The stroppy side of James

Sir,

While I’m flattered, not to say embarrassed, by Robin Herd’s reference to me in Simon Taylor’s excellent Lunch With, I’m provoked to write to you about a couple of other items in yet another compelling issue of Motor Sport.

I can confirm that Noel Edmonds’ account of his relationship with James Hunt on the Tour of Britain, recalled by Andrew Frankel, is the correct one. I had recently started work at Donington Park where the barely-outlined circuit hosted a stage of the event. I knew both of them well and they both sought sanctuary from each other in my house in the museum car park. James to my bedroom (tout seul for a change!), and Noel and Gill and PR team to my lounge where I got a first-hand account of the stroppy side of James which I knew well. They were not on speaking terms.

While writing I should say the ‘David Phillipps’ (one P, not two) referred to in Brian Shawe-Taylor’s fascinating memoirs was my father. Hawthorn coming through the bedroom window at 5am was more of a surprise to my mother, who still recounts the story to this day!

Ian Phillips, Piddington, Oxfordshire