Tale of two Taylors

Sir,

For several years now I have been researching the life and times of the late John Taylor, who perished in the 1966 German Grand Prix. I have been working in close collaboration with John’s widow Mrs Irene Peutrill, who has very kindly loaned me John’s extensive archive of scrapbook cuttings, photos and motor racing memorabilia.

For the record, John was a very successful ’60s privateer racer who was capable in all disciplines. He competed in five Grands Prix between 1964 and 1966, scoring a World Championship point in the French GP at Reims in ’66 – the last Grand Prix to be held at this classic slip-streaming venue.

Imagine my delight at seeing the article about Peter Sutcliffe and his lovely old ‘1009’ GT40 (January issue). Sorry to be a pedant, but it was John Taylor and not Henry Taylor who shared the drive to sixth place in the Nürburgring 1000Kms race in the summer of ’66. This race was only a few weeks before John’s ultimately fatal first-lap accident in the German GP aboard his Brabham-BRM BT22, when his car left the circuit at Quidelbacher Hohe in appalling weather conditions.

It was, however, an excellent article about the GT40. It’s wonderful to see these old cars surviving in authentic condition.

Ady Stimson, Bestwood, Nottingham