Brands Hatch Memories

jump · 29 Sep 2005, 13:03 (Ref:1419946)

Brands is almost 80 years old now and I think its amazing how it still holds its own on the world motorsport scene, amongst today's modern 'overtaking friendly' tracks. (Hosting the first ever A1 GP last weekend of course.)

I'm sure alot of us have got fond memories of the place, for me, one that stands out would have to be when the BTCC raced there in 1995 (or was it '94.. hmmm) in the torrential rain. (The year that Cleland won the title.)
I remember watching the race from the inside of Druids on me old man's shoulders

Fantastic view and a fantastic spectacle. Its also my first ever memory of the place, so will always be remembered.

Anyone else got any memories to share, in honour of this great British track.

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 13:10 (Ref:1419953)

The Guards Trophy Group7 sportscar race, August bank holiday 1966.
Remember watching my hero Jim Clark in the awful Lotus 40, finally going off at Clearways,through a hedge! He was sensational later though in the Lotus Cortina, 3 wheeling all the way around South Bank which was a much longer corner in those days. In recent times, the greatest race I saw there was the 1988 Formula Ford festival final won by Sospiri.

Steve Wilkinson · 29 Sep 2005, 13:49 (Ref:1419991)

For us Northerners a trip to Brands in the Sixties was a mammoth undertaking. It wasn't until I started work that a trip was financial viable. So I first went in 1968 to the British Grand Prix won by Jo Siffert in Rob Walker's Lotus 49. My all time favourite races though were in 1969 and 1970.
The 1969 BOAC 500 was a classic PORSCHE sportscar triumph. My favourite 908s were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th in a demonstartion of superior team work. However 1970 eclipsed that experience with the British Airways 1000kms. The brutal 917s were favourites and from my vantage point in the main stand I had the ideal spot to see the pit stops and the Rodriguez incident!
Despite the awful weather the race was electrifying. I still remember clearly the chaotic Ferrari pit stops compared to the John Wyer precision versions.

Brands was never my favourite track but it did provide some lasting memories.

Rob29 · 29 Sep 2005, 14:50 (Ref:1420047)

Just 50 years since I first went.First sunday in september 1955.Mainly F3 (500cc) racing,went with my dad & younger brother.Must have been a hundred times,but last weekend was only the second visit since I moved north in 1993. Strangely the open stand I was in seems to be in the same place as the permanent covered one I remember over 37 years.

Dan Rear · 29 Sep 2005, 14:54 (Ref:1420051)

I went a few times in the 80s. First at the August Banky 1981 meet, that featured the the dying Atlantics. 2 races, one on Sunday, 1 Monday. No great memories I'm afraid of this.

Then I saw 3 Group C races, first in 84 when the Canon 956, Lammers/Palmer, utterly dominated. Next in 88, when the 'Pink Panther' Tiga spun in front of the works Saubers, and left the Jags to win (the Joest 962C was also quite competitive there). Last in 89, when I saw perhaps the best Group C grid ever outside of Le Mans, Saubers won easily, though the Aston had a good run, and the Jag turbo was fast on debut but didn't last.

After that I went to a few of the early 90s Interseries, with some very weird stuff !

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 15:08 (Ref:1420068)

My earliest memory of Brands is the Boxing Day meeting (although it was actually 27 Dec.) 1966, watching the winning debut of the Lotus 47. Can't remember too much about the racing; it was cold, wet and miserable. The other thing I remember was that I was with my best mate who was driving his Dad's AC 2-litre saloon and when we were leaving, we slid, on the wet mud, gracefully into a 'lesser, more modern' vehicle, fortunately, at such slow speed, no damage was done.

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 15:10 (Ref:1420072)

The same meeting John where Gerry Marshall wrote off the Elan at Paddock I think.

TimD · 29 Sep 2005, 15:20 (Ref:1420080)

Brands was my "local" so I went to plenty of things, but the one happy memory I really savour was watching Michele Alboreto practicing the Ferrari 126 in 1985. On that day, you could keep your Sennas and your Rosbergs. Going through Paddock at full chat with alarming levels of powerslide, he was absolutely awesome.

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 15:23 (Ref:1420085)

You may be right, Andrew, but, if so, he was a late entrant as he does not appoear in the programme. You could check in your new copy of 'Only here for the Beer'

In the same race, The British Eagle Trophy Race', I note that the third reserve entrant was one M.W.Green in a Ginetta G12. I take it that is our Willie?

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 15:25 (Ref:1420089)

That conjures up a great image, Tim. Michele had his days didn't he?

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 15:27 (Ref:1420093)

I also still remember the stunned silence as Rindt appeared in the lead at Clearways to win the 1970 British GP, as Brabham coasted in out of fuel. Worst Brands memory? Seeing the aftermath of Siffert's accident in '71. The silence, the pall of black smoke knowing something really terrible had happened then witnessing the fire across the road and the chaos down there.

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 15:36 (Ref:1420104)

On a happier note, Pedro Rodriguez drive in the wet with the 917 is well remembered, although sadly I wasn't there to see it. Who was it who said 'will someone please tell Pedro it's raining'?

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 15:38 (Ref:1420107)

I was there too! Both wet races 1970 & '71. Pedro was amazing..certainly warmed up the soaking wet crowd! Was it Chris Amon who said that?

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 15:39 (Ref:1420111)

I'm going to have to look it up now, aren't I?

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 15:40 (Ref:1420112)

Go on John, gives us your answer to hit your 1000th post!

Nordic · 29 Sep 2005, 15:47 (Ref:1420120)

Was there in 70 & 71, sadly I was to young and have no recollection of those great races. But I always tghought Brands suited sports cars very well and went to all the Grp C races.

The proper FF festivel turned up some great days racing, Moreno and herbert both spring to mind, but I don't think I can think of a bad one until the 1800 cars came along.

I also vividly recall waiting for the gates to open at the GP, then the sprint carrying a couple of chairs to reach a favored place until the rest of the family turn up lugging food etc.

Elio · 29 Sep 2005, 15:49 (Ref:1420122)

First memories are of watching a Transnational GT race from inside of Druids in August 1984 on a Sun Free Day.... Stunning race.... Wilson v McGaughay for the lead in fantastic single-seater (Toleman?) chassised BMW and Lancia clones (as far as I can remember!). I think a small piccy of that race might`ve made the front cover of Autosport if I recall correctly.

Best memories.... Definately the Festivals. Sospiri`s in `88 is still the best in my opinion, but watching Magnussen win in `92 with 2 "round-the-outside" moves at Paddock also stands out.

Perhaps some of the best memories are still to come??.......

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 15:51 (Ref:1420127)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic

I also vividly recall waiting for the gates to open at the GP, then the sprint carrying a couple of chairs to reach a favored place until the rest of the family turn up lugging food etc.

Oh..happy days!! The mad dash to find a good spot at Paddock. I remember queuing one year, at a gate behind the Kentagon when a couple of guys tried to scale the fence. Security were straight there with a fierce looking Alsation.
When it had calmed down there was deathly silence until some wag shouted out 'It can't eat all of us!' Everyone cracked up.

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 16:06 (Ref:1420137)

This thread is bringing back so many memories!
One of the 80's festivals, a seriously bad 'Kentagon' hangover, waking up in the back of John Village's truck having used a spare Kent engine as a pillow, then off back to the Kentagon for breakfast at 7am to beat the rush, only to find it shut. Forgot to put the clock back, it was really 6am. Those engines seemed so loud and painful during the 9am first heat!

h4887 · 29 Sep 2005, 19:36 (Ref:1420296)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

So I first went in 1968 to the British Grand Prix won by Jo Siffert in Rob Walker's Lotus 49.

Me too, but I don't remember seeing you there!

Eddy V · 29 Sep 2005, 19:38 (Ref:1420300)

I still fondly remember my first Festival in 1980 (this not being my first race at Brands).
I was a FF nut then and I am still now, but seeing 240+ FFs go beserk at the place: WOW.

(my mouth is about to shut again, so far down it went)

Brands has always been the ultimate place for me, guess that's why I show up so often.

gfm · 29 Sep 2005, 21:08 (Ref:1420376)

I say chaps, if you look in the archives for this Historic board, I think there are one or two posts that include photos and many many memory jerkers.
My own recollections go back to 65 and cover crashing an F3 in 69, Thundersports, FSV, GTs and piles of other stuff, but most of it will be previously posted along with other folks gems.
Go to the bottom of the page and have a root about. Maybe someone clever can put a link up. Andrew?

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 21:32 (Ref:1420394)

Hi John. Thanks for that!
Right, loads of old threads here with some nice old Brands photos, but other circuits too.

REMEMBERING THE GP AT BRANDS
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...x+Brands+Hatch

**John Turner** · 29 Sep 2005, 21:37 (Ref:1420401)

That's weird, I can only get into the first link listed!

Andrew Kitson · 29 Sep 2005, 21:41 (Ref:1420403)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Brands Hatch WSB	racer69	Bike Racing	27	12 Aug 2004 23:16
Brands Hatch on SKY???	kimi020	ChampCar World Series	18	7 May 2003 11:48
F1 at Brands Hatch. The end?	TwoSheds	Marshals Forum	25	20 Aug 2002 15:01