News in brief, June 2004

Racing car builder Cyril Kieft (above) has died, aged 92. Kieft and Stirling Moss challenged Cooper’s 500cc rule in 1951, and Don Parker won the ’52 and ’53 500 titles in the cars. Cyril Kieft’s ambitious plans included an F1 car, built in 1954 but only completed in 2003; the marque faded after he sold out in ’54. A fuller appreciation will follow in next month’s issue.

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Discussions have opened between Grand Prix Masters and the American Historic Motor Sport Association about a joint venture for 3-litre F1 cars early in 2005. A fly-away race is planned, leading to suggestions of an event at one of the new facilities in the Middle East.

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American racer Warren Spieker has brought his ex-works 1932 Alfa Romeo P3 to Europe for a summer tour. Based in Gloucestershire for the season, Spieker will tackle a variety of major events in the P3, a Lotus 23B, a Brabham BT6 and a Lola Mk2. The P3 went to Australia before WWII and its original engine was en route to Italy by sea during the war when the ship was sunk.

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A plaque celebrating the life of Archie Scott-Brown will soon be placed on his former home in Hills Road, Cambridge. The unveiling has been timed to follow the 50th anniversary of his first outing in a Lister at Snetterton in April 1954.

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The 40th anniversary of John Surtees’ F1 world title will be marked by a dinner at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire on June 29. The event will benefit NARA, the breathing charity, and will be capped by the unveiling of a full-size replica of the Ferrari 158 that Surtees raced in ’64.