Grids full of historically important cars are something race organiser Motor Racing Legends is renowned for, since all four of their racing series feature period races, rich with famous drivers and race history.
Entered in last weekend’s Pre-War Mad Jack race was one very special car – a 1934 MG K3 piloted by the owner Teifion Salisbury from Bakewell.
The 1087cc MG was one of three MG works’ cars; not only did it race in the Mille Miglia in 1934, but the last time it had ever been raced was at Donington way back in 1938.
Fast forward exactly 80 years and Teifion brought the car back to Donington to race in Sunday’s 40 minute Mad Jack race honouring the life of Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth – winner of the first ever Donington Grand Prix in 1935.
The incredible stories don’t end there though, as another car with a significant past racing in Sunday’s Pre-War race was the Morgan 4/4 of Leigh Sebba and Cameron Cole. ‘FXD’ raced at Le Mans in 1937, as well as at the Donington TT in 1938 – perhaps alongside the afore mentioned MG above?
These are just two out of the amazing grid of Pre-War Sports cars assembled to race at Donington Historic Festival on Sunday morning.
The race was eventually won by Rudiger Friedrichs in his Alvis Firefly but it all came down to the wire as hot on his heels was last year’s race winner – the Frazer Nash Super Sports of Fred Wakeman and Patrick Blakeney Edwards.
Gareth Burnet picked up third position in his Alta Sports, one of only 6 built, and the only non-supercharged Alta ever made. Gareth bought the car in Australia before setting about preparing it for the Flying Scotsman rally which he won outright just the week before.
The next race for Pre-War Sports Cars is at Spa Francorchamps on September 14th where the grid will feature as part of the Spa Six Hour event. For more information on the Pre-War Sports Car racing or Motor Racing Legends please visit: http://www.motorracinglegends.com/
For a full race report on the event click here
Photographs by Dave Brassington (For hi resolution copies click here)
