GRID RECREATION FOR HSCC CELEBRATION

A recreation of a 1966 grid will be a key feature of the Historic Sports Car Club’s opening meeting of the season at Castle Combe (April 16/17).

To mark the club’s Golden Anniversary year, the grid for the inaugural Griffiths Formula race for sports cars from 1945 to 1955, held on May 14, 1966, will be reformed. Wherever possible, the original cars are being tracked down and for those that are not available a car of the same make and model will feature.

Once the grid has been formed at lunchtime on both Saturday and Sunday, spectators will be invited to take part in a grid walk. Later, the cars will complete a parade lap and will also be on display in the paddock. Several drivers from the 1966 race are expected to attend.

Historic racing ace Neil Corner (Jaguar D-type) won the 1966 encounter from Chris Warwick-drake (Lotus Mk10) and John Le Sage (Aston Martin DB3S).

The weekend will feature a full programme of HSCC racing as 10 of the club’s championships get under way, some of them with doubleheader races. A 40-minute, pitstop race for the Guards Trophy will be the longest.

“The response to recreating the first grid has been very encouraging and it is wonderful to discover that some of the cars are still in the same ownership,” said the HSCC’S Grahame White.

The HSCC is also looking for drivers, family members and mechanics involved in the inaugural Griffiths Formula race to come and join in the celebrations. For more details, please contact the club office on 01327 858400.

Other key events in the 50th anniversary season will be an extended three-day event on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit (July 1-3) and the Oulton Park Gold Cup (August 27-29).