Star letter

I enjoyed Gordon Cruickshank’s review of the new book on Hesketh, and rushed to buy my own copy. It has just arrived – pure nostalgia. As a slightly rebellious teenager in 1974, Hunt, Hesketh and their merry band dictated that they were my team of choice for three amazing years.

He mentioned The heavily censored history of Hesketh Racing, and I managed to dig out my own copy, completely devoured as a 14-year-old. I had quite forgotten the cartoons by Willie Rushton, particularly the enclosed shot of a grid scene, with two faces peeking over the barrier in the top right corner, brandishing a sign saying:

‘Sophisticated couple, Penge, seek like with view to disgusting activities’. Every time I see or hear of Penge, I do permit myself a quiet chuckle!

Peter Millgate, Haslingfield, Cambridge

Our featured letter of the month, chosen by the Editor, wins a scalextric Grand Prix prize. email your letters to the usual address

Most enthusiasts of motor racing history in the UK would know the big stars, including the great Jim Clark. Another important name many may not be familiar with however, is Ian Scott-Watson, who has recently died. Ian was born in 1930 and like Jim was raised with a farming background in the Scottish Borders. Both boys shared an interest in motor racing. Jim and Ian met at the Ednam and District Young Farmers Club where their friendship grew and ultimately it was Ian who first persuaded a young Jim Clark to get involved in motor racing.

Ian was involved with the formation of the Scottish Motor Racing Club where Jim Clark was the first president and also in designing the first purpose-built motor racing circuit in Scotland, at Ingliston. His impact on motor sport in Scotland cannot be overstated. These words from four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti say it all: “Scotland as a wee country has had incredible success in motor sport and I think Ian putting Jim into his car all those years ago was ground zero. Taking him to Brands Hatch years later and introducing him to Colin Chapman put Jim on the path to success. Jackie Stewart, Gerry Birrell, Tom Walkinshaw, David Leslie, John Cleland, Allan McNish, David Coulthard, myself, my brother Marino, cousin Paul di Resta, Jonny Adam, Ryan Dalziel, Gordon Shedden – I could go on and on – we all followed the example of those who went before us, and all that started with Jim and Ian.”

Ian sadly passed away on the 24th of May 2023 at the age of 93.

Glenn Alcock, The Jim Clark Trust, Duns

Doug Nye’s June mention of Cyril Posthumous triggered a memory of Cyril’s kindness to me in 1968.

I was a 19-year-old student at art school – given a day-release once a month to work at Car magazine, mostly with Mike Twite on a book deal to publish Prototype 1968-70. I was invited to design the book and provide the majority of photos. I did not have a car, so visiting race tracks was a challenge. This involved taking the Greenline bus to Brands and trying to find a lift to other venues in the UK, or Page & Moy tours abroad.

Because you never know unless you ask, I simply telephoned the editorial office at Motor Racing and asked if anyone was going to Silverstone for the first post-Clark F1 race. Amazingly Cyril offered to pick me up in South Wimbledon as it was “on his way”.

Armed with my press pass, courtesy of penning a monthly column in Model Cars magazine, I stood next to Cyril on the outside edge of the track as the four-abreast McLaren/BRM grid blasted off. My photo with cars shrouded in tyre smoke was my first image published in the USA.

Many of the established photographers lined the inside embankment – their images had more clarity than mine, including showing Cyril and me on the far verge. I went on to become sports editor of Motor from 1986-88, before moving into press relations with Mobil Oil and the Tyrrell F1 team.

Before that, in my early teens I regularly wrote to Denis Jenkinson with questions and comments about F1. In 1967 I got to the Monaco GP and introduced myself to him. He was charming and amused – I always wrote on ‘scrap’ paper my mum brought home from work. It had a government crest in the top corner – and Jenks presumed I was writing from an HM prison.

David Windsor, Goudhurst, Kent

In the July issue Doug Nye asks if anyone remembers the 2002 Austrian GP and the way Rubens Barrichello was robbed of a well-deserved win by Ferrari team orders. I will never forget it. I was participating in the Modena Cento Ore event that weekend and on that day we stopped for coffee between special stages at a cafe in Emilia-Romagna as we knew that the race must still be on TV.

The cafe was bursting with avid tifosi who were cheering Rubens on very noisily. When the fateful concession was made by him to Michael for the victory, the tifosi erupted with booing and angry words, all directed at their beloved Ferrari. The crowd was disgusted, as was I, and I wonder if they ever felt the same about Ferrari and its management after that.

It was a shame Jean Todt was not there to witness the outrage at his decision by his most loyal fans.

Dennis Thalmann, Ladenburg, Germany

Damien Smith’s piece on Jody’s prang at Silverstone in 1973 reminded me of my experience of that day. 1973 was my third British GP but for my student mates Rob and Al it was their first. My words of wisdom about being queued up at 5am went unheeded and an excellent disco tent on the evening before the race resulted in us groggily waking at about 10am!

Club Corner is our only hope, says I, but Rob is adamant that he wants to see the start. No chance, says I – but we end up walking towards Copse when we spy a gap in the  crowd by the spectator bridge. We edge our way down and suddenly we’re up against the fence with the cars lining up on their dummy grid. They edge forward onto the grid proper, the flag falls and they’re off.

At the end of the first lap, Jody does his thing and the noise of cars banging into each other is almost overpowering. One of Scheckter’s front wheels rolls up to our section of fence (with the McLaren rising-rate suspension still attached) and Williamson’s wrecked March is smoking right in front of us.

Rob looks at me and witheringly says, “Club Corner indeed!” Great days!

I always felt that Revson was partially responsible for the mayhem that followed Jody’s graceful spin. I think he saw a chance of gaining a few places and kept his foot in while Hulme, Cevert and others lifted.
Hence it was Revson – inside Hulme – who flicked Scheckter’s rear wing off (to flutter down and clatter Hunt’s airbox) and potentially confuse the following pack.

James Morton, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Reading through the July 2023 edition of Motor Sport, and in particular the article on the 1973 British Grand Prix, reminded me that it was in August 1973 that I bought my very first copy of your magazine. Whilst on holiday with my parents in North Wales, I recall going into the local newsagent looking for some reading material that would ignite my (just) pre-teenage imagination.

Browsing through the pages of your August 1973 edition, I was instantly captivated by the colour and glamour of the centre section which included photographs from the recent French and British grands prix, in particular the image of Ronnie Peterson powering through Woodcote in the JPS-Lotus 72E.

On that day my interest in motor racing, and Formula 1 in particular, was born. It still thrives today, due in no small part to Motor Sport. Through the pages of your magazine I have been absorbed by the highs and lows of the most exciting of sports; the carefree days of the 1970s, the political turmoil of the ’80s, right through to today’s world of corporate domination.

Very occasionally I feel Motor Sport is not quite the magazine it used to be. Maybe one too many adverts for watches or gift items outside the means of the average man in the street.

However, all faith is restored when I read an article such as ‘Eddie’s Big Solo’ in the July issue. What a story! Keep up the good work.

Oliver Venning, Chippenham, Wiltshire

Whilst the world and Formula 1 have changed beyond all recognition over the past 50 years my enthusiasm for the sport as it is today, and its history, remains. Although the days of being able to wander around the paddock at the International Trophy, collecting the autographs of the stars of the day – James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Mario Andretti etc – have long gone, the two hours of a grand prix (whether live or on TV) can still provide the level of excitement discovered all those years ago.

I still have that August 1973 copy and look forward to reading the August 2023 edition.

To everyone at the magazine, thank you and keep up the good work. In the modern world of social platforms and ‘media hype’, it is reassuring to be able to rely on Motor Sport to provide a balanced, informative and interesting perspective.

Michael Lomas, Llang

Our August 1973 edition which inspired one reader to a lifetime passion for the sport

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