The Richard Bell Memorial Trophy

FISCAR Inter-Marque

VSCC Spring Start, 11th April, 2026

Preamble

Our season opener at the VSCC Spring Start meeting is always well supported and gives some indication of what to expect for the rest of the year. Our 30 car entry list was encouraging, particularly in the light of the fact that our friends, Tony and Pia Bianchi were also running their first Revolution 50s race for owner-driven Pre 1961 cars which mustered even more entries. There was some overlap, a few doing both races, but it would be fair to say that the VSCC were positively invaded by 1950s sports cars.

By race day our 30 entries had reduced to 26 entries following 4 withdrawals. The much anticipated appearance of Mark Brett’s 1946 Delage D6, a true veteran of Le Mans, on our grid had to be postponed due to magneto problems but has been entered at VSCC Donington. The other 3 withdrawals involved were all Lotus Elites. Both David Alexander and Barry Dye were denied races by clutch issues and newcomer Morgan Cleasby had not been able to test his freshly rebuilt car so wisely withdrew. David’s withdrawal opened up the list of potential outright winners, as he has been the pace of the field in recent seasons. Despite the withdrawals this was still very good and varied grid and among the entries was Eddie McGuire’s Gordini T23S, the pace of which, in it’s day tested the C-Type Jaguars at Le Mans. Talking of which, we welcomed Justin Beckett back now in a a replica C-type to original specification and replacing his AC Ace. Alex Quattlebaum’s LECo, to be driven by Tania Pilkington was withdrawn, so Tania moved her Maserati 300S from the Revolution race over to FISCAR. Chris Mann entered the Disco Volante in the shorter Revolution race in order to save it for the Goodwood Members meeting but entered his superb Alfa Romeo 1900CSS Zagato Coupe, which was an excellent subsitute. All in all, it was another lovely FISCAR grid.

Early morning rain departed and although the sun popped out and brightened the proceedings later on, a cold wind prevailed throughout and winter clothing was the order of the day for most.  

Qualifying

It was not entirely surprising that Eddie McGuire’s Gordini T23S was on pole but it was his co-driver Miles Griffith who posted the time of 1.12.549, a full second clear of another FISCAR first timer, Clive Richards in his Lotus 7 Series 1, on a time of 1.13.572. Almost a further second down was Adrian King in David Cottingham’s AC Ace Bristol and sharing the second row with Adrian was Andrew Mitchell in his Lotus Elite sharing the driving with Mark Morgan. Rory Tollett was 5th in the Austin Healey 100M, his Dad, Glenn, not driving as his racing licence came through too late! Rory’s time was 1.14.987, and alongside him on the 3rd row was another Lotus Elite, driven by Dougal Cawley and Mark Groves, on a time of 1.16.478. On the 4th row, Simon Evan’s had the big Allard J2X Le Mans on a time of 1.16.594 and Neil Burnside in his MGA Twin Cam, on a time of 1.16.831. Tim Stamper’s Aston Martin DB2/4, even more battle scarred than usual following his prang at Castle Combe, occupied the 5th row in a time of 1.17.165 and had Tania Pilkington’s splendid Maserati 300S alongside on 1.17.458.

Row 6 was made up of Justin Beckett and Nigel Winchester/Jonathan Cobb in Jaguar C -Type and Lotus 7 S1 respectively, with times of 1.17.646 and 1.17.777. Justin’s C - type is a new build but based on original spec - ie 3.4 litres, SU carbs and drum brakes all round. It replaces his AC Ace Bristol which he raced with us for a number of years. Next up, was Mark Hoble in his Morgan +4 in a time of 1.18.275 and alongside was Jonny Shears in the older +4 Flat Rad with a time of 1.18.385. Peter Baker was on the 8th row in his Aston Martin DB2, one of three such models in the race. His time was a 1.19.566. He shared the row with Tristan Bradfield’s Sunbeam Alpine LM just over a tenth slower on 1.19.577. 17th on the grid was Jonathan Lupton’s ex works DB2, the famous VMF 65 with a time of 1.19.822 and alongside Jeremy Woods Triumph Italia 2000 on 1.20.967. On row 10, Nicole Burnside sharing with Chris Wilks in her MGA Twin Cam was on 1.21.131 and Gareth Evans in the second of the Sunbeam Alpines with a time of 1.21.608.

The last 3 rows were as much an enthusiasts delight as any other part of our splendid grid. On row 11, Shaun Bromley had his MGA Coupe on a time of 1.21.721 and alongside was Chris Mann’s superb Alfa Romeo 1900CSS Zagato, surely a star on any historic grid, on a time of 1.21.879. Another MGA graced the 12th row, Martin Stowe with a time of 1.23.038, and alongside he had Stuart Dean’s unique MG DJS Coupe on 1.23.112. On the final row Benn Faulkner’s Bristol 450 presented another unique sight, on 1.28.493 sharing the row with an ex Le Mans warrior, Mark Campbell’s Aston Martin DB2, on 1.29.360. What a fabulous grid!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Race

Before dealing with the race, I feel that I should advise that post practice, we had a long delay whilst the medical team dealt with a medical emergency. This was not as a result of any on track incident, but well known historic racer, Paddins Dowling needed stabilising treatment before being taken to hospital. Marcus Pye has, within the last few days advised my son, Kevin, that Paddins is ‘going to be OK’ and I’m sure that we all wish him a speedy recovery.

A lovely grid of FISCAR cars emerged for a race in relatively bright but breezy weather with some cloud about. All 26 cars appeared but whilst I noted front row man Clive Richards take his Lotus Seven S1 around on the green flag lap, he does not appear in the startline photos, so he clearly headed straight to the pits to retire so that 25 cars took up their grid positions for the start.

At the start, poleman Eddie McGuire held his ground to head into Copse leading, but there was some jostling behind as a number of cars looked to take advantage of the space left by the absence of the Lotus. Second row occupants Adrian King in the AC Ace and Andrew Mitchell’s Lotus Elite appeared to get away well but were briefly split by the fast starting Tim Stamper in the Aston Martin DB2/4 up from the fifth row. Another good start was by Simon Evans who got his Allard alongside Rory Tollett, but had to concede the corner to Rory as the field piled through Copse. As the cars streamed through, it was apparent that Jeremy Woods in the Italia had not got his start right, finding the new clutch very stiff to operate.

They all disappeared down towards Maggotts and Aintree, then charged down the Wellington Straight, braking hard for Brooklands, through the tight Luffield turn then started to open up through Woodcote to complete the first lap. Eddie still had the Gordini in front but was under intense pressure from Adrian King in the AC Ace. These two were over a second clear of Rory Tollett in the Austin Healey, mirrors full of Tim’s Aston. The Cawley/Groves Lotus Elite had passed the sister car of Andrew Mitchell to take 5th whilst Neil Burnside kept in touch in 7th in the MGA Twin Cam. Neil was followed by the Simon Evans Allard, Tania Pilkington in the Maserati 300S and Justin Beckett in the C-type Jaguar completing the top 10, all 10 covered by 6.5 seconds. The rest of the field followed in a long line, involved in their own battles         

The Gordini held onto its lead through lap 2 but it was surely only a matter of time before both Adrian King and Rory Tollett, who had now latched onto the back of the leading pair in his Austin Healey 100M, would get ahead. Sadly, Tim Stamper’s run came to a very premature end and the Aston headed to the pits, the engine running way too hot. Subsequent investigation has revealed a cracked block along the base of the liners and it’s unrepairable. New block required – expensive! So up to 4th place was the Cawley/ Groves Lotus Elite still running ahead of Andrew Mitchell in his Elite, with Neil Burnside hanging on, in 6th. A gap had opened up behind, to Tania Pilkington’s glorious Maserati which in turn was pulling away from Simon Evans in the Allard J2X LM. Justin Beckett, still getting used to the C -Type, was on Simon’s tail and Mark Hoble had pulled his Morgan +4 up to 10th. 

Johnny Shears in the earlier Flat Rad Morgan was in 11th, punching above his weight and pulling away from Tristan Bradfield’s Sunbeam Alpine LM. Peter Baker had moved up a couple of places in his Aston DB2 and was now occupying 13th heading a formation which included Nicola Burnside (MGA Twin Cam), Shaun Bromley (MGA), and Jonathan Lupton (DB2). Just over a second behind Jeremy Woods was trying to make up for his poor start in the Italia and was pulling away from Gareth Evans in his Sunbeam Alpine. 4 seconds behind but several places ahead of his grid position, Stuart Dean was going great guns in the MG DJS Coupe, holding down 19th ahead of the Winchester/Cobb Lotus 7 S1 which was also making up for a poor start, and would soon catch and pass, Stuart. Martin Stowe was 21st in his MGA, and Tim Stamper was officially classified 22nd although now in the pits, as we have seen, to go no further. Mark Campbell was 23rd in his DB2 ahead of Chris Mann’s Alfa Romeo 1900CSS Zagato Coupe and Benn Faulkner’s Bristol 450. 

Heading through Copse for the third time Adrian King, carrying more speed took the AC Ace ahead of Eddie McGure’s Gordini to hit the front, but his lead was very short lived as Rory Tollett had even more velocity through the corner and passed the pair of them in one move..             

At the end of the lap, Rory led Adrian by 2-tenths, their battle taking them into the 1.15s and away from Eddie’s Gordini which was now coming under pressure from the Cawley/Goves Lotus Elite with Andrew Mitchell shadowing the pair as Neil Burnside had started to drop away a little, the MGA Twin Cam not quite able to match the pace of the Elites. Neil’s 6th place seemed pretty secure as Tania Pilkington’s Maserati was over 5 seconds behind, but Tania had had a particularly slow lap and it was likely that she would start to catch the Twin Cam once into her stride. The Morgan pair, Mark Hoble and Jonny Shears, were still circulating together and both had worked their way passed Justin Beckett’s C -type, but Justin’s lap had also been slow so he wasn’t about to disappear from their mirrors. Gaps were beginning to open up behind and there had only been one change of place when Jonathan Lupton took his DB2 passed Shaun Bromley’s MGA.

Throughout lap 4 Adrian King kept the AC Ace glued to the tail of Rory Tollett’s Austin Healey 100M and they were now into the high 1.14s extending their gap to 3rd place, now occupied by the Cawley/Groves Elite, to over 5 seconds as Eddie McGuires Gordini fell into the clutches of Andrew Mitchell’s Elite. Behind, Neil Burnside had actually closed a little, and remained 5 seconds clear of the Maserati, but behind, Justin Beckett had regained a place and split the Morgans. Peter Baker had moved up to 12th in his Aston Martin DB2 , demoting Tristan Bradfield’s Sunbeam Alpine LM. Other positions again remained unaltered.                   

Another lap completed and the Austin Healey and AC Ace remained tied together having just lapped Benn Faulkner’s Bristol 450. I’d like to think that even in the intensity of their battle both Rory and Adrian had time to look in wonder at the back of the Bristol, as something from a 1950 science fiction film! Eddie McGuire was still in 4th place, the Gordini continuing to just hold of Andrew Mitchell’s Lotus Elite.

Further down the field, the Winchester/Cobb Lotus 7 was still making place gains but, sadly, Martin Stowe’s race came to an end when he pulled the MGA coupe in to retire. The car appeared to be suffering fuelling issues and the SUs running way too lean, so Martin took the wise decision to retire rather than risk engine damage. Unfortunately he was not alone as, at the same time, Chris Mann brought his ultra rare Alfa Romeo 1900CSS Zagato in to retire. Chris had felt something wrong as early as the warm up lap particularly with the handling through right hand bends and after a few laps also took the sensible decision to retire. The car was expected to be driven home afterall! Chris takes up the story -  ‘Fortunately all went ok on the return to Greenwich in the Zagato, and on Sunday I found and fixed the problem - the stub-axle nut was all split-pinned and in place, but was finger tight with pin removed! Probably I'll replace the bearings, as I could feel the rollers. But also I found 6 broken spokes in the front n/s wheel - so that could have contributed too.’ A further inspection found even more broken spokes!

By this time, the leaders having completed their 6th lap and Rory finally eking out a 1 second lead over the Ace, the mandatory pit stops began, and the first in was Gareth Evans in the Sunbeam Alpine closely followed by Stuart Dean in the DJS Coupe.

Adrian King narrowed the gap to Rory Tollett to just over half a second during lap 7 and the pair were now over 11 seconds ahead of the 3rd placed Elite of Cawley and Groves, but Eddie McGuire in the Gordini was stilling holding off the second Elite of Andrew Mitchell – it was a fine battle over several laps and the Gordini only gave up the place when Eddie headed for the pits to hand over to Miles Griffith. Tania Pilkington had just pitted the Maserati from 7th and she now had a good long second stint to make a charge for the front. Lap 8 ended with Adrian firmly back on the tail of the Tollett Austin Healey, as they continued to draw clear of the field. Mark Hoble had by now pulled his Morgan +4 well clear of Jonny Shears in the earlier Flat Rad version and both their races were currently rather lonely! On the other hand, a couple of positions back Tristan Bradfield (Sunbeam Alpine) had close company in the form of Nicola Burnside (MGA Twin Cam), Justin Beckett in the C -Type Jaguar and the Winchester/Cobb) Lotus 7. Justin must have had a long ‘moment’ to be amongst this group as his lap time was 20 seconds off his best. Shaun Bromley and Jonathan Lupton in MGA and DB2 respectively were in close order whilst Jeremy Woods, in 17th was the last of those on the lead lap in his Triumph Italia.    

The leaders remained close until lap 10 when Rory put in a 1.13.848 lap which pulled the Austin Healey 1.5 seconds clear of Adrian in the AC Ace. Despite being well into the pit window, the pits remained largely deserted of competitors, only Tristan Bradfield bringing in the Sunbeam Alpine on lap 9 and Benn Faulkner in the Bristol the following lap, although Benn was already a lap down on the leaders and the stop would put him 2 laps down. The Cawley/Groves Elite was still 3rd but now 17 seconds behind the Ace but 3.5 seconds ahead of the Mitchell Elite. Neil Burnside was 5th, less than 3 seconds behind Andrew, and this was turning into a fine drive by Neil in the MGA Twin Cam. He was 10 seconds ahead of Mark Hoble in the Morgan who, in turn, was 10 seconds ahead of Jonny Shearer’s Morgan, so the field was becoming well spread out. This would only continue now that we were into the pit stop phase with Justin Beckett (C- Type) and Jonathan Lupton (DB2), the next to take their mandatory stops.  Probably the best battle of the race at this point was between Jonathan Lupton and Shaun Bromley (see below).

As Rory Tollett pressed on, Adrian King brought the AC Ace Bristol in for his pit stop at the end of lap 11, and he was followed some seconds behind by a couple of the other frontrunners – Andrew Mitchell handing his Lotus Elite over to Mark Morgan, and solo driver, Neil Burnside in the  MGA Twin Cam. A little while later Nicola Burnside also brought her MGA Twin Cam in to hand over to Chris Wilks. At the end of the following lap 12, Rory headed for the pits and this is where it all became a bit busy in the pit lane as Jeremy Woods (Triumph Italia), the Cawley/Groves Lotus Elite, Mark Hoble (Morgan +4) the Winchester/Cobb Lotus 7 and Shaun Bromley (MGA) all took their stops at this time. The race order was, as usual, pretty jumbled at this phase of the race, but most of the field had now completed their mandatory stops with almost half the race still ahead of them, leaving just a couple of late stoppers outstanding.  

To be continued - Please Note that I will now be away for a week, so sorry for the lack of progress! JT - 04/05/2026