U.K.: SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST VINTAGE AND POST-VINTAGE RACING CARS TAKE TO THE TRACK AGAIN.

Record ID: 649174

  • Title: U.K.: SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST VINTAGE AND POST-VINTAGE RACING CARS TAKE TO THE TRACK AGAIN.
  • Date: 17th May 1976
  • Summary: 1. SV Cars line up at start of Quelques Fleurs race (2 shots) 0.06 2. Drivers and cars at start of race (2 shots) 0.13 3. SV Driver starts car with starting handle (3 shots) 0.26 4. SV Race starts 0.34 5. GV Cars around bends with No. 6 (Christopher Mann) and No. 16 (Peter Mann) fighting for lead (3 shots) 1.02 6. SV Race in progress 1.07 7. GV Cars 6 & 16 around bend, with No. 6 leading and 16 taking lead (2 shots) 1.28 8. GV Cars along straight, 16 and 6 battling and 16 leading (2 shots) 1.52 9. SV No. 16 takes chequered flag 2.00 10. GV Scoreboard 2.03 11. SV No. 16 pulls up at pit and crowd watches as Peter Mann receives laurels and drives off (4 shots) 2.38 Initials BB/2000 JB/DK/BB/2130 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 1st June 1976 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KENT, U.K.
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA8ZRXO30QLYUUEAI932XMVDNL7
  • Story Text: Some of the World's finest vintage and post-vintage racing cars were back on the track on Sunday (16 May) during races at Britain's Brands Hatch circuit in Farningham, Kent.

    Over 100 cars took part in the eight races. There were Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars and Porsches and engine sizes varied from 939 c.c.'s up to the 6-litre modern sports and GT cars.

    But it was the post-vintage 1930's thoroughbreds that brought back memories of drivers like Fagioli and Nuvolari in the years before World War Two. In those days thought, the races took place at another British circuit that has since closed to motor racing -- Brooklands.

    Brands Hatch opened in 1949 and became well known for its short but spectacular course. Originally the corners followed one another in rapid succession but one hazardous bend had to be removed and the lap distance extended from 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) to 1.24 miles (1.9 kilometres).

    In Sunday's 'Quelques Fleurs Race', 17 pre-war cars took to the circuit. Aston Martins were the most predominant in the line-up , but there were also MG's, an Alfa Romeo and a 2-litre E.R.A. driven by Peter Mann.

    The race was hard fought throughout the 10 laps. Christopher Mann in a 2.6-litre Alfa-Romeo Monza had the most powerful car and as the race developed it seemed that nobody would move him from his front position. But Peter Mann finally managed to get past the Alfa and come through for the trophy with an average lap speed of 68.14 miles per hour (109 kph).

    The rest of the day was a mixture of vintage and modern events. One race was for sports cars of the 1950's and 60's. It was in this class that many of the world's famous drivers of the past first started their careers. The carts were still like those that could be seen on ordinary roads, unlike the highly developed, aero-dynamic racing vehicles of today.
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