Drivers uninjured in nasty Historic Touring Car smash
Historic Touring Car racers Roy Alderslade and Alex Taylor climbed unaided from their wrecked cars following a violent incident at Brands Hatch last weekend.
Grand Prix Circuit debutant Taylor and Ginetta G40 Chairman’s Cup champion Alderslade had qualified ninth and 16th in the 39-car field and were moving forward at the end of the first lap. The engine in Taylor’s Ford Mustang blew on the Brabham Straight, a cloud of grey smoke unsighting pursuers, including Alderslade in his Mini Cooper S.
“As the engine went I was on the left looking in my mirrors, which were clear, trying to move right towards the marshals’ post,” said Taylor. “I’d hit the ignition kill switch and had the clutch in inside a second, then the rear axle locked solid, throwing me right. I braked and was about to tap the wall when the Mini arrived through the smoke with nowhere to go.”
Historic racing newcomer Alderslade’s Mini impacted the pitwall and ricocheted out, stopping with its left-front corner impaled in the Mustang’s right-front wing. Red flags flew and rescue crews reached the scene quickly.
Taylor climbed out first then, with officials and medics supervising, Alderslade carefully extricated himself. Both were taken to the medical centre. “He’s [Roy] an awesome guy,” said Taylor. “Because nobody could collect or drop us, we walked back to the paddock together!”