Brands Hatch - Easter Monday

Racing on the extended circuit got away to a good start on Easter Monday before a crowd of 40,000. I think the extension to the circuit is a big improvement — the surface appears to be good. It is hoped to have Formule Libre cars competing on Whit-Monday. Now for the racing.

The first heat of the Open Challenge Race was easily won by Stuart Lewis-Evans. The second heat was won by Berrow-Johnson — Truman should have won but unfortunately spun off and finally finished third. The third heat proved to be the most exciting — a great battle was fought out between Bueb and Headland, and that was the result: Bueb first, Headland second.

The Sports-Car Race was a clear-cut victory for Peter Gammon in his Lotus. Sears was second in his Lister. It might have been a more exciting race if Sears had not spun off on the third lap, thus allowing Gammon to take life fairly easily.

The Open Challenge Race was won by Stuart Lewis-Evans although R. K. Tyrrell gave him a run for his money. I think Lewis-Evans will take a lot of beating this season — he is a very polished driver.

The final of the Junior Race was won by Cowley in a Cooper. In the Senior Race Stuart Lewis-Evans returned the best time of the day and also put up a lap record of 71.54 m.p.h. for the new circuit. Finally the Easter Sprint was won by J. Caddey in an Emeryson.

Thus ended an enjoyable day’s racing, notable for three things. No one suffered any injury; the organisers ran the meeting absolutely on time; and the sun shone down for the whole of the meeting on the new face of Brands Hatch. — J. C. M.

Results:
The Open Challenge Race (500 c.c., 10 laps). — 1st S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper), 69.09 .m.p.h; 2nd. R. K. Tyrrell (Cooper); 3rd: C. D. Headland (Martin-Headland).
Junior Race (500 c.c., 10 laps).The Senior Race (500 c.c., 10 laps). — 1st, S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper), 70.06 m.p.h.; 2nd R. K. Tyrrell (Cooper): 3rd I. I. Bueb (Cooper).
The Easter Sprint (500 c.c., 10 laps). — 1st: J. Caddey (Emeryson), 65.53 m.p.h.; 2nd: P. Thornton (Cooper): 3rd: C. G. Summers (Kieft).
The Sports-Car Race (1.500-c.c. sports cars, 25 laps). — 1st.: P. G. Gammon (Lotus), 63.65 m.p.h.; 2nd: J. Sears (Lister); 3rd: A. J. Nurse (Riley)