Brands Hatch GP curcuit goes out roaring

Historic races bade farewell to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit at the HSCC’s annual Historic Superprix on July 3/4 in one of the most thrilling meetings ever to greet the soon-to-be radically revised Kent circuit.

Formula One cars were the stars with Duncan Dayton and John Beasley’s Brabhams sandwiching Paul Alexander’s BRM P261 in a fascinating Pre-’66 Grand Prix car encounter while 23 years after Jody Scheckter won the Swedish GP in its predecessor, the ’77-spec six’wheeled Tyrrell P34 of Martin Stretton struck gold in the FIA Thoroughbred GP round. Stretton was driving in typically spectacular style when Bob Berridge’s leading Williams FW08 faltered for the first time this season, with spark box failure.

Charles Agg’s Can-Am March 707 was set to win a stunning RJB Thundersports encounter when it became trapped among midfielders on the charge to the line. Having read the situation better, Chris Johnson’s Lola-DFV and Mike Wilds’ gallant 2-litre Chevron dived past in the last dash to the flag.

Cooper Monacos dominated the busy BRDC Historic Sportscar event, last dress rehearsal for the Coys Festival showpiece. Frank Sytner won from John Harper, and the Lister-Jaguars of Gary Pearson and Nick Linney. Coys chairman Jeffrey Pattinson took over the points lead in his Aston Martin DB3S as John Clark’s Cooper Bobtail crashed out.

The Demon Tweeks team’s Jaguar E-type of Jon and Jason Minshaw won the annual Three Hour enduro from the consistent Alpine-Renault of Marc Peccolo/Gerard Besson which did not need fuel at the stop. Superb racing across the board typified the Historic movement’s depth.