Austin 7s converge at Mallory as clubs unite
MALLORY PARK VSCC AUGUST 11
The Herbert Austin Handicap race at the Vintage Sports-car Club’s Mallory Park meeting was unusual in that it presented spectators with a full grid of Austin 7-based racing specials for the first time in years. The 10-lap handicap race was the result of two clubs – the 750 Motor Club and the VSCC – joining forces for the day.
“The idea of an Austin 7-only race was mooted last year and has now come to fruition,” said 750MC’S Charlie Plain-jones. “It’s the first time in many, many years that this has been attempted.”
The cooperation reflects the shared love for the Austin 7 among those who have raced them, as well as the clubs’ long heritage in historic racing. The car’s heritage is almost unparalleled. The founders of Lotus, Mclaren, Cooper and Brabham all raced Austin 7s, while legendary engineers such as Tony Southgate and Mike Costin cut their teeth with the cars too.
This was not an event with both eyes on the past, though. Austin 7 racing was, and still can be, an ideal starting point in motor racing: plenty of cars exist, they are
easy to source spares for, and they aren’t technically complicated.
“We’re looking forward to introducing a lot of people to the delights of Austin 7s as a basis for entry-level motorsport,” Plain-jones explained.
Organising the event was a considerable effort for both clubs. But the proof of its success came in the form of a full grid: it attracted an entry of 24 with one reserve.
“You can see the fruits of everybody really coming together,” said the VSCC’S Nick Hayward-cook.
“The fact that we have a capacity grid speaks for itself that this has been enthusiastically received,” said Plain-jones.
The drivers’ ages covered a broad sweep, from William Kirk, who is in his twenties, to Tim Myall, who was 80 this year.
“It’s lovely – they should do more like this,” said Kirk. “The more the merrier, and if everybody likes these 7s and several clubs are racing Austin 7s, why not join them?”
“It’s really interesting,” added fellow driver Francesca Wilton. “In the VSCC everybody knows each other so we’d be able to see a bit of competition and meet new people who’ve got a similar interest. They’re [the Austin 7] a really good starter car, they’re really forgiving, and there’s a huge variety of them.”
Race entrants were split by ‘class’ based on which club they were from, though the rivalry remained friendly – representatives from either ‘side’ proved enormously willing to help each other with spares and the like. Yet there was only one trophy to compete for, and all entrants were keen to uphold their club’s honour.
The race was a 10-lap handicap, and while there was a touch of finger-in-air about the handicapping given the paucity of previous Austin 7 races, it appeared to work. Long-time leader James Miles – on pace the tail-ender – was only overhauled on the final lap by victor Max Fraser, who claimed the honours for the VSCC, followed by the 750MC’S Mike Harvey.
Fraser was racing his car for the first time in 15 years, and had to drive around a “significant problem” that led him to consider not starting. “I’m totally shocked, to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t expect to win at all. That’s handicap races for you.”
All were optimistic that this would be no one-off either. “This will build what we hope to be a lasting formula,” said Hayward-cook.