55th, Brands Hatch Drama: Hunt's Heroics in McLaren's Rebirth
The summer of 1976 was a scorcher in Britain, the hottest for 350 years. Maybe it was the heat that caused the rather un-British reaction to James Hunt’s troubles at Brands Hatch, but there was definitely something in the air that July.
Niki Lauda was on pole with Hunt alongside; it had long been obvious that the championship would be a two-horse race, if Hunt could shed his bad luck and get in the game. Hunt had won two Grands Prix to Lauda’s four after the former was reinstated as winner in Spain.
At the start Regazzoni, in the second Ferrari, got alongside Lauda at the top of Paddock Hill but lost it and the pair made contact. Hunt, immediately behind, was tagged by Clay’s car as it rolled backwards, flew into the air and crashed down, breaking the McLaren’s suspension. The race was red-flagged and the damaged cars made their way back to the pits. Hunt took a shortcut down an escape road, saving him valuable time.