12 replies to this topic

[JtP2]

Just seen an old Autosport on fleabay, April 14th 1967. The front cover is of the grid at Reims, well it looks like it to me. The race appears to be in run in the reverse direction to normal. So was the track used in both directions and what is the race?

[Tim Murray]

The photo caption describes it as 'ten minutes to go before the start of the supporting F2 race at the French Grand Prix meeting at Rheims last year'. It would appear that the cars in the foreground are being wheeled down to the grid where they will be turned around to face in the correct direction. The cars already on the grid appear to be pointing the correct way.

[pete53]

An interesting idea, but, as Tim suggests, the cars were facing the "right" direction by the time the flag dropped. The Autosport report from the meeting has plenty of photographs showing the cars travelling in the usual clockwise direction. I am sure there will be TNFers who could tell us if there have been examples of races being run in reverse direction on a circuit. I know the Hutchinson 100 bike race at Brands used to be run anti-clockwise, and I believe the first meeting at Aintree in the 1950s was run anti-clockwise before changing to the usual clockwise.

[Vitesse2]

 I am sure there will be TNFers who could tell us if there have been examples of races being run in reverse direction on a circuit.

Yep: http://forums.autosp...erse direction

[pete53]

Yep: http://forums.autosp...erse direction

Thanks. I should have known there would already be thread on this topic

[Roger Clark]

Anything was possible when Raymond Roche was in charge of the start.

[Odseybod]

Certainly seemed to do it that way at the 1954 French GP there ....

 

 

 

 

(Sorry about the quality - paternal film transport mechanism was having tantrums that day).

 

[10kDA]

Grattan Raceway in Michigan used to run a few events opposite direction each year. Those events were named "Nattarg", of course - "Grattan" backwards.

[AAGR]

May I please be a boring O** F**t, and ask how many different ways were there of running races at Brooklands ? I've certainly seen images of the finishing straight being used in both directions ....

 

Yes, really - I don't know, and would love to be educated.

[Vitesse2]

'A hell of a lot' is the answer, Graham! All the known configurations - and indeed handicapping methods - are mapped in Tony Hutchings' two-volume monograph 'The Administration of Racing at Brooklands', published by the Brooklands Society in 2002. Now appears to be out of print.

 

I have identified one which isn't in it though - there was a soapbox race in 1939 which used part of the Campbell Circuit - reversed. Downhill from the Members' Banking, sharp left at the Test Hill Hairpin and along the flat to the line on the New Finishing Straight.

[Alan Cox]

Thanks for posting a few more of your father's wonderful photographs, Tony/Odsey. Any chance of some more on other threads?

[Tim Murray]

Hear hear!

[Odseybod]

Thanks for the kind comments, chaps.  A new (old) scanner is an incentive to dig out some more when I'm  back from my travels, so will do.