In Brief, October 2010
• The ex-Jo Schlesser Brabham BT10 has returned to racing this season for the first time since the ’60s. Ecurie Ford France ran the 1-litre F2 car for Schlesser in 1964 and Guy Ligier in ’65. It was later used on the hills and has recently been restored by Grant Wilson for new owner William I’Anson.
• The 75th anniversary of the Limerick Grand Prix was marked by a parade around the Irish street circuit in August, with a collection of pre-1940 cars completing several laps of the original track. The first race in 1935, run over a 2.7-mile course, was watched by 50,000 people and was repeated in 1936 and ’38.
• The Roger Albert Clark Rally will have its biggest overseas entry so far when up to 10 Belgian crews line up at Pickering on November 26 for the four-day blast through classic forest stages in northern England and Scotland. Six cars from the Regnier Sport Organisation will take part, including team boss Pascal Regnier in a Ford Escort Mk2.
• One of the rare Porsche 356 Abarth GTLs starred in the inaugural running of the Royal Automobile Club Historic Tourist Trophy at the Silverstone Classic. Sadly the Porsche museum car ran its bearings in qualifying. Based on a 356 chassis with an aluminium body, it is thought just 21 such cars were built in 1960/61.
• The HSCC series for 1600cc F3 cars will carry the ‘Tony Brise Trophy’ title in 2011 in an effort to get more of the early ’70s racers back on track. Cars from the era, whether running or not, are invited to Brands Hatch on September 11 to show support for the initiative.
• There are plans to race the famous ex-Jim Clark/Ian Scott-Watson Porsche 356, registered ‘UUL 442’, more often now that it is owned solely by Tom Pead. Clark used the car in his early career and then as his everyday road car. “His name is on the log book,” said Pead.
• The Midland Automobile Club has appointed a new Club Secretary to succeed Roger Thomas, who is planning to retire. The club, which has operated the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb since 1905, has appointed Neville Thomson to promote the use of new facilities at the venue.