Brands Hatch Super Prix

The HSCC Brands Hatch Superprix meeting is always eagerly anticipated, giving, as it does, Derek Bell Trophy competitors an opportunity to fully extend their cars around the iconic Grand Prix circuit. Over the years the Derek Bell Trophy events staged at Brands Hatch have been action filled. This year’s events again packed plenty of action. If anything, our time on track, both in our practice session, and most notably our Sunday race, produced an excess of action, in the form of unwelcome car to car contact; more comment on that subject later.

After the recent heat wave Brands Hatch was exceptionally warm when Brands Hatch opened its gates to the public on the morning of Saturday July 11th. Already on Friday, a few competitors had taken the opportunity of testing around the Indy with the result that, around the tight confines of the Indy circuit, Ian Ashley in his Lola T300 had proved quicker than Greg Thornton in his Surtees TS11. Also quick on Friday had been Stefano Rosina, although he was worried that his Leda LT25’s elderly water radiator was pushing his water temperature to worrying levels in the prevailing hot conditions. From the start of Saturday’s practice, however, Greg Thornton was immediately dominating the times, ultimately securing pole with a time of 1:25.895. Next up was not another F5000 or even Philip Hall’s glorious F1 Theodore TR1- DFV but Stephen Allen’s March 782 on 1:28.803. Third was Mark Charteris, bringing the talents that normally make his Mallock Mk.21 blindingly fast to a drive in Frank Lyons F2 Chevron B29 with a time of 1:29.072. Unfortunately, having set that time, Mark lost the cam belt from the Chevron’s BDG engine, the resulting damage putting the car out of action for the rest of the weekend. Fourth, practising on tyres past their best was Ian Ashley and his Lola T300 on 1:29.326. Fifth, was Phil Hall with the Theodore on 1:29.573. Sixth was Paul Campfield on 1:30.228 in his Chevron B24. During practice Paul managed to make contact with Daryl Taylor, before  breaking the main shaft of his DG300 gearbox and taking no further part in the weekend’s proceedings. Sixth was Stefano Rosina, his Leda LT25’s cooling system still a concern, but returning a time of 1:30.339. Back in fourteenth on the grid was Keith Norris , a welcome returnee to the series in his re-configured F.Atlantic Chevron B49, recording 1:34.138 with his fresh engine , at last returned from its builder. Extremely disappointed at the conclusion of practice was Neil Glover. An off resulting in a split water hose meant Neil only managed two laps. Not having completed the mandatory three practice laps Neil would require official dispensation to start from the rear of the grid.  

After replacement of a damaged oil cooler on his Surtees TS11, with a replacement borrowed from his Mustang historic saloon, Greg Thornton led the field across the line for the rolling start of the first race. Behind Greg there was drama in the first few bends. Contact between Stephen Allen and Ian Ashley at Druids, saw Stephen’s March 782 spinning and resuming at the tail of the field, while at Graham Hill Bend, Philip Hall took his TheodoreTR1 for a major off-course excursion. With discarded bodywork littering the track out in the countryside the safety car was bought out to facilitate a clear-off. At the re-start Greg Thornton again romped into the lead . Behind him there were several impressive drives through the field. Neil Glover was making great progress from the back in his Chevron B37, while likewise starting from the back was Mark Charteris, with his faithful Mallock Mk.21 hurriedly trailered from Watford, to replace the Chevron blown up in practise. Equally impressive was the performance of Frank Lyons in his Gurney Eagle FA74, who having originally started 10th was now rapidly closing on the second place of Ian Ashley. Once past Ian, Frank looked like he might attempt to hunt down Greg, but in the end settled for second. Ian was third, a recovered Stephen Allen fourth and Neil Glover fifth.

Sunday was overcast with occasional hints that there might be rain. With Frank Lyons starting alongside Greg Thornton and Neil Glover now positioned on the third row, the start of race two was eagerly anticipated. Crossing the start line Frank harried Greg through Paddock Bend with Ian Ashley keen to join in. As Greg and Frank took a racing line for Druids Ian launched a dive up Frank’s inside, partially on the track and partially on the grass that was only going to end one way. Sure enough Frank’s right rear wheel climbed over Ian’s front left and launched Frank in a 180 degree spin in mid-air before he landed facing the on-coming field. Miraculously Frank’s Eagle was avoided by everyone. Meanwhile, his progress temporarily halted, Ian Ashley resumed in mid-field. After waiting for the traffic to pass Frank pointed himself in the right direction and resumed his race at the tail of the field. Two blistering laps followed from Frank, during which he bettered his best lap time in Saturday’s race before a drop in oil pressure suggested retirement from the race might be a sensible choice of action. In the lead Greg Thornton consolidated his hold on first position. Neil Glover now held second place over Neil Daws who, with gear ratios now better suited to the Brands Hatch GP circuit, constantly looked as though he was about pass Mr.Glover for that second place. Both, however, were caught and passed by Philip Hall in the Theodore TR1, who was finding his Sunday race a huge improvement on Saturday’s. Next to home in on the ‘twin’ Neils was Ian Ashley continuing a steady recovery from his first lap indiscretion. Past first Neil Daws, and then Neil Glover, Ian soon distanced them both but ran out of time to close the gap to Philip in the Theodore TR1. Mark Charteris having a typically fine run in his Mallock Mk.21, after his disappointment of not getting a run in a F2 car, came home in sixth.

After the conclusion of the podium ceremony, Ian Ashley was called to the office of the Clerk of the Course where he received a formal reprimand under C1.1.5 of MSA regulations for Causing Unnecessary Contact. The Derek Bell Trophy now has a summer break until we gather again at Oulton Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend of August 29th.to 31st. where hopefully we will put on some fine racing without unnecessary on-track incidents.

Written by Terry Jacob