British Grand Prix News

According to the official regulations the World Championship qualifying event at Brands Hatch on July 15th is the “John Player Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of Europe commemorating the RAC 75th Anniversary”. But it is going to take a very big publicity machine to stop the general public in the enclosure saying to their friends “we went to the British Grand Prix yesterday”.

This year’s race should have a field of 25 Grand Prix cars and there is a full programme of practice and racing for a couple of days beforehand. The action starts on Thursday with practice for the Formula 5000 cars at 9.30 in the morning. This is followed by Formula Three practice and then Grand Prix practice from 12 noon-1.30 p.m. and 1.45-2.30 p.m. The day’s activities are completed by a Formula 5000 race at 4 p.m.

On Friday the Formula Three cars start the ball rolling with practice from 9.30 a.m. followed by Group 2 saloons with the Grand Prix cars practising at the same times as the previous day while, at 4 p m., there is the Shell/Motor Sport Formula Three race.

On Saturday the racing starts at 12 noon with the Wiggins Teape Paper Chase Group 2 event, while the Grand Prix is scheduled to commence at 2.30 p.m. The day is concluded by a Ford Escort Mexico race. Further enquiries regarding admission should be made direct to Brands Hatch (Tel.: West Ash 331).

An interesting development at the circuit will be on-course betting arranged by Ladbrokes Ltd. Betting on motor racing is far from a new idea as readers of Motor Sport will no doubt know but it has been some time (since early Goodwood meetings perhaps?) that one can bet on the course. Ladbrokes are very keen on the idea and intend to extend it if Brands Hatch is a success. Betting on the supporting races, fastest lap of each practice session and various other aspects are all being offered.