A spectacular grid of 44 pre-War sports cars took the start of the one-hour, two-driver BRDC 500 at the Silverstone Classic on Saturday 29th July.
The BRDC 500, the oldest race in the portfolio of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, was this year organised on behalf of the BRDC by Motor Racing Legends.
Classes were based on engine size, ranging from a 996cc MG PB, up through 4.5-litre V12 Lagondas to the largest-capacity car on the grid, a 6.5-litre Bentley Speed Six. From small, supercharged MG K3s to the thundering bulk of the Stutz Blackhawk, the sheer variety of pre-War sports cars stretching their legs on the Silverstone circuit made for a thrilling display – but this was a hard-fought race, not a parade.
Sitting on pole position as the race began was the Alfa Romeo P3 of Roger Saul and Calum Lockie, with the Alta Sports of Gareth Burnett and James Diffey close on its heels. In third was a BMW 328 piloted by the very strong pairing of David Franklin and Gary Pearson. The Alta, expertly driven by Burnett, managed the strongest start and pulled into the lead, with Franklin in the BMW 328 also nipping past Saul’s Alfa in the early stages. Fifteen minutes into the race, however, a sheared rear hub saw Franklin in the gravel on the outside of Luffield, leaving Saul’s Alfa P3 in second and the little white 1500cc MG L Magna of Bob and Charles Jones in third. But there were 45 minutes, including a driver-change, still to go.
When Roger Saul came in to hand the Alfa P3 over to modern GT racer Calum Lockie, the latter immediately put in some scorchingly quick laps – on a par with the leading Alta. “It’s a great car to drive,” said Saul of his P3. “It lets you know when the tail is coming out, and lets you bring it back in again.” Sadly, technical problems brought Lockie back into the pits, losing precious seconds and relegating him to a final placing of 15th.
By the end of the race, the John Ruston-owned Alta Sports, now with James Diffey at the wheel, had lapped every other car to win by a very convincing margin. In second place, and winning its class, was the Talbot 105 of Gideon Hudson and Josh Sadler which had come up from 10th on the grid. And in third overall – and also winning its class – was the very quick HRG Le Mans of William Mahany and James Baxter, with its relatively tiny 1074cc engine. In fourth place was the Aston Martin Mk2 Ulster of Peter Dubsky, with the Walker-Taylor MG KN/K3 taking fifth overall and a class win.
Putting in a truly stunning drive was David Brock-Jest, who started his Lagonda V12 Le Mans from the back of the grid after failing to qualify. He worked his way doggedly up through the pack until, at one point, he lay third overall. The final eighth place for the Brock-Jest/Harding pairing secured a class win.
Following the race, the winners were presented with the original 1929 BRDC 500 trophy, receiving their victory laurels by the Brooklands Gates at the entrance to the BRDC Clubhouse.
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