36 replies to this topic

[Hieronymus]

Friends, I am trying to compile a detailed statistical record of all Tony Brooks's races from 1952-1961. I think I have documented most of his races thus far, but some information I still need. I shall be most happy if anyone can please perhaps fill me in, on any of the following details. The information that I require, is indicated in brackets:

24/3/1956 Sebring 12 Hour (grid position)
2/4/1956 Richmond Trophy, Goodwood (result, car number,grid position)
27/5/1956 Nurburgring 1000km (grid position)
28/6/1956 Le Mans 24 Hour (grid position)

7/4/1957 GP di Siracusa (car number)
22/4/1957 Glover Trophy, Goodwood (car number, grid position)
22/4/1957 Lavant Cup (grid position)
9/6/1957 BRSCC F2 Race, Brands Hatch (grid position)
28/7/1957 GP de Caen (car number, grid position)
25/8/1957 Belgian GP, Spa (grid position)
28/9/1957 Woodcote Cup, Goodwood (grid position)
27/10/1957 Marroccan GP (car number)

22/3/1958 Sebring 12 Hour (grid position)
13/4/1958 British Empire Trophy, Oulton Park (car number, grid position0
19/4/1958 BARC Aintree 200 (grid position)
3/5/1958 Int. Trophy, Silverstone (grid position)

18/4/1959 BARC Aintree 200 (grid position)

Some details prior to 1956 I also can't find, but I first wish to make a personal effort in obtaining this info, before I ask for further help.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
Friends, I am trying to compile a detailed statistical record of all Tony Brooks's races from 1952-1961. I think I have documented most of his races thus far, but some information I still need. I shall be most happy if anyone can please perhaps fill me in, on any of the following details. The information that I require, is indicated in brackets:

24/3/1956 Sebring 12 Hour (grid position)
2/4/1956 Richmond Trophy, Goodwood (result, car number,grid position)Retired lap 9 -oil prssure;#5,back of grid no time
27/5/1956 Nurburgring 1000km (grid position)
28/6/1956 Le Mans 24 Hour (grid position)

7/4/1957 GP di Siracusa (car number)#4
22/4/1957 Glover Trophy, Goodwood (car number, grid position)#6;2nd
22/4/1957 Lavant Cup (grid position)pole
9/6/1957 BRSCC F2 Race, Brands Hatch (grid position)6th,middle 2nd row
28/7/1957 GP de Caen (car number, grid position)#8,2nd
25/8/1957 Belgian GP, Spa (grid position)
28/9/1957 Woodcote Cup, Goodwood (grid position)pole
27/10/1957 Marroccan GP (car number)#22

22/3/1958 Sebring 12 Hour (grid position)
13/4/1958 British Empire Trophy, Oulton Park (car number, grid position0
19/4/1958 BARC Aintree 200 (grid position)10th 4th row
3/5/1958 Int. Trophy, Silverstone (grid position)11th 3rd row

18/4/1959 BARC Aintree 200 (grid position)

Some details prior to 1956 I also can't find, but I first wish to make a personal effort in obtaining this info, before I ask for further help.

[D-Type]

1956 Le Mans - the grid position will be the same as the car number (less non starters) as in those days the starting position was determined by capacity and the numbers matched them.

1957 Belgian GP - there was no F1 Belgian GP in '57. I believe the sports car race that CASB won in the DBR1 was called the Spa GP.

[David McKinney]

IIRC there was a Belgian GP as well as a Spa GP in 1957, both for sportscars and both won by Brooks. I can get dates later today

[m.tanney]

Sebring, 1956: Sebring used a LeMans start from 1950-1969. It wasn't until 1964 that they positioned the cars in order of qualifying speed. From 1950-1963, they were lined up according to engine displacement, with the larger displacement cars at the front of the line. Practice was just that - practice. There was no qualifying as such. That is why the "grid positions" are not listed in Ken Breslauer's book, the main reference on Sebring. As there were three Aston-Martins entered in 1956, you can't even work out Brooks' position in accord with his car's displacement.

Mike

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Hieronymus



2/4/1956 Richmond Trophy, Goodwood (result, car number,grid position) Ret, lap 9, Oil pressure. 5, 12th (no time). NB This race is erroneously called the Glover Trophy in Sheldon!

18/4/1959 BARC Aintree 200 (grid position) 6th

[Hieronymus]

Thanks everyone for the additional information.

[David McKinney]

Whoops - almost forgot my earlier promise
Confirming that there were two Spa sportscar races in 1957, the Spa GP on 12 May and the Belgian GP on 25 August. Brooks won them both

[Roger Clark]

27/5/1956 Nurburgring 1000km (grid position) 10th, but Collins made the start.

[Marcor]

12 May 1957: GP de Spa, third race of the day, won by Tony Brooks, Aston Martin #29, PP, start from the 1st row.

25 August 1957: GP du R.A.C.B, 3 hours Sportscars race, class over 1.5 L, won by Tony Brooks, Aston Martin 3 L #12, Le Mans start (drivers crossing the track and jumping in their cars).

Source: pictures included in the book "Francorchamps 1948-1960".

[Hieronymus]

Thanks again for the additional information. The ideal situation would have been to post all the information that I have compiled, but this is unforntunately not possible due to the format it is in. I am willing, though, to email it to anyone that maybe interested. Let me know.

While at it, I wish to ask the following:

1955

Tony competed in PRODUCTION CAR three races in a DKW belonged to Mr. Alkington. I try to get the race number of the car for the 3 events. The dates were 7 May 1955(Silverstone), 27 Aug. and 24 Sept. (both at Oulton Park). Perhaps someone has seen a photo of Tony in the DKW that shows the number on the car.

Davidstow F.Libre race on 7 June 1955. Tony races a HWM F2. I try to find the car number and grid position. I presume the car was entered by HWM?

BARC F.Libre Trophy (Aintree) 3 Sept. 1955 - car no. in race and also grid position needed.

Air India trophy (Brands Hatch) 26 Dec. 1955 - car no. in race and grid position needed.

1956

14 Apr. 1956 British Empire Trophy (Oulton Park) - grid position?

5 May 1956 Daily Express Sports car Race(Silversone) - Apparently Tony competed in a Lotus-Connaught. Was there a car like that? If so, who enytered him for this race. Also needed car no. and grid position.

8 Sept. 1956 Goodwood Trophy - grid position?

27 Sept. 1956 Oulton Prk Saloon car Race - Tony competed in a Mercedes 300SL that was the road car of Rob walker. Anyone know the car number in this race.

[Rob29]

F.Libre race at Davidstow was on May 30 1955,same day that I was at Crystal Palace.The previous year 1954,Davidstow was on June 7,and an A.Brooke finished 3rd in the F1 race in an HWM.,and 2nd in F.Libre handicap.
26 Dec 1955 Brands Hatch-from memory was a cold wet day,Brooks Connaught was the only proper F1 car present and led from pole to finnish.?#4.

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Rob29
26 Dec 1955 Brands Hatch-from memory was a cold wet day,Brooks Connaught was the only proper F1 car present and led from pole to finnish.?#4.

Think Archie Scott-Brown won the race, with Tony second...

[Vitesse2]

In the Aintree meeting you're querying Brooks was also 2nd in the 1500cc sports car race in a Connaught, behind Colin Chapman's Lotus-MG.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Hieronymus



Think Archie Scott-Brown won the race, with Tony second...

Er,yes it was Archie I was thinking of.I was there but memory fading after 47 yrs! Why do Sheldon books not include Libre races!

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
In the Aintree meeting you're querying Brooks was also 2nd in the 1500cc sports car race in a Connaught, behind Colin Chapman's Lotus-MG.

Yes indeed, this was in a works 1,5 litre Connaught sports car (the Connaught ALSR, I believe).

Seems he also competed in a third event on that day - the "Daily Telegraph Trophy", where he finished 3rd or 4th. Do not know if this race and the previously mentioned "BARC F.Libre Race" was perhaps one and the same event. Tony was racing Riseley-Pritchard's A3 in these two races or race(?)

With regards to my earlier question about the Lotus-Connaught. Seems there was a chap called Young, that had a Lotus Mk X, that was equiped with a Connaught engine - it was in 1955, so maybe there is a connection here. Perhaps it was used by Tony for this one race (Daily express Sport Car Race - Silverstone) on 5 May 1956??

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
Seems he also competed in a third event on that day - the "Daily Telegraph Trophy", where he finished 3rd or 4th. Do not know if this race and the previously mentioned "BARC F.Libre Race" was perhaps one and the same event. Tony was racing Riseley-Pritchard's A3 in these two races or race(?)

Sheldon has the Daily Telegraph Trophy entry listed as Equipe Endeavour. Race number was 17. Brooks finished 4th, from 7th on the grid.

A photo in Motor Sport shows he had the same number in the Formule Libre race - it's taken shortly after the start and it looks like he might have been 5th on the grid in that one.

[Pete Stowe]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
1955
Tony competed in PRODUCTION CAR three races in a DKW belonged to Mr. Alkington.

This would be Aldington, the Aldington family ran AFN Ltd who were the DKW importers.

BARC F.Libre Trophy (Aintree) 3 Sept. 1955 - car no. in race and also grid position needed.

Number 17 , if I've interpreted the Autocar lap-chart correctly

27 Sept. 1956 Oulton Prk Saloon car Race - Tony competed in a Mercedes 300SL that was the road car of Rob walker. Anyone know the car number in this race.

Number 115, from photo in the Autocar report.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Pete Stowe

Number 17 , if I've interpreted the Autocar lap-chart correctly

That's what I said, having seen the picture! ^^^

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Vitesse2


Sheldon has the Daily Telegraph Trophy entry listed as Equipe Endeavour.

Sheldon's version is most interesting. Tony himself says that all his races in the Connaught A3, was in the car belonging to John Riseley-Pritchard. He can't recall Riseley-Pritchard racing as "Equipe Endeavour". According to Tony this was the team of Tommy Sopwith.

[Hieronymus]

I finally wish to ask a few questions, now that I have exhausted all sources that I have in my possesion. If anyone can help me with the following, I shall be most thankful:

Tony's first race was on 22 March 1952 in a Healey Silverstone at Goodwood. Has anyone perhaps seen a photo taken at this particular event? I am trying to find the car's race number. Perhaps one can see the number on a photo, if one exists.

1958

I look for the car's race number and also grid position, at the British Empire Trophy (Oulton Park) on 13 April 1958.

1957

Grid position at the International Gold Cup (Oulton Park) on 5 October 1957.

1956

I am still curious to know if Tony raced a Lotus-Connaught (see previous comments in this thread) at the Daily Express meeting on 5 May 1956. Does anyone know more about this car?

Many thanks!

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
I finally wish to ask a few questions, now that I have exhausted all sources that I have in my possesion. If anyone can help me with the following, I shall be most thankful:

Tony's first race was on 22 March 1952 in a Healey Silverstone at Goodwood. Has anyone perhaps seen a photo taken at this particular event? I am trying to find the car's race number. Perhaps one can see the number on a photo, if one exists.

No pictures of this race in Motor Sport.

Originally posted by Hieronymus
1958

I look for the car's race number and also grid position, at the British Empire Trophy (Oulton Park) on 13 April 1958.

#77, 2nd on grid in final - no idea re the heat though.

Originally posted by Hieronymus
1957

Grid position at the International Gold Cup (Oulton Park) on 5 October 1957.

Third

[humphries]

Hieronymus

Tony Brooks drove car #49 ( programme ) at Goodwood on 22/3/52. He was not in the first 4 in the 1501-3000cc sports car race and was not in the first 5 in the 3rd Handicap race although he had a 68 second start. A driver called A.D.Tasker won off the same handicap! Who then would have thought that Tony would develop into one of the fastest and most composed and stylish drivers to race a Grand Prix car.

The DKW entered by W.H.Aldington was #53 at Silverstone ( photo in Motor Sport ) and #12 4t the 24/9/55 Oulton Park race ( programme ).

At the 1955 Boxing Day Brands Hatch meeting Tony drove #41 ( programme ) in the Air India
Trophy.

The Lotus-Connaught 1.5 driven by Brooks was entered by John Coombs and was a modified Mk 9, I believe, that Coombs had used the previous year. If Tony had had a Mk11-Climax he would have been higher than 8th at Silverstone 5/5/56. At the British GP meeting the car retired on lap 9 with brake problems in the first ever 1500cc F2 race. The 1955 Mike Young Connaught-powered Lotus Mk10 was a 2 litre car.

The 300SL that Tony drove at Oulton Park 27/9/56 was in a race that was titled "The Manchester Motor Trades Luncheon Club Trophy". A bit of a mouthful! Sorry.

V2. I am interested to know why you think Paul was wrong to refer to the 1956 main race at the Easter Goodwood meeting as the Glover Trophy.

John

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by humphries
V2. I am interested to know why you think Paul was wrong to refer to the 1956 main race at the Easter Goodwood meeting as the Glover Trophy.

John

The big race of the afternoon was the Richmond Formula I Race .... Salvadori had a good day ....finishing second in the Richmond Trophy.

WB. Motor Sport May 1956 p255

[Milan Fistonic]

Originally posted by humphries
V2. I am interested to know why you think Paul was wrong to refer to the 1956 main race at the Easter Goodwood meeting as the Glover Trophy.

John
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The big race of the afternoon was the Richmond Formula I Race .... Salvadori had a good day ....finishing second in the Richmond Trophy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WB. Motor Sport May 1956 p255




The race is shown as the Richmond Formula 1 Race (Glover Trophy) in The Motor Yearbook.

So you are both right.

[Doug Nye]

The contemporary programme...





Rather more quality than quantity about the entry...

DCN

[Vitesse2]

Thanks Milan and Doug. Seems I was misled by WB .... :

[humphries]

V2

Delving back and consulting the BARC Yearbook for 1956 I can see why WB, you and me, and every other motor racing historian for that matter, can be misled.

In the Principal Race Winners section it refers to the race from 1953 onwards as the Richmond ( Glover ) Trophy! Yet in another section, BARC Trophies, it states the following :-

"The Challenge Trophy first presented by Mr. D.M.Glover, Chairman of United Lubricants Limited, to the winner of the "500 International Trophy Race " ( for 500cc cars ) and now awarded to the winner of the Richmond Trophy Race for Formoula 1 cars".

So the winner of the 500 International Trophy received the Challenge Trophy which was later presented as the Glover Trophy to the winner of the Richmond Trophy. As clear as mud!

John

[Vitesse2]

Thanks John. I'm not a complete fool then ....

But it begs the question: what happened to the original Richmond Trophy? Is it sitting on His Lordship's sideboard? Or did Gonzo not send it back?

[Doug Nye]

The 'Richmond' name was subsequently dropped where the Formula 1 race was concerned in favour of 'The International '100', for the Glover Trophy' so it becomes even more convoluted, until the good old 'Daily Mirror' and 'News of the World' (referred to in period vernacular, I recall, as the 'News of the Screws') sponsorship came along and Dan's trophy was quietly forgotten too.

DCN

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by humphries


"The Challenge Trophy first presented by Mr. D.M.Glover, Chairman of United Lubricants Limited, to the winner of the "500 International Trophy Race " ( for 500cc cars ) and now awarded to the winner of the Richmond Trophy Race for Formoula 1 cars".

At the Easter Monday meeting, the 500cc race was normally for the Earl of March trophy. When was the Glover Trophy awarded?

[humphries]

Roger

The 500 International Trophy was first held in 1950 on 27th May and was won by "Curly" Dryden in a Cooper. The following year, 14th May, Stirling Moss won with a Kieft and on 2nd June, 1952 Bob Gerard in a Cooper lifted Mr Glover's Challenge Trophy.

In 1953 the Glover Trophy went to Ken Wharton in the legendary BRM, which no doubt could be heard all round the circuit. Ken trounced Taruffi in the Thinwall Special Ferrari breaking the lap record five times. There is a photograph in Autosport showing the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, formerly the Earl of March, presenting the trophy to the winner of the Formula Libre event at the Easter meeting. Wharton and a BRM won again in 1954.

Strangely there was a Fomula 3 race at the 1953 Whit meeting ( 25 May ) that Stirling won. The race was untitled as the trophy had been reserved for the star turns at Easter.

The last F3 500cc Whitsun race was on 7th June when it was more modestly titled the Goodwood National "500". Reg Bicknell won in his Revis.

Just a thought when did the Earl of March become the Duke? Did this have any bearing on the changing of race titles?

John

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by humphries

Strangely there was a Fomula 3 race at the 1953 Whit meeting ( 25 May ) that Stirling won. The race was untitled as the trophy had been reserved for the star turns at Easter.

The last F3 500cc Whitsun race was on 7th June when it was more modestly titled the Goodwood National "500". Reg Bicknell won in his Revis.

Thanks John,

Wasn't the 1953 race you refer to actually at Crystal Palace? This meeting marked the post-war re-opening of the London circuit and the BARC moved their major Whit Monday meeting there. Perhaps this had something to do with the change of race for the Glover Trophy.

You didn't actually say so, but Bicknell's win was in 1954.

Moss' win in 1951 was his first race in a Kieft. He had flown back overnight from Monza where he finished third in the GP for HWM. He was quoted as saying that the £200 prize made the trip well worthwhile. I suppose £200 was a good prize in those days; the Autosport F3 championship was itself only worth £200. His journey was almost the reverse of that attempted a year later by Fangio with almost tragic consequences.

[Hieronymus]

Many thanks gentlemen for the additional information!

Humpfries, do you perhaps know what model DKW was used by Tony during 1955?

Perhaps any indications of grid positions for Tony's earlier races i.e. 1952-1954. All races were in the Healey Silverstone (that belonged to his mother) and the Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica of Mr. Hely during this period, apart from the RAC Tourist Trophy of 1954 when he was entered by Henry Moore (I think) and two races for Mr. Aldington on 2 Oct. 1954 (Aintree) in a Porsche (model unknown) and also on 9 Oct. 1954 (Snetterton) in a Frazer Nash Le Mans Rep.

[humphries]

Roger

Yes, the BARC Whitsun meeting was at Crystal Palace and possibly Mr Glover's trophy was donated on the understanding that it was only to be competed for at Goodwood. That this venue transfer may have something to do with the trophy juggling is a good point.

I'm surprised that there does not appear to have been any sort of trophy or cup for the Whitsun 500cc race at the Palace. At Primary School to celebrate the Coronation we all got a mug. Perhaps somebody can look at the small print in the programme. I've only got photcopies of the entry lists.

Hiero

The car in the Motor Sport photo was described as a DKW Sonderklass, a 3-6 ? ( I'm no expert ).
It is similar in shape to the later Auto Union 1000 in which many German saloon car drivers cut their teeth. At the time a potent little car.

When I can find time I'll check out Tony's earlier races. A list would help in order to save time.

John H

[Hieronymus]

Thanks a million, Humphries. I only need grid positions, nothing else with regards to these races.

The list is rather long, but here we go:

1952

17 May (Goodwood) Sports car and Handicap races
2 June (Goodwood) Whitsun Handicap race
26 July (Goodwood) Sports car and Handicap races
27 Sept. (Goodwood) Sports car race

1953

21 March (Goodwood) Sports car and Handicap races
6 Apr. (Goodwood) EASTER Handicap race
2 May (Goodwood) Sports car and Handicap races
25 May (Crystal Palace) Sports car race
25 July (Goodwood) Sports car race
1 Aug. (Snetterton) Handicap race
29 Aug. (Silverstone) 6 Hour Relay race
12 Sept. (Goodwood) Sports car race
26 Sept. (Goodwood) Handicap race

1954

27 March (Goodwood) Sports Car and Handicap races
19 April (Goodwood) Handicap race I am also not sure of his result in this race.
1 May (Goodwood) Sports Car and Handicap races
29 May (Aintree) Sports Car race
5 June (Snetterton) Sports Car and Handicap races
19 June (Crystal Palace) Sports Car race
17 July (Silverstone) sports Car race
2 Aug. (Crystal Palace) Sports Car race
14 Aug. (Snetterton) Sports Car race
21 Aug. (Goodwood) Sports Car and Handicap races

Many thanks again.

[Vitesse2]

17/5/52 - handicap. "Brooks' Silverstone Healey led all the way ...." This presumably implies he was first away. The meeting itself was for sports cars only, but I can't see any other mention of CASB in the four scratch races.