Greatest International Races at Brands Hatch

Motorsport this month have listed the top 10 races in the history of Brands Hatch. Unsurprisingly, Pedro Rodriguez's scarcely believeable drive in the appallingly wet 1970 BOAC World Sportscar event came out on top.

However, it made me think that there must be quite a few other potential candidates that are worth a mention, seeing as the circuit has held GPs, World Sportscar races, and major Touring Car events over the years.

So, any suggestions (and does anyone have the full Motorsport list, as I don't at present!)?

I have not seen the motorsport list, the mag is getting harder and harder to find in shops.

But in addition to the BOAC race in 70, the 82 1000k's was a great race, the 956's vs the little Lancia, Not sure if the FF festival is international enough, but Herberts win must stand out as well.

Motorsport this month have listed the top 10 races in the history of Brands Hatch. Unsurprisingly, Pedro Rodriguez's scarcely believeable drive in the appallingly wet 1970 BOAC World Sportscar event came out on top.

However, it made me think that there must be quite a few other potential candidates that are worth a mention, seeing as the circuit has held GPs, World Sportscar races, and major Touring Car events over the years.

So, any suggestions (and does anyone have the full Motorsport list, as I don't at present!)?
10. BTCC July 24 1988 (Rouse & Soper)
9. Grand Prix 1968 Jo Siffert
8. Grand Prix 1982 Rosberg and Warwick
7. Formula Ford Festival 1990 Dave Coyne
6. Formula Ford Festival 1985 Johnny Herbert
5. Grand Prix 1978 Carlos Reutemann
4. Grand Prix 1975 Hunt and Lauda
3. Grand Prix 1986 Mansell Laffites accident
2. Grand Prix 1985 Mansells first win
1. BOAC 1000 Rodriguez wins by 5 laps in the wet.

My additions would be:
Ickx going overtaking, I think Laudas Ferrari, around the outside in the wet at Paddock at the Race of Champions. Virtually any Formula Ford Festival in the 80's but perhaps best of all John Fitzpatrick's Broadspeed Escort battling with Brian Muir and Frank Gardners Chevvy Camaros in the 70's

3. Grand Prix 1986 Mansell Laffites accident


Not sure Laffites accident should be a high point!

But I think Brands was the best track to see rwd Touring cars at. A cracking combo of hairpins, hills, fast bends.

Possibly not a top ten, but one I remember quite well (as I was actually there, as were you, KRT!) was at R18 of the BTCC in August, 1995, held on the Indy Circuit. The late Will Hoy (Renault Laguna) made a great start from the inside of the second row and drove round the outside of championship contenders, Rickard Rydell (Volvo 850)and John Cleland (Vauxhall), who were sharing the front row, at Paddock Hill bend, to snatch the lead going up Hailwoods. He then proceeded to resist all challenges from behind for the next 30 laps to take victory. There were clearly quicker driver/car combinations behind him but Will didn't put a foot wrong and crossed the line in front of a high speed train of at least half a dozen cars line astern. A drive by a consummate professional ..... and now, sadly, much missed.

My personal Top Ten would be:

1. Pedro Rodriguez in the 917 - 1970 1000Kms
2. Rindt v Brabham right to the flag - 1970 British GP
3. Jo Siffert winning the British GP 1968
4. Frank Gardner Boss Mustang 1970 Race of Champions support race
5. Tom Pryce winning the Race Of Champions 1975
6. Britis GP 1986 - Mansell Mania
7. Carlos Reutemann sneaks the British GP of 1978 for Ferrari
8. Carlos Reutemann wins the Procar support for the 1980 British GP
9. Roger Williamson's dominant F3 victory in the 1972 British GP support race
10. The Thundersports race supporting the 1983 European GP probably the best race ever in this series!

:#1:

I haven't seen the mag in the uk (ironically I could have picked it up yesterday in Brussels airport).

But I think the Mansell races of '85 and 86 should be up there. Then the 76 excitement with Hunt.

But the Race of Champions in '83 showed the talent of Rosberg and Sullivan. Both running on "rooted" tyres but throwing the cars around like no tomorrow.

Thanks for the list Alan.

Good call on '83 Race of champions Peter, which must be just about the last non-championship GP that attracted (some of) the big names.


But in addition to the BOAC race in 70, the 82 1000k's was a great race, the 956's vs the little Lancia.

That was my first thought when I saw the list, especially seeing as it resulted in one of the greatest sportscar drivers ever finally winning the World Sportscar Drivers Championship (am sure Ickx would have won several times had the championship been around earlier!).

The 1988 Festival final should be in the top ten. A fantastic drive by Sospiri.
It had all the drama, overtaking galore and an incredibly tight race which any of the top ten could have won. I still watch the video now and then. The festival in those days was very much an International, drivers and teams from throughout the world and everybody in the single seater world noticed if you won, unlike today.

Herbert's '85 win was good of course, simply because the way he did it, he fought his way through the heats from the back of the grid, however the final itself was pretty much a procession, holding off Jonathan Bancroft the whole way.The semi's were far more exciting. But for me the '88 Festival was the best ever.

Hello,

An interesting list in "Motor Sport" spoilt somewhat by having so many GP's in it IMO! I agree with the suggestion that the 1982 1000kms Sportscar race should be included. A fantastic race right to the end in pretty foul weather. In fact most of the Group C races were pretty good at Brands hatch. Just as interesting was the circuit owner's (Peter Browning?) article. Sorry I'm typing this at work and his name has gone right out of my head.

Nick

Circuit Owner was John Webb. ;)