PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE SMITH
Once again my traditional season opening meeting was held over two days, with a good crowd on both days. Weather update – Saturday cold [what’s new!] and dry – Sunday not quite as cold and dry again. Much excitement for us Trident fans as we were treated to four Maserati race wins!!
Saturday – The Patrick Lindsay Memorial and Amschel Rothschild Trophies Race – race length 15 minutes.
Entered for this race were Tony Wood [Tec-Mec] and Neil Perkins [6CM #1532.] An error by Tony Wood at the start let Marshall Bailey [Lotus 16] lead. Tony took the lead on the second lap and came home for a well-deserved victory with Marshall keeping the pressure on right up to the chequered flag, the next three places were taken by ERAs and Neil Perkins [6CM] came home 18th.
Saturday – Fox and Nicholl Trophy Race – race length 10 minutes.
Adam Painter had entered his 4CS [#1126] for this race. Adam started ninth and finished ninth; with 31 cars finishing this was a fine effort. The winner was Frederic Wakeman in a Frazer Nash Super Sports.
Saturday – The George Abecassis Trophy Race – race length 30 minutes.
Steve Hart was entered for this race in Gordon McCulloch’s 200SI [#2408] due to Gordon taking part in the Tour Auto. This race attracted two HW Altas, four HWM-Jaguars and one very rare [and very noisy] Veritas. A great victory for our very own Steve Hart in Gordon McCullough’s 200SI with Nick Finburgh second in a C-type Jaguar.
Sunday – The Bruce Spollon Memorial, Ten Tenths Vintage Racing and Sean Danaher Restorations pre-war Continental Trophies – race length 10 minutes.
Sean Danaher was to drive his majestic 8CM [#3009] plus Calum Lockie was to drive Sean’s 6CM [#1556] complete with centre throttle. Another win for the Trident; Calum Lockie [6CM] won by 28.25 seconds from Paddins Dowling [ERA R10B] with Ben Fidler [ERA AJM1] third, Sean Danaher finished eighth in his 8CM.
Sunday – The Halford Trophy for Vintage “Special” Race Cars – race length 15 minutes.
Tony Wood was driving his Tec-Mec in this race. Another victory for Tony in his Tec Mec again leading Marshall Bailey [Lotus 16] home with Marc Valvekens [Aston Martin DBR4] third and Eddie McGuire [Cooper Bristol] fourth. Also on Sunday to celebrate their 80th Anniversary was a race for ERAs only, after an exciting race this was won by Mark Gillies [ERA R3A] with Nicholas Topliss second [ERA R4A].
The 2 days as last year certainly gave you more time to look around the trade stalls and the selection of books – magazines – die cast models – car spares – paintings clothing and photos was very tempting.