Photos supplied by Dave Brassington
Castle Combe, Saturday 3, October. A huge crowd, reminiscent of that in 1955, when Castle Combe held its last Formula 1 race, witnessed what was surely the best ‘Autumn Classic’ to date last Saturday 3rd October
Sixty years ago, the 10 deep crowd enjoyed the 101 mile ‘Avon Trophy’ F1 race, with the stars of the day such as Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori and Bristolian Horace Gould in action. It was also the day when the fragile BRM V16 Grand Prix car was last raced and on Saturday, spectators were treated to the sight of two of the machines, including P15 (Mk1), which won at Combe in 1953 in the hands of Ken Wharton. Other famous BRM machines on show included a ‘P48’ from 1960, the first rear engined BRM, complete with ‘ham slicer’ single rear transmission brake.
Tributes to Ivor Bueb, a Le Mans 24 hour race winner from 1955 who developed his skills at the Wiltshire track, were another highlight, whilst around every corner were further extremely rare and unusual cars from a variety of car clubs and personal owners. One of the most entertaining of those was the ‘Whistling Billy’ steam powered racing car from 1905, which Dr Robert Dyke, its owner, has developed into a novelty act like no other.
Whilst the displays were mesmerising, especially those in the ‘Danco Dream Garage’, the racing was equally magical, though sadly, a high profile incident befalling one of the most valuable cars ever raced at the circuit was a major talking point.
In a bizarre multi-car incident at Quarry corner on lap 10 of the race for 1950’s sports cars, Aston Martin DBR1/4, a former ‘works’ car which was driven by Stirling Moss and finished 2nd at Le Mans in 1959, suffered serious front and rear end damage. The other two cars involved, an Austin Healey 100 and a Jaguar XK, were also extensively damaged. The Aston, reputedly worth around £20m and featured in Paul Hollywood’s BBC2 programme on famous Aston Martins the following evening (Sunday), is owned by venture capitalist, Adrian Beecroft from London. Following the incident, the 30 minute race was brought to a premature end on lap 12, the Aston returned forlornly to the paddock on the back of a recovery truck.
Proclaimed to be the ‘best day in the history of the Austin Healey club’ by its competition secretary, Joe Cox, the pair of races celebrating 25 years of International Healey Racing were crackers. Bristol drivers featured as strongly as ever, but it was last year’s winner, David Grace, from Northants’ who claimed victory in both encounters. But it was Marc Campfield in his Healey 3000 who delighted the crowds and dismayed his fellow opponents. Hurling his powerful car around in a style which defied rational belief, Campfield was penalised by officials during qualifying after driving across the infield grass to overtake his competitors. Following both races, his antics were much criticised by his rivals, but his ability to drift his car sideways into corners such as Quarry, enthralled the crowd. However his race two lead was thrown away when his grass cutting antics got the better of him, Campfield spinning away victory to the benefit of Grace.
Oliver Chatham, son of Healey legend, John Chatham, celebrating 50 years in business that weekend, took second after brother Jack was 5th in race one after a spin. Dutch visitor, Jaap Sinke drove a storming race from the back of the grid to take 3rd in the final in his MkII 3000.
The ‘Terry Sanger Trophy Race’ for pre-1966 ‘Touring Cars’ in memory of the racing legend and engineer who lived at Westwood, Bradford on Avon, saw fellow West Countryman, Chris Clarkson take a Ford Falcon, which Sanger raced in period, to a fine second, behind the Mustang of Michael Squire. Another ‘local’, Chris Sanders, drove a strong race to 3rd in his Lotus Cortina.
Versatile veteran Ted Williams, another local driver, had one of his more unusual outings in the BAC race for 500cc Formula 3 cars taking his Cooper MkIX to 5th overall.
The Vintage Sports Car Club’s race for sports cars which pre-dated even the 65 year Combe history, featured some rare and fascinating machinery, with Patrick Blakeney-Edwards taking the win in his Frazer Nash Super Sports.
For more photos or copies email Dave at: dave@event-foto.co.uk
