RI Syd Segal June 10

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, 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, now 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.

Qualifying went well and although it was the Marcos of ex Healey racer Alan Tice who took pole, Grace and Montgomery were not too far behind. Smithies was the next Healey amongst a couple of MG's followed by Clarkson, Campfield and the Knight brothers. An E Type and MG separated these from Woolley, Thorne, Pangborn, Lotsengard/Svanberg, Worthington/King, then further back came Grant/Cameron and Walker/Cameron, with Nybleus and Visser completing the Healey order amongst the Aston DB2’s.

Breakfast first, then came the fettling. Brake adjustments, tyres changing, nothing too serious for most and before long it was time for our race. The talk before the race was the pace of Bruce and whether his tyres would last. Some people were looking at brake wear, the race was for 60 minutes!

The grid formed and as the lights flashed for the start it was the lighter 1800 Marcos which shot into the lead. The cars of Montgomery and Grace followed, with Grace momentarily taking the lead before they came into view at the Luffield complex. Montgomery pulled ahead of Grace, second on the road and leading ‘our’ race. Grace slotted into a steady second place, Smithies third and Clarkson and Campfield followed. Assorted Sports cars separated these from Grant/Cameron, Woolley, who was having fun with a Cobra, the Knight brothers, just ahead of Worthington/King whose car was being driven with verve, Thorne was playing with some MG Midgets followed by Pangborn, Nybleus, Walker.

Into the pits at the end of that first lap came SID1, with a misfire and erratic revs which kept it between 4500-5000. This would continue with a couple more visits throughout the race before eventual retirement around half distance, shame!

Worse befell the ‘Sebring’ car of Visser which didn’t even make the start, a blown head gasket just before the race saw to that.

Back to the race, and Montgomery was keeping in touch with the Marcos but drawing away from Grace, however Grace was holding the gap by lap eight, but suddenly felt a vibration which came from a damaged prop shaft, and he was out! He could well have made a fight of it. Clarkson had disappeared on lap four, his reason? “broken!” but it could have been a differential issue. This left Campfield on his own but he too would retire with a puncture early in the race and he was left rueing his lack of support crew and a spare in the pits!! Hey ho!

Smithies had his hands full with a swarm of ‘B’s’ keeping him busy, he would eventually shake them off to finish third and five seconds clear, but that battle had been the interest of the race. Grant/Cameron were up into seventh on the road and third Healey which is were they finished, a superb effort.

Woolley finished ahead of the Cobra with the Knight brothers heading the Worthington/King car, the latter pair admitting to having ‘great fun’ in a car totally different to a DB4, their usual mounts.

Thorne was still amongst the Midgets at the end which separated him from Pangborn. Further back came Nybleus and Walker/Cameron who had spent the race playing with Aston DB2’s to provide great entertainment.

The flag came out after 60 minutes with the Marcos of Tice winning, he admitted to feeling quite pleased with himself as an ex Healey racer beating a Healey. Montgomery was second on the road and once again picked up the Syd Segal Trophy which was presented by Georgia-Rose Segal (Syd Segal's daughter) at a lengthy awards ceremony hosted by the MGCC after which we all made our way home. It had been a good race, interest amongst the Healeys being somewhat subdued by the early retirements but the battles with other marques had kept spectators on their toes.

One final thing to mention is the hospitality offered by David Grace whose nearby residence provided a barbeque and drinks evening for all and a bed for the night for yours truly. Very much appreciated David.

To see the full set of pictures from the event click here. Or click here To see the in-car video

Silverstone Race result (Syd Segal Memorial)

1. 1 Bruce Montgomery

2. 2 David Smithies

3. 3 Peter Grant/Drew Cameron

4. 4 Eric Woolley

5. 5 Richard and Mike Knight

6. 6 Tony Worthington/Nick King

7. 7 Mike Thorne

8. 8 Mark Pangborn

9. 9 Nils-Fredrick Nybleus

10. 10 Tom Walker/Allan Cameron

D.N.S. 34 Jetze Visser

D.N.F. 2 Anders Lotsengard/Mats Svanberg

23 Paul Campfield

17 David Grace

73 Chris Clarkson

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