16 replies to this topic

[dgs]

Most race fans will be aware that Bernie Ecclestone did some racing in the early to mid 1950's, even taking part in two World Championship Grand Prix  practice sessions.

 

However he had one 'last fling' in Formula Junior racing.

 

He took part in the 1961 Anerley Trophy, Formula Junior race held at Crystal Palace on 22nd May 1961, driving an Elva 200-Ford car.

 

Details: Race no 54. Qualified 14th, retiring after 5 laps (out of 20).

 

Amongst his competitors that day were four drivers who would make it into WC Grand Prix's - these being Frank Gardner,Denis Hulme, Mike Parkes and Alan Rees. 

 

Was this Bernie's last race?.  I cannot find any later dates.

 

 

[BRG]

Phew, at first sight of the thread title, I thought it was an obituary for the little scoundrel.  Happily it isn't!  Hard to imagine someone who many think has inflicted so much damage on the sport was actually a competitor originally.  

[GMACKIE]

The Human Race ?

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by BRG
Phew, at first sight of the thread title, I thought it was an obituary for the little scoundrel.....

That's nothing...

Greg thought it was about his old nemesis.

[dgs]

Yes I must admit not the best title for a topic.

 

Should have entitled it 'Bernie Ecclestone's last Motor Race Appearance' 

 

But was it the last time he drove a car in a motor race?

[f1steveuk]

One of the things I did chat to him about when I worked for  him, and he said it was;

 

"60 or 61, but after Stuart, I knew I was making up the numbers, plus, it's like horses if your not that good, pounds in one end, pence ut the other"

 

So 1961 sounds likely

[kayemod]

One of the things I did chat to him about when I worked for  him, and he said it was;

 

"Pounds in one end, pence out the other"

 

 

 

About half the current F1 grid would probably say that's more or less what Bernie has done for F1.

[Roger Clark]

It's the last race i could find in the F1R Record Book.  He entered, but did not arrive for the Junior race at the Brands Hatch Lord Taverner's Meeting (7th May)  and he raced in the Monaco Junior race (13th May, 13th in heat 1).  After the Palace event he appears as entrant for an Elva in the John Davy Trophy meeting at Brands, 7th August, driver Cliff Johnson (dns, mechanical).

 

David McKinney's records show an Elva in 1961 as works/Harry Epps/Ecclestone/Cliff Johnson.  

[dgs]

Roger Clark's record for B.Ecclestone 'mirror' what I have, including the last entry as an entrant for driver Cliff Johnson.  So it looks unlikely that any further results will be found.

[dgs]

Roger Clark's record for B.Ecclestone 'mirror' what I have, including the last entry as an entrant for driver Cliff Johnson.  So it looks unlikely that any further results will be found.

[Doug Nye]

Hmmm - distantly related topic - has something terminal happened to the Formula 2.net Formula Junior race result listing that used to be easily found on the interweb? All I can get these days is a bt. apology that the F2 Register cannot be found?  Or is this just me being incapable (again)?

 

DCN

[Tim Murray]

It's the same for me now, but it worked OK two days ago when I looked up the 1961 Anerley Trophy results. Let's hope it's just a temporary glitch.

[Vitesse2]

It was working a couple of days ago, Doug. But as you say it does appear to be offline at the moment. I've just sent Stefan a message to let him know.

[Vitesse2]

In the mean time, you could access it via the Wayback Machine, which has a cached version from April:

 

http://web.archive.org/web/

 

[Vitesse2]

Update: Stefan is on the case!

[Vitesse2]

Update 2: just heard from Stefan.

 

Problem identified, site will be up and running next week.

[Vitesse2]

Fixed, as of a couple of hours ago.