Electric Cars

A Weekend of Automotive Nostalgia and Fierce Competition

Celebrating Six Decades of the Historic Sports Car Club

Sixty years after Neil Corner's triumph in the Griffiths Formula race, which laid the foundation for the Historic Sports Car Club in May 1966, the ex-works/Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar D-type made a grand return to Castle Combe. Christian Albrecht initially led the Griffiths Haig Trophy race in his D-type, XKD504, before teammate Gary Pearson surged ahead to claim victory in a similar machine. Kyle Tilley secured second place in Albrecht's car, while another D-type, driven by Ben Eastick, finished fourth, with David Alexander's Lotus Elite splitting the Jaguar dominance. Geoff Thomas, a participant in the original 1966 race, had the honor of presenting the awards, and Tony Bianchi was lauded for organizing this nostalgic event.

Forty Years of Classic Formula 3 Excitement

The event also honored four decades of Classic F3, a category that first graced Combe in a British Racing & Sports Car Club Formule Libre race in May 1986. A remarkable lineup of Chevron, March, Ralt, and Argo chassis, boasting authentic period liveries, captivated enthusiasts. This impressive entry, the strongest in a decade, paid tribute to the two-liter cars from 1974-84. For the race co-founder, early winner, and commentator, the Saturday grid walk was a particularly moving experience.

Classic F3 Race Highlights and Podium Battles

Chris Hodgen, piloting his ex-Derek Warwick Chevron B38, secured pole position for Saturday's race. James Hadfield, driving the ex-Brian Henton/Rupert Keegan March 743, and Benn Tilley, in Vic Nutter's ex-Mike White March 803B, demonstrated strong performances, with Tilley remarkably qualifying third on his debut. Hodgen led the early stages of Saturday's race, but a suspension issue caused his Chevron's wing to sag, leading to worsening understeer. Tilley and Hadfield capitalized, finishing first and second respectively, while Hodgen and Simon Jackson rounded out the top four.

Sunday's Classic F3 Thriller

For Sunday's main event, Hadfield was equipped with new tires, enabling him to lead for five laps. However, Tilley's car proved superior in the faster corners and under braking, allowing him to ultimately secure victory by a narrow margin. Tilley, a 26-year-old talent, expressed his joy at the competitive racing and proudly accepted the HSCC's Marcus Pye Trophy. Gary Ward finished third, with Jackson and Fraser Gray completing the top five.

Diverse Racing Categories and Dramatic Moments

Tom Gadd extended his Classic Formula Ford championship lead with his seventh win in the Numanair tribute Van Diemen RF81. Cal Bennett, making his debut at his home circuit, dramatically overtook Ollie Chapman to take an early lead and eventually secured his first win after a red-flagged restart. Grace Parkington achieved her maiden podium finish. In Historic FF1600, points leader Benn Simms faced tough competition. Jordan Harrison ended Ben Glasswell's winning streak in Historic FF2000 with a double victory, despite Glasswell's dramatic crash on Saturday. Pete de la Roche dominated Historic One-Litre F3, mirroring the successes of Jason Timms and Richard Trott. The Road Sports category provided thrilling entertainment, with Mark Godfrey and John Shaw securing notable wins. The Guards Trophy saw Elliot Paterson and Mark Colman engage in a close battle, while Peter Thompson also made a strong showing. The Castle Combe Racing Club championships were filled with drama, including a chain-reaction shunt in the Hot Hatch race, though drivers emerged unscathed. Luke Cooper equaled a Formula Ford record but was forced to retire due to fuel pump failure, paving the way for Tom Hawkins's first victory. Dave Scaramanga continued his pursuit of the GT crown with another win.

Oulton Park recently hosted the inaugural Cheshire Cats event by the Classic Sports Car Club, drawing considerable attention to a diverse collection of Jaguar automobiles. The gathering featured both dynamic racing action and special exhibition runs, spotlighting some of the marque's most celebrated and uniquely customized models. The event highlighted the enduring appeal and engineering prowess associated with the Jaguar brand, alongside competitive races involving various classic and modern performance cars.

A focal point of the exhibition was the revered Jaguar XJR-9, the victor of the 1988 Le Mans race. This particular vehicle, chassis 488, holds a significant place in motorsport history, having broken Porsche's dominance at Le Mans. Jock Howe, one of the drivers tasked with demonstrating the car, articulated the immense sense of responsibility that comes with piloting such a valuable and historically rich machine. The 1988 triumph was especially dramatic, with driver Jan Lammers skillfully managing to finish the race despite the car being stuck in fourth gear for the final 40 minutes, a challenge he was forewarned about by teammate Raul Boesel, whose sister car had suffered a similar gearbox failure earlier in the event. After its single, unforgettable race finish, the XJR-9 was entrusted to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust for preservation and display.

Another star was Stephen Dowell's bespoke Jaguar XKR, distinguished by its classic Martini livery and a suite of high-performance modifications. Dowell's XKR showcases a state-of-the-art 8HP gearbox conversion, a popular aftermarket enhancement lauded for improving shift speed, driving dynamics, and fuel efficiency. Dowell himself considers this modification the most impactful, instilling a sense of excitement and pride every time he drives. The event also marked the first opportunity for the car to utilize paddle shifters, a feature typically restricted by racing regulations. Further engineering marvels include a supercharged Range Rover SVR engine conversion and a uniquely designed eight-into-one collector exhaust, producing a distinct auditory experience. Strategic repositioning of the engine and gearbox, along with a lower-mounted fuel tank, contribute to optimized balance and weight distribution. Despite unfortunate mechanical issues cutting short Dowell's qualifying and race sessions, his XKR undeniably captivated spectators, underscoring his reputation more as an engineer than a racer.

The 'Powered by Jaguar Race' was a melting pot of competition, uniting Modern and Future Classics. The race unfolded with Jaguars leading the initial charge, followed by a varied field of classic vehicles. Mark Chilton, driving a Nissan Skyline GT-R, showcased remarkable speed, relentlessly pursuing the Jaguar contingent. Meanwhile, an intense struggle for second place ensued within the Jaguar group between Tom Lenthall's XJS and Andrew Harper's S-Type R, a contest resolved by a bold maneuver from Lenthall. The mandatory pit stop added a layer of strategic complexity, leading to driver changes, including Tom Robinson taking over from his brother Jack. As the race resumed, Chilton's Skyline dominated, securing a commanding victory with a substantial lead. Though Craig Denman in his Lotus Elise fought valiantly for second, he ultimately fell short. Geoff Beale delivered an impressive performance in his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, earning him the distinction of 'best of the rest.'

Beyond the Jaguar-centric events, the Ramair BMW Championship delivered equally compelling racing. The second race, in particular, was a highlight, as Class A leader Niall Bradley aimed to clinch the title in his M3 E46. After securing a hard-fought second place in the first race, behind Nathan Wells, Bradley needed a third-place finish or higher to seal the championship. In a mirrored start to the previous race, Bradley initiated an aggressive move into Old Hall, seizing the lead. Wells consistently pressured Bradley throughout, until engine temperature issues, caused by dirty air on the final lap, forced him to ease off. This allowed Bradley to cross the finish line as both race winner and champion, concluding a thrilling weekend of motorsport.