podium by one place but on the podium at a bitterly cold Croft in Star and now Full Member Alexander Sims in made some amends by taking second place November 2006, it is clear that he has winning the Award can be put into context. in the next round at Croft after leading for benefi ted not just from two years’ experience The two test days at Snetterton in early the fi rst few laps. Staying loyal to Manor in Formula Renault but also from the November require the six fi nalists to Competition throughout, Alexander has mentoring which he has received through demonstrate not just speed but also, among contested the full 2007 and 2008 Formula being a member of the MSA’s Elite Scheme. various other qualities, adaptability both Renault UK Championships but wins have Throughout his very successful karting in terms of changing track conditions and been scarce, just one in 2007 and two this career and until now in racing cars, three different types of racing car. This have cost fi nalists dear in the past, but it year. However, his consistency has seen him Alexander, who will be 21 next March, has year it was back to the Formula 3 Dallara- was his performance in the DTM Mercedes fi nish on the podium more often than not this been supported fi nancially by a consortium Mercedes as the single seater (courtesy of which very rapidly extinguished any doubts year, scoring more points than the winner of of sponsors, some with family business Carlin Motorsport) on which most attention which might have arisen from the fact that, the Championship, Adam Christodoulou, but connections. Formula 3 is likely to be as far is focused but the Team Persson DTM like some but not all of the other fi nalists, he losing out on the dropped score rule. as this support can take him. The hope must Mercedes and (new for this year) the GT4 had had a few days of F3 testing beforehand. In case this suggests that Alexander settles be that the prestige, which winning the Award Aston Martin N24 make very signifi cant Never having sat in anything remotely like for silver rather than going for gold, anyone brings, will help him secure the backing to contributions to the whole process, the Mercedes previously, Alexander was soon who saw his pass on Adam Christo’s cousin make it all the way to the top of single seater particularly when allowance has to be made blasting round Snetterton at speeds which left Riki round the outside of Paddock Hill Bend racing. If not, don’t be surprised to fi nd him for the variable weather. even the Team Persson engineers astounded. for second place in the fi nal round of the joining former Award winners Dario Franchitti, Alexander was fastest in the Formula 3 car, For this judge it was reminiscent of Jenson Championship will know that he is a true Gary Paffett, Jamie Green, Paul di Resta and without the slightest whiff of mistakes which Button’s performance in the BTCC Nissan racer. Overtaking in Formula Renault on Oliver Jarvis in the DTM.

38 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 MCLAREN AUTOSPORT BRDC AWARD

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 39 UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT:

JAMES By Ian Titchmarsh

you rely on the pages of Autosport for reports on the successes of BRDC Members in distant parts, you will have struggled to fi nd anything about the focus of this edition of The Bulletin’s spotlight and will probably be unaware that James Winslow has now won three successive international single-seater titles. For many Members, your fi rst awareness of James was probably when he was awarded the Innes Ireland Trophy in 2006 for saving the life of a fellow competitor, Moreno Soeprapto, at the Indonesian circuit of Sentul during an Asian Formula 3 Championship race by more or less single-handedly pulling Moreno from his overturned car as petrol was pumping onto the hot engine, moments before it was engulfed in fl ames. That incident, which Above: Winslow may have also saw James awarded a Bronze Medal forged a career outside by the Royal Humane Society and receive Britain, but the BRDC badge sits the Gregor Grant Award from Autosport, proudly on his helmet and car. was recently featured in the BBC1 series Accidental Heroes. Left: A moment of sheer hero- ism in saving the life of Moreno But it is for his racing successes that Soeprapto sees Winslow lauded 27 year old James would much rather be and honoured at home. acclaimed and they are not inconsiderable. At the beginning of this year, James stood Opposite Page Near: Who on the threshold of a drive in the American says racing drivers don’t know how to have fun anymore? Champ Car series which sadly went pear- shaped following the category’s demise and Opposite Page Far: Making ultimate integration with IRL. an impact in A1GP.

40 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Like the subjects of previous Spotlight so that those who could afford it competed China, Indonesia and the Philippines. At the start of 2008 James tested a Champ features, Oliver Turvey and Jamie Green, in 2000 chassis. James took them on in That fi rst Asian foray saw James fi nishing Car at Sebring with Conquest Racing, James and his family struggled to raise Mike Read’s 1991 Dallara-Alfa and ended second in the championship but in 2006 the intention being to run a full Champ the fi nance even to go karting. Cars were 2003 by winning the two races in which he emerged as champion after winning Car season. The test went very well but the aim and James was a fi nalist in two he competed. For 2004 a Dallara 395 was eight of the last 10 races. James also had in quick succession Opes Prime crashed Silverstone-based scholarship competitions wheeled out, still rather older than much a great battle with in the F3 spectacularly and the Champ Car series – the Elf Campus Scheme and the Jim of the opposition, but good enough to races supporting the Australian Grand was collapsed into the IRL. What could Russell Formula Vauxhall Scholarship enable James to win the fi rst nine races on Prix, winning once and only losing to the have been a path to a career in the USA where he found himself up against such the trot and the championship, in what Brazilian in the last of the four races when was ended before it had really begun but as Rob Huff and Adam Carroll. Enough was really his fi rst full season of racing. The sixth gear went AWOL two laps from the James parlayed his way back into Australian funds were raised to contest the 1999 Dallara was also entered for one British F3 end of the race. F3 and went on to win the championship. BRDC Single Seater Championship, James Championship race in the National Class, These successes had attracted the He was also selected as the Rookie driver winning the fi rst six rounds which attracted James fi nishing second behind a more attention of Anthony Blumberg of for Team GBR for the A1GP races in New the attention of Rob Kemp of Aztec suitably-tyred car but ahead of that year’s Opes Prime, a high-fl ying Australian Zealand and Australia. International who offered some races in class champion Ryan Lewis. stockbroking fi rm. Although 2007 began Now resident in Australia and running the British Formula Ford Championship, Clearly the talent was there but how to with James contesting the Australian F3 his own instructing and driving coaching one of which produced a second place at exploit it? James and Mike cast around Championship, the opportunity to take on business, James continues to look for Thruxton. quite literally the world and discovered that more power became available and James ways of taking his career to the next stage. Into 2001 the plan was to continue the whole of the Asian F3 Championship was able to join the Meritus team for the His undoubted talent coupled with the with Aztec in the Avon Junior Formula could be contested at a cost equivalent Asian Formula Renault V6 series. Despite ability to think laterally for opportunities Ford Championship but a major shunt to just one round of the British F3 series. missing the fi rst round James took four have brought him a long way from being at Snetterton in testing when a drive And so James found himself commuting wins and the championship, fi tting in as just another young karting kid with very shaft broke rather messed up the between his Surrey home and circuits in many Australian F3 races as he could. little money. season. A switch to the Autobytel Lotus Championship produced some good results in this quite high profi le BTCC support series but it was another part season when the money ran out. Determined to make his way as a racing driver, James had to sit out 2002 while joining the unoffi cial “club” of similar aspirants working as instructors at the Silverstone school and elsewhere. A few races in Historic FF1600 and FF2000 cars brought James into contact with Mike Read who was to prove infl uential in the direction which James’s career was to take and marked him out distinctively compared with his peers. The ARP Championship catered for recently obsolete Formula 3 cars

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 41 ROAD TEST: VECTRIX SCOOTER ? ike most ‘petrolheads’ I have tended to The general ride and handling is very similar view the development of electric power for to most scooters, and although the extra L cars and with some scepticism battery weight does tend to make the machine considering a perceived lack of power and feel heavier when manoeuvring and parking, it range to be impractical, certainly for those of is very user friendly. us who are always looking for more power and Everything on the Vectrix seems well performance. fi nished: all the controls are straightforward, So when James Beckett suggested that I making operation simple and convenient, ought to try one of the Vectrix Electric scooters on loan to Silverstone and that I might fi nd it interesting, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. If I was in the market for I therefore have to admit to a pleasant feeling a reasonable sized scooter for of surprise, when after a brief run through the local/urban use this would merit controls with Stuart Pringle, I set off and was immediately impressed with the instant response serious consideration and power on takeoff, all very quiet, no gears, just a smooth surge of torque all the way up to clear dials indicate the amount of charge 60 mph, more than enough performance to and range available as well as the usual keep up with normal traffi c. instruments. As with all scooters the design The Vectrix can be ridden just like any normal provides reasonable weather protection and scooter, but it also has an interesting feature when a decent under-seat luggage compartment the is closed. If the twistgrip is turned which also houses the charging cable, forward overriding the throttlestop the motor cleverly designed to plug into any convenient reverses, this provides useful engine breaking domestic power point. and for normal riding rendering the conventional If I was in the market for a reasonable sized brakes semi redundant. This reverse feature is scooter for local/urban use this would merit also very useful when manoeuvring. serious consideration, being quieter and When on the overrun the motor recharges cleaner than a 2-stroke machine and with the battery, and so with intelligent use of the a surprisingly acceptable performance. The throttle a reasonable range can be maintained. price might seem a little high, but running The quoted range of 68 miles between 2 hour costs should be lower than most. charges is useful enough for local running about, It did occur to me that the range might but this does of course depend on how throttle prove to be insuffi cient for a brisk lap of the happy the rider is and spirited riding reduces this IOM TT course though!! considerably. Words by Stuart Graham, photos by Jakob Ebrey

42 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 ROAD TEST: VECTRIX SCOOTER

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 43 BLAST FROM THE PAST 50 Years of the Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ ould it be done today? Not a chance, but 50 years ago things were very C different. In , the family- run business of George Lister & Sons had been going since 1890, tackling all manner of intricate engineering work. The company survives today as a specialist fabricator of high-tech stainless steel equipment. Back in the , Lister added race car design to its portfolio with spectacular success. The driving force was Brian Lister, a grandson of the founder. Born in 1926, Brian completed a full apprenticeship at Lister’s. Rejecting a career as a full-time jazz musician, he entered the family business and fulfi lled his passion for motor racing. As a driver, Brian developed a strong interest in chassis design. His engine builder was local wizard, Don Moore (pictured below), another of whose customers was the talented Archie Scott Brown. Realising he wasn’t in that league, Brian recruited Archie as his driver.

The original works Lister Jaguar and second iteration of MVE 303 sits in the pits with Archie Scott Brown at the wheel before the 1958 at Christchurch, New Zealand which saw yet another win for this extraordinarily successful combination. This unique car has the “fl at iron” rather than the later “knobbly” body and looks well used after its hard 1957 Ace engine tuner Don Moore season in the UK. Note the New Zealand registration number in addition to practises his art on a Jaguar MVE 303 presumably to enable the car to be driven on the Kiwi roads. .

44 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BLAST FROM THE PAST

Thus began a great partnership of three Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix cars of the late from anything seen on the road, the engines, often considered to have been an talented men. The Lister cars phenomenon 1930s. He concluded that by using a D-type governing body stipulated that windscreens afterthought. As Brian says today: “No, the grew until, in 1957, Archie scored an engine and a modern interpretation of must stand a certain height above the 1958 car was built from the start with both astonishing number of major victories with the German thinking on chassis design, bodywork. Brian designed a new body of engines in mind. As early as September or Brian’s latest Lister, then powered by Jaguar. he could produce a faster car than the Le minimal frontal area, its shape following October, 1957 came This year, the 50th anniversary of Brian’s Mans-winning Jaguar, which had a fi ne the contours of the rolling chassis. over from the States with his driver, Walt classic 1958 Lister-Jaguar, has seen that monocoque chassis around its centre but Cunningly, the bodywork dropped Hansgen, and Alfi e Momo. We all went car properly recognised as one of the great was hampered by the poor traction of its down low behind the engine so that the up to Snetterton for a test and afterwards sportsracing cars of all time. Parades at live rear axle. windscreen met the height regulations but drove in convoy with the Americans as far Snetterton and Silverstone have enabled The Lister-Jaguar proved a match for pretty hardly stuck up into the airfl ow. Sitting as Royston, where we had dinner, getting former Lister workers to join in the well anything that came to challenge it. low in the car, drivers were well-protected them well on the way back to London. Don celebrations. A master-stroke of Brian’s 1958 design from the wind yet had an excellent view Moore and I had been discussing the Chevy Make no mistake: back in 1957-58, Brian resulted from changes in the international of the road ahead. The shape, brutal for some time and the subject came up over knew his stuff. In creating his chassis, Brian sportscar racing rules. Concerned that and menacing, was a work of art in the our meal. Briggs ordered three cars on the openly admits that he looked back to the racing cars were becoming too far removed best Lister tradition. That Lister was also spot: two Lister-Jaguars and the third to be devastatingly quick. It was, simply, a 1958 prepared with engine mounts to accept the winner. V8. A Chevy block was sent over so that we “Where’s my seat, Brian?” Archie and Brian pose pensively The year started well when Scott Brown could do that.” beside the exposed chassis scored outright victories in the 1957 car Archie resumed his winning ways with of the 1957 Lister Jaguar chassis (main picture). (Bottom at Christchurch and Teretonga in New the new Lister-Jaguar, scoring overall right) That’s more like it. The Zealand. The new Lister was then unveiled victories at Snetterton, Aintree and Mallory. complete car beside the River to the Press and described in some detail in At Silverstone for the Daily Express Trophy, Cam, a favourite site for Lister photo calls. (Framed) Archie in Autosport of February 21st. Editor Gregor he broke the lap record to take pole from full fl ight drifting the ’57 Lister Grant’s fi rst sentence stated: “The frontal ’s identical through Goodwood’s Madgwick Corner on his way to winning area of the 1958 Lister-Jaguar and Lister- Lister-Jaguar. Archie led the fi rst six laps the Trophy on Easter Chevrolet is as low as most of the current but to everybody’s astonishment Gregory Monday. British 1,100cc cars, and with the 300bhp charged ahead on lap seven and won the available on the larger 3.8 Jaguar engine race comfortably. and on the Chevrolet engines a top speed of In that race, both the Listers averaged circa 200 miles an hour is expected on the below the old lap record for the entire faster continental and American circuits.” 25 laps, Gregory raising the lap record to Autosport’s man had spotted the vital 101.32mph. Trailing behind were Mike point. That lightweight Hawthorn (Ferrari), and Tony magnesium alloy Brooks (Aston Martin DBR2s), body, made to Brian’s and Duncan Hamilton (Jaguar D-types)… design by Williams In short, Lister had trounced the best and Pritchard, was possible opposition. designed to pierce At Spa for the Sports Car GP in May, the the air. Interesting Gregory/Scott Brown duel was resumed, here, too, is the the pair of them pulling away from the early reference fi eld. As we all know, it ended in tragedy. to Chevrolet At almost the same point as Dick Seaman’s

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 45 BLAST FROM THE PAST fatal crash when leading the wet 1939 GP, made no improvement: based on the latest Archie came across an unexpected damp aerodynamic theories, it was sleek but patch when leading his race. Careering off simply too big. The increase in frontal area the road at huge speed, the car caught fi re negated any supposed reduction in drag and he died later in hospital. Gregory went factor and it was also less easy for the driver on to win. to see the road. This terrible loss undoubtedly hit Gradually, Brian could feel himself Brian Lister very hard indeed. It had withdrawing from the sport. A new era of been one of those special partnerships design lay ahead, using monocoque chassis between constructor and driver, one of with mid-mounted engines. To commit extraordinary mutual understanding and himself to that, especially when the FIA was respect. Deeply upset as he was, Brian announcing rules late in the day and then nevertheless continued, at least for a changing them at short notice, looked too short time. He went ahead with the Frank risky. As a business plan, involvement in Costin-bodied version of the car, something international sportscar racing had ceased which everybody said he needed. In fact, it to make sense. for George Lister & Sons.

Above Brian pulled out to concentrate on more Stirling Moss only drove the Costin-bodied Lister Jaguar commercially sound activities. Laurence once, at Sebring in 1959, and Pearce revived Lister’s racing name many with Ivor Bueb as co-driver years later, under licence and with Brian’s gave this version of the car full blessing. probably its best ever race at In the early , Listers were ideal the highest level. They were leading into the seventh hour, mounts for private entrants, notably John ahead of all the works Ferraris Coundley whose car was prepared by John and , until Stirling ran Pearson. When Coundley’s wife fi rst saw it, out of fuel on the circuit. He she declared: “What’s that? How beautifully hitched a lift back to the pits knobbly!” Somehow it stuck. on a motor scooter and was promptly disqualifi ed for not Brian himself was never keen on that walking back! nickname but he came to accept it. This Left year’s 50th anniversary Lister Knobbly Three Knobblies, with varying reunions have been a great source of interpretations of roll over bars, pleasure. Thanks to the indefatigable John mix it with smaller capacity Pearson, the event at Silverstone attracted Lotus and Elva in a modern 17 cars, surely the largest gathering of historic event. Listers ever. Tony Dron

This is a heavily condensed version of an article which will appear in Octane magazine in late December. For the full thing, see Octane Issue 68 (dated February, 2009)

46 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4

THE STEPHEN JELLEY DIARY

Welcome to my last diary of the year and congratulations to all the new 2008 champions! Part 4

he end to my 2008 BTCC championship however my front right wheel and Adam’s Shedden and into tenth for a single point. was quite dramatic, with the Silverstone (driven) front wheel must have got slightly Mega! race taking place just after my last diary interlocked ripping my steering wheel to the After a long day I was in no mood to queue entry for The Bulletin. The weekend started right at such a speed it spun 180 degrees in a in traffi c, so I wandered over to the BRDC with my best qualifying to date but race day tenth of a second! Clubhouse and to my joy found the bar was was a bit of an unknown as the weather had Unfortunately my shoulder socket, joined still open… and thank you Stuart for a much turned dramatically for the worse. To my to the wheel via my instantly broken thumb needed beer! relief however, any issues with the car fogging also rotated at the same speed and tore my Thankfully there was a bit of a gap to the up, as it had done earlier in the year, had arm out. From the outside it looked like I season fi nale at Brands Hatch in which I been solved and the car was now mega in all just drove off the track but I can assure you Having been checked out by the medical received a bit of physiotherapy and prepared conditions. it was really quite painful. Though I have staff and been cleared to race if I could, I got myself for the race. The BMW was quick at The fi rst race was relatively quiet and I never dislocated my shoulder like this in a back in for Race Three. the fi rst meeting of the year (at Brands also) fi nished in seventh with one of the fastest race racing car, I did it a few years back in a freak I was a touch anxious as starting at the and it would be my only opportunity of going laps. This gave me a huge confi dence boost for skiing accident and could remember how back there was a lot to do and I wasn’t sure to a race track I had already visited in the Race Two as I knew I could do better and push they got it back in. I knew the third race was if my arm could withstand the rigours of a touring car. my way forward. Off the start I got pushed impossible if I didn’t do something fast as touring car race. To make matters worse, From the fi rst practice I knew we would out at Copse, dropping a couple of places, but the arm starts to spasm if you don’t sort it out after a good start on lap one I was hit from be quick as I was around the top fi ve even the car felt great and I quickly made my way quickly, making a relocation (or reduction behind and spun to the back at . though the balance was not quite there. In past one of the guys who’d benefi tted from my for the correct terminology) near impossible But this merely spurred me on, and with the second practice I was unable to show my off and latched onto the back of Adam Jones. and resulting in a trip to hospital for some bit between my teeth, the pain was gone. hand because of a drive shaft failure, but Adam is a tough racer and someone who you morphine and a lot of waiting around. My lap times were on a par with the leaders, come qualifying I was so confi dent I told my know isn’t going to fi re you off on purpose, but The technique is quite simple. You just although it would take until three laps from engineer and chief mechanic I would be on he’s still very good at making his car wide and relax your arm completely as if it has gone the end to catch the last car as I had been pole… to which he replied that if I did so, he can be a challenge to pass. dead (although you wish it were that numb spun so far back. By now the front wheel drive would strip naked and dance a jig on the start I seemed to be able to fi nd good grip at this point as it hurts like hell) and you cars had started to eat their tyres and I could line! around the outside of Luffi eld, so I went gently rotate your wrist backwards which carve through the backmarkers easily and on We try to save three sets of new tyres for for the outside on lap three. Mid corner levers the shoulder back and… “clunk.” the last lap managed to sneak past Gordon qualifying and this worked out perfectly as

48 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 THE STEPHEN JELLEY DIARY with the fi rst set the balance was not quite time. The adjustment from a high downforce to fourth before the safety car was deployed generated, the BTCC is a very saleable right, so I came in made a couple of changes single-seater back to a zero downforce saloon for an accident. This gave me bit of time to championship, even in these fi nancially and got the second set strapped on. The car is a big one, and for the fi rst time in my career build up some heat in the front tyres. unstable times, with everything that a large felt great but as is the nature of the tight Indy 2008 had seen me move from one category to I made a good restart, hooking onto the corporate sponsor could want. circuit, I got a lot of traffi c so came back in the next and get into a much slower car, one back of the leading trio however on the run It feels good to have had a year in a and asked for no set-up changes, just new that weighed over double an F3 car. It would out of Druids shifting from second to third championship which you can make your tyres. I was told I was two tenths off but had be fair to say that the drivers and teams know with my H pattern box I missed third and got true profession. I only started racing the two fastest sector times. I knew pole was their craft exceedingly well, so for me, as a fi fth instead. This isn’t normally a problem from scratch (in a BRDC formula ford on. All I had to do was manage the traffi c and rookie to take the pole was a great feeling. as you just change back, which I would have championship race) eight years ago with drive a tidy lap. Pole is one thing however… winning the got away with, but something had broken no karting background, so I’ve done pretty A fi rst BTCC pole was mine! This was a race is something else and I didn’t want to and the damn thing was stuck in fi fth. Even well. I’m also now sure, and as Brands Hatch great achievement for me in a year that had get carried away and just tried to keep to my with both hands, a lot of effort and every dip has in a way proved, that another year in been trying at times, but just the proof that own race. Off the line I made a great start but of the clutch, rev and general abuse I could the BTCC would be building on the strong sometimes these things simply take a bit of at Clearways got punted out wide, dropping think of, it wasn’t coming out. Heartbreak. foundations that 2008 have been for me. Starting at the back for Race Two, I managed to get through to 12th, fi nding out that Brands is a diffi cult place to overtake… even in a touring car. The fi nal race of the season was a chance to show what I could do however. I was sure I could get in the points in that third race of the weekend, and it was looking good until a few laps from the end. Tucked up behind Fabrizio Giovinardi, everybody started fl ying off the road at Paddock as one of the back markers had blown up, covering the fi rst sector in oil. I thought I’d got away with it but the car behind got a run on me and got up the inside for Druids, forcing me to the outside where the car spreading the oil had also run, throwing me into the gravel, my up and down season came to an end. It would be fair to say I have had a diffi cult year but it would also be true to say I have had one of my most enjoyable. From GP2 Asia to the BTCC, both have given me incredible race experience and a steely resolve. As for the future, I’m currently doing everything in my power to raise backing for my 2009 campaign (any interest I’m looking forward to a winning 2009 is welcome, please do get in touch) and as Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I have found out from the interest already Stephen Jelley

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 49 OBITUARIES Carlsson Bill Dobson December 27 1934 – October 14 2008 September 27 1921 – October 13 2008 Obituaries at Moss (pictured left) was best known as a rally driver and the racing in the family was generally left to her eminent P brother, Sir Stirling Moss. However, she was versatile enough that, during a motor sport career that lasted some twenty-three years, she competed in quite a few races including the legendary , tackled at the wheel of a Lancia Fulvia. Daughter of two competitive drivers, Pat’s fi rst – and constant love – was for horses and it was only as light relief from an arduous show jumping career that she tried a night rally navigating for Ken Gregory, Stirling’s manager. She found that she liked and used her show jumping prize money to buy a Triumph TR2 in 1954. During 1955 she accepted an offer to drive an MG TF for BMC on the RAC Rally and astonished with her fast test times. Soon she was a regular in the BMC team and was gradually offered faster cars as they saw that she was more than just a Coupe des Dames winner. By 1958, she was driving the big Austin Healeys, initially a 100/6 and then the 3000, with which she was a regular top ten fi nisher, for instance fi nishing fourth on the toughest of the European hen the late David Murray fi rst rallies, the Liège-Rome-Liège. In 1960, she was second on the conceived the idea of Ecurie Ecosse he and promptly won the Liège outright, something that W spoke to Reg Tanner, the competitions put her one step above most of the male works drivers of the era. manager of Esso, who had supported Murray In 1958, she met and bought a Saab with which when he raced his immediately she fi nished third on the East African Safari at her fi rst attempt. after the war. It was Tanner who offered She and Erik married in 1963. That same year, Pat signed to fi nancial support to the new team but drive for Ford but had little success with the new Cortina GT and recommended that Murray fi eld a team of moved to join Erik at Saab. There her career blossomed anew, three identical cars. not quite eclipsing her new husband, but she recorded a string of Ian Stewart, who had his Jaguar XK120 excellent results with the little two-stroke. When Erik retired with prepared by Wilkie Wilkinson at Merchiston the coming of the Saab V4, Pat accepted an offer from Lancia and Mews, was an obvious talent and equally spent three years driving Fulvias, fi nishing second overall on the obvious choice for the team and, what is 1968 San Remo and winning the Sestriere Rally the same year. more, he owned his own car. Murray next With the of daughter Suzy, the rallying became less approached Ron Flockhart ,who had just frequent and, when Suzy was of an age, Pat’s full enthusiasm for taken a part share in an ERA (R1A), and horses returned so that, apart from a few guest appearances, her suggested that Flockhart buy a Jaguar XK120 motor sport career was over. and join the team but Flockhart refused She will always be remembered as the lady who met the men on preferring to stay with the ERA. equal terms and frequently fi nished ahead of them. Murray then approached 30-year-old Bill John Davenport Dobson whose family ran a road haulage

50 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 OBITUARIES company near Merchiston Mews. Bill had started his motor sport career with an Alvis but Wilkie Wilkinson told him it was unsuitable and promptly found a 328 BMW for Bill to buy and he raced it for the fi rst time at Crimond in Aberdeenshire in 1951. At the end of the season David Murray approached Bill about buying a Jaguar XK120 and joining the proposed new Ecurie Ecosse. A deal was struck, Merchiston Motors sold the 328 BMW and David Murray sold Bill his own personal Jaguar XK120 as David’s wife Jenny refused to let Murray take up motor racing again. Sometime later Murray was able to persuade Sir James Scott Douglas to also buy a Jaguar XK120 and so Ecurie Ecosse was born and started racing in 1952. Part of Bill’s arrangement with David Murray was that he would race the ex-Peter Whitehead short- chassis Ferrari Formula 2 car (pictured left) that Murray had bought through . Bill bravely raced the Ferrari, which was known to be a beast to handle, and acquitted himself well. He won his fi rst race with the car at Castle Combe. However always in the background was his father who wanted him to spend more time in the family business. Indeed Bill missed out on the 1952 Race on the Isle of Man because his father needed him back in Edinburgh. By the end of the 1952 racing season Bill was given an ultimatum by his father to settle down to running the family business and so he retired from motor racing at the end of his fi rst season with Ecurie Ecosse in November 1952. Back in Edinburgh Bill lost a certain amount of interest in motor racing but in the past fi ve years he began to appear at events, and at the historic race meeting in 2007 Bill was thrilled when Dick Skipworth offered him the ex- Sir James Scott Douglas Jaguar XK120 to drive in the parade of Ecurie Ecosse cars (far left). Bill was born in 1922 was a widower and the British Racing Drivers Club extends their condolences to his family. Graham Gauld

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 51 OBITUARIES

racing at the start of 1951. He was quickly gentleman driver and didn’t want to take with a big grin and say he knew he was in Arthur Gill in the thick of the half-litre action, too, his racing too seriously. Back then there the right sport from that moment onwards! May 17 1926 – November 6 2008 mixing it with the likes of Stirling Moss, Les was a hot bed of young car enthusiasts Having turned down the Cooper Leston, Don Parker and . At frequenting the White Lion in Cobham, opportunity, Arthur opted to stay in the rthur Gill, who passed away peacefully what was only his second race meeting, he Surrey (near Compton House where Arthur 500cc scene but for 1952 was persuaded on 6 November after a long illness, fi nished runner up behind Bernard Charles grew up) and it was here that he not only to switch to the new lower and sleeker A is probably best remembered by Ecclestone at Brands Hatch. Arthur’s fi rst met Potter but also other racers including Mackson chassis being designed by Gordon Members as an enthusiastic and dedicated win came later in his debut season at Eric Thompson, Godfrey Messervey and the Bedson and ‘Mac’ McGee. It was, in his Club Director and committee member. Brough; more notably, perhaps, he then infl uential Robin Richards. For all of them words, a dreadful decision. Although Arthur In total he served on the BRDC Board for fi nished third in the far more competitive racing was far more a thrilling post-WW2 managed to fi nish second in his heat and more than 20 years between 1971 and 1992. Grand Premio de Madrid – a race won by pastime than a serious career move. fi fth in the fi nal on the car’s debut at Castle But, like all Members, he fi rst joined the Brandon, the newly crowned F3 champion. Indeed, Arthur used to travel to events Combe, the Mackson was never a match club after earning his spurs on the track. John Cooper was certainly impressed as, with the family butler, Courtney, and their for its rivals and by midway through 1953, In some ways it was a miracle that Arthur at the end of the season, he offered Arthur presence in the 500cc paddock wasn’t Arthur had given up racing to concentrate ever made it to the starting grid, let alone a chance to test in the new prototype without its lighter moments. At one meeting on family affairs and a new found love for to BRDC membership or to the 82 years Cooper-Bristol. Arthur, however, didn’t Arthur was parked next to a newcomer, agriculture. Although he purchased a farm that he lived. think he was ready for a step up to F2 after Peter Jopp, whose car was suffering from initially just to run an expense account, Back in 1950, when aged 24, he survived just one season’s racing and, as the history transmission troubles. Seeing Joppie’s farming quickly took over his life, fi rstly an horrendous accident when co-driving for books record, the drive subsequently went plight, Courtney was summoned: “Pour Mr near Alton in and more recently Leonard Potter on the Alpine Rally. Nearing to one Mike Hawthorn. Jopp a Pimms and then fi x his clutch”, was close to Abergavenny on the edge of Wales. the Monte Croce Pass in the north eastern of In truth Arthur was probably more of a the order. Peter used to recall the moment Despite this he never lost his love for Italy, Potter lost sight of the mountain road motorsport, maintaining close links via his in the swirling dust being thrown up by a active role within the BRDC, as a long-time Jaguar XK120 that he was trying to pass; he Director of the RAC and, more socially, via totally missed a corner and plunged off the his annual “racing drivers’ shoot” – regular road and into a 500ft ravine at more than invitees included , Graham Hill, 70mph. Somehow both Arthur and Potter Peter Jopp, Derek Bell, Eric Thompson and a escaped with cuts, bruises and the odd host of other familiar faces and old friends. broken bone. Their 3-seater V12 Lincoln- Jonathan Gill engined Allard, though, was not quite so lucky – it was totally destroyed. The story then goes that having been rescued from the wreckage, the badly concussed and unconscious Arthur woke up a couple of days later in a nearby Italian hospital in Tolmezzo to fi nd a priest and nun standing at his bedside – for a minute, he genuinely thought he’d passed through the Pearly Gates! No longer happy to trust others with his life, a fully recovered Arthur then purchased a Cooper-JAP 500cc and went F3

52 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 OBITUARIES 1928 - 2008 In memoriam 2008 PAUL FRERE JIMMY STEWART PETER ASHCROFT LT COL ROBERT ‘REX’ KING-CLARK MBE MC

JEAN-MARIE BALESTRE

DAVID LESLIE RICHARD LLOYD ARCHIE BRYDE PETER JOPP

NEIL EASON GIBSON PETER BOLTON IAN WALKER PAT MOSS

BILL DOBSON

RODNEY BLOOR ARTHUR GILL

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 53 DON’T S OUT

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All the fun of the fair. chases Stephen Skipworth.

How not to look after vintage racers. Still, was the talk of Goodwood. Derek Bell wishes he’d worn his goggles after all.

The Stewart clan were out en masse

Left: Justin Law and Anthony Reid celebrate success in the RAC TT

Left: Mark Hales with And so the sun sets on another Marilyn Monroe and Barrie glorious Goodwood... Williams and (next left) Ms Monroe was delighted to meet James King Rowan Atkinson gets a bit loose in the St Mary’s Trophy.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 55 BTCC FINALS

he third weekend in September saw the fi nal three several years as runner up. Tim won one race while rounds of the British Touring Car Championship the other went to BRDC Rising Star Tim Bridgman who T on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. While Fabrizio saw off the championship contenders as he has done Giovanardi went to the Kent circuit with his VX Racing on several occasions during the year. BRDC Superstar Vauxhall Vectra as odds on favourite to win his second Jonathan Adam secured his second successive SEAT successive BTCC title (and the eighth touring car Cupra Championship title although both races were won championship of his career) no one expected him to by Martin Byford, while Jonathan’s main rival, Robert add just one point (for fastest lap in the fi nal race) to Lawson, had to settle for a second and a fourth place. his total after scoring in every previous round. Even if The task facing Rising Star Alexander Sims to win the Jason Plato with his Seat Leon TDi were to fall at the Formula Renault UK title was not unlike Jason Plato’s fi nal hurdle again, his second place seemed assured. in the BTCC. He rose to the occasion in fi ne style, the Mat Jackson leads the fi eld as a packed house looks on from the But Jason’s results were scarcely better than Fabrizio’s highlight of his efforts being the overtaking of Superstar Brands Hatch Grandstands. with just one fi fth place to show for his day’s work, this Riki Christodoulou round the outside of Paddock Hill following the announcement that SEAT Sport UK will not Bend to take second place in race two, following a third be competing in 2009. place in race one. But this was not enough to prevent Tim Harvey may spend much Instead it was Mat Jackson with his BMW Dealer Rising Star Adam Christodoulou, Riki’s cousin, from of his time mentoring the next Team UK 320si who was the star of the day, winning winning the championship with a fourth and a fi fth. The generation of racers in the the fi rst two races and fi nishing fourth in the third, races were won by Brazilian Adriano Buzaid and Rising SuperStars programme, but he’s thereby scoring enough points to snatch second place Star Dean Stoneman. lost none of his sparkle on track. in the championship from Jason by three points. Both Renault Clio races were won by former champion Paradoxically this superb day did not enable Mat to Paul Rivett in the absence of 2008 champion and deprive Colin Turkington of the Independents Trophy Rising Star Ben Winrow while the Ginetta Junior races with his Team RAC BMW. The third race was also won also saw the same winner in the form of Dominic Pettit, by a BRDC Member in the person of Tom Chilton at the some consolation for losing out in the very fi rst race wheel of the Team . It was Tom’s of the year, also at Brands, by 0.025 sec to this year’s fi rst BTCC win for two years and very well-deserved, champion Zamparelli. even if it meant he had to make good on a bet to dye Ian Titchmarsh his bouffant mane of blonde hair Halfords orange in celebration. Members Ian Harrison (VX Racing), Dick Bennetts (Team RAC) and Steve Neal (Team Halfords) all had something to celebrate. Right: His stunning set of Brands Hatch results helped a clearly Among the supporting races, Full Members Tim delighted Mat Jackson leapfrog Harvey and Michael Caine disputed the Porsche Carrera Silver Star winner Jason Plato to Cup GB title with Tim emerging triumphant after second in the BTCC standings.

56 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BTCC FINALS

Left: Adam Christodoulou shows his clear delight at wrapping up the 2008 Formula Renault UK Championship.

Below and inset: A fi rst win in two seasons for Tom Chilton saw “Sonic” dye his trademark blonde mane orange in tribute to his squad.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 57 AND BRITISH GT FINALS DONINGTON DENOUEMENT

was a long wait of two months from Silverstone in mid-August until Donington It Park in mid-October for the outcome of the International class of the British Formula 3 International Series – known to all except officialdom as the British Formula 3 championship. There were four drivers still in contention although one, T-Sport’s Mexican Sergio Perez, had the slenderest of chances which had effectively gone by the end of the first qualifying session. The other three were all team mates at Carlin Motorsport – Full Member and BRDC Superstar Oliver Turvey, BRDC Rising Star Brendon Hartley, and Spaniard . Nigel Moore and Toby Newton cross the line split by 0.005s After two excellent wins at Silverstone Oliver had after an incredible Ginetta G50 race. a 12 point lead over Jaime and a further 18 points over Brendon. By the end of qualifying at Donington fi rst lap spin to fi nish alongside Toby Newton but 0.005 the picture had changed dramatically: Jaime was sec adrift. Needless to say Nigel made no mistake in at the front of the grid for both races, Brendon winning the second race. was second and sixth but Oliver was third and a BRDC Superstar Wayne Boyd won the British Formula disastrous 14th after problems with tyre choice in Ford Championship after his only challenger, Australian the second session. Brendon, too, was less than Wayne Boyd rounded Rising Star Tim Blanchard, had spun out of the fi rst of off a spectacular happy, having been deprived of his fastest time for season with victory the three races, none of which, very unusually, Wayne the first race, which would have seen him on pole, in the Formula Ford won. Instead it was the Scottish driver David Brown, for an alleged yellow flag offence. Festival. A promising using the car of his absent team mate Marco Sorensen, career beckons. Jaime did all that was necessary, winning both who gave two of the three wins, the other races from the front to become the youngest ever, falling to Victor Correa from 10th on the grid. and first Spanish, driver to win the British F3 Other Rising Stars to shine included Oliver race one Jay had had to give best to another F3 The British GT Championship had already been Championship. Brendon had a second, two fastest Oakes, who secured pole position for race two on newcomer, Henry , who scored a splendid win wrapped up by Team Trimite Brookspeed laps and a loose wheel which caused retirement one of his rare F3 appearances; Nick Tandy who in the absence of father John who was otherwise drivers Jon Barnes and James Gornall before Donington. from the second race. As for Oliver, after finishing finished an excellent second in race two with the engaged celebrating 50 years of Lola on the streets A rather chaotic 2 hour race saw CR third in race one and therefore still leading on JTR with Marshall Westland M-08F3; Dean of Huntingdon. 430 GT3s fi nish fi rst and second with Full Member Luke points going into the final race, he fought past as Smith with two fourth places on his F3 debut; Sam Highlight of the other races was the photo fi nish in Hines and Rising Star Jeremy Metcalfe leading home many cars as he could and was well into the top 10 Abay with two fifths; and National Class Champion the fi rst Ginetta G50 encounter where champion and Irishmen Michael Cullen and Paddy Shovlin. when he spun out. Jay Bridger who added another win to his tally. In Rising Star, 16 year old Nigel Moore, recovered from a Ian Titchmarsh

58 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 FORMULA THREE AND BRITISH GT FINALS

CR Scuderia Ferrari drivers BRDC Rising Star Jeremy Metcalfe and BRDC Member Luke Hines rise above the mayhem to take a deserved win.

Top: in that Middle: Oliver Turvey just Bottom: Oliver Oakes also strikingly familiar helmet missed out on the British F3 impressed, taking pole on a makes an immediate impact title, but after an impressive rare F3 outing. on the F3 fi eld. season has done much to cement his reputation.

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 59 MCRAE STAGES McRae Stages Rally 2008 A constellation of rally stars assemble in Scotland.

rally report is not staple fare for a fourth place with an Escort RS1800. Best The rally, a star forum, and then a gala motor racing club magazine, but of the World Champions was Waldegård in dinner at which donated rally memorabilia A the McRae Stages held around Perth a Porsche 911 with Mikkola, Vatanen and was auctioned, raised in excess of £36,000 on the last weekend of September is an Buffum next in that special classifi cation. for the Colin McRae Vision charity. The exception. And that has a lot to do with that Jimmy McRae failed to fi nish when he put whole thing could be summed up in the exceptional character, the late Colin McRae, his Porsche off the road a mile from the end words of Andrew Cowan who brought out who was World Rally Champion and a of the last stage. His embarrassment was his rejuvenated Hillman Imp from the mid- member of the BRDC thanks to successes at completed when a spectator dialled 999 1960s and, after shock absorber problems, Le Mans and in . and got a fi re engine sent to the scene that fi nished in 100th place: “It was such fun. On For some years, the Coltness Car Club promptly blocked the stage and resulted those stages and in that company, it was has run an event called the McRae stages to in its cancellation. One suspects that Colin like slipping back in time thirty-fi ve years or honour the achievements of Colin, his father would have found the whole thing an more.” Jimmy – fi ve times British national rally absolute hoot. John Davenport champion – and younger brother, Alister. When Colin died in a helicopter crash last September, the family gave consent for the rally to go on and subsequently got together with the club to plan this year’s event as a major tribute to their son. They succeeded beyond anyone’s hopes. Starting the rally in an assortment of classic rally cars were Ari Vatanen paired with David Richards, Hannu Mikkola with , Björn Waldegård, Malcolm Wilson, John Buffum, , Andrew Cowan, Ken Block, Louise Aitken-Walker, Russell Brookes, Phil Collins and, last but not least, Jimmy Top: podium and Alister McRae. Little wonder then that an Left, middle: Travis Pastrana and estimated 50,000 spectators turned out, some Derek Ringer in the Ford Escort I from very far away places, to witness this Left, bottom: Matthew Wilson unique occasion. and Scott Martin The rally was won outright by Matthew Main pic: Ari Vatanen and David Wilson driving a Ford Focus WRC05 while Richards in the Ford Escort II Alister McRae was best of the “classics” in

60 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 TOUR BRITANNIA Tour Britannia 2008 Mixed weather and mixed fortunes

or the past three years, the Tour Britannia tail end of the field. Their wobble came during timed The MGB was slowed during the fi rst day after the Performance, just a whisker behind the overall winner has been favoured with the best September practice when, in his own words, John “was trying to test at Hethel when it broke a rear spring on some of the event, Sean Lockyear in a Porsche 911. F weather but this year was a little less kind. go that little bit faster” and slid off at Riches onto scenic but bumpy fenland roads. Colin had to do both With changeable weather but consistently good Scrutineering in the sun at the Imperial War Museum very wet grass that failed to slow the Elan before Bruntingthorpe tests carrying the broken spring, which hotel and culinary provision, Tour Britannia 2008 was Duxford and then drinks on the lawn at Kings College it hit the tyre barrier. The result of the impact was cost him over half a minute to the quicker cars. His generally considered to be good value and excellent fun Cambridge followed by dinner in the Great Hall damaged bodywork and suspension. But, luckily for only other misfortune was to be in the same class as with its mixture of racing and rallying in classic cars. passed off without a drop of rain but during the John, a start line accident in his race bought him the John Sheldon to whom at the fi nish he had to give best Roll on next year, and who knows, a full BRDC night, things changed for the worse. additional time required to get the Elan ready and in their class. Still, he brought the MGB home inside team perhaps? The fi rst BRDC Member to fall into trouble was Nick take the re-start in his normal place. After that, there the top ten and was classifi ed sixth in the Index of Faure who, with wife Mary, found his Porsche 356 1500 were no more errors and he brought the less-than- Super really did not like the cold weather. A misfi re concours Elan through to the finish to take third The of Andrew McAlpine leads a plagued him all the way to Snetterton where he missed overall and win its class. Porshce 911 through the rain doing the test in case it damaged the engine. After The Lotus Elite of Andrew McAlpine and Neville all, he had only entered the regularity section in order Alderson so nearly got off to the worst possible start to run-in the Porsche after a comprehensive rebuild when the little car was filled with diesel on the prior to racing at the Goodwood Revival. Fortunately Sunday prior to scrutineering, but with that problem for the car and Nick’s frustration he discovered, albeit corrected the event went much better with the Elite after Snetterton, that the fault lay with the hard racing battling with the similar car of Malcolm Ricketts for plugs with which the engine had been fi tted. With supremacy in their class as well as for the overall “road” plugs, the Porsche reacted much better to the Index of Performance. The other Elite succumbed cold and damp of a British September and ran the to engine problems at on the final day rest of the event as sweetly as it should. The Faures but not before Andrew had fallen behind thanks to managed to display one of the best performances later a clutch that failed on the way to Silverstone. He in the day at Bruntingthorpe, but missing Snetterton completed the race there at a very reduced pace resulted in penalties which kept them out of the top before his mechanics worked until 02:00 that night ten at the fi nish. fitting a new one. With revived spirits and newly John Sheldon was entered in the competition replenished drive, he went on to win his class and section with his and could have the Index of Performance. reasonably expected to be amongst the leading cars The fourth BRDC Member to be involved in Tour at the finish. Such expectations would have proved Britannia was Colin Pearcy in his MGB with Linda. With well founded, as he finished third overall, but for a the competition category split into two grids, Colin moment during the first race at Snetterton, it looked seemed to make a habit of winning his race whether as if he and Lesley Stevens would be fighting at the in the rain at Snetterton or in the dry at .

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 61 BECKETT'S CORNER

CORNER

BECKETT’S THE BEST JUST GETS BETTER The 2008 British F3 International Series was a thriller, and is the best training ground for tomorrow’s F1 drivers suggests James Beckett

he fi nal round of the 2008 British F3 moves forwards. His ’08 title rivals also look International Series at Donington set to have careers in the higher-ranking T Park saw the culmination to one of the categories, either in Renault World Series or closest battles British Formula 3 has seen the Grand Prix-supporting GP2 category. in many years. Four drivers arrived at the So while new championships and formula Leicestershire circuit during mid-October are created, and many struggle for the depth with a chance to claim Britain’s leading required to exist successfully, the reputation single-seater prize – a prize that time and of Formula 3 is such that it continues at time again has granted a one-way ticket to a pace and is the best training ground for Grand Prix stardom. tomorrow’s F1 drivers. Britain’s Oliver Turvey, ’s Jaime Differences between cars are minimal, the Alguersuari, New Zealand’s Brendon partnership between driver and engineer Hartley and Mexico’s Sergio Perez were paramount, and the involvement of the four drivers capable of lifting the manufacturers through the production of crown, and throughout another highly Above: Start of Race 1, Brendon Hartley leads 2-litre engines for the formula add a further competitive season had risen to the top Left: Sergio Perez slice of interest. Mercedes-Benz, VW, TOM’s- of a championship race that would finish Left, bottom: Oliver Turvey Toyota and Mugen-Honda power plants are at boiling point – to the benefit of British Below: Jaime Alguersuari all winners. motor sport. With F3’s jewel in the crown, the Macau Two dominant performances around the Grand Prix, adding end-of-season glamour to parkland circuit, allowed Alguersuari to F3’s world, no series comes close in what it snatch the championship from under the can offer. F3 is the complete package. noses of others. The maturity under pressure With VW supporting teams in Britain next displayed by the young Spaniard was to his season, the British Formula 3 International credit, and the British F3 International Series Series will, I have no doubt, again be in a crown went the way of a driver who many, position to be the best F3 championship in unless well-connected, had not even heard the world. The Euroseries supports rounds of before his arrival at Trevor Carlin’s team at of the DTM, ensuring large crowds, and the the beginning of the season. Japanese Championship is also strong – but, Supported by , and with the like in Formula Ford, Britain is regarded the weight of the fanatic Spanish nation world over, as the place to race. behind him, Alguersuari’s career can only Long may this continue – it’s good for F3 fl ourish as a result of his British success, and it’s good for us! and it won’t be just Alguersuari who James Beckett

62 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 SECRETARY'S LETTER SECRETARY’S LETTER

he Club is coming to the end of its I suspect, over the next phase of makes me proud. Whilst there are those Members will look forward to buying 80th anniversary year and whilst it Silverstone’s evolution for the Club has within the Membership who feel that the James a drink when they see him next T isn’t quite like the closing ceremony been intrinsically linked to the circuit for money should always be available for season, for you can be sure he’ll not be of the Olympic Games, the Club’s Annual three quarters of its existence. the Club to do what it will, the reality has far from Silverstone when the engines Awards at the Café Royal will ensure that For me personally, an understanding been, and remains, considerably different. fi re up again in the Spring! this important year draws to a close with the past helps shapes the future and it There is not a bottomless pit of money Although Jan Stevenson has only been appropriate decorum. sets the standards and tone by which at the Club’s disposal – there hasn’t been helping on the BRDC staff for a much It has, in truth, been a year broadly like we operate. The history of the Club is a for a long time – and, actually, the money shorter period of time, she has developed any, or perhaps many, others, but the something to be proud and respectful of, coming from the Club itself is in reality that instant dedication that is required 80th has also allowed for a little extra on but it should not be allowed to become extremely limited. Strict adherence to of a member of the Club staff. She too occasions. The year started with a dinner the overriding input into modern a challenging budget, a tough grip on has moved on at the end of her current at the Royal Automobile Club attended by direction; merely one of a number of expenditure and a fresh approach to how contract and I would like to thank her four very special guests. Our President- important factors to consider. The Club we offer Member events and benefi ts have publically for hard work over the last in-Chief, His Royal Highness The Duke of has always been a contemporary racing shown that an inclusive and exclusive eighteen months. Kent, KG, Sir Stirling and Lady Moss and Club and it must maintain a relevance in year is available to Members without Finally, and by no means least, David Old Number 3, veteran of Le Mans the world it fi nds itself at any stage of its driving the Club down a very undesirable Wesley is retiring from his gatehouse to 1930. Those that attended took away an history. It must always keep its eyes on the fi nancial route. This year the Club has run enable him and his wife to move closer alphabetical list of every Member of the road ahead, glancing periodically in the to a budget half that of two years ago and to their daughter in Leicestershire. Club from 1928 to 2008. It was not much, mirror for safety and reassurance, but not I do not believe that it has greatly affected David has been the friendly face at the but when you see the way that names and driving up the road looking backwards. I the enjoyment of the Club by the majority Clubhouse, out in all weathers (which at dates are thrown together in this purely think we’ve broadly got it right. I’m sure of Members. What we have achieved this Silverstone is invariably more rain than alphabetic book, it does help bring home you will tell me if you disagree! year is the blueprint for the future. shine), for 16 years and a good few Grand the depth of history with in the Club: That we have managed to put on events James Beckett has been extremely loyal Prix before then. With Gordon he formed Hamilton, Duncan 1948 such as the 80th Dinner, give a special to the Club over his time on the staff. an indomitable double act and now they Hamilton, HC 1932 80th Anniversary Yearbook, organise a Indeed, he has worked at Silverstone, on have both retired it is truly the end of Hamilton, Lewis 2006 proper party at the Grand Prix and lay on and off, since a schoolboy and a bigger an era. Thank you David, and very best An understanding and appreciation an Awards celebration worthy of a new fan of motor sport and supporter of wishes for your well earned rest! of this history is essential to the clear British World Champion makes me very the Club you could not fi nd. I am very defi nition of what the Club is about in pleased. That this has been achieved in a pleased that he agreed to write a fi nal Stuart Pringle the future, I believe. It will be critical, cost effi cient, indeed cost neutral manner ‘Beckett’s Corner’ and I am sure many Secretary, BRDC

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 63 MEMBER NEWS Member News By Stuart Pringle and Will Buxton

ir Jackie Stewart represented the Club Wellington bomber training base. The sixty and joined Dr Frank Newton, BRDC years of the circuit are represented by the S Member but also long serving local GP, six racing cars of the various decades and in unveiling a new village sign in Silverstone the sign will serve as an endearing reminder on November 9. The sign was an initiative of the longstanding and good relationship of the local community and the catalyst that the circuit and village have enjoyed was a desire to recognise the circuit’s 60th over more than half a century. anniversary. We must also take a moment to make Over 200 local residents and four single- special mention of the attendance at the seater racing cars of various eras (1936 ERA unveiling of the new Silverstone village R14B, 1958 Cooper Climax, 2008 McLaren sign of Mrs Kay Brown, widow of former MP-4/23 and Williams Toyota FW30, for Circuit Manager Jimmy Brown. She was those interested) braved wet and windy joined at the unveiling by Smith Churchill conditions to attend the unveiling. They and his wife Brenda. As you will be aware, were given an informative background to the Browns and Churchills were pivotal in the sign by Gerald Lovell, the leading light the organisation of the 1948 Grand Prix, behind the project and strong friend of and the establishment of Silverstone as the the circuit’s, as well as a personal view on home of motorsport in post-war Britain. the relationship between the circuit and Spirits were high at the unveiling of the new Silverstone village the village by both Frank and Sir Jackie. Ouch! sign, despite the poor weather. The Club was well represented by three I am sure that all Members will wish to additional Vice Presidents, the Chairman, join in sending their best wishes to Mark Secretary and a number of Members. Many Webber who suffered a broken leg in a head of the villagers - those that hadn’t blown on collision with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, away or frozen into an ice block - joined the whilst competing in his annual charitable Members present back in the Clubhouse for fundraiser – the Mark Webber Tasmanian a much needed warming drink and in many Challenge. Mark is said to be in good spirits cases, something stronger! and confi dent that he will be fi t in time The sign is situated on the junction of for the opening round of the Formula One the old A43 (Brackley Road) and the High World Championship, back in Australia, in Street. The picture illustrates Silverstone’s March 2009. history as a village famed for its wood yards, the ancient use as a Royal Hunting Bouncing babies ground and, of course, its wartime role as a Congratulations to David Coulthard and

64 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 MEMBER NEWS

Left: Congratulations to David and Karen. Above: Get well soon Webbo. Right: Another successful end to the year and another hugely enjoyable Secretary’s Challenge.

fi ancée Karen Minier on the birth of their Formula Ford Festival, was naturally fi rst child, a baby boy, on Friday November delighted. Conor, driving for the Team 21. David joked earlier in the season that USA Scholarship programme, rounded should he and Karen be blessed with a boy, of a worthwhile trip across the pond for , John Watson and invited Members, Superstars and Rising Stars he’d probably be looking at a Ferrari test Team USA following his team mate Josef members of the press, along with braved the weather to compete in the contract for the 2028 season… better get on Newgarden’s win at the Formula Ford Members of Lewis’s family who were only BRDC exclusive race annually. It was the phone to Mr di Montezemolo, David! Festival at Brands Hatch just two weeks unable to make the long trip to Brazil and defi nitely a day for a closed car and the Congratulations also to Piers Masarati earlier. Conor, who started fourth on selected other guests for a viewing of the conditions made qualifying tricky for all. who this year (amongst other things) is the grid, drove with maturity beyond his race that was beamed around the world They didn’t get any easier over the course running A1 Team and saw his team years after his team mate Newgarden by all the major news channels. Complete of the day, as the Formula Ford entrants enjoy a well earned win in the fi rst round lost an early lead and pre-race favourite with Brazilian carnival girls serving will testify, so it was with trepidation that of the year in China. This was the second and dominant British Formula Ford 1600 tropical cocktails, the assembled audience the fi eld set off when the lights went out. ‘result’ Piers had enjoyed in a month as champion this year, not to mention BRDC were treated to the nail biting race of the Nick Whale and Piers Masarati challenged his wife Lisa having recently gave birth Rising Star, Graham Carroll, made a rare season that we are all now so familiar each other at the front in 997 and 996 911 a bouncing boy Luca. Luca Masarati – a self infl icted error and took himself off at with. It was great to see BRDC Superstars Porsches respectively, steadily pulling fast sounding name if ever there was one. Luffi eld. Conor, kept his head and drove Wayne Boyd and Joey Foster being sought away from Lawrence Tomlinson in his G50 Congratulations to all three of you. to victory in the most challenging of for their view on the race as it unfolded Ginetta. Further down the fi eld the MGBs conditions, setting fast lap on the way. as were the established Grand Prix names of Warwick Banks and Gordon Bruce were Walter Hayes happenings Coinciding with The Walter Hayes in the audience. Thank goodness for the evenly matched until Gordon’s engine Honorary Member and former F1 Trophy was, of course, the Brazilian right result at the end of the race, so it made an expensive noise. Whilst it didn’t driver was at Silverstone in Grand Prix. Following the success last allowed the Champagne to be crack and rival the Brazilian Grand Prix for tension, early November to witness his 16 year year a giant screen was installed in the frayed nerves to be soothed. the race was an enjoyable addition to old son, Conor, win the Walter Hayes Clubhouse and Members who were able Secretary’s Challenge ran once again the WHT programme, although it would Trophy. Derek, who himself won the 1976 to stay, were joined by The President, at the Walter Hayes Trophy and 16 hardy benefi t from more entries next year please!

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 65 BOOK REVIEWS

close battle with , and they Fifty years on from Collins’ untimely were the new hot properties. Tommy’s star death at the 1958 , was no longer in the ascendant and he author Ed McDonough has produced a headed for the USA. very detailed work entitled “ Peter Collins Book reviews Those are some of the bare facts of the – All about the boy.” McDonough has phenomenal rise of Tommy Byrne whose benefi ted from the help given to him by The Bulletin team recommend worthy additions to your library talent, if properly harnessed, could have Collins’ widow Louise and she has given taken him to the very top of Formula 1. The some very personal insights into their life book, mainly written in Tommy’s own words together, starting with their whirlwind Crashed and Byrned make the fi nal. Thomas Byrne, as the reports but with inserted passages from Autosport’s romance where they met on a Monday and Tommy Byrne with Mark Hughes were calling him then, was soon back. He was highly regarded Grand Prix editor Mark were married the following Monday. Louise This is not a book for the picked up for the 1979 season by PRS and Hughes, who has long contended that has permitted her personal letters, written squeamish or prudish. It could then by Ralph Firman and his Van Diemen Tommy is the greatest wasted talent of the during the marriage, to be reproduced. be not unfairly subtitled “A tale team for 1980 when he won two of the last 30 years, provides insights into the After giving the Collins family of sex, drugs and racing cars”. three British Formula Ford Championships. colourful life which Tommy led in those background, McDonough has taken the Pulling no punches and with no Twelve months later he won the British and heady years and afterwards as the decline slightly unusual step of breaking the story concessions to good taste, this European Formula Ford 2000 championships set in and he found himself in some very down race by race within the main chapters is a story probably without equal in motor and was on his way into Formula 3 with precarious situations in Mexico. which proceed year by year. It is a tale racing. Murray Taylor Racing for 1982. Perhaps Tommy Byrne was born with a of so many successes interlaced with so Tommy Byrne started out with nothing By now, even allowing for the fact that one self-destruct button which sooner or later many mechanical failures and unforeseen apart from an extraordinary talent for Ayrton Senna da Silva was busy emulating would be pushed but as a story of how sheer problems – an everyday story of the racing driving cars fast and a chutzpah of which Tommy’s feats in FF2000, Tommy was the talent was able to take someone from rags to driver’s life in those days. even his fellow Irishman and future entrant, hottest property around and he was offered touch the hem of great riches, and where it Of the three young Englishmen Collins , must have been envious. And the Theodore F1 seat. This was probably a all went wrong, this is a motor racing book always seemed to be slightly in the shadow “nothing” meant just that. Tommy did not step too far too soon, not because of any like no other. IT of Hawthorn and Moss, while exuding what have enough for the bus fare to school. He lack of ability on Tommy’s part but it was might be regarded as a slightly carefree was one of six children from a family living the wrong team, one of the also-rans at the Peter Collins – All about attitude, but as McDonough explains, in one of the less salubrious suburbs of back of the grid. Despite the distraction underneath the somewhat boyish exterior Dublin. His father worked in a shoe factory of F1, Tommy still won the British F3 the boy there was an altogether more complex and seems to have drunk most of his wages Championship convincingly which earned Ed McDonough character. The family rows as well as the whilst his mother, who was teetotal and him a McLaren test drive. Peter Collins was a part of relationships with both and worked in a hotel, regularly knocked the old There is a whole chapter devoted to that the ‘triumverate’ of the up Mike Hawthorn are all brought out in this man about. day in the McLaren MP4B at Silverstone and coming young British 327 page book. From that beginning via stock car racing and its aftermath. It was the watershed in drivers in the 1950s, along In addition to the very poignant at the height of the Troubles in Northern Tommy’s career. He showed all too clearly with Stirling Moss and memories from Louise Collins there are Ireland, Tommy discovered that he had the speed but he was not Mike Hawthorn, all clearly contributions from BRDC Members Neville and Formula Ford. In 1977 he was spotted picked up and it was really downhill from destined for Formula One. Hay, Michael MacDowel, and by the then Irish Formula Ford champion then on. 1983 was not a bad year but it was Whereas Moss and Hawthorn have been John Pearson. Joey Greenan and made the trip over to the still in Formula 3, this time the European the subject of several biographies, until For anyone looking to know more about Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival, running Championship with Eddie Jordan Racing, in now little has been written about Collins, one of Britain’s most successful young with the leaders and setting fastest lap in which he fi nished third. But Ayrton Senna save for his role in that excellent book Grand prix drivers of the 1950s this book his semi-fi nal but spinning off and failing to had won the British Championship after a ‘Mon Ami Mate’ by Chris Nixon. would be a great addition to the library. HG

66 BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 BOOK REVIEWS

Portraits collection. Most people are familiar with was clearly a labour of love for the authors. A particular favourite depicts the Ecurie Jesse Alexander the life story of , from chicken The foreword is, appropriately enough, by Francorchamps Ferrari P4 of Willy Covering some of the farmer to amateur racing driver, factory Carrol Shelby. The quality is fi rst class, and Mairesse fl at out through the Mulsanne same era as the Collins driver, winner of Le Mans in 1959 (with Roy for any Cobra or GT40 enthusiast this book kink with the RN 138 stretching away in biography, but moving Salvadori) and then creator of one of the would be a worthy addition to the library the background looking just like what it on through to the icons of the automotive world, the Cobra. These books are available from specialist really is – a long straight stretch of ordinary is a new book from There followed the Ford GT 40 program booksellers including Hortons ( 01793 French highway. Not a straw bale or barrier David Bull Publishing, (winning Le Mans in 1966 with McLaren 845982 ) or Chris Knapman’s Collectors in sight. Tragically it was on that very same entitled ‘Portraits’. This is and Amon), the Mustangs and numerous Carbooks at Silverstone Circuit ( 01327 piece of road just a year later that ‘Wild principally a photographic book from the other vehicles in the years since. 855888). HG Willy’ suffered an appalling accident, while camera of the famed Jesse Alexander. The trying to close the door of his GT40 on photographs feature many of the greatest the fi rst lap after the traditional “run and names in motor sport. Juan Fangio, Stirling in Camera jump” start, which ended his racing career. Moss, and are all included but Or if you like the sound of a V8, try there are so many others – Villoresi , Schell, 1960-69 “listening” to the fearsome sight of Dan Musso, Castellotti, Surtees, Hailwood, Paul Parker Gurney storming through Madgwick Agostini, Gurney… the list goes on and To his books covering during the 1964 Goodwood TT in the on. All such wonderful, natural portraits Formula 1 in the 60s Daytona Cobra. Or a two page spread of a each with a small caption from Alexander and 70s, Paul Parker has wacky Maserati Tipo 64 with which Carlo explaining when and how the photograph There is now a collection, assembled by recently added this truly Maria Abate (shown) and Colin Davis was taken and what the connection was. Steve Volk, of many of the cars which mark evocative compilation of grappled in the 1962 Targa Florio. And so There are times when ‘photographic’ the Shelby career, and this book features 26 photographs from one on..With the cut off year being 1969 we see books are just a forum for the photographer of them, each beautifully photographed, of the most important the early Porsche 917s but not the more to show off his skills with apparently no with a full history including the details, decades of international sports car racing. famous JW Gulf versions of 1970/71. But thought given to the human interest side where applicable, of their restoration. The In 1960, as a picture of the start of that then that highlights one of the fascinations of the story. This, however, is a book with a majority of the collection is comprised of year’s Nurburgring 1000Ks illustrates, of this wonderful book. Glorious cars, difference, and I would highly recommend Cobras, with one original AC, but there are almost every car with the obvious and some not quite so glorious, in scenic it to anyone with an interest in the halcyon also four GT40s, a couple of Mustangs, and exception of the Porsches, was front- settings, exuding the era. And you can only days of motor racing from the 1950s to one of the Ferrari sports cars that Shelby engined. Two years later, a shot of the marvel at how close photographers could the 1970s. In place of a foreword there drove for John Edgar in 1956 and 1957. start of the 1962 race reveals Phil Hill’s be to the action in those days. is an introduction by Alexander himself, mid-engined Ferrari Dino 246SP and the This is essentially a picture book including a photo of him about to drive a diminutive of Jimmy Clark being but Paul Parker treats each year of the W196 Mercedes Grand prix car. HG led off by the “dinosaur” Aston Martin decade chronologically and provides DBR1 of Bruce McLaren. Turn the page both an informed summary of the annual and there is a wonderful shot of Bruce on evolution of sports car racing at the start Shelby Cars in Detail opposite lock in the Aston. together with detailed lists of all the major Boyd Jaynes And page-turning is one of the true participants at the end of each chapter. An altogether different type delights of this book. Paul Parker’s Published by Haynes and costing £30 if of publication, also from knowledge of and feel for the subject you pay full price, this book is a must for David Bull, is a beautifully At 272 pages with full colour have enabled him to select some superb anyone who wants to feel as well as see produced book detailing the photographs of all the cars, and their stage images from a variety of sources. Some what sports car racing was like 40 or more cars of the restorations ,this slip cover publication are so good you can almost “hear” them. years ago. IT

BRDC Bulletin Vol 29 No 4 67 CAR OF THE YEAR

CAR OF THE YEAR 2009 FINDING THE CAR OF THE YEAR How the 59 jury members voted POINTS 1 /Vauxhall Insignia 321 2 Ford Fiesta 320 Silverstone plays a vital part 3 Golf 223 By Ray Hutton 4 Citroen C5 198 5 MiTo 148 onfused about the number of ‘best car’ This is where Silverstone plays a vital part of 6 Skoda Superb 144 contests that you read about in magazines and the process. The UK, in common with the four other 7 Renault Megane 121 C newspapers? One, simply recognized as Car of largest European car markets, has six members of For more information and individual votes and citations the Year, deserves more attention than most. It is a the Car of the Year Jury. Even if they have driven the visit: www.caroftheyear.org single award, international, independently judged, and seven fi nalists quite extensively it is very important has been established for 46 years. to compare the cars at one time and place, in British for-money. This year’s fi nalists were two superminis, When it came to the vote, the British group But then I would say that because I am privileged driving conditions. Ford Fiesta and Alfa Romeo MiTo; two mid-range gave most points to the Fiesta but our Continental to be the President of the Car of the Year Jury which So in one day at the end of October, the British hatchbacks, Renault Megane and ; colleagues – with the benefi t of similar test days comprises 59 professional motoring journalists from group – Steve Cropley of Autocar, Andrew English of and three large family/business cars, Citroen C5, in , , Italy and Spain – were more 23 countries. There have been only three Presidents in , Phil McNamara of Car Magazine Skoda Superb and Vauxhall Insignia. generally in favour of the Insignia, which for them is the history of the contest. The fi rst was the late Paul and freelances Paul Horrell, John Simister and myself As ever, the Silverstone day changed some of our an Opel. When the fi nal result emerged, it was one of Frere, who was as famous for his writings as winning – gathered in the BRDC car park with photographers opinions formed driving these cars at their launch the closest in the history of Car of the Year: Opel/ Le Mans and driving in Grands Prix – and an honorary and helpers and 16 examples of the short-listed cars. venues, mostly abroad. Who would have thought Vauxhall Insignia by one point from the Ford Fiesta. member of the BRDC. Most of a day of concentrated driving was that a steel-sprung Citroen C5 would ride better on The announcement of Car of the Year 2009 was Jury members – from Athens to Oslo, Madrid to conducted on the roads around Silverstone, which car Buckinghamshire lanes than one with its famous made by Autocar, this year’s organizing publication, at Moscow – all test new cars as part of their normal manufacturers accept as typical of British by-ways hydropneumatic suspension? Or that a big Skoda its awards evening on 17 November and the coveted work. Their involvement in Car of the Year is by – and a tough test of ride and handling. But, thanks made mostly from Volkswagen Golf parts would trophy will be presented to the Insignia’s maker, invitation and unpaid. The modest sponsorship to Silverstone’s good offi ces, we also had an hour’s use perform so well on the track? Europe, in January. that the organisation requires is provided by seven of the circuit to explore the cars’ limits. Which explains British group publications around Europe which take it in turn to to those testing racing machinery that day why, during The adjudicating panel pose organize the voting and the trophy presentation. the lunch break, a disparate bunch of road cars were for the cameras in the British In September each year, the Jury committee draws lapping erratically and at less than competitive speed. Racing Drivers’ Club car park up a list of eligible cars that have been launched Car of the Year is just one award – there are no at Silverstone. Between them, in the past 12 months. There is no price limit but a categories or special commendations – and that draws Cropley, English, McNamara, candidate must have an expectation of annual sales the regular comment that we are not comparing like- Horrell, Simister and our own Ray Hutton judged the Insignia of 5,000 or more. That excludes the Ferraris, Astons with-like. Some years the fi nalists range from a £6,000 to be the best car of the year... and which, of course, we all like to drive economy hatchback to a £35,000 sports saloon. That but only just. but the intention is to fi nd a Car of the Year that the is where experience is invaluable. Each car has to be Images courtesy of Autocar general public will buy. assessed in its own part of the market: Is it better There were 37 qualifying cars this year, whittled than comparable models in the short-list? Does it set down to a short list of seven in a fi rst round vote. Jury new standards in its class? members then had a month to reassess the fi nalists, Jury members are asked to consider a wide range apportion 25 votes to at least fi ve of them, and write a of criteria from performance and handling to fuel justifi cation for their votes. economy, safety, technical innovation and value-

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JANUARY 8-11 AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL NEC, BIRMINGHAM www.autosport-international.com MARCH 13 SCOTTISH REGIONAL DINNER Hugh McCaig is looking to hold a Scottish Regional Dinner in Edinburgh on Friday 13 March 2009. Please pencil the date in your diary and more details will follow when known. It is hoped that the lure of the Scotland v Ireland rugby fi xture taking place on the afternoon of Saturday 14 March may encourage a few Members to travel up from the south for the weekend. 13-15 RACE RETRO SHOW STONELEIGH PARK, COVENTRY Telephone Booking: 0871 2307157 Online Booking: www.raceretro.com Members discount code: BRDCRaceRetro Advanced Booking Adult One Day: £15.00 BRDC Members Price: £10.00 27 NORTH EAST REGIONAL DINNER RUDDING PARK, HARROGATE Peter Procter is organising a Regional Dinner for Members in the North East Region on 27 March 2009. Peter has also reserved some rooms at Rudding Park for Members who would like to stay over for the night. If you would like to take advantage of this please let Peter know directly. CONTACT: Peter Procter Tel: 01756 720 664 Email: [email protected] Aintree, 23rd June 1956 Not the Aintree 200 but the Aintree 100 takes place in midsummer under a blazing sun with just eight starters. It should be a walkover for Archie Scott Brown in the works Connaught B-type, already christened the “Syracuse” following Tony Brooks’s win in Sicily the previous autumn, and sure enough Archie leads for the fi rst nine laps until his engine expires in a great cloud of smoke, causing him to park the car at Cottage Corner and vacate it in a hurry, thinking it is about to burst into fl ames. At least the Connaught has started the race. Another great British hope, the BRM P25, has failed even to manage that in the hands of Tony Brooks after a handful of laps in practice produces a serious engine failure. How diff erent it is some 13 months later at the Liverpool circuit when Tony and Stirling Moss give Vanwall the fi rst of many Grand Prix victories for Great Britain. Here Archie is seen here rounding Village Corner while leading the Aintree 100, with part of the Grand National course visible in the background. And don’t you just love those triangular wooden corner markers devised by Mrs Mirabelle Topham to keep the cars off her precious horse racing turf!

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