27 replies to this topic

[john t]

I thought i knew my stuff but several people have suggested that a pre world championship British Grand Prix once took place in darkest Cornwall......Is this true, anyone?

[Leigh Trevail]

Yes that it correct, it was at the short lived track at Davidstow, where the creamery now is. The Formula One races were held on 07-06-54........ 02-08-54 and 30-05-55. There is a book on the circuit by Peter Tutthill, I will post his details on here later.

[frogeye59]

On the Davidstow circuit ???

Edit : He he he.... SNAP !! Leigh

My better half brought me the book back as a pressie, from a girlie weekend nr Padstow, not had chance to read it yet.

[Leigh Trevail]

This is not an advert; but posted in the interests of the general public. Mr. Peter Tutthill's book on Davidstow is available direct from the author for £11.95, including Postage & Packing. He may be contacted by telephoning Great Britain (0)1208 812358

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by john t
I thought i knew my stuff but several people have suggested that a pre world championship British Grand Prix once took place in darkest Cornwall......Is this true, anyone?

No, it is not correct
As has been stated, there were F1 races, and they were in Britain, but they were not called the British Grand Prix and they were not held before 1950

[Leigh Trevail]

That is true David, I should have read the original post more carefully, they were non-championship races for Formula One cars!

[Doug Nye]

Pip-squeak races at what - I am afraid - proved to be a fleeting pip-squeak venue....and a very wet and foggy one too.

DCN

[elansprint72]

Originally posted by Doug Nye
Pip-squeak races at what - I am afraid - proved to be a fleeting pip-squeak venue....and a very wet and foggy one too.

DCN

Bloody tasty cheese though, Doug.

My recommendation: get some large chicken breasts, make a pocket and fill with a mix of crushed garlic and Davistow; grill (or roast over a "slow" barby), serve with mashed spuds and gravy.

Anyone got decent recipies using Castrol R instead of other veg-based oils?

[Rob29]

F1 races in name only-as our younger members would understand.I think Leslie Marr's Connaught was the only current F1 car to take part in 1955? I was at Crystal Palace the same day and more F1 cars took part in F.Libre race there F1 rules were 2500cc u/s-so in theory you could enter the family Morris Minor.

[john t]

Thanks for the info everyone. The collective knowledge of this forum never ceases to amaze me....I better go and by a gentleman in my village a beer........

[Leigh Trevail]

"Pip-squeak races" ....... That maybe so Doug, but a pip-squeak race is surely better than no race!

[Doug Nye]

Absolutely true - but maintaining a proper sense of perspective is critical. 'British Grand Prix' indeed. I do agree regarding Davidstow cheese.

DCN

[fil2.8]

Well guys ,as mainly a biker who lives in Devon I am interested in your comments Looking at your profiles I see that most of live not to far from a circuit . My nearest circuit is Thruxton --95 odd miles or Castle Coombe --a bit further .So for Cornish people ANY form of racing is acceptable Racing --at least 2-wheel was also held at St Evel (Newquay) so don't knock it !!!
My nearest 'major' local track is Brands !!! so travelling for me is a major expense

[D-Type]

Courtesy of TNF-er Darren Galpin's site here are the entries to the three races


7 June 1954

4 Horace Gould : Kieft-Bristol
15 Jack Walton : Cooper-Bristol 23
16 R.Dixon : Frazer Nash-BMW 328
19 Dick Gibson : Cooper-Bristol 23
24 Leslie Marr : Connaught-Lea Francis 'A5'
John Riseley-Prichard : Connaught-Lea Francis
41 Anthony Brooke : HW-Alta
54 Charles Boulton : Connaught-Lea Francis
72 David Watts : Cooper-Bristol 23 : DNA
75 Tom Kyffin : Cooper-Bristol 23

2 August 1954

4 Dick Gibson : Cooper-Bristol 23
9 Tom Kyffin : Cooper-Bristol 23
10 Rodney Nuckey : Cooper-Bristol 23
29 A N Other : Frazer Nash-BMW 328
30 Jack Walton : Cooper-Bristol
33 Albert Wake : Alta-Bristol
52 Eric Brandon : Aston-Martin
53 John Coombs : Lotus-Lea Francis 8

30 May 1955

21 Tony Crook : Cooper-Bristol 24 'CA-2-53'
22 Reg Harris : Connaught-Lea Francis A
24 Leslie Marr : Connaught-Alta B
32 Gordon Rolls : Tojeiro-Bristol
37 F.Sowrey : Cooper-JAP
54 Ken Tyrrell : Cooper-Norton
55 Charles Boulton : Connaught-Lea Francis A
58 Peter Collins : Maserati 250F : DNA
60 Tony Rolt : Connaught-Alta B : DNA
61 Tom Kyffin : Bristol 23

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by fil2.8
Well guys ,as mainly a biker who lives in Devon I am interested in your comments Looking at your profiles I see that most of live not to far from a circuit . My nearest circuit is Thruxton --95 odd miles or Castle Coombe --a bit further .So for Cornish people ANY form of racing is acceptable Racing --at least 2-wheel was also held at St Evel (Newquay) so don't knock it !!!
My nearest 'major' local track is Brands !!! so travelling for me is a major expense

Dont forget bike racing at Pendennis too. They still sprint at St Eval, although they too have the usual noise restrictions in place. Yes folks thats despite having an airport almost next door.

BTW your nearest circuit is in fact Dunkeswell - last weekend of the month you will see great racing there. Plus they also sprint there. Theres several bike and car hillclimbs in Devon too that are worth going to.

[fil2.8]

Originally posted by ghinzani
[B

BTW your nearest circuit is in fact Dunkeswell - last weekend of the month you will see great racing there. Plus they also sprint there. Theres several bike and car hillclimbs in Devon too that are worth going to. [/B]

Ah yes Dunkeswell --owned by a certain well known ex F1 champ karting events don't do it ,nor for that matter sprints nor hill climbs for me ,but you are correct in what you say ,but we were I believe , discussing race tracks.
You could also point to the huge amount of grass track , banger racing etc in the very West of England ,but with all due respect to them , it is not ,as the American's say --dirt is for planting potatoes in ,pavements for racing on !!;)

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by fil2.8


Ah yes Dunkeswell --owned by a certain well known ex F1 champ karting events don't do it ,nor for that matter sprints nor hill climbs for me ,but you are correct in what you say ,but we were I believe , discussing race tracks.
You could also point to the huge amount of grass track , banger racing etc in the very West of England ,but with all due respect to them , it is not ,as the American's say --dirt is for planting potatoes in ,pavements for racing on !!;)

I disagree with everything you say here, but respect your right to say it. If motorised machines race on it then its a motor race track. Some of the best racing I have ever seen has been on my neighbours farm when the grasstrack boys are there. Its where a lad from my village started his career on his way to becoming British GP winner, and for me is quite as valid a racing environment as tarmac.

[fil2.8]

Originally posted by ghinzani


I disagree with everything you say here, but respect your right to say it. If motorised machines race on it then its a motor race track. Some of the best racing I have ever seen has been on my neighbours farm when the grasstrack boys are there. Its where a lad from my village started his career on his way to becoming British GP winner, and for me is quite as valid a racing environment as tarmac.

Likewise, I respect your point of view ,but the original thread was concerning a pre-world championship British Grand Prix in the 1950's , which as far as I know ,even in Cornwall ,would have taken place on a hard,concrete ,asphalt or similar surface .
Racing is racing on whatever , and I agree about different types , but I repeat that was not the issue here.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by ghinzani


Dont forget bike racing at Pendennis too. They still sprint at St Eval, although they too have the usual noise restrictions in place. Yes folks thats despite having an airport almost next door.

BTW your nearest circuit is in fact Dunkeswell - last weekend of the month you will see great racing there. Plus they also sprint there. Theres several bike and car hillclimbs in Devon too that are worth going to.

There is of course the May day Bank Holiday week-end at Werrington for 4-wheel hillclimbs!

[RS2000]

Surely Dunkeswell Sprints have been suspended in the fall out from the Mansell planning application?

[fil2.8]

Originally posted by RS2000
Surely Dunkeswell Sprints have been suspended in the fall out from the Mansell planning application?

Well , I did'nt want to mention it .......

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by RS2000
Surely Dunkeswell Sprints have been suspended in the fall out from the Mansell planning application?

Fallout?

They do sprints at Clay now, slightly OT I know but seems a very tight track for a car - they generally struggle to get 24 karts round the track when Ive been there!

[jimjimjeroo]

Originally posted by ghinzani


Dont forget bike racing at Pendennis too. They still sprint at St Eval, although they too have the usual noise restrictions in place. Yes folks thats despite having an airport almost next door.

BTW your nearest circuit is in fact Dunkeswell - last weekend of the month you will see great racing there. Plus they also sprint there. Theres several bike and car hillclimbs in Devon too that are worth going to.

Dont forget our local BTCC team in the form of Jag comminucations

[plutoman]

Pip-squeak races at what - I am afraid - proved to be a fleeting pip-squeak venue....and a very wet and foggy one too.

DCN

Just been trawling through the forum and found this thread; I have relatives who live near Davidstow, and have visited the remains of the airfield site a few times. There's not much there any more, just a few pot-holed roads and a derelict building, so its amazing to think that Formula 1 cars once raced there (even if they were only pip-squeak ones!)

An interesting piece of trivia from Peter Tuthill's book is that the 1954 race was won by John Coombes in a Connaught engined Lotus Mk 8, therefore the first Lotus F1 victory technically predates Moss' Monaco win by seven years.

[arttidesco]

Wow! Learn new stuff every day I'd love to have seen a Lotus Connaught MK VIII beat an F1 car in the Cornwall GP ! What is the 21st century equivalent of a Lotus Connaught MK VIII a Ginetta Zyteck Z09R perhaps ?

[ghinzani]

St Eval would make a great clubbie race track, but unfortunately the Nimbys have the upper hand - they have even banned 4 stroke (ie quiet) karts running on a Sunday. Despite having an airport down the road...

[johnny yuma]

All very disappointing for an Aussie with ancestry from Ireland and Cornwall.....doesn't seem to be much to report from either area
for a "back to the roots" trip.Was hoping "Wild Mary" Wesley had raced in Cornwall in a supercharged MG between spy missions or whatever.

[Terry Walker]

Davidstow today, thanks to Street View: