Dawn of a new ERA

ERA GP1 raced for die first time in original trim since 1950 at the VSCC’s Donington meeting on May 31, when Duncan Ricketts ran the ex-Charlie Dobson 1939 E-type machine in the Richard Seaman Trophy and the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association events.

Despite fluctuating fuel mixture, and losing a front wheel through hub Failure, Ricketts is encouraged by the car’s feel. “It handles very well, and is really controllable even though the steering is complicated,” he said. Ricketts qualified the car – last raced in the late 1950s with a Jaguar engine a splendid fifth for the HGPCA event in wet conditions. “Every outing is a test session, but once I get the engine running cleanly, I think it will be good.” MP