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.

Jonathan Everard

HDI HealeySport is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Healey rally specialist Jonathan Everard. Jon was a long time member of HDI from the inception of the centre in 1991, his expertise in 3000 rally preparation earned him a great reputation which soon made his company 'JME Healeys' the place to go to with a 3000 rally car. Jon was active as a driver as well and had countless successes in those early days of Historic rallying driving initially SMO 745 and then numerous ex-works cars.

His annual award for the best performance in a rally car was a regular at early HDI award dinners and many budding 3000 rally drivers were delighted to receive this gesture from the man himself.

In recent years Jon has been very active in the 100S world and had recently returned from the Mille Miglia driving EVV 106 'the green car'.

The whole of the HealeySport world is shocked and would like to extend it's sincere condolences to Alison and the family at this very sad time.

New 2010 Events Calendars

The events page for the Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge has been updated click here for new 2010 Sprint calendar The UK Race Series events calendar has also been updated with the 2010 dates and venues - click here for new 2010 Race calendar.

The Syd Segal Memorial Trophy - Silverstone 5th June 2010

Apologies

In my original race report I erroneously indicated that the trophy was being contested for only the second time. This was wrong and the trophy has in fact been contested since 1991. I should also point out that Syd’s daughter is in fact Georgia-Rose and not Georgina as originally stated. Apologies to all concerned for any distress this may have caused.

Phil Broster

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.

2010 Race Championship We are also pleased to announce that the headline sponsor for the 2010 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).

The 2010 championship will include 9 rounds over 7 weekends between April and October competed at the top UK motor sport venues of Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Silverstone, Snetterton, Donington Park and Cadwell Park. Two meetings (Cadwell and Snetterton) will include 2 x 20 minute races, with the remainder (Mallory, Silverstone, Brands, Oulton & Donington) being 30 minute races.

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 2009 Overall Champion was David Smithies in his class B (Modified 3000). Pictured right receiving his prize from Joe Cox and ex works driver Jack Sears.

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 2010 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).

2010 Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge The 2010 challenge is a twelve 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 Robin Johnson (pictured right at Loton Park) in his infamous yellow Frogeye Sprite which he co-drives with Stuart Bullas.

The 2010 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, Three Sisters, Anglesey, Llandow plus a return to the famous Aintree course.

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.

The Sprint and Hill Climb dates, venues and regulations have been approved by the MSA. Click here to check out the new 2010 calendar.

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 allanclancam@hotmail.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.

Revcounter Shield 2009

At the December 2009 Austin Healey Club AGM, Chairman - Colin Stokes, presented the award for the most outstanding contribution to Revcounter the club's magazine. The winner this year was LS Diff for his Sprint and Hill Climb reports. Unfortunately, Mr Diff was unwell with a severe dose of writers' cramp and unable to attend so the award was collected on his behalf by top hill-racer Pat Cooper (pictured right). A well deserved award as recognition for the sheer amount of work, thought and effort that goes into his extremely interesting and amusing accounts of the exploits of the Sprint and Hill Climb boys and girls.

2009 Dinner Dance and Prize Giving - 28th November 2009

The weekend of 28/29th November saw the annual gathering of the Austin Healey Club competition members at the Hilton Hotel Swindon for the annual dinner dance and distribution of the championship, class and discretionary awards for the 2009 race and sprint and hill climb season. Over 114 drivers and their partners enjoyed a fabulous evening in the ballroom with four cars on show.

This year Joe Cox went first and presented the Race Series awards (sponsored by Robin Lackford Engineering), ably assisted by Emma Streeter (Robin's daughter) and the Austin Healey Club President, Colin Stokes. The Race Series prize winners are seen pictured left gathered around Pat Harris' class winning Frogeye Sprite.

Allan Cameron then presented the awards to the Sprint and Hill Climbers ably assisted by Jayne Foster from the Frogeye Spares Company who sponsor the Sprite Class and by John Chatham for the Big Healey Class, which is sponsored by Denis Welch Motorsport. The Phil Meek 'A' Series cup was presented by Mike Cockayne and the Overall Sprint and Hill Climb Champion award, sponsored by Cape International was also presented by Jayne Foster.

Click here to view the official pictures from the 2009 Dinner Dance and Award Ceremony taken. For a selection of unofficial 'outtake' pictures - click here. If you would like copies of any of the pictures contact Paul Baker on the email address at the foot of the page.

For a full list of the prize winners, click on the links - Race Series or Sprint and Hill Climb Series (In PDF Format)

If you want to download the latest Adobe Acrobat PDF reader click on the following link

2010 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 2010 featuring full colour action images from the 2009 Austin Healey Club (HealeySport) Challenge race series.

The spiral bound calendar consists of 12 single sided, A4, month to view pages, with front cover. They are available for £12 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. Payment can be made by cheque, Postal order or Pay Pal.

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