In automotive terms, if not in other aspects, 2015 is off to a great start, especially here in London with the first London Classic Car Show. Who better than ace snapper, Simon Hildrew, to bring us a peek at the riches on display? Put a date in your diaries for 2016, 18-21st February, you know it makes sense.
Silverstone’s Wing was the location last month for a celebration of the life of Sir Jack Brabham, three time World Champion, and one of the most important figures in 50’s and 60’s motorsport.
A good turn out was expected and so it came to pass. Many famous faces and fellow Champions came to salute the great Australian who had made his home in the UK while active at the race tracks.
Sir Jack had been granted the honour of a State Funeral in Queensland back in June.
A short film from the State Funeral can be seen HERE
However many of those who raced against him back in the day were not realistically in a position to make the long trek to the Antipodies, so the idea of a Memorial Service here in the UK was conceived. The Brabham family were fully involved and supported the idea of giving those of us here in Europe an opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary man.
There were tributes from those who raced against him throughout his long career, here Tony Brooks and Sir Stirling Moss recall Brabham’s skill behind the wheel.
Sir Jackie Stewart also paid a fine tribute, as did many other figures such as John Surtees, John Watson, Gordon Murray, John Judd and many others.
Current Aussie motorsport stars such as Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo also joined in, even from the farthest corners of the globe by video link.
There was a collection of cars and memorabilia from Sir Jack’s career, the whole event was a credit to the organisers, Sir Jack would have approved I am sure.
My personal reason for attending was two fold. I have known Sir Jack’s youngest son, David, for many years during his career as a leading racing driver. In a manner I suspect he learned from his father, he has been fiercely competitive on the track and a delight to associate with away from the cockpit. Supporting David and his family was an obvious thing to do.
I had another reason, the first race that I attended was the 1970 British Grand Prix which until the last lap Brabham had looked on course to win. I recall clearly the crowd, and myself, at Clearways giving Jochen Rindt ‘the Bird’, as he overtook Sir Jack to score an unlikely win. I felt that I should go and salute a man who had helped to steer me down my current path. I am glad I did.
So enjoy this great collection of images from that afternoon. Simon Hildrew has once again come up with the goods.
John Brooks, November 2014.
The Silverstone Classic is the World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival, a simple fact.
This year’s edition, the 24th, attracted 94,000 spectators who were treated to a full menu of delights on and off the track.
The car clubs were on hand, en masse, adding to the occasion.
Retail therapy was readily available….
Stars old and new joined in.
And there was racing on track with some old favourites like this Ferrari 512S
Group C was, as ever, a highlight even in this fantastic company.
Touring cars in their old battle field – modern
And classic
All in all the Silverstone Classic is a great celebration of automotive culture. If there one catch, it would be that it clashes with the Spa 24 Hours, so tough choices have to be made.
DDC is extremely lucky to have the services of top photographer, Simon Hildrew, and his work available to us. Enjoy his personal view of the this great event.
John Brooks, November 2014
The 2014 Goodwood Revival has come and gone. The great and the good came to salute times past and more specifically, Sir Jackie Stewart.
Other national treasures such as John Surtees and Sir Stirling Moss were also present and in great demand.
Younger stars were also seen down in Sussex, like this cheeky chappie, recently graduated to the Werks Porsche team.
The three days on the South Coast are packed with great racing and many memories both past and present……….we are really fortunate to have this captured so eloquently by our old friend Simon Hildrew……pour a cup of coffee and take in the work of a real photographer.
John Brooks, October 2014
The HSCC SuperPrix run recently at Brands Hatch was further proof, if any were needed, of the huge popularity of historic racing. I would venture that this success is not just riding on the back of a wave of nostalgia but shows that there is a profound unease about the direction that some forms of present day motorsport have headed.
I read this interesting piece on DailySportsCar.com earlier in the week, neatly illustrating the contempt of Formula One for the fans who pay for themselves rather being corporate liggers. £175 for basic admission, that is just taking the piss. Especially when you read how most of the teams are struggling to survive financially. That applies to the circuits as well, so the money is being syphoned from the sport and from its fans.
So no wonder folks vote with the wallets and enjoy the racing at Brands Hatch, motor sport fans tend to be bright people and can see when they are being had over. In any case who would not rather see Fluxie strutting his stuff rather hearing Vettel whine about how unfair it is that he is not dominating.
Simon Hildrew was out and about in Kent, so we are fortunate to have more of his top notch work to enjoy.
John Brooks, July 2014
Back in the saddle, after the best part of seven weeks on the road, so some catching up to do. More goodness from Simon Hildrew, who popped down to his local track, the majestic Brands Hatch, to capture the magic of the 2014 Brands Hatch Masters.
As with most historic events these days, the entry was both impressive and varied. One feature that was very popular was a tribute to the late Sir Jack Brabham, featuring his son David in a Brabham BT45B Alfa Romeo, always one of my favourite cars.
The Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit remains a stern test of man and machine as Mark Dwyer found out in his March 811 Cosworth. Fortunately he emerged from the wreck unscathed and who do I see in the background, but Jeff Bloxham. How surprising that he should be on the scene of a shunt?
Simon has turned out a fantastic set of images for us to enjoy, we look forward to his next set.
John Brooks, July 2014
Christopher Tate and his crew have done a marvelous job of restoring Donington Park to its former glory, after the vandalism perpetrated by the wannabee Formel One fantasists some five or so years ago.
One of the highlights of the season is the Historic Festival which has become one of the must-do events on the calender……….
At the Festival there was a tribute to John Surtees, uniquely a World Champion on both two and four wheels. 50 years on from his Driver’s Championship year he remains a popular figure.
Simon Hildrew was on hand to bring us these fantastic images………….
John Brooks, May 2014
For those of us with a touch of grey in what remains of our hair, Easter Bank Holiday Monday was always associated with Thruxton and Formula Two……..
So while I was on duty at the delightful and charming Silverstone, other lucky folks were in Hampshire enjoying the new historic classic.
The close racing and great cars need top quality photography to record the action, fortunately we have Simon Hildrew to point and shoot. Enjoy his work………….
Simon Hildrew is one of the unsung heroes of motorsport photography, he gets on with the job and turns out the kind of results that you would expect from an Old School pro. His background in local newspaper photojournalism stands him in good stead when covering events at Goodwood, the story is told from soup to nuts in full and without drama.
Lord March brought us something new this year, the 72nd Members’ Meeting, OK not actually new but more of an adaptation of an event, but the rave reviews from participants and spectators alike signal that once more a bullseye has been scored. Simon took his cameras and lenses along to witness the action, enjoy the view…………
One of the high points in the motorsport calendar is the visit to Goodwood House and its grounds for the Festival of Speed. Stunning cars in a stunning setting, what could be more agreeable? Luckily we have the fine work of Simon Hildrew to remind us of the delights on show this year. Enjoy!
