Tag Archives: Chopard International Trophy

US Powered European GTs – Silverstone Classic

Leave a Reply

For today’s Americana Blog I thought it would be fun to look at some of the US powered pre 1966 GT cars that took part in the 50 minute Chopard International Trophy at Silverstone Classic a couple of weeks ago.

AC Cobra, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Fastest of the seven 289 cui Ford V8 powered AC Cobras in the race was the 1963 #94 example driven by Micheal Gans and Andy Wolfe which came home in 4th place.

Bizzarini, Jaguar, Corvette, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

One place further back at the finish was the blue 327 cui Chevrolet V8 powered 1965 #71 Bizzarini 5300 GT driven by Roger Wills, seen above heading an Jaguar Coupé and Craig Davies’s Corvette Stingray.

Iso, Aston Martin, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Jamie McIntyre drove the fastest of the two Chevrolet 327 cui Iso Griffo A3C’s in the race to a 12th place finish, he is seen lapping the 1963 #118 Aston Martin DP214 driven by Robert Rawe above.

Sunbeam Tiger, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Driving a genuine Le Mans bodied 259 cui Ford V8 powered Sunbeam Tiger to a 24th place finish were Chris Beighton and Tony Ekford, seen above ahead of an Jaguar E-Type and AC Cobra.

TVR Griffith, McInerney,Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Winner of the Chopard International Trophy was Sean McInerney in the 289 cui Ford V8 powered 1964 #64 TVR Griffith seen above.

Thanks for joining me on this “US Powered European GTs” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Classic Jaguar Pride – Silverstone Classic

Leave a Reply

THere was a large pride of Jagaurs at this years Silverstone classic which included,

Jaguar XK120, Christopher Scholey, Stirling Moss Trophy , Silverstone Classic

Christopher Scholey’s 1954 XK120 which he shared with Rob Newall to record a 23rd place in the Stirling Moss Trophy.

Jaguar XK140 FHC, Silverstone Classic

Enjoying a lap of the track in the Jaguar Parade was this 1956 XK140.

Jaguar E-Type, Ian Simmonds, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Mark Hales and Ian Simmonds drove the #36 E-Type to a 28th place finish in the Chopard International Trophy.

Jaguar XJC, Chris Scragg, Jet Super Touring Car Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Known in some circles as the fastest vinyl roof in the world the Jaguar XJC 12 made an unlikely competition car next to the manufacturers other V12 Coupé the XJS, but first time round British Leyland wanted to put the XJC 12 on the track and found it had severely underestimated the capabilities of BMW’s CSL batmobiles against which it was to be judged. Above Chris Scragg pedals his mighty 1976 example round to an 18th place finish in the Jet Super Touring Car Trophy.

Jaguar XJR14, Gareth Evans, Silverstone Classic

Built to the 1991 Formula One powered Group C regulations the Ford HB V8 powered Jaguar XJR14 was an instant success winning the 1991 World Sports Cars Manufacturers Championship with three outright wins and Teo Fabi the World Sports Cars Drivers Championship. Gareth Evans is seen lighting up the front brakes above on his way to 7th place in the Group C Endurance Race.

Jaguar XJ220, Justin Law, Silverstone Classic

Finally a lucky passenger is seen below accompanying Justin Law in his Martini striped 1993 Jaguar XJ220 during the ’90s GT Legends demonstration.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Jaguar Pride” edition of Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another pride of Jaguars at the Jaguar Club of North Americas 50th Anniversary Meeting in San Diego. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Classic Racing Americana – Silverstone Classic

Leave a Reply

This weeks Americana post comes from Silverstone Classic where an interesting selection of vehicles was on display.

Rigling Buick, Bachmann, Maserati Centenary Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The Maserati Centenary Trophy featured three US cars two of which appear to have been Indy 500 racers including the Rigling Buick, seen with Heinz Bachmann at the wheel above, possibly raced as a Schafer 8 Special between 1931 and 1934 by Paul Schafer who was joined with a second Schafer 8 Special in the 1934 Indy 500 by Al Miller who finished 6th. Coincidentally Paul carried the #26 in the 1934 race and Al the #36.

Kurtis KK500G, Fred Harper, Maserati Centenary, Silverstone Classic

The second Indy Car in the Maserati Centenary Trophy was the 1957 Kurtis KK500G driven by Fred Harper, this car was bought by Ray “The Flying Grocer” Crawford in 1957. Ray was a rare owner driver who failed to qualify the Meguiar Mirror Glaze Special at Indy in 1957 and 1958, but he did bring the car to Europe both years and raced it in both of the “Race of Two Worlds” events held at Monza, Italy in 1957 and 1958 finishing 7th and 4th respectively.

Corvette Stingray, Craig Davies, Chopaed International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Craig Davis driving the #99 Corvette Stingray drove to an entertaining 13th place finish with Tim Harvey in the Chopard International Trophy, here the car is seen having just passed the #112 Cobra driven by Tim Summers.

Ford Falcon, Martin Melling, Mustang Celebration Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Seeing a Ford carrying a #88 these days seems a little strange, but this was Silverstone not Darlington, the ’64 Ford Falcon above was driven by Martin Melling to a 32nd place finish in the Mustang Celebration Trophy Proudly Presented by Pure Michigan.

Ford Mustang, Jackie Oliver, Mustang Celebration Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The #3 ’65 Ford Mustang above was driven by former Le Mans winner, Grand Prix driver and Arrows Formula One team owner Jackie Oliver to a fine fifth place in the Mustang Celebration Trophy Proudly Presented by Pure Michigan.

Intrepid RM1, Peter Garrod, Group C Endurance, Silverstone Classic

Finally it was great to see the 1991 Chevrolet powered IMSA Intrepid RM1 get a run in the Group C race with Peter Garrod at the wheel. The Intrepid designed by Bob and Bill Riley an built by Pratt & Miller was a forerunner of the Riley Scott’s US Prototype Sports Cars that would win 32 races between 1995 and 2005.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Racing Americana” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share