A DIFFERENT SORT OF ONE-MAKE RACING STARS AT FORMULA VINTAGE OPENER
By its nature, one-make racing doesn’t inspire thoughts of grid diversity. When it comes to the likes of Ginettas, the Renault UK Clio Cup or the Mini Challenge, little more than a car’s number and livery can be used to tell them apart.
Yet the 33-strong grid of Frazer Nashes running in the inaugural Freddie Giles Memorial Race at the Formula Vintage curtain raiser for the Vintage Sports-car Club was awash with variety.
They may have all entered under one company’s illustrious history, but engine capacities ranged from 1500cc up to Justin Maeers’ 6.1-litre GN Parker.
The models spanned the 1920s through to the ’50s when the cars were running Bristol gearboxes and engines borrowed from BMW following war-time reparations.
Such was the appeal that two-time Historic Formula 1 champion Martin Stretton joined the grid along with three of the renowned racing Blakeney-Edwards family – Patrick, Simon and Jo.
It was Julian Grimwade who emerged the eventual victor, despite “playing catch up” having lost both first and second gear in his Alvis-engined single-seater during practice.
The current holder of the Brooklands Trophy – earned for scoring the highest number of aggregate points throughout last year’s Formula Vintage series – overcame a sluggish start to charge through the entry.
His car had started life as a TT Replica, to some that’s considered an unfair label as all Frazer Nash Replicas were built from the factory as an exact copy of their respective race cars rather than being mere recreations. Later, in 1936 it was converted to its current one-seat, 3.6-litre specification with 205bhp.
Throughout 40 years Giles established himself as one of the VSCC’S leading competitors and the race was a fitting tribute to the marque with which he earned great success. In return for taking the spoils 3.8 seconds ahead of Martin Hunt, Grimwade was happy: “I met Freddie’s widow, won a plate to keep for the year and then was presented with one of Freddie’s old trophies which I can keep forever. That is fantastic.”
The solid rear-axle, chain-drive cars from the pre-war era captured the attention of the packed Brooklands grandstand, the fans delighted by their controlled oversteer as they battled overheating rear tyres at the expense of outright laptime.
Also of note, Julian Majzub was running in a 1952 Mille Miglia that was once raced by 1958 F1 champion Mike Hawthorn in the French Grand Prix and British Empire Trophy most notably. Majzub added: “Then it got sold to a guy who really wanted it and so part-exchanged two cars for it – a lightweight [Jaguar] XK120 factory car, a three-litre Bentley – and a load of money.”
The Freddie Giles Race also served to dispel a stereotype that vintage car racing is aimed squarely at older competitors. Thanks to half-price entry fees for under 30s, 13th-placed Eddie Williams headed up a growing contingent of young drivers.
The Super Sports racer said: “You never get bored at a VSCC meeting. The deal is very generous and it really helps put more people forward.
“Giles was a real legend in the Frazer Nash world. He raced lots of cool cars and was a very good driver. For the older generation, he was a hero.
“[The popularity of the race] is a lot to do with the cars because they’re so unique with the rear-axle and have a special way of driving. They’re really fun to drive and really fun to watch. It’s one of the clubs people want to be involved in.”
Martyn Corfield had been challenging fellow Le Mans Replica driver Hunt in the opening stages. Polesitter Hunt tried to pick his way through to the lead with a dive down the inside under braking into Brooklands. But Corfield held strong to retake track position as they snaked into Luffield.
Navigating lapped traffic proved decisive, however, as Corfield found himself squeezed out onto the gravel while exiting onto the home straight. Two wheels kicked up a cloud of dust and he had to gather the car as it tried to break away, costing him time and four positions. Despite the diminished returns in an eventual fourth, the appeal hadn’t faltered.
“I was only 0.08s off Martin’s pole time – that was in historic racing and yet it’s Formula 1 stuff !” said Corfield. “It’s a fabulous race, just the best. Where else do you get such a good comparison between the Frazer Nashes?”