The racer who took it to victory

James Dorlin usually races a thirdgeneration Renault Clio Cup, so a 60-year-old Austin A35 came as a culture shock. ‘It is a totally different ball game, coming from slicks and sequential gearboxes to a little car with just 70bhp at the rear wheels and no limited-slip differential,’ admits James. ‘There was a big learning curve, but it was immensely enjoyable. It’s unlike any car I’ve ever driven on a track, but is simply terrific fun. The car is so narrow yet quite tall, so it can – and will – roll very easily. Go into a corner carrying too much speed or turn in too sharp and, make no mistake, it will get up on two wheels – and that is not a very nice feeling.’

On the Sunday at Goodwood, James started fourth on the grid. ‘I managed to get off the line quite well and got the jump on Mike Jordan, who was alongside me on the grid. It jumped out of gear once down the start/finish straight, but after that the car ran impeccably.’

As well as winning the amatuer St Mary’s heat at the 2016 Revival, out of the four HRDC races in which the car was entered in last year, James Dorlin won three and was placed third in the other. His father Peter is also heavily involved in motor sport. After racing hot rods, he moved on to rallying in the Nineties, competing in a Talbot Sunbeam. He then bought a Jaguar Mk2 with which he won the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club Saloon Car Championship twice, in 2004 and 2005. Both of Peter’s sons race, but it was he and James who shared the drive of the A35 in the St Mary’s Trophy at Goodwood.