RI John Gott Memorial 09

John Gott Memorial Trophy Race - 11th 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!

The Qualifying session was to be on Friday with a short practice session in the morning and with a fenced off paddock area of our own we had a splendid ‘Healey Camp’ for the weekend.

In Healey 3000’s from the UK were: Campfield M, Welch J, Woolley, Grace, Levett Princep/Jo Wykenham, Grant/Spooner, Henderson, Walker/Cameron A, Jones, Rogers/Smithies P, Bicknell/Chatham O, Rawles, Smithies, Knight/Rousselot, and Clarkson. From the Netherlands van Hessewijk, Sinke, Schretlen, Hoen, Mars and Schmidt. Sweden entries were Schildt K, Lotsengard and Schildt A. Finally, the famous DD300 Swiss entry van Lanschot/Le Blanc.

In 100M’s were Cameron D/Cameron N, Thorne, Hardy, Pangborn/Woods, Nybleus from Sweden, 100S Montgomery I/ Montgomery B and in the Healey Silverstone was Berens/Guest.

Morning practice went well for most and provided some familiarisation laps for the circuit first timers. It didn’t go well for Smithies though! He lost a wheel at speed, as it had completely sheared at the hub! Fortunately, it jammed under the car which saved further damage to the car and more importantly stopped the errant wheel in its tracks! A temporarily borrowed drive shaft assembly from TON 792, which was on display, ensured Dave managed to qualify.

Qualifying had Welch come out on top with Campfield second, Anders Schildt next from Smithies, Clarkson, Woolley and van Lanschot/le Blanc who were all around three seconds apart. Sinke, Schmidt and Thorne completed the top ten. One car missing was Grace who through other commitments couldn’t make Friday. He would start from the back of the grid next day.

Lots of fettling took place before the race, Campfield sorting out a clutch problem, van Hessewijk sorting out a head gasket problem but much worse was to befall Bill Rawles who, having thought he had a similar problem, found piston and head damage. With borrowed parts from fellow competitors Bill and his young assistant set about rebuilding the engine well into the evening, missing out on the food and drink bash organised in the drivers club! An attack on the Walker/Cameron car left heavily damaged side panels, but some delicate panel tapping from Cameron (with a five pound lump hammer) left the car good as new... from a distance!!!! (not!)

Next day, Rawles’ car had been fired up and with van Hessewijk also running we had thirty two cars make the grid. It was an impressive sight to see this many Healeys lined up.

At the start Welch and Campfield took off as one but it was Smithies who got the best start and led through Bridge to complete the first lap. Anders Schildt was second with Welch right with him and then Campfield. A slight gap and then came Clarkson, Schmidt, Sinke, Woolley, van Lanschot/le Blanc, Thorne, Grant/Spooner, Knight/Rousselot, Schretlen, Levett-Princep/Wykenham, Lotsengard/Petersson, Grace (already through half the field), Bicknell/Chatham, Hoen, Hardy, Rawles, Cameron D/Cameron N, Henderson, Mars, Rogers/Smithies, Kage Schildt, van Hessewijk, Montgomery I/Montgomery B, Nybleus, Pangborn/Woods, Walker/Cameron, Berens/Guest all through except the unfortunate Jones who never made it to the first corner.

For the first couple of laps Smithies held on but Schildt soon got to the front leaving Welch in third from Campfield, these four pulling a gap from the rest. Then Welch went into second with Smithies back to fourth. Meanwhile lots of battles were forming down the pack, Montgomery, Thorne and Schildt snr, Hardy and Mars, the Cameron car with Henderson and finally Pangborn/Woods and Rogers/Smithies P. in particular all having fun. The progress of Grace was the attention though, already up to Schmidt in sixth after ten laps or so!

Welch was pushing hard, right on Schildt’s tail, the two red cars drifting nicely through the fast right hander at Bridge, Campfield also looking particularly impressive and right on the edge. Grace was still climbing, now ahead of Clarkson.

By now we had lost the unfortunate Rawles and van Hessewijk both with continuing engine troubles. Henderson also called it a day and Thorne’s car was sounding like a fighter plane as its exhaust started to break apart.

A change of lead as Welch made a move which paid off to take him to the front just before the compulsory pit stops came into play. A period while battles broke up until with everyone stopped and some driver changes they recommenced. Schildt was back on the tail of Welch. Woolley was fighting hard with DD300, a battle which went to the flag. Likewise with Levett-Princep/Wykenham and Lotsengard/Petersson. Mars suffered a flat front tyre and pulled over to retire.

As the clock ticked away Welch seemed to have the edge over Schildt who despite having another spell at the front couldn’t hold off Welch at the end. Grace got as far as fourth ahead of Smithies who was Class B winner. Thorne carried on, minus exhaust, finishing just behind Hardy in his similar car who won Class A. There were no more retirements and twenty six cars made the flag, some still having their private battles. It was a splendid race, not least for the battle up front, the pace of Campfield hanging on, the climb of Grace, who got driver of the day award, and the battles down the field, particularly with the continental drivers mixing with the regular U.K. guys.

When the dust had settled the prizes were handed out by honoured guest and Works Healey competition legends, Jack Sears, Peter Riley and his wife Ann, (nee Wisdom). We had photo shoots of cars and stars and all the competing drivers. The whole affair rounded off the weekend nicely but it can’t pass without mention of the efforts of Joe Cox aided by Allan Cameron and David Rings in getting the event together and the splendid trophy, a model of John Gott’s racer, made by Charles Matthews, which was handed to the winner by Club President Colin Stokes, who had made the trip from Dubai for the event.

Race Results

Overall winner: Jeremy Welch Driver of the day award: David Grace

Class A positions: 1st N Hardy, 2nd M Thorne, 3rd I Montgomery/B Montgomery, 4th D Cameron/N Cameron, 5th M Pangborn/H Woods and 6th N-F Nybleus

Class B positions: 1st D Smithies, 2nd C Clarkson, 3rd J Sinke, 4th E Woolley, 5th C Van Lanschot/Le Blanc, 6th P Grant/Spooner, 7th JJ Schretlen, 8th C Levett-Princep/J Wykenham, 9th R Hoen, 10th K Schildt, 11th R Knight/Rousselot, 12th T Walker/A Cameron, 13th S Bicknell/O Chatham and 14th T Rogers/P Smithies.

Class C positions: 1st J Welch, 2nd A Schildt, 3rd M Campfield, 4th D Grace, 5th M Schmidt and 6th A Lotsengard

Non finishers: C Berens, H Mars, G Henderson, E Van Hessewijk, B Rawles and T Jones.

For info - Class A includes Healey 100M, 100S and Silverstone. Class B includes Healey 100/6 & 3000's on Dunlop L section tyres. Class C as Class B except on Dunlop M section tyres.

To see the full set of pictures from the event click here.

To return to the International Race homepage click here.

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