Motor Racing legend

Pre-War Race at Spa – from Bugattis to Three-Wheeler Morgan

Such was the variety in pre-War machinery competing in the one-hour Motor Racing Legends Pre-War Sports Cars race at Spa on 27 September, that the first-, second- and third-placed cars all won their respective classes. Also drawing much attention was the splendid Type 59 Bugatti of Hubert Fabri, the ex-King Leopold car which the Belgian racer recently acquired. Sharing with Tim Dutton, Fabri finished seventh overall and third in class.

First past the flag was no stranger to the winning slot – Gareth Burnett in John Ruston’s 2-litre Alta Sports, this time teamed with co-driver Alex Ames. Some 26 seconds behind the Alta came the 1.5-litre Frazer Nash Supersports of Charles Gillett and Justin Maeers, while sweeping to a very impressive third place was the 2.3-litre, supercharged Bugatti Type 35B of Martin Overington – impressive not just for finishing on the same lap as the Alta after a full hour’s racing, but because of the drama Overington faced to claim his prize…

Heading for a comfortable podium place, the Bugatti blew the lid off its gearbox on the last lap of the race, spraying Overington with oil and obliging him to stop on track, refit the gearbox lid, and continue to cross the line – still ahead of the fourth-placed Frazer Nash of Patrick Blakeney Edwards and Andrew Hall. And finally, a word for the last-placed but hugely popular car – the charming Morgan ‘Flat Sides’ Aero. This little three-wheeler never missed a beat, chugging determinedly around the demanding track for the full hour in the hands of Robert Towell and Charles Reynolds, to finally finish seven laps behind the winner – and in fine fettle.