Aurora and amour

Sir,

The Lunch With… Desiré Wilson (February issue) was a fascinating personal story and, as with any sporting history, even more meaningful when you feel a small connection to it.

Growing up near Mallory Park, from the age of 14 I made full use of a season ticket to take in every car meeting, ranging from the 750 Motor Club, to Gordon Spice Capris, Gerry Marshall in his Snoop-droop Firenza and, at one point (if I recall correctly), a brief return to racing by Stirling Moss in an Audi 80! But an extra level of glamour came to town with the arrival of Desiré and the rest of the Aurora F1 circus. It’s difficult to forget standing just six feet from the track on the exit to the hairpin as the F1 cars accelerated to flat out from a near-standing start – I don’t think my ears have been the same since but it formed a life-long love of racing.

Gavin Cawood, Keynsham, Avon