MONOPOSTO AT CRYSTAL PALACE - THE LAST RACE MEETING

An email from Alan Putt is usually a cause for excitement for the Startline team as it can herald some unique period photos. Some pictures from the last meeting at Crystal Palace did not disappoint.

The last race meeting for cars to be held at Crystal Palace was held on 23rd September 1972. There was a subsequent motor cycle race meeting before the circuit closed for good, but this was the last for cars.

The meeting was organised, if memory serves, by the Aston Martin Owner’s Club and was an all historic race meeting with the Monoposto Formula fielding the only race for modern cars at the meeting. The meeting was notable for there being one of the few serious accidents to a Mono driver. Mike Irons, a strong competitor and special builder, crashed in practice in his Brabham BT18, a car powered by a 1000cc engine (Class “B”), into the sleepers. Mike suffered a broken hip and it was to leave him with a limp, but did not stop him from racing.

1972 was Trevor Scarrett’s year and he won the Mono Championship that year in his Brabham BT18; a car always impeccably turned out. The picture shows a jubilant Trevor in the Brabham (No. 91) turning into the paddock after the race which he won.

Also pictured is Brian Jordan in his Brabham BT 15 (No. 87) also in 1600cc guise and who came second. Brabhams were very popular in the Monoposto Formula at that time. A grid picture shows another with Graham Bowskill in his BT15 (No. 103), subsequent winner of Class B, and behind him Jack Heaton-Rudd (No. 90), a prolific special builder, best known for his hillclimb special the Rudeani.

Another Brabham competitor of the time was Paul Hull in the Brabham BT6/9 (No 89). Interestingly this car was sold to Mike Harrison when Formula Junior took off and was discovered to be a Brabham BT2 and it still competes in the USA in Formula Junior races.

Brian Toft was still campaigning the ANCO (No. 85) then, having won the Championship in it in about 1970; the last to win in a front engined car.

Another 1000cc competitor was Mike Illife in his Lotus special (No.101) shown on the grid. This car later entered Formula Junior and was reverted to its Lotus 20 format. Behind Mike in the picture is Tony Ford, an excellent driver who drove the Emberton (No. 86); a car which was very much in the spirit of the Monoposto Formula in that it was home built.

On the trailer is a picture of the Lola Mk2 (No. 102), then owned and driven by Len Holland. The car was chassis number BRJ2 and had been one of the Fitzwilliam Team cars of 1960. This car is still competing in Formula Junior events today.

The race meeting was predominantly historic cars and included the last round of a historic championship, the JCB championship. Because of the occasion, there were many historic cars at the meeting as static displays as well as taking part in the races. The late Raymond Mays was let loose in an ERA for the first time in many years.

The race meeting attracted a very large crowd, larger that one sees today at many race meetings. It was very sad to see the end of Crystal Palace, particularly as this circuit had been the first circuit visited by the writer when a mere 16 years old having travelled on the bus from home. One can sympathise with the reasons as the noise in the surrounding houses must have been horrendous. A part of the circuit opened in the late ‘nineties to host a couple of sprints for historic cars but did not survive long.

It must be regarded as a mark of respect for the Monoposto Formula that it took part in this sad, but prestigious event.

Alan Putt

Asst Editor's note: It is a sad irony that the partial re-opening also witnessed a bad accident. Popular 500cc "JoePotts Special" competitor Richard Rose suffered a severe hip and femur injury following an off.

Brian Toft, Anco.	Mike Illife, Lotus Special and Tony Ford, Emberton	Len Holland's Lola Mk2. Looking a little old-fashioned by the rear engine cars, this was only 13 years old - equivalent to a 1995 car today! Disc-wheeled MGB behind.
Raymond Mays demonstrated an ERA at the last Crystal Palace. We don't have a pic of that but here's two of him at Shelsley. No enlargements available.	Paul Hull also kindly provided photos of this meeting to us, last year. Here's a general view and (right)...	...his Brabham with body removed

Due to the unique nature of these pictures we have posted enlargements which can be seen by clicking on them

Trevor Scarrett, Brabham BT18

Brian Jordan, Brabham BT15. Not a standard Brabham nose, more an early March style.

Graham Bowskill, Brabham BT15 and Jack Heaton-Rudd, Special

Paul Hull, Brabham BT6/9(2). Few would argue that this is a very pretty car.

Track Map