Brands Hatch nostalgia
Discussion
After reminiscing over in the Formula 1 section, I thought this might deserve a thread of it's own.
But this isn't just for me! If you have any of your own photos of Brands, from back in the day, post them up. Be it, single seaters, tin-tops, rallycross, pit scenes or a family picnic outside the Kentagon, I'm sure we would love to reminisce together.
All anecdotes and memories welcome.
Most of mine are mid 90's
This first set are of the Vecta fast ford championship.
Alas, no Press/Media pass, so behind the catch fencing out of Druids.
Anyone recognise any of these cars/drivers?
And one more of this Mk2 Escort. I recall it being sideways every single lap.
But this isn't just for me! If you have any of your own photos of Brands, from back in the day, post them up. Be it, single seaters, tin-tops, rallycross, pit scenes or a family picnic outside the Kentagon, I'm sure we would love to reminisce together.
All anecdotes and memories welcome.
Most of mine are mid 90's
This first set are of the Vecta fast ford championship.
Alas, no Press/Media pass, so behind the catch fencing out of Druids.
Anyone recognise any of these cars/drivers?
And one more of this Mk2 Escort. I recall it being sideways every single lap.
Love the place. Many happy memories. I used to marshall the startline for Rallycross in 80s and 90s:
Also cut my motorsport photography teeth at the place - back when you could easily blag your way to places you weren't supposed to be:
One day....one day....all this will be mine!
Bit more recent:
Some more here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
Also cut my motorsport photography teeth at the place - back when you could easily blag your way to places you weren't supposed to be:
One day....one day....all this will be mine!
Bit more recent:
Some more here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
This is F1 - but only because I live 250miles from Brands and went there for Grands Prix , Race of Champions and Rothmans 50,000 between 72 and 86 .
My first visit, was as a broke law student in 1972 . Overnight bus from Wakefield , wander around London in early morning and get the Green Line bus to Wrotham . Walk in - and fall in love instantly. Unlike Silverstone , there are trees , gradient , views ! I wander ,unhindered , into the F1 paddock and literally rub shoulders with G Hill and J Surtees , among others.
Not having slept for 36 hours I drowse off on the banking at Clearways . I am woken by the first car leaving the pits. I hear every single gear change and the memory of that NOISE as it was blipped down through the box (perfectly ) for the corner before it screamed up towards Paddock gets me all a-tingle even now , 48 years later. It is Ickx in the Flat 12 Ferrari 312B and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
That night, I slept in a hedge bottom , using my Barbour and a fertliiser sack I'd found as my camp. Eaten alive by mosquitoes. Wake at dawn , wander around until I finally find my friends, who'd driven down early on Saturday morning for the race (Saturday was raceday then ) .Crowd massive, but friendly Watch wonderful three way scrap from Clearways - Stewart , Fittipaldi and Ickx .
And that is why Brands.is a bit special for me ,
I returned , after last GP in 86 , in 2018 and 19 for CSCC weekends - and it still delights .
My first visit, was as a broke law student in 1972 . Overnight bus from Wakefield , wander around London in early morning and get the Green Line bus to Wrotham . Walk in - and fall in love instantly. Unlike Silverstone , there are trees , gradient , views ! I wander ,unhindered , into the F1 paddock and literally rub shoulders with G Hill and J Surtees , among others.
Not having slept for 36 hours I drowse off on the banking at Clearways . I am woken by the first car leaving the pits. I hear every single gear change and the memory of that NOISE as it was blipped down through the box (perfectly ) for the corner before it screamed up towards Paddock gets me all a-tingle even now , 48 years later. It is Ickx in the Flat 12 Ferrari 312B and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
That night, I slept in a hedge bottom , using my Barbour and a fertliiser sack I'd found as my camp. Eaten alive by mosquitoes. Wake at dawn , wander around until I finally find my friends, who'd driven down early on Saturday morning for the race (Saturday was raceday then ) .Crowd massive, but friendly Watch wonderful three way scrap from Clearways - Stewart , Fittipaldi and Ickx .
And that is why Brands.is a bit special for me ,
I returned , after last GP in 86 , in 2018 and 19 for CSCC weekends - and it still delights .
Edited by coppice on Thursday 23 April 08:03
Used to go to Brands a lot as a kid, as we only lived up the road in Bromley. The 6 hour race in 1979 was my introduction to endurance racing, which I've loved ever since.
I think the first two shots are from the 1981 1000kms race, the first is the much hyped, but unsuccessful, Ford C100.
Last one is Rene Arnoux from a British GP practice, either 1980 or 1981
I think the first two shots are from the 1981 1000kms race, the first is the much hyped, but unsuccessful, Ford C100.
Last one is Rene Arnoux from a British GP practice, either 1980 or 1981
outnumbered said:
Used to go to Brands a lot as a kid, as we only lived up the road in Bromley. The 6 hour race in 1979 was my introduction to endurance racing, which I've loved ever since.
I think the first two shots are from the 1981 1000kms race, the first is the much hyped, but unsuccessful, Ford C100.
The Canon sponsored 956 was circa 1984.I think the first two shots are from the 1981 1000kms race, the first is the much hyped, but unsuccessful, Ford C100.
Richard Lloyd added the front wing to the Porsche factory car to improve it and Jonathan Palmer/Jan Lammers drove it.
Edited by FurtiveFreddy on Thursday 23 April 21:38
Mrfrisk said:
Thunder saloons 93'
Rod Birley mentioned earlier. I recall it was a close run thing between Rod and Pete Steven's
Carlton
Am I right in believing this to be John Clelands car in previous seasons?
That Carlton had a ridiculous amount of money spent on it when Cleland and Vince Woodman raced it.Rod Birley mentioned earlier. I recall it was a close run thing between Rod and Pete Steven's
Carlton
Am I right in believing this to be John Clelands car in previous seasons?
It was probably the only Thundersaloon that had been in a wind tunnel.
Even so, the 'stars and stripes' Manta sometimes driven by Gerry Marshall was a match for it.
Cleland was a bit of a hot head and I remember being in the pit lane when he impatiently drove away from a pit stop with the air jack line still attached dragging the air bottle behind until it broke away. Could have been quite nasty,
If you think the first lap of a BTCC race is exciting, you should have seen the Shellsport Escort celebrity races back in the '70s.
This is the '76 GP support race and included the likes of Derek Bell, Barrie Williams, Gerry Marshall, Andy Rouse, David Purley and even Noel Edmonds.
The winner got £500 to donate to a charity. Ford got a big repair bill.
This is the '76 GP support race and included the likes of Derek Bell, Barrie Williams, Gerry Marshall, Andy Rouse, David Purley and even Noel Edmonds.
The winner got £500 to donate to a charity. Ford got a big repair bill.
Lot of big names in there. Who won this 'celebrity' race?
Also, check out the wooden fence only a few feet from the edge of the track!
'tight fart' posted a picture with a concrete post / wire fence. I remember this type of fence being there until about 92' when the higher catch fencing was installed.
Also, check out the wooden fence only a few feet from the edge of the track!
'tight fart' posted a picture with a concrete post / wire fence. I remember this type of fence being there until about 92' when the higher catch fencing was installed.
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