A Change of Venue

Having publicised the 750 MC’s 6-hour Relay Race as an excellent fixture to compete in and watch, we are disturbed to learn that instead of happening at Silverstone on Oct. 15th, it is now going to Donington on Oct. 8th. The change is necessary apparently because Silverstone is to be resurfaced. But it seems most unfortunate that this fixture has had to be changed at short notice. Last year it took place in May but the very full calendar of 1977 made the October date the only one available. Unless something drastic has cropped up it seems most unfortunate that Silverstone Circuit’s resurfacing programme has failed to take into account the data set aside for this interesting and worthwhile race.

It now clashes with the MCC Edinburgh Trial, so entries may suffer, and having intended to watch it, I shall now be otherwise engaged, with vintage affairs in the mountains beyond Presteigne. Nor, at the time of writing, is it known what will happen to the MCC Race Meeting, scheduled for October 23rd at Silverstone.

As the organisers remind us, this “Birkett” race is a clubman’s classic, which, started in 1950, has seen drivers of the calibre of Attwood (TR3), Elford (Ford Anglia), Chapman (Lotus), Marsh (Marcos), Broadley (in a Special) and many others now high up in the Sport, competing and even Graham Hill (A35) and Jim Clark cutting their teeth in it. Steve McQueen (850 Mini) was there, too. Where else, asks the 755 MC, will you see GT40s, Porsches, D-types, Morgans, Cobras, Frazer Nashes, Maseratis and the like, fighting is out together? It’s great, except perhaps for the lap-scorers; the teams, of three to seven cars each, naturally have to be handicapped, which is data by restricting the total number of laps the faster cars can run. But each car can be brought in or sent out again as a Team Manager wishes, subject to this handicap.

This year the entry includes teams of DB4, Cobra, mixed Alvis team, teams of 750 F, F1300, Porsche, MG and Morgan cars, a team of Lotus Elite and of Lotus 235, Marcos, Ginetta, etc.

The race has Dunlop, Spax and Comma Oils as sponsors. It is expected that the £1.30 admission free will apply, children 20p each, with free use of the grandstands. – W.B.