OldRacingCars.com

British Sprint Championship Round

Wroughton, 31 Jul 1977

ResultsTime 
1 David Franklin 2-litre March 742/772 ["U1"] - BMW M12
#7 (see note 1)
57.28s 1st in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
2 Dave Harris 5-litre McRae GM1 [012] - Chevrolet Smith V8
#1 (see note 2)
57.72s 2nd in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
3 Alan Richards (F5000) 5-litre Surtees TS8 [007] - Chevrolet V8
#15 (see note 3)
60.04s 5th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
4 David Render (F1) 3-litre Lotus 76 [2 JPS10] - Cosworth DFV V8
#2
60.23s 4rd in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
5 Terry Smith 5.7-litre McLaren M14D [1] - Chevrolet V8
#5
60.75s 6th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
6 Ted Williams 2.2-litre March 752 [75B-1] - Ford BDG Smith
#17 (see note 4)
61.06s 4th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
7 Johnty Williamson 5.7-litre McLaren M14A [2-2] - Chevrolet V8
#4
62.87s 9th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
8 Basil Stainer (F5000) 5-litre Lola T142 - Chevrolet V8
#14A (see note 5)
65.33s 10th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
9 David Burton (F5000) 5-litre Lola T142 - Chevrolet V8
#14 (see note 6)
66.48s 11th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
10 Bob Penzer (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Brabham BT30
#109 (see note 7)
68.14s 3rd in Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
C1 Chris Morris (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Lotus 69
#116
1st in Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
C4 Malcolm Orme (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Brabham BT30
#109 (see note 8)
4th in Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
C5 Andy Fraser (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Brabham BT35 [6] - Ford BDA
#113 (see note 9)
5th in Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
C6 Tim Painter (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Brabham BT35 [6] - Ford BDA
#113 (see note 10)
6th in Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
C8 Mark Williams 2.2-litre March 752 [75B-1] - Ford BDG Smith
#17A (see note 11)
8th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
C12 Paul Edwards 1.8-litre Brabham BT38 [17] - Cosworth BDE
#11 (see note 12)
13th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
C13 K Beck (F?) details to follow
#12
12th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
C14 John Taylor 5-litre McLaren M10B/M14D [400-06 (A)] - Chevrolet V8
#10
14th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
DNSF Simon Riley 3-litre Brabham BT33 [3] - Cosworth DFV V8
#202
7th in Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
DNS Clive Bracey 7.6-litre Vebra Mk1 - Chevrolet turbo
#16
Class 12 (Racing Cars 1601cc and over)
DNS Leslie Stone (1600cc racing car) 1.6-litre Brabham BT21B [28] - Ford twin cam
#112 (see note 13)
Class 11 (Racing Cars 1101 to 1600cc)
Qualifying
Qualifying information not available

Notes on the cars:

  1. March 742/772 ["U1"] (David Franklin): Built by March as the development car for the new March 742 series, but using a leftover 732 monocoque. Employed as the spare car for the Elf-sponsored works team in 1974, it was raced by Patrick Depailler at Montjuich Park, by Michel Leclère at Hockenheim in June, by Depailler to win at Mugello, by Ronnie Peterson to win at Karlskoga, and by Depailler again at Enna. It was not seen in 1975, but then sold in December 1975 to David Franklin (Portbury, Somerset) and used in British hillclimbs in 1976, with sponsorship from Wendy Wools. Retained for 1977, when it was fitted with 1977 bodywork. For 1978, it was sold to Alan Richards (Prestbury, Gloucestershire), fitted with a 2-litre Cosworth FVC and used in sprints and hillclimbs. To Norrie Galbraith (Lanark, Scotland) for 1979, and used in Scottish speed events. Retained by Galbraith for 1980, but rebuilt over the winter by Robin Smith to 782 configuration, and fitted with a Hart 420R engine. In December 1980, the car was advertised from a Frome, Somerset, phone number, described as being ex-Depailler and ex-Galbraith, modified by Smith. It has been suggested that Stephen Cuff was the advertiser. Subsequent history unknown.
  2. McRae GM1 [012] (Dave Harris): See full history: McRae GM1/012.
  3. Surtees TS8 [007] (Alan Richards): New for Peter Revson at the 1971 Questor GP then for Alan Roillinson in UK series. To Alan Brodie 1972 and raced by Brodie and by Steve Thompson. To Servis Appliances Racing Team 1973 and raced by Ray Allan early in the season. Then possibly the Robin Darlington car in Sep 1973 Reappeared with Colin Andrews (Banbury, Oxfordshire) 1974, then to Steve Cuff (Frome, Somerset) 1975 for hillclimbs. To Alan Richards (Cheltenham) and used in sprints and occasional hill climbs in 1976 and 1977. Used in sprints and occasional hill climbs by Bob Clapham in 1978 and 1979. Then unknown until sold by Brian Redman to Dave Swigler (Panama City, FL) in 1986. Dave believes Brian got it from Richard Attwood about two years earlier. Retained until Swigler sold his collection to Harin De Silva (Palos Verdes Estates, CA) in 2009. Restored by Virtuoso Performance and first raced at Laguna Seca in August 2011. Also raced in New Zealand in the 2011/12 Tasman Revival series and at the Phillip Island Classic in March 2013.
  4. March 752 [75B-1] (Ted Williams): The original March 75B prototype was sold to Derek Cook (Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire) and was first raced at the 1974 Boxing Day meeting at Brands Hatch. Raced in the British Formula Atlantic series in 1975. To Roy Baker (Ferndown, Dorset), converted to Formula 2, and raced in the European F2 series and the Shellsport Group 8 series in 1976. To Ted Williams (Bristol), fitted with a 2.2-litre Ford BDA or BDG, and raced (as a "752") in British hillclimbs in 1977. Then fitted with a full F2 Hart 420R for the first half of 1978, before Williams bought a 772. To Bob Bailey and raced in the 1600cc class later in 1978 and again in 1979. To Richard Ames (Alderton, Gloucestershire) later in 1979, and raced by him in 1981 and early 1982, by which time it was in 75/782 specification and fitted with a 2.2-litre Hart 420R engine. Ames advertised the car in May and June 1982 and recalls that he sold it to somebody in Scotland. This must be Harvey Gillanders (Ellon, Scotland) who raced a 2.2-litre "75/782" in Ingliston libre races later in 1982. Subsequent history unknown.
  5. Lola T142 (Basil Stainer): Basil Stainer (Sherborne, Dorset) and David Burton (Sherborne, Dorset) shared a 5000cc Lola T142 in sprints, Formule Libre and hillclimbs in 1976 and 1977. Stainer entered the car for a libre race at Thruxton in early March 1976, and both drivers appear in the results at Wroughton in July 1976 and August 1976. Stainer also won his class at Gurston Down 30 Aug 1976.
  6. Lola T142 (David Burton): Basil Stainer (Sherborne, Dorset) and David Burton (Sherborne, Dorset) shared a 5000cc Lola T142 in sprints, Formule Libre and hillclimbs in 1976 and 1977. Stainer entered the car for a libre race at Thruxton in early March 1976, and both drivers appear in the results at Wroughton in July 1976 and August 1976. Stainer also won his class at Gurston Down 30 Aug 1976.
  7. Brabham BT30 (Bob Penzer): Tony Street (Wellesbourne, Warwickshire) raced a Brabham BT30 in sprints and hillclimbs in 1973. The origins of the car are currently unknown but Malcolm Orme recalls that the car he and Bob Penzer used in speed events between 1976 and 1978 had previously been driven by Street. Penzer had bought the car from John Hinley (Knowle, Warwickshire) so this would be the BT30 that John Hinley ran at Curborough in 1974 and advertised in May 1974 with a 1930cc BDA. It is also likely that this was the 2-litre "BT30/35" used at Curborough in June 1975 by Tony Sofiano (Harborne, Birmingham) and John Parsons, managers of The Elbow Room nightclub in Aston. Parsons advertised this car with a 1920cc BDG and mentioning BT35 fuel tanks in October 1975. The last known appearance of this car was when driven by Bob Penzer in a sprint at Oulton Park in April 1978. Penzer later sold the Brabham back to Hinley in a deal on the Lola T332C that Penzer drove in 1979. Subsequent history unknown.
  8. Brabham BT30 (Malcolm Orme): Tony Street (Wellesbourne, Warwickshire) raced a Brabham BT30 in sprints and hillclimbs in 1973. The origins of the car are currently unknown but Malcolm Orme recalls that the car he and Bob Penzer used in speed events between 1976 and 1978 had previously been driven by Street. Penzer had bought the car from John Hinley (Knowle, Warwickshire) so this would be the BT30 that John Hinley ran at Curborough in 1974 and advertised in May 1974 with a 1930cc BDA. It is also likely that this was the 2-litre "BT30/35" used at Curborough in June 1975 by Tony Sofiano (Harborne, Birmingham) and John Parsons, managers of The Elbow Room nightclub in Aston. Parsons advertised this car with a 1920cc BDG and mentioning BT35 fuel tanks in October 1975. The last known appearance of this car was when driven by Bob Penzer in a sprint at Oulton Park in April 1978. Penzer later sold the Brabham back to Hinley in a deal on the Lola T332C that Penzer drove in 1979. Subsequent history unknown.
  9. Brabham BT35 [6] (Andy Fraser): New to Nick Cook and used in the British Formula Atlantic series in 1971. Retained for early 1972, but Cook does not appear in the UK after the end of April and this is probably the car taken to the USA to use in the SCCA series in 1972. Used by Rob Turnbull in British hillclimbs in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Sold to Andrew Fraser (Newton Abbot, Devon), and shared by him and Tim Painter in Sprints in 1977. Retained by Fraser for 1978 and 1979, and appeared at Wiscombe Park events in 1980 and 1982. Then via David McLaughlin to Keith Norman about 1984 and used by him in HSCC events in the 1980s and 1990s. To Rob Haze (Netherlands) between 1992 and 1995, and then back to Norman again. To John Dunham April 2001, then to Ben Tyler 2003, then Peter Shaw 2004, then Dr John Monson 2007.
  10. Brabham BT35 [6] (Tim Painter): New to Nick Cook and used in the British Formula Atlantic series in 1971. Retained for early 1972, but Cook does not appear in the UK after the end of April and this is probably the car taken to the USA to use in the SCCA series in 1972. Used by Rob Turnbull in British hillclimbs in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Sold to Andrew Fraser (Newton Abbot, Devon), and shared by him and Tim Painter in Sprints in 1977. Retained by Fraser for 1978 and 1979, and appeared at Wiscombe Park events in 1980 and 1982. Then via David McLaughlin to Keith Norman about 1984 and used by him in HSCC events in the 1980s and 1990s. To Rob Haze (Netherlands) between 1992 and 1995, and then back to Norman again. To John Dunham April 2001, then to Ben Tyler 2003, then Peter Shaw 2004, then Dr John Monson 2007.
  11. March 752 [75B-1] (Mark Williams): The original March 75B prototype was sold to Derek Cook (Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire) and was first raced at the 1974 Boxing Day meeting at Brands Hatch. Raced in the British Formula Atlantic series in 1975. To Roy Baker (Ferndown, Dorset), converted to Formula 2, and raced in the European F2 series and the Shellsport Group 8 series in 1976. To Ted Williams (Bristol), fitted with a 2.2-litre Ford BDA or BDG, and raced (as a "752") in British hillclimbs in 1977. Then fitted with a full F2 Hart 420R for the first half of 1978, before Williams bought a 772. To Bob Bailey and raced in the 1600cc class later in 1978 and again in 1979. To Richard Ames (Alderton, Gloucestershire) later in 1979, and raced by him in 1981 and early 1982, by which time it was in 75/782 specification and fitted with a 2.2-litre Hart 420R engine. Ames advertised the car in May and June 1982 and recalls that he sold it to somebody in Scotland. This must be Harvey Gillanders (Ellon, Scotland) who raced a 2.2-litre "75/782" in Ingliston libre races later in 1982. Subsequent history unknown.
  12. Brabham BT38 [17] (Paul Edwards): Brand new for Richard Scott at Oulton Park at the end of March 1972, and used by him through the 1972 F2 season. To Alan Padgett (Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire) for 1973, fitted with an 1850cc Cosworth BDE and used in hillclimbs. To David Baumforth (North Newbald, East Riding of Yorkshire) for hillclimbs and prints in 1974, then to John Hinley (Knowle, Warwickshire) for sprints in 1975. It was acquired by Tony Griffiths (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands) for 1976, then to chef Paul Edwards (London), who used it extensively in sprints in 1977 and 1978. To Ron Cumming (Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland) for libre racing in 1979, when it still had a 1800cc BDE engine. Cumming crashed the car in a race at Ingliston, probably in May 1979, and rebuilt it using a replacement monocoque supplied by Jim Stevenson. The car was then sold, less engine, to somebody in Essex. About seven years later, it was acquired by Chris Perkins (Ashbourne, Derbyshire), still in the distinctive orange-and-white livery used by Cumming in 1979 and with evidence of where the March 79B-style sidpods had been fitted, but now with a Buick V8 engine in the process of installation. Perkins's recollection is that he bought the car in the Brighton area in the mid-1980s; Autosport mention his purchase in December 1987.
  13. Brabham BT21B [28] (Leslie Stone): New to Frank Lythgoe Racing for Dave Berry (Colwyn Bay) to race in British F3 in 1968. To Alan Rollinson for 1969 and won six races at the start of the British F3 season. Sold to Norman Foulds (Fleetwood, Lancashire) in June 1969 and used in British F3 for the rest of that season. With dealer Bobby Howlings (Congleton, Cheshire) in early 1970, then used briefly by Nick Cook in early 1971 before his new BT35 was ready. Next seen in early 1972 when Spencer Elton (Westbury, Wiltshire) had fitted one of his Vegantune twin cam engines and ran the car in hillclimbs. Sold by Spencer to Gerry Wilkins (Bath, Somerset) for hillclimbs in 1973 and 1974. It returned to Spencer and was advertised by him in 1976 and then reappeared with Les Stone (Basingstoke, Hampshire) at Harewood in July 1976. Used by Stone in sprints and hillclimbs from 1977 to 1980. By 1987, the car was with Simon Harratt (Blandford, Dorset) who raced it at Gurston Down that year, and also in 1991. The car was raced by Simon, his wife Jane, and later daughter Melissa, in speed events for many years, for much of that time Simon being BARC SW chairman and Jane being competition secretary. After Simon died in 2016, the car was sold to Grant Cratchley (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire).

Sources

Note that the identification of individual cars in these results is based on the material presented elsewhere in this site and may in some cases contradict the organisers' published results.

The British Sprint Championship results were originally provided by Paul Parker and Steve Wilkinson and are based on material drawn from Motoring News, Autosport and Speedscene magazines plus results sheets and programmes provided by former competitors and by the organising clubs.

The identification of individual cars is based on the Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic research work presented elsewhere on the site.

All comments, clarifications, corrections and additions are most welcome. Please email Allen (allen@oldracingcars.com) if you can help in any way with our research.