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Vintage Racing Thrills at Silverstone: Bridging Past and Present
The annual Vintage Sports-Car Club Spring Start event at Silverstone evoked the spirit of 1950s Indianapolis as two formidable front-engined Kurtis Roadsters clashed for the prestigious Patrick Lindsay Memorial Trophy. Traditionally dominated by ERAs, this year’s competition featured Geraint Owen and Fred Harper engaging in a thrilling duel in their mid-1950s Indy cars.
Harper initially surged ahead at the start, but Owen fought tenaciously and soon claimed the lead, ultimately securing the trophy for the first time in his career. Although the two were closely matched for several laps, Owen managed to pull a few seconds clear before celebrating his victory. On the podium, he expressed his gratitude toward Harper, acknowledging the crucial role his rival played in preparing his car. “My car’s only here because of the work Fred did on it last year,” Owen remarked, referring to the engine troubles Harper had resolved.
Reflecting on the intense race, Owen shared, “I just had to chase and chase, and it was great fun. Going through Woodcote was quite a lot of elbows and one lap we were side-by-side. That’s about as close to Indy as you’re going to get at Silverstone!” Harper, despite his car sputtering as it crossed the finish line, was satisfied with his performance.
In a poignant nod to racing history, Peter Greenfield rounded out the podium in his exquisite Alfa Romeo 158 replica, a reminiscent sight 74 years and 11 months after Giuseppe Farina’s victory in the first-ever world championship grand prix in a similar vehicle.
Michael O’Brien’s Impressive Debut with Brabham BT16
In another highlight of the event, Michael O’Brien made a remarkable entrance in the freshly restored 1965 Formula 2 Brabham BT16, competing with a one-litre SCA engine. O’Brien faced concerns about his car’s straight-line speed in the pre-’66 rear-engined racing category. However, his exceptional driving saw him outpace Jon Milicevic’s Formula Junior Cooper T59, with Nick Topliss claiming third place in his Cooper T53.
The Frazer Nash marque celebrated a stellar day, achieving four significant victories. Patrick Blakeney-Edwards fought hard to triumph in the GP Itala Trophy race for pre-war models, narrowly defeating Edward Williams in Julian Bronson’s Riley Blue Streak by just four-tenths of a second. Justin Maeers captivated the audience by executing a stylish oversteer to secure the final podium position. This win marked Blakeney-Edwards’ fifth Itala victory in under a decade.
Robert Beebee and Theo Hunt also enjoyed success aboard their Frazer Nash TT Replicas, with Beebee winning the Fox and Nicholl Trophy race for the first time, despite strong competition from Sue Darbyshire in her Morgan Super Aero. Adam Moody initially set a brisk pace in his Riley TT Sprite but suffered a setback due to a misfire, while Hunt exuberantly claimed victory in the VSCC Specials race, aided by Jeremy Flann’s handicap triumph in his Super Sport.
The FISCAR contest, despite an early red flag, delivered exhilarating action. David Cottingham and Scott Redding steered their Ferrari 500 TRC to the front of a packed field. Maintaining the Frazer Nash’s prominence, Martin and Theo Hunt showcased their Le Mans Replica, finishing impressively in second place.
Conclusion
The Silverstone event not only highlighted the prowess of vintage racing but also celebrated a legacy of automotive excellence. As participants and fans reminisced about past glories, they also looked forward to the continuation of this cherished tradition in motorsport.
Source
www.autosport.com