C-type racer hurt at Revival

As Motor Sport went to press, Rupert Avon was ‘stable and showing slight improvement’ following his accident in Friday’s free practice at the Goodwood Revival Meeting.

Better known for racing vintage Bentleys, Rupert was at the wheel of his father Humphrey’s Jaguar C-type XKC 005 — the ex-Wisdom car that scored the first major win for disc brakes at Reims in 1952, driven by Stirling Moss.

Avon, who at the time had set the second-fastest lap among the Freddie March Memorial Trophy runners, ran wide onto the grass at the exit of Madgwick and slid into the gravel trap, whereupon the Jaguar dug in and tipped over.

Rupert was caught underneath and sustained head and chest injuries. He was taken to a Southampton hospital, put on a life-support machine and listed as ‘critical but stable’. By Sunday, however, he was reported to be breathing unaided.

Motor Sport would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery.