7 replies to this topic

[Auroraf1]

I know about Adrian Russell in his Aurora years 78 & 79, driving March 762 & 782s, but I have found precious little about him before or since.
I know he was a car dealer and have a very good article about him in a Duckhams Quest of 78.

Can any one fill in anymore about him? Pictures perhaps?

Cheers
Phil

[Mallory Dan]

Phil, I think he first appeared in late 76/early 77 initially with a GRD, then the ex-Mallock Lola T450. As you say he then had the F2 Marches, but completely disappeared, as far as I'm aware, after the 79 season here. He was a motor-trader from Thornton Heath, South London.

[MCS]

He was an Indylantic competitor in 1976, initially with a GRD and then the Lola, as Dan says.

I was never certain as to what he had done before then, if anything; although one has to assume that he must have raced something previously to get his racing licence...

[ReWind]

Mike Kettlewell, Motor Racing Directory, 1979, wrote this about Adrian Russell:

Garage proprietor, working in Thornton Heath.
Born February 24, 1937, in London.
Married to Jonia. One Child, Elaine.
Member of BRSCC.
Adrian was a successful kart racer in 1968-1969, winning over 60 trophies at venues all over the country. He once held the outright kart lap record at Cadwell Park when competing in the Villiers category.
Motor racing attracted Russell in 1976 and he joined in with a Formula Atlantic machine. In 1978 he campaigned a Formula 2 March 762 complete with Ford BDX engine and concentrated on the Aurora AFX series, finishing second in the Formula 2 class. He also took part in several formula libre races, taking the outright lap record at Lydden and winning the BRDC’s Chris Bristow Trophy for establishing the fastest lap on the short circuit during 1978. Adrian raced at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Donington Park, Mallory Park, Snetterton, Silverstone, Thruxton and Zandvoort.
On the subject of last season, Russell recalled: We had a reasonable year with a very uncompetitive car and limited funds, but – most important – we raced. This season Adrian moved up to a more competitive car, the ex-Stephen South Formula 2 March 782-Hart.

[rateus]

Originally posted by ReWind
He also took part in several formula libre races, taking the outright lap record at Lydden

...at the very first race meeting I ever attended, as a young lad of 9! His attempt for the outright record was trailed in the local paper, which enabled me to talk my dad into taking the family along. Russell only gave himself one clear lap to do it as well, as he fluffed his start and spent most of the race trailing a clubmans-spec racer.

His March stood out visually as well - I remember it being bright blue.

[Auroraf1]

Thanks for everything so far folks.
It has filled in a few more blanks, but he does seem to be pretty elusive.

I will try and find my Duckhams Quest article and re read it, but it I am sure it does no more than talk about what he was doing at the time and that it was very much a shoestring outfit with him and his wife doing most of the work.

That was in the blue march.

The 782 for 1979 was in the brown Aycliffe colours which passed to Kim Mather for 1980 as Adrian had decided to give up.

Someone must know if he is still around?

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Phil,

Googling Adrian Russell racing driver brought upte following, but I couldn't seem to follow it through.

He was a newcomer to the BMW Racing Drivers Club series in 2006. Adrian following a 25 year break from racing ..............

That would mean this Adrian Russell last raced in 1981, which is sort of about the correct era. The only downside to this theory would be "why would a single seater racer want to race something with doors?"

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz
"why would a single seater racer want to race something with doors?"

Fed up of getting wet?