Opened in 1956, the challenging 1.35-mile Leicestershire circuit, set around a lake in a natural amphitheatre, has arguably never looked better.
Billed initially as a celebration to mark 50 years of Formula Ford 2000 – the slicks-and-wings single-seater category kicked off there on March 9, 1975 – our return to Mallory Park on September 6 after a four season sojourn was like the proverbial curate’s egg, good in parts with flashes of excellence.
FORMULA FORD BATTLE TOPS MALLORY
The battle of the day spanned both Barnett Racing Engines Historic Formula Ford rounds, for Christian Goller (Lola T202), Danny Stanzl (Elden Mk8) and Over 50s winner Mark Wilkes (Merlyn Mk20S) disputed fourth place in both outings as if it every lap was a World Championship decider. Stanzl aced the first by one thousandth of a second on TSL’s system from Goller and Wilkes. Following a heart-in-mouth sweep round both rivals into the Gerards sweeper, Wilkes looked to have gained the upper hand in the finale when Goller, having mugged Stanzl into Shaw’s Hairpin, dived through the Devil’s Elbow to prevail by 0.016s. Stanzl finished but 0.231s adrift.
Out front, eight-time HSCC champion [across four disciplines] Benn Simms demonstrated his class once again. Bouncing back from an engine drama at Brands Hatch in July, Simms put the Jomo JMR7 in which he won last year’s Classic FF title on pole with a 49.798s (97.59mph) charge. For a while Cormac Flanagan (Alexis Mk14) appeared to have locked out the front row for Birmingham-built cars, but the Irishman was bumped to fourth behind Oliver Chapman (Lola T200) on a very creditable 50.018 and local man James Hadfield in the Hawke DL2B originally raced by David Lazenby’s marque’s Canadian agent Gary Magwood.
Wilkes and Paul Unsworth (Lola T200) joined the 50 second club for fifth and sixth, heading off Merlyn drivers George Townsend (Mk17) and Sam Gillis (in Julian Stokes’ ex-Billy Burke Mk20A). Ian Fernihough (Titan Mk6) bagged ninth in just four laps, gridding ahead of Stanzl, with work to do. Chris Willoughby and Kevin Stanzl, Danny’s dad, were next up in Merlyn Mk20s. Lotus 61 stalwart Dick Dixon, David Squire (Hawke DL2) and HFF chairman Chris Sharples (Palliser WDF1) completed the field.
Both races told the same story, with Simms immediately into his stride and pulling clear of Chapman and Hadfield. With ambient temperatures falling, Chapman achieved a coveted 49.860s lap second time out, staving off the resurgent Hadfield who also improved to 50.328s. Simms, meanwhile, had cemented his perfect score, 49.824s (97.54mph) securing another bonus point. He lies 16 points behind table-topper Sam Mitchell, 2013’s champion, going into October’s Silverstone deciders. Goller and Stanzl Jr are now third and fourth, three points apart, having overtaken Ben Powney (Jamun T3). Wilkes continues to lead the O50 contest from Swiss Gislain Genecand and Stanzl Sr.
JORDAN HARRISON DOMINATES IN HIS LOLA T540E
The SDC Classic Formula Ford rounds were dominated for the fourth successive event by 2022 and 2023 champion Jordan Harrison in his Lola T540E. At a circuit where works development dri-ver Peter Morgan triumphed while evolving the European spec version in 1978 – he went on to win the BRDC Esso Championship – Jordan has clinched the Pre-’82 Classic title, but mathematically could still be pipped to a third overall title at Silverstone next month by runaway Pre-’72 Historic class leader Oliver Chapman, currently fourth in the combined table.
Harrison and previous champion Rick Morris (Royale RP29) topped qualifying, Jordan’s 49.655s (97.87mph) pole snatcher 0.286s quicker than the 78-year-old veteran’s. Chapman, Joe Ahrens (Royale RP26), 2023 F1000 champ Tom Gadd (Mike Mackonochie/Numanair tribute Van Diemen RF81) and Scott Rawlinson in his David Bailey-run Merlyn Mk11A all recorded 50 second laps, outpacing Van Diemen trio Andrew Smith (FA73), championship chairman Stuart Kestembaum (RF81, destined not to start) and Alan Fincham (RF80).
Impressive novice Remy Brooks-Johnson, competing in his first event with the ex-Damien Gough Royale RP26 acquired via Peter Alexander of PA Motorsport, qualified 10th on 52.117s. Graham Payne (RF80), Russell Giles (RF77), Christopher Edwards (PRS RH02), Richard Yeomans (re-liveried Royale RP24) and young Max Warburton (Caldwell D9B) were hot on his heels.
Local lass Grace Bates (Shaw’s Motorsport RF80) cut a personal best 53.201s for P16, edging out Peter Lavender (Merlyn Mk11A/17). Mike Saunders (Hawke DL11) and Murron Parkington (ex-Eddie Irvine Crossle 32F). The 19-car grid was completed by Murron’s much more experienced older sister Grace whose ex-Tiff Needell Crossle 25F was stymied by electrical gremlins in the morning’s practice/test sessions.
Morris got the best start in the opening race, but Harrison picked him off on lap 3 and had calmly extended a 3.332s when the chequered flag fell after 24 laps. Chapman and Ahrens disputed third place, Oliver getting the upper hand before Gadd joined, then split them. While Chapman chased Morris home, Ahrens was a late casualty, his Royale returning to the paddock with a deranged front corner. Rawlinson and Smith were thus promoted to fifth and sixth behind Gadd, the FF sophomore’s speed blunted by lack of alternative gear ratios.
A lap down, Fincham was seventh ahead of ‘Coupe des Dames’ winner Grace Parkington after a super climb through the pack. Giles and fast starter Yeomans, who shadowed him over the line, rounded out the top 10, ahead of Payne and Edwards. Warburton and Bates, now lapping in the low 53s, having passed Lavender, also covered 23 laps. Murron Parkington and Saunders were also classified as finishers, but Brooks-Johnson took the nose off his Royale, bursting its radiator, after taking to the grass to avoid contact approaching the hairpin.
Morris also outfumbled Harrison momentarily in race two, before the first of two uncharacteristic spins dropped Rick down the order. Chapman thus pursued the younger green Lola to the chequered flag – either side of a very expedient one lap safety car intervention for Edwards and marshals to move his parked car from the grass on the inside of Gerards to a better resting place at the end of the barrier. Chapman and Gadd joined Harrison in the podium places following his eighth straight victory.
Rawlinson, Smith and Grace Parkington were next back, ahead of Fincham, Payne and the recovering Morris who pipped Yeomans of ninth in a photo-finish, watched by Giles in his Marlboro McLaren-esque Van Diemen, designed by David Bald-win with styling cues from the sleek F1 Ensign he had previously penned. A lap behind, Warburton and Bates – both comfortably in the 52s – finished ahead of Lavender. Saunders and Murron Parking-ton, now encouragingly into the 53s, completed the classified runners.
Mention must be made of Brooks-Johnson who, chasing a licence signature, knuckled down and got his battered Royale through scrutineering and out mid-race – sans nose and festooned in black tank tape. Surrounded by a band of enthusiastic pals recording every part of his new adventure, Remy can’t wait to race again. Bravo!
GRAHAM IS IN THE DRIVING SEAT FOR HIS THIRD TITLE IN FIVE SEASONS
Twenty three Historic FF2000 competitors – 10 started the gruesomely wet maiden race in 1975, won by Ian Taylor (Dulon MP16) – comprised the largest entry of the day. Alas championship chairman Colin Wright crashed heavily on his out lap in qualifying, buckling a couple of his long-serving Reynard’s corners and bringing out red flags. When the session restarted Paul Crosbie’s engine blew comprehensively exiting the Devil’s Elbow. Paul pulled off immediately, but marshals were faced with mopping up a major oil spillage from the punctured Pinto.
Points leader Ben Glasswell grabbed pole from title protagonist Graham Fennymore, his 46.280s (105.00mph) shot 0.405s quicker than the double champion’s. Little faster than the top FF1600s through the startline speed trap – 111mph to 107mph – the 130bhp two-litre machines make their couple of seconds a lap up through the 180 degree Gerards right-hander and by carrying greater speed through the Esses through their tyres and aero.
Adrian Reynard – European champion in 1979, spannered by legendary engineer Geoff Wyatt – and Andy Storer shared the second row on identical 47.043s times. Just 0.902s blanketed third to 10th, Antony Denham in the quickest of the Patrick Head designed Deltas heading off Reynard-mounted Marc Mercer, Jonty Hair and Greg Robertson, with Ben Tilley (in Iain Rowley’s Delta) and Steve Glasswell (Reynard) a whisker behind. The sidelined Crosbie, Fraser Collins (Royale RP30), Class B leader Andy Lancaster (Swan Lager Hawke DL16) and Reece Wood (Reynard) were in the 48s, pursued by John Moore and Alisdair Graham (Deltas) and Reynard duo Ken Thorogood and Jonathan Rose.
The Reynards of John Wilkinson, newcomer Peter Boast (acquired from fellow sidecar racer Rob Sirrell) and Neil Jenkins (Nick Foy’s period Robin Hood Racing SF76) were joined on the back rows by the indefatigable Neil Bowman in his rare Van Diemen RF78, of the type raced by future champion David Leslie and David Wetton, the latter sponsored by Linco Beer shampoo. Remember that?
Glasswell won the first race, but it took him 10 laps to shake off Fennymore and plump his cushion to more than a second. Graham had only made the assembly area with a couple of minutes to spare after Simon Hadfield’s crew welded his exhaust. Storer trumped Reynard off the line and defended stoutly for the duration. A cracked exhaust primary made Adrian’s engine sound dreadful from three-quarters distance, but remarkably sapped little power.
Denham, Mercer and Hair led the chase initially. Once Mercer was at the head of the trio fifth became his. Clubmans ace Hair – protege of Beagle designer Jim Yardley – stole sixth from Denham in the closing stages. Wood busted through from 14th to eighth ahead of Tilley, the last unlapped runner struggling on old tyres. Robertson, Moore and Collins completed the top 12, ahead of duellists Rose and Thorogood. Class B standout Lancaster retired when his engine shed its water pump belt, leaving honours to Jenkins after battler Bowman pitted.
Glasswell led the sequel initially, before Fennymore overtook him. The younger Suffolk driver retaliated swiftly, regaining the initiative on lap 5, but contact between them at the hairpin next time round took out Glasswell’s radiator, inevitably presaging retirement. Despondent, he could only watch Fennymore go on to win the race, equalling his tally of four this term. Graham thus takes a 13 point lead to October’s deciders at Silverstone, thus is in the driving seat for a third title in five seasons.
Pukka Pies boss Storer celebrated his car preparer Steve Gardiner’s 58th birthday with second place ahead of Reynard, which moved Andy past Adrian into third place in the championship table. Mercer, Wood and Hair made it a top six monopoly for Reynard drivers. After Denham spun on Glasswell’s dropped coolant at the Devil’s Elbow, Tilley netted seventh at Delta’s top rep. Rose was the last unlapped runner, pursued by Denham, tussling pairs Moore and Thorogood, Collins and Graham, and Wilkinson and Boast. Jenkins outran Bowman for a B double after Lancaster was pushed off the grid, engine overheating.
NEIL WOOD BEAT THE SEASON’S BEST HISTORIC SALOON FIELD TWICE
Seasoned onlookers were reminded of brilliant lost Leicester talent Roger Williamson’s early prowess in Ford Anglias as Neil Wood beat the season’s best Historic Saloon field twice in the afternoon at the wheel of his spectacularly kempt 105E. Neil’s best race lap of 55.039s (88.30mph) was a tribute to his car preparation and commitment.
Mark Watts’s rumbling Mustang and Tom Bridger’s BMW 1800 led the initial chase, as 500cc F3 racer Chris Wilson – running his Dodge Dart GT with the HSCC for the first time – and David Lloyd in his West Bromwich-built Jensen CV8 flexed Mopar muscle. The latter rarity is still powered by its original 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 engine incidentally.
The eclectic non-championship field, which included Janspeed trained Devon garagiste Stephen Miles in his ex-Mick Cave Austin A40, which demonstrated a good turn of speed before making an oily exit from race 1 – incorporated several Road Sports machines of both Historic and ’70s flavours. Top qualifier George Daws was unable to start the opener when his Oily Rag Racing Datsun 240Z’s brake pads disintegrated in qualifying and the hastily recruited runner was not quite to deliver replacements in time for the start of race 1.
Mike Eagles (MGB GTV8) started the race laps after the grid had departed, having only been alerted to the imminent race start as the cars left the Assembly Area. Both returned for the second race, in which they finished second and fourth respectively, Although Wood dominated the front of the pack he spent much or the race focusing on his mirror waiting for a determined George Daws to appear. George made up nine places on his first lap but took him until lap 7 to displacing Mark Watts despite setting one of the fastest laps had to settle for second, separating Wood, Watts and the lapped Bridger. Chris Wilson and a fully replenished Stephen Miles were sixth and seventh to the chequered flag.
Contested in a great spirit of camaraderie, with genial Jim Nairn in charge of paddock provisions – “they were only racing for cake” – the event marked the welcome return of Steve Martin’s ex-Dave Karaskas TVR 3000M (with a reference to ‘Triggers Broom’ rooted in Christina Totty’s car of yore, albeit reshelled on a new frame during Dave Karaskas’s tenure) and Martin Whitlock’s MGB in midfield. Steve retired from the opener with a misfire, traced to the Ford V6 engine’s rev limiter by Neil Daws, George’s father, and re-turned to full rortiness by some deft rewiring.
Big talking points were the tussles which embroiled Celia Stevens (Lotus Elan Costin replica), Anthony Warnes (A40), Stephen Chapman (Fiat 600 Abarth, before its oil cooler split) and speed event convert Adele Hunt (Mini Cooper S MkIII). BWRDC member Adele enjoyed her first race with husband Ian and a team of mechanics supported by Christianne Ireland (Lotus F1 star Innes’ daughter) and the WMRAC Foundation which provides a gateway into motor sport for 16-24 year-olds.
Final words from Danny Stanzl: “Good laugh today at Mallory Park!”
Report: Marcus Pye
Images: Motorsport Classics Media
Next event: 11/12 October, Silverstone Finals