Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
The Silverstone Classic, July 27-28. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Over 1100 entries in 24 races; most of the infield of the circuit was full of various car club displays, everything from Alfa Romeo’s to two Volgas all the way from Russia; a fun fair, the BMW Ferris Wheel, loads of retail opportunities, art, food etc. You could have spent all day there and not seen a race at all.
As to the racing, it was mainly flat out and a few incidents with a handful of cars going home on trailers, less pristine than when they arrived. The entry was first class though not a vast amount of VeloceToday type cars; but a 512M racing against a Porsche 917 was something to be savored. Alas, the 512M succumbed to a mechanical malady early on in the race but the 917 was stunning. Also in the FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars race was an ex-Autodelta T33/2 Daytona. Not fast but lovely to see. I was intrigued to see two cars I had never heard of: a Gypsy Dino P271 and a Dulon Dino LD10B. Both cars run a 200cc V6 Ferrari Dino engine.
In the FIA Masters F1 race in a field of Cosworth DFV powered cars, I was very much drawn to the Brabham BT49C, a very elegant car, typical of Gordon Murray. The under-two-liter Touring car race was very much a Lotus/Cortina-fest. Mixed in were a few BMW 1800 Tis, with a gaggle of Minis biting at their heels. Waving the Italian flag in the race were two Abarth 1000TCs and a handful of Alfa 105 Sprint Bertones including four GTAs.
Alas at 6pm, the lovely weather which we had enjoyed made way for a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning thrown in for good measure. Even sheltering under a nearby Ez-up awning didn’t prevent me from getting soaked. After the downpour on a still damp track, the Pre ‘66 GT cars undertook their race, initially behind the safety car which peeled off after about three laps and left the field — which included a phalanx of Cobras, E-Types, TVRs and three Iso A3Cs — to slip and slide their way around the circuit for 40 minutes. Ludovic Caron seemed to be enjoying himself in the Daytona Cobra Coupe. Towards the end of the race the heavens opened again; so having not dried out from the previous cloud burst, I decided to head home. I wanted to stay to watch the group C race which was to be run into darkness but luckily for me, but not for the hardy few who remained behind, the race was cancelled.
Nevertheless, it was a great event with superb cars, great racing, and tons of things to do. Not Goodwood — but the next best thing.
Urs Muller from Switzerland brought his 1938 1500CC Maserati 6c chassis s/n 1558 for the Froilan Gonzalez trophy for pre-1961 GP cars, Alas it did not make the start.
Belgium Marc Valvekens’ 1956 2500cc Gordini T16-31 showing its underpan.
Ferrari 500/625A of Alex Boswell and the Maserati 250F s/n 2524 of Joaquim Folch.
Lancia/ Ferrari D50A reconstruction of Eberhard Thiesen.
Richard Pilkington in his Talbot Lago T26.
Julia De Baldanza, 1951 Maserati 6CM.
Julian Bronson in his 1960 Scarab Offenhauser chases after Tony Wood in the Maserati Tec Mec.
1960 Ferrari 246S was entered into the Stirling Moss Pre 1961 Sports car race, Driven by Bobby Verdon - Roe.
1959 Maserati Tipo T61 Birdcage of Alan and Jason Minshaw, passing Gordon Cruickshanks Maserati 200 Si.
Alfa Romeo GTA of Neil Merry and its nemesis, a Lotus Cortina.
Classic way to save ten inch tires: Andrew Hack and Daniel Wheelers 1964 Austin Mini Cooper.
Richard Parsons bounces wide in his 1965 Morris Mini Cooper S whilst the 1964 1294cc Austin Mini of Jonathan Proctor and Joe Twyman takes a more orthodox line.
1981 Brabham BT49C of Joachim Folch.
This is the car which Jimmy Clark drove to victory during his championship year. Currently owned by John Bowers and raced by Andy Middlehurst and looked after by the people who built it, the mechanics of Classic Team Lotus run by Clive Chapman, Colin Chapmans son.
1974 Lotus 76/1 of Andrew Beaumont.
1983 Lotus 92/5 of Gregory Thornton.
The 1970 Ferrari 512M of Paul Knapfield and the ex-David Piper Lola T70 MK3b of Shaun Lynn/Andrew Haddon. The 512M succumbed to a mechanic malady very early in the race.
Porsche 917 of Carlos Monteverde/Gary Pearson.
This is listed as a Dulon Dino LD10B 1970, driven by Keith Martin. No further valid information on the car yet.
And this is listed as a Gypsy Dino P271, 1971, 2000cc as being Ferrari V6 powered. Both cars where racing in the Masters Series Historic Sports cars race.
Alfa Romeo T33/2 Daytona 1968/69 Chassis 15, ex Autodelta.
Alfa 75, aka Milano in the U.S.
Alfa Romeo 155, 2000cc driven by T. Andrew. Unfortunately this car crashed into the barrier at Copse corner following a broken front wheel.
Neil Smith's 2004 Alfa 156 which won its event.
John Harper/Mike Jordan 1962 Jaguar E-Type and the 1964 Iso Grifo A3C of Jamie and Ewan McIntyre.
The Daytona Cobra Coupe of Ludovic Caron.
1964 Sunbeam Tiger Lister of Chris Beighton/Tony Eckford. At the Silverstone Media day in May I enjoyed three very fast laps of the circuit as a passenger in this car.
In the pouring rain, the AC Cobra 1963 of Leo Voyzides and Simon Hadfield.
Iso Grifo A3C 1965 of Alex Bell.
Oh, drool, drool and more drool.