Monaco Grand Prix Historique

God Save the Queen rang out for six of the seven races at the eighth Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, as British drivers – plus Kiwi Roger Wills – stamped their mark on the prestigious biennial event.

American Duncan Dayton proved the exception to the rule, thanks to a brilliant drive from the back of the grid to win the Pre-73 Formula 1 race for 3-litre cars in his Brabham BT33. Highcroft Racing boss Dayton, who has won more historic races at the Principality than any other, made up nine places on the irst lap alone, as Andrew Smith led away in his March 701. Smith looked to have the race in his pocket, only for his ex-Jackie Stewart car to hit trouble and leave him third by the flag. Meanwhile, Dayton had to pass Michael Fitzgerald’s March 711 twice to take the victory after an excursion up a slip road. He then streaked away to win by 25 seconds.

Dayton could also have won the Pre-61 F1 race, only to spin off at Ste Devote in his Lotus 16. Wills’ Cooper T51 took the win from Gary Pearson’s BRM P25.

Alex Buncombe led all the way in his Jaguar C-type to claim Pre-53 sports car honours, while Julian Bronson headed an ERA 1-2-3-4 in the Pre-52 Voiturette thrash.

Andy Middlehurst was the class of the Pre-65 F1 ield, as he so often is, driving his ex-Jim Clark Lotus 25. Sid Hoole (Cooper T66) and Lord Paul Drayson (Lotus 24-BRM) were left in his wake.

Ben Barker’s Lola led all the way in an incident-packed Formula 3 race. The gap covering Barker, Matteo Marzotto and ex-Minardi F1 driver Paolo Barilla at the flag was just three seconds.

Michael Lyons romped to victory in the Pre-78 F1 race, surviving three attempts to start the race in heavy rain that left the track water-logged. Ollie Hancock starred in his irst race driving an F1 car, only to understeer his Durex-sponsored Surtees into the barriers at the hairpin on the last lap. That left Bobby VerdonRoe’s McLaren M26 to take second place, albeit 50 seconds down on Lyons.

Kerry Dunlop