29/6/17 SCOTTISH PRESENTER BRINGS SPLASH OF F1 GLAMOUR TO IGNITION FESTIVAL   IGNITION Festival of Motoring is delighted to confirm Scottish presenter Lee McKenzie as anchor for the three-day motoring extravaganza.   McKenzie, best known for her work on both Channel 4 and BBC’s coverage of Formula 1, will bring a splash of F1 glamour to the SEC Glasgow where she will deliver exclusive driver interviews and keep fans right up to date with all the live action on the IGNITION street circuit.   The Ayr-born broadcaster, who made history in 2007 by becoming the first female recipient of the Jim Clark memorial award for achievements within the world of motorsport and the motoring industry, is the latest big name to be added to the IGNITION bill which returns to Glasgow from 4-6 August.   The event, Scotland’s biggest automotive showcase, will give fans the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of everything from legendary Group B rally cars and Formula 1 to drift racing, classic cars and motorbikes, all featuring on a specially constructed street circuit.   Cat Stanford, IGNITION Festival Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Lee, one of the most respected and sought-after presenters on the motorsport circuit. Her knowledge is second to none and she’ll have a story or two to share with our Rally Gods line-up being a fully qualified rally co-driver in her own right. We’re delighted to welcome her to Scotland’s biggest motor show.”   Lee McKenzie took time out of her busy F1 schedule to look ahead to the event: “I love anything on four or two wheels, so I’m really excited to be part of such a big motoring showcase in Scotland. It’s totally unique for Scottish motorsport fans to get to see the likes of Heritage F1 cars driving on city streets, so it’s a spectacle not to be missed.”   McKenzie will be familiar with some of the iconic F1 machinery of the past, all of which will feature on the IGNITION street circuit. Amongst them will be the BAR-Honda 006, driven by Brit Jenson Button during the 2004 Formula One season. From the onset, the car proved to be a competitor with Jenson scoring ten podiums and challenging for victory on many occasions, most notably in Italy.   Also featuring will be the Benetton B193B, home to none other than seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher in 1993, plus the Camel Lotus type 101 which delivered a 6th place finish in the Constructors’ Championship 1989.   No F1 line-up would be complete without a nod to the great Ayrton Senna who’ll be represented by the Toleman TG184, a car that delivered a second place finish in only its second Grand Prix for the then rookie driver Senna.   The distinctive F1 collection will be joined in the paddock by a vast array of stunning machinery including rally, hot rods, motorbikes and supercars.   Tickets for IGNITION 2017 are available from the festival website with prices to suit every pocket. Single tickets start at just £27.50 (pre-booked) for full day entry to the show and only £15 for a late entry single ticket from 2 pm. A single ticket plus morning or afternoon grandstand seat costs £40, while a family day ticket for two adults and up to three children costs just £70.   THE IGNITE Club ticket at £129 is the ultimate VIP experience offering exclusive access to the IGNITE Club Paddock and grandstand, both conveniently located trackside and close to the private IGNITE club bar where lunch and driver Q&A’s are included.   A full breakdown of ticket types, prices and event news can be found at http://www.ignitionfestival.co.uk/tickets.

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC - Two To The Power Of Four!

Two To The Power Of Four!   World GP Bike Legends double up to race at Silverstone Classic     500cc World Champions Gardner and Spencer to race A35s        Parrish and Costello join the exciting ‘Bike Legends’ line-up   All tickets for the Classic must be purchased in advance   A quartet of two-wheel heroes will represent a Bike Legends team contesting the star-studded Celebrity Challenge Trophy showdown at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (28-30 July).   The impressive Bike Legends squad features two 500cc World Champions – Freddie Spencer and Wayne Gardner – as well as multiple British champion Steve Parrish and renowned TT racer Maria Costello MBE.   Spencer – aka ‘Fast Freddie’ – is one of bike racing’s true legends. The American was 500cc World Champion in both 1983 and 1985, notching up 27 GP wins from just 72 starts.   Gardner’s success came later in the same decade; the Aussie ace capturing the coveted 500cc title in 1987 to become the first racer from Down Under to lift motorcycling’s premier class crown.   Ten years earlier, Parrish finished fifth in the same 500cc World Championship when racing as team-mate to the great Barry Sheene. Since then, the Englishman has notched up multiple truck racing titles and become a familiar voice to television audiences around the globe.   Costello also has a strong presence in the media but most of her awe-inspiring heroics have come on the Isle of Man. She was the first female solo rider to stand on podium in a race around the TT course and between 2004 and 2009 held the record as the fastest woman to lap the fearsome TT circuit. More recently, she stood on the Classic TT podium last year and is currently competing in sidecars at British Superbike level.   Far from hanging up their helmets, all four have recently passed their ARDS test to secure a competition licence to race on four wheels and are now looking forward to their next motorsport adventure: racing in a pack of competition-prepared Austin A30 and A35 saloons at the Silverstone Classic. Harking back to the late fifties, these nostalgic cars are well-known in classic racing circles and were introduced a few years ago by the Historic Racing Drivers Club (HRDC) as a cost-effective route into historic racing.   “It will be great fun as I could be finally racing a car that's older than me,” joked the notoriously gregarious Parrish.   Having recently tested an A35, Costello grinned: “I’ve raced on both two and three wheels but I never imagined being on four wheels on track could put such a big smile on my face.”   Both Spencer and Gardner have considerable car racing experience, notably Gardner who contested touring car championships in both his native Australia and Japan after retiring from bikes.   “I’ve got ten years of car racing up my sleeve, so hopefully that will help,” said Gardner. “I went to last year’s Classic and was blown away by the number of people and all the incredible cars. Now it’s going to be very special to be part of the circuit racing show next month.”       “Whether I’m riding or driving in anything I always enjoy it – this is going to be a lot of fun,” added Spencer. “I can’t wait to get out there!”   Boasting such an experienced line-up, the Bike Legends team must start the Celebrity Challenge Trophy race as one of the favourites to contest the title but, although the majority of their famous rivals are racing rookies, their fiercely competitive nature is likely to prove a force to be reckoned with.   While out to enjoy themselves, they will be out to win, too. Besides, there is prize money at stake! The victorious team will raise £10,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, the event’s official charity partner.   As well as gunning for glory among the jostling A35s, all four bike stars will also be performing on two wheels as part of Saturday’s dramatic World GP Bike Legends demonstration display. They will be back aboard some classic machines from motorbike racing’s golden two-stroke era as well as an exciting new generation of sports bikes supplied by Yamaha.      “The addition of bike legends was a big hit at the Silverstone Classic last year and we’ll be back with an even bigger and better show in July,” vowed an excited Gardner.   Fans wishing to see all these heroes in track action, whether it be on two or four wheels, must purchase tickets in advance. Adult admission starts at £43 and weekend camping and hospitality upgrades are available.   All tickets provide access to racing paddocks, trackside grandstand seating, live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings featuring the Bootleg Beatles and Tony Hadley formerly of Spandau Ballet, vintage funfair rides, air shows and car club displays as well as a host of other family-friendly demonstrations, activities and entertainment.   Full ticket details and all the latest news is available on the official website: silverstoneclassic.comand via the event’s social media platform

World’s Oldest Motorsport Venue To host the Vintage Sports-Car Club This Weekend

World’s Oldest Motorsport Venue To host the Vintage Sports-Car Club This Weekend

The Vintage Sports-Car Club begins the second half of another extensive annual calendar of events at the historic Shelsley Walsh, with this year’s ever-popular Vintage and Post-Vintage Thoroughbred Hill Climb becoming a two-day spectacular this upcoming first weekend in July, hosted once moTre by our friends at the resident Midland Automobile Club (MAC).

The yearly pilgrimage to the Worcestershire venue is always one of the most popular events of the Historic motoring year, as the celebrated Hill – the world’s oldest motorsport venue in continuous use – provides the most idyllic and nostalgic setting for the Club’s predominantly Pre-war machinery.

Including a full day of Practice on Saturday, followed by official Timed Runs towards the competition on Sunday, the weekend forms another round of the 2017 VSCC Speed Championship, and also sees the introduction of some invited Post-war racing machinery to compliment the Club’s traditional line-up of Edwardian, Vintage and PVT Racing and Sports-Cars.

The weekend has attracted another stunning entry of over 120 cars with a number of the season’s frontrunners taking part, keen to add to their points tally so far and claim the prestigious silverware at the headline event.

An all-Frazer Nash affair between Club President, Geoff Smith and the husband/wife duo of Simon and Jo Blakeney-Edwards looks set to be amongst the most anticipated battles of the Sports-Car classes, where the ex-Prince Bira MG K3 of Australian, John Gillett will also be one of a number of historic entrants amongst the road-going machinery, representing such fabled manufacturers of the era as Austin, Alvis, Riley, Lea-Francis, Talbot Bentley and more.

Hugh Mackintosh is tipped to lead the way in the always popular Pre-1918 Edwardian class in his Hudson Super Six Racer, whilst young Rebecca Smith enjoys another outing as ‘Works Driver’ in Club Director, Alisdaire Lockhart’s 1914/18 Vauxhall A/D Type, eager no doubt to build on her Pomeroy Edwardian Trophy success in his Prince Henry Replica earlier this year.

Look to the residents of the Racing car classes to challenge for the weekend’s overall honours, including a host of Pre-war Shelsley Specials such as the ex-Basil Davenport GN Spiders I and II of David Leigh and Martin Spencer, ever at the heart of the action at their spiritual home, who will have eyes on Best Vintage and Fastest Time of Day honours respectively.

Expect to see a host of familiar faces atop the standings, with the indomitable ERA R4D perhaps favourite for ‘FTD’ in the hands of Nick Topliss, and the likes of Tom Walker’s Amilcar-Hispano, the Frazer Nash Norris Special of Julian Grimwade and Ian Baxter’s ex-George Abecassis Alta Single Seater his closest rivals, alongside last year’s VSCC Speed Championship winner, Tony Lees in the ex-Ron Footitt AC/GN ‘Cognac’. 

With excellent viewing of the action all the way up the famous Hill and plenty more entertainment away from the track with Trade Stands, onsite catering and more on offer, it looks set to be another ‘Vintage’ weekend of motorsport so do not miss this truly unique event.

Spectator tickets will be available on the gate on both days (Saturday: £15, Sunday: £25) whilst Children Under 16 go free. Action will begin at 9.00am each day, concluding at approximately 5.30pm.

For more information about this and other upcoming VSCC events, visit www.vscc.co.uk. 

        

One of the most decorated Hill Climb cars in history, will anyone deny the

revered ERA R4D yet more success at Shelsley Walsh this weekend?

Photo: Pete Austin

SHELSLEY WALSH - FORTHCOMING DATES

FORTHCOMING DATES Vintage & Post Vintage Thoroughbreds - 1st July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb £12 - £50 VSCC 1st July 2017 SPECTATOR INFORMATION Practice Day on Saturday 1st July 2017 Saturday Gate Price: £15 Saturday Advanced Ticket: £12 Weekend Advanced Ticket: £30 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Competition Day on Sunday 2nd July 2017 Sunday Gate Price: £25 Sunday Advanced Ticket: £20 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Start […] More information Vintage & Post Vintage Thoroughbreds - 2nd July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb £20 - £50 VSCC 2nd July 2017 SPECTATOR INFORMATION Competition Day on Sunday 2nd July 2017 Sunday Gate Price: £25 Sunday Advanced Ticket: £20 Weekend Advanced Ticket: £30 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Practice Day on Saturday 1st July 2017 Saturday Gate Price: £15 Saturday Advanced Ticket: £12 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Start […] More information Breakfast Club - 9th July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Free - £3.50 BREAKFAST CLUB The MAC Breakfast Club is held once a month between February and October at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb in the Teme Valley on the outskirts of Worcester. The Breakfast Club is open to all, whether you are a car enthusiast, member of the club, motorsport mad or just like going out […] More information Classic Nostalgia - 22nd July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb £20 - £250 CLASSIC NOSTALGIA 22nd July 2017 Please note the revised date SPECTATOR INFORMATION Practice & Competition Day on Saturday 22nd July 2017 (Please note the revised date) Saturday Gate Price: £25 Saturday Advanced Ticket: £20 Weekend Advanced Ticket: £35 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Practice & Competition Day on Sunday 23rd July 2017 (Please note the revised […] More information Classic Nostalgia - 23rd July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb £20 - £250 CLASSIC NOSTALGIA 23rd July 2017 Please note the revised date SPECTATOR INFORMATION Practice & Competition Day on Sunday 23rd July 2017 (Please note the revised date) Sunday Gate Price: £25 Sunday Advanced Ticket: £20 Weekend Advanced Ticket: £35 Children under 16 Free No Dogs Allowed Practice & Competition Day on Saturday 22nd July 2017 (Please note the […] More information Black Plate Wednesday - 26th July 2017 Venue - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb BLACK PLATE WEDNESDAY Shelsley Walsh is opening its gates to a social event for those who want to display their classic cars and, at the same time, enjoy an English afternoon cream tea in the open air surroundings of the Courtyard. This event is focusing on anybody who has a 'black plate' classic car (i.e. […] More information

Three-Car Le Mans Team Reunited for XJ220 Anniversary

Three-Car Le Mans Team Reunited for XJ220 Anniversary     TWR JaguarSport line-up from 1993 to top XJ220 parade  All three XJ220Cs returned to their evocative period liveries Number 52 car coming from Japan to join the celebrations     All tickets for the Classic must be purchased in advance  Celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Jaguar’s fabulous XJ220 at next month’s Silverstone Classic (28-30 July) just got bigger and better, with news that Saturday’s record-breaking track parade will be fronted by the three-car Le Mans team from 1993. What’s more, adding to the amazing sense of occasion, all three will be resplendent in their original period liveries.   The XJ220C competition version of Jaguar’s remarkable mid-engined two-seater was launched just months after the first customer cars were delivered in June 1992 (hence the 25th birthday celebrations) and a three-car TWR JaguarSport factory-backed team was entered into the increasingly-important GT class at the following year’s running of the famous French endurance classic.   Numbered 50, 51 and 52, they were raced respectively by David Brabham, David Coulthard and John Nielsen; Armin Hahne, Win Percy and David Leslie plus Paul Belmondo, Jay Cochran and Andreas Fuchs.   Both the #51 and #52 cars succumbed to engine issues but the #50 car survived to finish the 24 Hours in an impressive tenth overall and take top class honours in the key GT category.   The XJ220Cs had been running under appeal for not racing with catalytic converters. They were later deemed to be totally legal as they had been entered under American IMSA regulations, though a month later the French still controversially disqualified the victorious Brabham, Coulthard and Nielsen ‘winner’ as the paperwork for the original appeal had been wrongly filed.   Come the stunning XJ220 track parade at the Silverstone Classic, the #50 Le Mans car will rightly be back on pole position, flanked by #51 and #52. The first (below top and bottom) is owned by renowned classic car dealer and race preparation experts JD Classics, while the other two have recently been restored to their respective former glories – and racing colours – by XJ220 specialists Don Law Racing. Sensationally, #51 (above) is coming all the way from Japan just to be part of these magical 25th anniversary celebrations.     “This really is the icing on the cake,” enthused Nick Wigley, CEO of Silverstone Classic organiser Goose Live Events. “We believe this will be the first time since they lined-up at Le Mans that three XJ220Cs team cars have been seen together, ensuring this a very, very special occasion. I must thank all three owners for helping us to make this sensational reunion a reality.”   The Jaguar XJ220 showcase will take place on the Saturday of the Silverstone Classic and will not only feature the three Le Mans racers, but also record numbers of XJ220 road cars plus the unique XJ220 van (below middle right) – a 170+mph test-bed built to enable JaguarSport to put the twin-turbo V6 engine and transmission through their paces in secret well before the final supercar was revealed.   The birthday party has also attracted some special guests, including Jim Randle and Keith Helfet (below middle left) – the former was Jaguar’s Engineering Director and the inspiration behind the original XJ220 Concept Car while Helfet penned its stunningly ageless design.   Fans wishing to be part of these extraordinary record-breaking XJ220 celebrations must purchase tickets in advance. Adult admission starts at £43 and weekend camping and hospitality upgrades are available. All tickets provide access to racing paddocks, trackside grandstand seating, live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings featuring the Bootleg Beatles and Tony Hadley formerly of Spandau Ballet, vintage funfair rides, air shows and car club displays as well as a host of other family-friendly demonstrations, activities and entertainment.   Full ticket details and all the latest news is available on the official website: silverstoneclassic.comand via the event’s social media platforms.

LATIN LEGEND JOINS RALLY GODS AT IGNITION IN GLASGOW   • Rallying hero Miki Biasion reunited with title-winning Lancia  • Italy’s only FIA World Rally Champion joins star-studded cast • “It will be very special to be in Scotland,” says Italian ace • Catch five of rallying’s greatest names renewing old rivalries    For a nation of die-hard car lovers, Italy has produced precious few motor racing World Champions. Indeed, today, there’s not a single Italian driver competing in either Formula One or the upper echelons of the FIA World Rally Championship.   Look a little deeper and, almost incredibly, the record books reveal the land of great automotive brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati has only produced one top-class F1 or WRC title-winner since the early fifties.   His name, of course, is Massimo ‘Miki’ Biasion – a double WRC champion and one of the five chosen ‘Rally Gods’ starring at IGNITION, Festival of Motoring, the high-octane celebration of all things car and bike-themed staged on the streets of Glasgow in and around the SEC from 4-6 August.   Biasion first came to prominence in the legendary Group B era when winning both the 1983 Italian and European Rally Championships. Back then, he was driving one of Lancia’s stunning 037s (photo below top left). Globally, however, his successes came later in the same decade when competing in Lancia’s all-conquering Delta HF Integrale (photo above and below top right), designed to meet the subsequent Group A regulations.   At his peak with Lancia, the Venetian was winning almost three-quarters of all events entered and, underlining his dominance, was only the second man in history to clinch back-to-back WRC crowns when taking consecutive World Championships in 1988 and 1989. In total, Biasion won an impressive 17 rounds from 73 starts, notched up 40 podiums and took no fewer than 373 stage wins – a remarkable record that speaks for itself and emphasises his true ‘Rally God’ credentials.   Appropriately, come IGNITION, the Italian will be back behind the wheel of a Lancia Delta HF Integrale, resplendent in its iconic period Martini livery (photos below middle right and bottom).     “It’s always very special to be reunited with an Integrale as it is like a baby for me,” enthused the approachable 59-year-old. “As a driver for the factory team, I was in charge of developing the car, so I was testing it right from the moment it was born. For almost six years, I spent 18 hours a day, 300 days a year in the car. Now, every time I have the opportunity to drive one, it makes me feel young again!”   Understandably, it brings back many wonderful memories, too. “It was great for me as an Italian, in an Italian car with an Italian sponsor to win two titles. It was, after all, the first time an Italian rally driver had been on top of the world. Even so, looking back, perhaps being a key member of the victorious Lancia team that won six consecutive Manufacturers’ titles with the Delta HF – a car that I had helped to develop – was an even better experience.”     As to why his nation of petrol-heads has failed to produce a single top flight World Champion on four wheels since his heyday, Biasion is almost as baffled as the rest of us. “It really is something of a mystery,” he agreed. “We Italians have such a strong passion for cars and for motor sport. Maybe it is because Italian motor manufacturers believe it’s better to employ foreign drivers for marketing reasons. I can’t find any other obvious answers.”   Whatever the reasons, Italy’s most decorated driver for more than half a century is now looking forward to joining his fellow Rally Gods and renewing old rivalries on the streets of Glasgow.     “I always love the opportunity to drive these wonderful old cars,” he smiled. “It will also be very special to be back in Scotland – a country which, like Italy, has such a strong motorsport heritage. There’ll be lots of old friends and I’m really looking forward to it.”   Rally Gods at IGNITION – Festival of Motoring   All five Rally Gods – Biasion plus Markku Alén, Stig Blomqvist, Timo Salonen and Ari Vatanen – will be back behind the wheels of the legendary cars that they campaigned in their heydeys. Twice a day – as the climax to each exhilarating Track Show – the Rally Gods will also be competing against-the-clock in a dramatic not-to-be-missed Street Stage Shoot-Outs – this time racing cutting-edge sports cars on a special gymkhana circuit.   Visitors will also be given the chance to see their Rally God heroes up close with regular autograph and selfie sessions on all three days of the spectacular event.   Building on the huge success of last year’s inaugural IGNITION which attracted more than 26,000 visitors, other notable features for 2017 include: 70 years of Ferrari – a tribute to the history and legacy of the famous Prancing Horse; the 60th anniversary of Ecurie Ecosse’s famous 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with an exclusive line-up of the team’s finest machinery; a bike stunt zone; a supercar grid to rival any featuring Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, Mustangs, Mercedes’ and more; plus, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest releases with the opportunity for visitors to buy their next car or bike at the event.   There will also be a return by popular demand of the rubber-burning Japspeed Drifters plus eye-catching displays by renowned Scottish bike stunt rider Kevin Carmichael.   A new addition for 2017, the outdoor Ride and Drive Zone will give motor enthusiasts the chance to test their skills offering a mix of off-road driving experiences, test drives, a young driver experience and the chance to ride a trials bikes.   The indoor IGNITION arcade, another new attraction, will host a range of games and experiences to cater for the whole family, including remote control drifting, simulators, gaming areas, remote control truck racing and more.   IGNITION Tickets   Tickets for IGNITION 2017 are available now from the festival website with prices to suit every pocket. Single tickets start at just £27.50 (pre-booked) for full day entry to the show and only £15 for a late entry single ticket from 2pm. A single ticket plus morning or afternoon grandstand seat costs £40, while a family day ticket for two adults and up to three children costs just £70.   THE IGNITE Club ticket at £129 is the ultimate VIP experience offering exclusive access to the IGNITE Club Paddock and grandstand, both conveniently located trackside and close to the private IGNITE club bar where lunch and driver Q&A’s are included.   A full breakdown of ticket types, prices and event news can be found at www.ignitionfestival.co.uk.

Brooklands Returns To Its Former Glory At The 2017 Double Twelve Motorsport Festival

Brooklands Returns To Its Former Glory At The

2017 Double Twelve Motorsport Festival

·         Over 100 historic Brooklands cars and bikes form a stunning Parade for the re-opening of the original Finishing Straight, 110 years to the day the circuit was originally opened

·         Ben Fidler drives ERA R4D to victory on debut in the Speed Trials

·         Riley and MG marques top score in the Double Twelve competition

An annual highlight of the Historic motoring calendar, the 2017 Double Twelve Motorsport Festival saw the Vintage Sports-Car Club and Brooklands Museum – two luminaries of the industry – join forces once more to organise a weekend of motoring competition set against the backdrop of the world’s first purpose-built circuit on 17/18 June.

However, this year’s edition marked a particularly special occasion as the weekend was headlined by the well-publicised re-opening of the restored Finishing Straight on Saturday, 110 years to the day since Brooklands Race Track first opened on 17 June 1907. 

A record turnout were in attendance to watch the Earl of March perform the opening ceremony during the lunch break, the first stage of the Museum’s £8.1M Heritage Lottery-funded Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival Project. His grandfather, ‘Freddie’ March had been an apprentice at Bentley Motors and had won the Brooklands Double Twelve at the venue in 1931 in an MG Midget before going on to found Goodwood Circuit after WW2, regarded the spiritual successor to the, by then, defunct Brooklands.

This was followed by a re-enactment of the original Opening Parade of 1907, led by an Itala as in period, and a stunning array of Brooklands cars and motorcycles, such as the 1927 Delages which claimed the top three places in the second British Grand Prix at Brooklands 90 years ago, as well as a line-up of Land Speed Record racers, including the 1911 Fiat S76 ‘Beast of Turin’, Parry-Thomas’s ‘Babs’ and of course the Museum’s own Napier-Railton.  

The gathered crowds were thrilled as much of the historic machinery was enthusiastically demonstrated over the bumpy surface of the original concrete, kicking up plumes of dust, with many drivers and passengers in period costume to create a wonderful nostalgic atmosphere.

Alongside the celebrations, the well-established competitions of the Speed Trials, Driving Tests and Concours again took place across the historic Museum site and neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World circuit over the two days.

In a change to previous years, the Paddock for Saturday’s Speed Trials had been moved to the Museum site to further incorporate that element into the weekend, with Spectators able to explore the competing machinery against the backdrop of the Clubhouse. Cars were then led through the Museum site in convoy batches across to the MB World track to perform their runs against the clock.

The event had attracted another capacity entry across the VSCC classes with over 100 Pre-war Racing and Sports-Cars in action, forming another round of the Club’s 2017 Speed Championship, so the competition was sure to be fiercely fought, as the scorching temperatures added yet further challenge for the drivers. 

Amongst the Sports-Car classes, there was success for Stuart Rose’s Austin 7 Ulster and the Morgan Three Wheeler of Simon Edwards, whilst Geoff Smith narrowly beat Simon Blakeney-Edwards in their Frazer Nash head-to-head. Regular frontrunners John Guyatt, Kevin Morton, Dudley Sterry and Ewen Getley enjoyed success again in the Darracq, Riley, HRS and Bentley respectively whilst Robin Gale continued to enjoy his first season of competition with Class victory in his Riley Special.

Club stalwart, Hicky Hickling topped the ever-popular Pre-1918 Edwardian line-up in his 1911 Sunbeam 16/20 and local Member Gary Clare defended his small capacity Racing Class title in his Vintage Special ‘Grannie’.

As anticipated, the overall accolades were decided by the day’s faster racing machinery with a number of the Club’s perennial challenges taking part. Terry Crabb was a Class winner again, as he shared ERA R12C with son Jamie, who claimed runner-up spot as well as the ‘Fastest Under 30’ prize, showing real potential in the historic racer. In the same Class, Sue Darbyshire demonstrated her skills at the wheel of her Morgan again to claim the ‘Fastest Lady’ title. Although he was unable to stake claims for the overall victory, Julian Grimwade took another Class win in his Frazer Nash Norris Special.

Ultimately it proved a battle for the prestigious ‘Fastest Time of Day’ title between Ian Baxter in the ex-George Abecassis Alta Single Seater and Ben Fidler, making his competitive debut in father Brian’s hallowed ERA R4D with the latter prevailing by a mere 0.2 seconds to defend the car’s title of last year.

The following day saw several of the Speed Trials’ Sports-Car entrants take part in another entertaining Driving Tests competition alongside an eclectic gathering of other Edwardian, Pre-war and Post-war Sports-Cars, Tourers and Saloons.

Coordinated again by VSCC Director and Brooklands Trust Secretary, Kevin Lee – Clerk of the Course for the VSCC’s annual New Year Driving Tests at the venue – the day marked the first competitive motorsport on the original Finishing Straight since Brooklands closed in 1939, with three of the five tests located on the restored surface, alongside the familiar challenges set out on the Members’ Banking and, of course, Test Hill, each to be attempted twice.

Following his Speed Trials success the preceding day, Robin Gale was a winner once more as he led a competitive Pre-war Sports-Cars class, ahead of fellow 1^st Class award winners, Colin Reynolds in his MG 12/12 M-Type and regular VSCC Driving Tests competitor, Jon Fleming’s Austin 7 Ulster, whilst Richard Wadman proved the best of the Touring Cars in his Alvis.

There were Post-war Class wins for Double Twelve regulars, Amelia Wooding (MG Midget), Paul Hopley (Rover Mini) and Marc Hanson (MG YB), and also for the Lotus Elan Sprint and Mercedes SL of debutants Bryan Smart and Jack Nulty, whilst Steve Taylor took the overall victory in his Ford Sierra XR4I.

Throughout the weekend, Jon Purser and his team of judges were working tirelessly to assess the entrants of the Double Twelve Concours competition, which featured another fantastic array of both racing and road-going machinery.

As tradition, each car was awarded marks on a range of familiar criteria, including both originality and condition of bodywork, interior, engine and chassis whilst a more subjective ‘Sprit of Brooklands’ score was also applied, taking into account patina, Brooklands and general historical interest and overall character, all in keeping with the ethos of the Double Twelve Festival.

Accommodating the usual selection of Classes for genuine Brooklands cars, Touring cars, Pre-1918, Vintage, Post-Vintage and Post-war, the winning line-up presented a wonderful selection depicting a golden era of motoring: the 1935 Aston Martin Mk II of David Bracey, John Clark’s 1958 Bentley S1 Flying Spur, John Dennis’s 1916 Packard Twin Six, the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 of Richard Collier, Timothy Jarrett’s 1939 Frazer Nash/BMW and Neil Manley’s 1962 Jaguar E-Type. 

But a well-received overall victory was awarded to the 1927 Delage Grand Prix Car of Miles Collier, one of the three historic racers that had helped headline the weekend’s Anniversary celebrations.

With the best scores in two of the three elements counting towards the prestigious overall Double Twelve competition, Robin Gale was crowned this year’s Champion in Sunday afternoon’s Winners’ Ceremony on the Finishing Straight in front of Brooklands Edwardian Clubhouse, with his 1934 Riley one of just two cars to claim Class victories in two events, ahead of Marc Hanson’s 1952 MG YB runner-up as the younger car, and Amelia Wooding, Top Lady Competitor for a third consecutive year in her MG Midget Roadster.     

The Club extends its thanks to Allan Winn and the Brooklands Museum team for inviting us to co-host again on this particularly poignant occasion. We also thank all the Competitors and participants who supported all of the competitive elements organised by the VSCC and most of all, the many Officials, Marshals and other volunteers from both the Club and Brooklands organisations.

Please find attached Results from all three competitive elements of the weekend, as well as the Overall Double Twelve standings.