Duncan Dayton is town flyer

May 27/28
Brabham driver gives Master class in town despite a challenge from Shadowman Danny Baker

Street circuit master Duncan Dayton added four more wins to his impressive tally at Pau, including both Grand Prix Masters, during the annual Historic Grand Prix around the famous track.

Fresh from victory at Monaco a week earlier, Dayton qualified only sixth but with a change of gear ratios was in sparkling form to win twice in his Brabham BT33, chased by his countryman Danny Baker in his Shadow DN5.

In the opener Dayton scythed his way up to a convincing lead. Sadly, the end of the race was marred by a major accident that badly damaged the March 761 of Peter Williams and the BRM P126 of Brad Krause. A misunder-standing as Williams came to lap the BRM sent them both clattering into unforgiving walls. Thankfully, neither driver was harmed.

Baker, learning the challenge of Pau, chased Dayton all through the second race, but Duncan had it under control. With Frank Lyons sidelined by a battery problem in his McLaren M26 he was not to repeat his Race One podium and instead a happy Andrew Wareing bagged third in a Williams FW06.

Nick Wigley and John Clark shared Pre-66 HGPCA spoils, with a win apiece in their Cooper T51s. But Dayton could have gone with them in the first race had his Brabham BT11 not suffered a broken ball-joint as the grid formed up. He borrowed a replacement, but only managed third from the back of the grid.

Dayton also won both Pre-61 HGPCA races in his Lotus 16, but a fuel problem had his engine cutting out on the corners towards the end of the first race as Wigley (Connaught) and Clark (Cooper T43) hunted the leader down.

It was easier for the American in Race Two. Richard Shaw and Jackie Oliver scored an impressive Pre-66 touring car victory in their BMW 1800Ti, while Carlos Barbot won the World Sportscar Masters race in his Lola T70.

Jason Minshaw partnered his brother Jon to Gentleman Drivers spoils in Jon’s E-type, persistently hounded by Peter Horsman and Neil Davies (Lotus 17), only six seconds adrift after 90 minutes. “He was all over us in the twisty bits,” said Minshaw afterwards.