Preamble

After 4 years of running the Jon Gross Memorial Trophy race at Castle Combe, we were finally able to move the race to the Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone. This was due to a number of factors but primarily in response to the Gross family wishes to move the race to earlier on in the season, since many of them lived in the USA. Unfortunately, the number of entries was low due to potential entries having other commitments and holidays at this time of the year. Additionally, for reasons which I can no longer recall, we did not have our usual class of invitation cars that we had previously included in the race. Nevertheless, there was some real quality on the grid, in historic terms. As well as the Jon Gross ex 1958 Sebring DB MkIII, campaigned so often and for so long by Jon and still retained by the Gross family, one of the ex works DB2 cars, VMF65, owned by Justin Kennedy was entered for Tony Green to drive, and Mark Campbell was driving the ex Le Mans privateer DB2, which has been in the Campbell family for half a century. A number of prewar Astons were entered competing for The Mort Goodall Cup.

Qualifying

Just 8 cars took to the tracks for qualifying, and pole went appropriately to Chris Woodgate in the BRG DB MkIII, with a best time of 1.18.667. The other MkIII of Dr Simon Jefferies was third with a time of 1.23.067, the pair being split by Tony Green in the DB2, VMF 65, on a time of 1.20.753, so the first 3 looked as though they would not be together for long at the front. However, the first of the prewar Mort Goodall cars was 4th on the grid with a 1.23.502; the 15/98 of Peter Dubsky, offered the prospect of a good race for 3rd if the race followed qualifying form. Mark Campbell was next up with his DB2, on a 1.27.075 and Edward Bradley 6th in his Ulster, on 1.28.875. Guy Northam in the DB2/4 qualified with a time of 1.31.797 and understandably last was the 1932 International of Keith Piper who qualified in a time of 1.39.403. It was not only the oldest car, but also had the smallest capacity at just 1495cc.

Sadly, as Chris Woodgate led the field out in the sun, Keith Piper’s International was nowhere to be seen, so we were now down to 7, albeit, lovely cars. At the flag, poleman Chris, took an immediate lead and completed the first lap just under 3 seconds ahead of Tony Green in the DB2, but Simon Jefferies was missing, and 3rd place was very comfortably held by Peter Dubsky in the 15/98, from Mark Campbell in the second of the DB2, and he was followed by Edward Bradley in the Ulster with Guy Northam in the DB2/4 coming through in last place.

Simon Jefferies had, in fact, pitted on the first lap. He had driven the car to the circuit and he takes up the story -  ‘I drove up to Silverstone on the Friday afternoon, it was a very hot day and the traffic was at its worst and it was more than the Aston should and could bear as we crawled along. I did actually get there in one piece and checked the car over - it seemed ok and I took the practice session relatively easy. In the race I gave the Aston full beans off the start-line and had an immediate misfire and power loss, pitted and found the electrics covered in water which the rad had blown out.  I was desperate to rejoin the race as the race numbers were low and also Jon was my friend - I was there for him, so I went back out again to circulate at 7/tenths. I was able to drive the car home later - then it had an engine rebuild!!   ££££!’. Simon returned to the race on lap 8, so was now 7 laps down but kept the car going on track until the flag but not classified. Poor reward for such an effort, I feel!

Whilst Simon was in the pits tending to his sick MkIII, Chris Woodgate was extending his lead comfortably in the sister car, and pulling out 1.5+ seconds a lap over Tony Green in the DB2 , VMF 65. Tony was going well given his novice status - still carrying the black cross on the back of the car - and was just edging away from the equally well driven prewar 15/98 of Peter Dubsky. By the end of lap 3, the lead was out to 5.2 seconds and Peter was a further 3 seconds down. However, with pace in hand, Chris backed off a little and the lead gap was down to 3.5 seconds at the end of lap 5 whilst Tony’s gap to Peter was up to 7 seconds. These 3 were now a very long way clear of Mark Campbell in his DB2, 37 seconds down on the leader but several seconds clear of Edward Bradley in the splendid Ulster, whilst Guy Notham, now very much on his own, was a minute down in his very striking DB2/4.

Simon Jefferies finally rejoined the race as the leader was about to complete his 7th lap. Chris Woodgate had again eased away from Tony Green in the DB2, so that by the end of lap 10, his lead was out to just over 9 seconds. Tony, also going very well and showing off VMF 65 to good advantage was very safe in 2nd place as Peter Dubsky’s 15/98, itself being driven at a very good pace for a prewar car was now a further 13 seconds down but over a minute ahead of the Mark Campbell’s tired DB2. Edward Bradley and Guy Northam continued to circulate but were no longer occupying the last places now that Simon was back in the race. In truth, of course, with such small numbers, and the cars now well and truly spread out, the race was processional although that did not detract from the sight of these lovely representatives of a great marque being driven enthusiastically.

Over the last few laps of the race, the gap between the leaders remained pretty stable at around the 9.5 - 10 second mark. Interestingly, they had both put their best race lap time in on lap 10 and curiously, they also both sped up on their last lap when their positions, subject to mishap, were assured. A final flourish, then? Chris Woodgate had controlled the race beautifully; he is a pretty quick driver but his best lap was 2 seconds slower than his pole qualifying lap, so he did just enough to take the race whilst showing mechanical sympathy towards his special charge. Jon would have been pleased with both the victory and the manner in which it was gained.

Tony Green was excellent in 2nd place and a fine run by Peter Dubsky netted him 3rd overall and made him winner of the Mort Goodall cup, in his 15/98. Mark Campbell brought the second DB2 home in 4th after a quiet run and Edward Bradley was 5th in the wonderful Ulster, and we should remember that this is an older car with 1500cc than Peter’s 15/98 with 2 litres. Guy Northam brought the DB2/4 home next, and although unclassified, Simon Jeffries took the flag, at reduced pace, in the ailing MkIII.

Sue Gross was, of course, delighted with the win by Jon’s old car and there was a real family feel to this race and its aftermath. Personally, I love the fact that the Gross family retain this wonderful car and allows it to race occasionally in Jon’s memory. Mark Campbell and I would be delighted to run this race again, with Sue’s approval, but, of course, we would need to engage the support of many more owners of racing pre 1960 Aston Martins to achieve this. - JT

Gallery
(All photos by Mick Walker except where stated)

Tailpiece(s)

————————————————————————————————————————————