HealeySport is the motor sport centre of the Austin Healey Club UK and coordinates the classic racing, sprinting and hill climbing activities in the UK and Internationally. This website holds race reports, events calendars, results pages, regulations and picture galleries in support of these activities.

2011 Presentation Prize Giving and Dinner Dance

Report and pictures by Phil (scoop) Broster phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

The annual Dinner Dance and awards evening for the Healey Race and the Sprint and Hill Climb Championships took place on the 19^th November at a new venue. This year we were at the De Vere Village Swindon and the change was favourably met by everyone.

A good number of Race and Hill Climb competitors, families, friends and general ‘hangers on’ turned up for what will certainly be the last of this function in this format. As you can read elsewhere in Joe Cox’s report, the Healey race series is to be ‘moth balled’ for the foreseeable future, but fear not! Sprites will be seen in action in a new race series combining MG Midgets and of course, the ‘Big’ cars will still have races independently.

But, no such fears for the Sprint and Hill climbers whose series goes from strength to strength.

After an excellent meal, the awards took place and Joe Cox (pictured right with Allan Cameron - proving they should have got the engraving done in a larger font! ) commenced the proceedings by announcing the Race series awards which were presented by June Stokes, sponsored by Robin Lackford Engineering and went in the order of Class ’A’: Mark Pangborn who was absent. Class ‘B’ 1st place: Adrian Ball, 2^nd place: Paul Campfield and 3^rd place: Tom Walker.

Next came Semi Modified Sprites with Winner: Neil Cameron, 2nd place: Brian Bedford and 3^rd place: John Harris all trooping up to collect their spoils.

Modified Sprites came next with series sponsor Robin Lackford taking the Winners award with 2^nd: Pat Harris and 3^rd: Drew Cameron after a good seasons racing.

Overall Champion after a solid season was David Smithies and Dave took a moment to remind us all just what efforts Joe Cox had put into the race series over the years. As a special discretionary award, Richard and Lindsay Summers were presented with the Peter Korner Trophy.

After a change in M.C. it was the turn of Allan Cameron to announce the Sprint and Hill Climb results and the prizes were presented by Jayne Foster from the Frogeye Spares Company who sponsor the Sprite Class. Tom Walker had combined his efforts this season, taking his Sprite to the hills and he came away with the Class A Sprite award and also the overall Championship (sponsored by Cape International). 2^nd was Murray Wakeham and 3^rd Rafe Haywood.

The Class B ‘Big Healey’ award (sponsored by Denis Welch Motorsport) went to 1^st: Pat Cooper, 2^nd: Lyn Wheadon and 3^rd: Richard Mason. James Pugh-Lewis collected the award for best Healey 100 performance.

Other awards went in the order of: Stuart Wiseman Memorial Trophy - Lyn Wheadon, Cornbury Cup – Andrew Taylor, Davis and Mason Freshman Shield – Joe Mackrell, Phil Meek A Series Memorial Trophy – Simon Leeming, Chris Tooley Memorial Prescott Cup – Tom Walker, Nancy Mitchell Rose Bowl – Claire Giles and the Piston Broke Trophy – Colin Gale. There was also special mention of Stuart Bullas who tragically lost his life in a garage accident this year.

After the ceremonies came the fun, and the vast majority chose to throw their legs about on the dance floor to some cracking 60’s and 70’s music, nostalgia indeed!!

The proceedings, venue and meal were deemed a complete success with one or two hangovers being sported at breakfast the next morning, before we all said our goodbyes and in the case of the racers, feelings or trepidation mixed with anticipation as to what next season will bring.

Click here to view all the pictures from the 2011 and for a full list of the prize winners, click on the links - Race Series or Sprint and Hill Climb Series (in Word format)

** Press Release - MG Midgets & Austin Healey Sprites look good for 2012**

Declining numbers of both big and small Healeys in the Austin Healey Race Championship have led the Healey Sprite drivers to the adopt a proposal to join forces with the MGCC and merge with the Midgets in a new championship next year.

Gil Duffy of the Midget Challenge and Joe Cox of HealeySport have worked hard to put this deal together and are delighted to announce a continuation of the sponsorship from Robin Lackford.

Robin Lackford Motor Engineering, classic car specialists of Cowfold in West Sussex have been headline sponsors of the Austin Healey Race Championship for the last three years. In the 2011 they also took on the headline sponsorship of the MG Midget Challenge.

The new championship will be known as the Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge and Robin Lackford has agreed a minimum 2 year headline sponsorship for the new format. It will be promoted by the MGCC and the Sprites available from the discontinued Healey Championship will be able to race in two new classes D and E without changes in their technical regulations.

Robin Lackford said “We have a great looking calendar for 2012 and I am sure that the combination of Midgets and Sprites together on one track promises larger grids, good friendship and better and closer racing. I am really excited with this opportunity for everyone concerned”.

Provisional dates for the championship are as follows:-

8^th April – Donington Park

5^th/6^th May – Brands Hatch Indy

23^rd/24^th June – Silverstone GP Arena

11^th August – Oulton Park

9^th September – Thruxton

13^th/14^th October - Snetterton

Details of the championship can be found on www.mgmidgetchallenge.co.uk or by contacting Gil Duffy on 01886 880882 or gilduffy@supanet.com

A new website for the series will be set up early next year.

2011 - End of Season report by Joe Cox (Austin Healey Club Competitions Secretary)

2011 has been a dramatic year for the HealeySport centre with some fundamental changes planned for the coming year. The press release above outlines what has been organised for the racing Sprites but attached is a report from Joe Cox (pictured left) which he presented to the Austin Healey Club board as his 'End of Season Report'. This report gives the background and reasoning for the changes that have been made for the 2012 season.

Click on this link to see Joe's report in full in Word format. End of Season Report by Joe Cox

Sprint & Hill Climb Challenge For the avoidance of doubt, the HealeySport Sprint and Hill Climb challenge continues to go from strength to strength and a full programme of events is planned for 2012. Click on this link to see the 2012 Provisional Sprint & Hill Climb calendar.

2012 HealeySport Race Series Calendar

Looking for a present for someone keen on Racing Healeys - Phil Broster (Official HealeySport Race Series Photographer) has produced an outstanding calendar for 2012 featuring full colour action images from the 2011 Austin Healey Club (HealeySport) Challenge race series.

The spiral bound calendar consists of 13 single sided, month to view pages, with cover. They are available for £14 each, plus postage and packing for UK customers. Overseas orders are very welcome with postage and packing at cost.

To buy your copy of this unique calendar email Phil Broster at: phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk. or call him on 07912 537640. Payment can be made by cheque, Postal order or Pay Pal.

2011 Race Championship Latest Results - After Croft with all ten rounds complete, the final leader board (top 4 in class) looks like this:

Class A 1st Pangborn 20 Class B 1st Smithies 118, 2nd Ball 62, 3rd Campfield 47, 4th Walker 37. Class D 1st Cameron N 105, 2nd Bedford 81, 3rd Harris J 60, 4th Lackford N 29 Class E 1st Lackford R 99, 2nd Harris P 88, 3rd Cameron D 67pts. New Class records : Congrats to Neil Cameron for breaking the Class D record at Croft with a 1:43.403

For the full results click here

** New feature ** click here to see Neil and Drew Cameron's driver profiles

2011 Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge - Latest Results - After Prescott with all thirteen rounds now complete, the final leader board (top three in each class) looks like this:

Class A Sprites - 1st Tom Walker 84pts, 2nd Murray Wakeham 69pts & 3rd Rafe Haywood 51pts

Class B Big Healeys - 1st Pat Cooper 71pts, 2nd Lyn Wheadon 66pts & 3rd Richard Mason 64pts

For the full results click here

2011 Race Championship We are pleased to announce that the headline sponsor for the 2011 series is Robin Lackford Motor Engineering. Robin Lackford is a keen competitor in the series with his eye-catching, red, Class E Frogeye and runs his Classic Car restoration and Race Preparation business from Cowfold in West Sussex (check out his company website www.robinlackford.co.uk). Also competing this year is Robin's son Nigel in a class D Sprite.

The 2011 championship includes 10 rounds over 5 weekends between April and September competed at the top UK motor sport venues of Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Snetterton, Pembrey and Croft. All the events will follow the single practice with 2 x 20 minute race format.

This one make series is open to any Healey driver who wants to take part in full circuit racing, be it with a standard road or modified Big Healey or Sprite. Cars can be entered into one of five classes, two for Big Healeys and three for Sprites, catering for the level of modification applied to each car from standard road going spec to fully modified. Points are awarded for practicing, achieving fastest lap times in qualifying and during the race and for the drivers finishing position in class. At the end of the season the driver with the most points in each class is the winner of the class and the driver with the most points across all classes becomes the Overall Series Champion. The 2010 Overall Champion was David Smithies (pictured right in his class B - Modified 3000).

Check out the UK Race Series events calendar which has the 2011 dates and venues - click here for new 2011 Race calendar. Also, take a look at the new race regulations for the new season - click here for the new 2011 Race Regs

Starting out in Motorsport

For any driver new to motorsport who is considering circuit racing with their Austin Healey, there is now a simple guide available from the BARC website called "Starting out in Motorsport". Click here to access this guide. As you will see, it aims to provide the basic information needed to get you underway. In addition to reading this, you should also get in contact with Joe Cox on joe.cox2@btinternet.com to understand the requirements of our particular championship. Good luck and look forward to seeing you out on the track.

This website holds the racing calendar, results, rules/regulations and picture gallery for the UK Race Series. Click here to see the new 2011 calendar and here to see the new regulations. For more information about the UK Race Championship click here (or click on 'UK Racing' on the starting grid above).

2011 Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge The 2011 challenge is a 13 round series with a Big Healey class sponsored by Denis Welch Motorsport and a Sprite class sponsored by Frogeye Spares Ltd. In addition to the class awards, Cape International sponsor the award for the overall Sprint and Hill Climb champion. Last year's overall Championship winner was Tom Walker (pictured right at Loton Park, drifting his 3000 into Museum bend)

The 2011 series begins with a return to Gurston Down and is followed by hill climbs at Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Loton Park, Harewood and Wiscombe. In addition, there will be sprints at Curborough, MIRA, Anglesey, Aintree plus a return visit to the new Stowe sprint circuit at Silverstone.

Each venue provides a different set of challenges to test the Healey driver's skills and abilities to the full. This series is open to any Healey driver with some or no motor sport experience and a car that can be either road standard or modified; half the races will have target times set for each driver to take into account the different abilities of the driver and their cars, so everyone has an opportunity to win a race. Although highly competitive, there is also a strong sense of camaraderie amongst the thirty or so drivers who regularly compete and the social aspect of this sport is very important to them.

To check out the latest - dates & venues new 2011 calendar and regulations 2011 regulations

New Beginners Guide to Sprinting and Hill Climbing - If you are interested in taking part and want to find out more, click on the link to check out the 'New Beginners Guide to Sprinting and Hill Climbing' alternatively, you can email Allan Cameron on alcam27@gmail.com

You may well have seen the BBC Top Gear show's view of hill climbing with a challenge between a 1961 yellow Frogeye and a fully modified Peugeot at the prestigious Prescott hill climb track. If you haven't - check out this clip - view clip (helps to have broadband). If you fancy a go against these old guys, who as the clip says '... like soil floating in their beer ...' then contact Allan Cameron (he's the one with the tweed jacket and handkerchief) on the contact details at the bottom of the page.

To see the Sprint and Hill Climb events calendar, results and photo gallery click here (or click on 'Sprint and Hill Climb' on the starting grid above).

Check out the latest race reports by clicking on RACE for the UK circuit race reports or SPRINT for the sprint and hill climb reports.

The Syd Segal Memorial Trophy - Silverstone 5th June 2010

Words and pics : Phil (scoop) Broster phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

Silverstone provided the venue for the 2010 Syd Segal Memorial Trophy - a 50 minute, two driver race for Big Healeys on the full Historic Silverstone circuit. The first was run in 1991 the year after the tragic loss of Syd Segal. So this being the twentieth anniversary it provided a fitting backdrop for this classic Big Healey event, the last of which was held at Thruxton in 2008 and was won by Bruce Montgomery who seems to be the perennial holder of this trophy. The MG Car Club supported MG live meeting gave us a race in conjunction with Historic British Sports cars, so we would have a race within a race, and 15 Big Healeys would mix it with Jaguars, Astons, MG's et al! An exciting prospect.

The entry had regular Healey Championship contenders David Grace, Dave Smithies, Chris Clarkson, Eric Woolley, Peter Grant/Drew Cameron, Tom Walker teamed with Allan Cameron in their 3000’s. Paul Campfield was in his 3000, likewise Richard and Mike Knight. Mike Thorne and Mark Pangborn were in 100M’s. Bruce Montgomery was having a rare outing and of special note were the original Sebring car 54 FAC (pictured right), which has been in storage for years and is now campaigned by Jetze Visser who brought the car over from Holland, and of course SID 1 (originally owned by Syd Segal), in the hands of Anders Lotsengard and Mats Svanberg from Sweden. Another overseas visitor was Nils-Fredrick Nybleus in his 3000. Finally, Aston racers Tony Worthington and Nick King were in another 3000. Worth a mention is our own Harvey Woods whose Healey was poorly so he entered his Ashley Midget! But he played in the Paddock with us.

Click here to read the rest of the report, results and pictures from this fantastic event.

The Le Mans 24 Hour Classic - 9-11 July 2010

A total of 16 Healeys raced at the Classic Le Mans meeting during 9-11 July 2010, with nine cars in plateau 2 (for cars built between 1949 and 1956) which in Healey terms incorporates the Healey 100M or 100S and seven in plateau 3 (for cars built between 1957 and 1961) which this year included a lone '61Sprite amongst the 3000's and Tim Roger's famous 100/6.

The top Healey in plateau 2 was the 100S of the Peter Thornton led team of three which finished up an excellent 6th on scratch out of the 75 cars in the plateau, two place better than in 2008 but 24th when the performance index was applied. The top finisher by compensated times was the Beaumartin/Rochat 100M, who came in 7th.

In plateau 3, the Dutch Healey title champion team of Rinus and Jaap Sinke in their world-renowned primrose yellow Healey with green stripes took the top Healey honours finishing 6th on scratch out of the 77 cars in the plateau, one place better than in 2008 and 13th once compensated. They were also the top Healey in plateau 3 when all the times had been compensated, so yet again, an excellent result for them. Also racing in plateau 3 was the world famous DD300, the ex John Chatham car now owned and driven by Christiaen van Lanschot and Karsten Le Blanc which finished 13th on scratch and 19th when compensated. Jetze Visser and Hans Van De Kerkhof drove the ex-works ’63 Sebring car 54 FAC (pictured below) to 17th place on scratch and came 46th once their result had been compensated. For the first time a 1961 Sprite raced in this plateau, driven by the Marty/Legeleux/Cazalot team and they finished a creditable 56th out of the 77 starters but were placed 33rd once times had been adjusted.

To find out more - click here to see the full Healey results and some superb pictures on our International page or click here to go to the Healey Meets Le Mans 2010 website. Also, check out the report and results of the 2008 event by going to our International Race homepage on this site.

John Gott Memorial Trophy Race - Silverstone 11^th July 2009

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster: phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk phone : +44 (0)7912 537640

The John Gott Memorial Trophy race at Silverstone was to be the highlight of the Healey 50 celebrations as far as the race fraternity was concerned and with an entry of 32 ‘Big’ Healeys was the biggest gathering of racers ever seen. Under the auspices of Healey Driver International it was just that, with entries from Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands together with just about every available track car from the UK adding a truly international flavour.

The race was to run for the best part of an hour, with driver changes for some and compulsory pit stops for those without a nominated co-driver. It would mean around 30 laps of the 2.25 mile International circuit was on the cards, plenty of room for the big cars to stretch their legs!

Click here to read the rest of the report, results and pictures from this fantastic event.

John Gott Memorial Trophy Race Souvenir Poster

Phil Broster has produced a souvenir poster featuring all 32 cars and drivers who competed together with Peter and Ann Riley and Jack Sears with DD300 and UJB143 in full colour.

Measuring approx 500mm x 330mm it would be ideal for your workshop or office wall.

This lovely item costs £9.00 including tubed postage to any UK address.

A limited number (20) are available signed by Jack Sears for £20.00

To secure your copy of this excellent reminder of a special day, contact Phil Broster on +44 (0) 7912 537640 or email him on phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk