Editorial

“ I was left some money by my grandfather, and it rather went to my head
I am afraid.” Not my words I am sad to relate, but those of Charles Lucas, or ‘Luke’ as he was known to his circle of ex-public school friends that included the late Piers Courage, the subject of one of the best books I have read for a long time. Born into the brewing dynasty, but never really benefiting financially from it, Courage’s career spanned the Sixties from early days in a self-built Lotus 7, through to Formula 1 and top-level sportscar racing via Formulas 3 and 2 on the way. Most of the time with long-time entrant and friend Frank (now Sir Frank) Williams at his side.

As a social history of the time it is of import, but as a journal of motor-racing in a period that saw the introduction of commercial sponsorship, wider tyres and wings, even (ironically via Lucas) the start of serious Historic Racing it is greatly significant – and a very good read. What driver nowadays would turn down a Ferrari F1 drive because of loyalty to his friend Frank, even though he was only offering a tenth of the retainer of the Maranello Team?

There are some absolute gems in the book, many relating to the flat the impecunious school-leavers shared in Harrow, North London. Like betting Williams he would not run round the garden naked (it backed on to the train line) – and then locking him out. Or the occasion the great Fangio knocked 5 secs off the time set by his team of Argentine F3 protégés - without goggles or helmet, just to prove there was nothing wrong with their cars.

An old-Etonian, Courage managed to mix great charm and humour with an obvious talent for fast driving and a determination to succeed. Sadly the fatal accident in the Williams entered de Tomaso Cosworth at Zandvoort in 1970, at the early age of just 28, robbed the racing world of a potential champion – and also a driver who may well have competed into the 1980s.

Recommended reading for all, not only racing fans, and a real insight into the lifestyle of the period. Racing is different now – safer yes, and thank goodness for that, but as interesting?

Read the book and draw your own conclusions.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

NEWS

Mercedes announce E55 Estate

476/700/1910 – these are the new dream figures in the sporty Mercedes Estate segment. With a maximum output of 476 hp, a maximum torque of 700 Newton metres and a loading volume of up to 1910 litres, the new Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG Estate has a starring role as a dynamic and practical estate...

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Enhanced X5 for Frankfurt September launch

Following three years of sales success, including sales up by 32 per cent this year alone, BMW Great Britain has announced enhancements to the BMW X5 that improve performance both on and off-road. The new model debuts in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Motorshow, with the first UK customers taking delivery from January 2004...

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Piers Courage book - 'Last of the Gentleman Racers' - launched at Goodwood

The Piers Courage book launch took place on Saturday 12th July 2003, in the Cosworth marquee during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The launch was attended by an array of motor sport personalities and racing drivers including Sir Frank Williams, Patrick Head, Lord March, Murray Walker, Jacky Ickx and fellow team mates and friends...

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FEATURES

Crewe factory gears up for Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley factory at Crewe has been described as 'the largest showroom in the world'. For years, owners and prospective owners from all over the world have come to see the hand-crafted cars slowly taking shape and to enjoy the unique experience of talking to the very people who build their Bentleys...

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AUCTIONS

Christie's Auction at the Concours d’Élegance Paleis het Loo, Holland 31 August 2003

For the first time Christie’s International Motor Cars in collaboration with Christie’s Amsterdam will be holding a sale of impressive motor cars and automobilia during the Concours d’Élegance. This sale will take place at Paleis Het Loo, the former residence of the Dutch Royal Family on Sunday 31 August...

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23rd July 2003 Bonhams at Lords Cricket Ground - Review

After Bonhams Sale at Lords Cricket ground someone is now enjoying the joys of 8-litre Bentley ownership because the 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer, Coachwork by Grosvenor Panelcraft, was sold for £158,800. Also sold was the 1932 Lagonda 2-Litre Supercharged Low Chassis T3 Tourer, for £36,700...

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Barons at Sandown Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey 29th July 2003 - Preview

Barons Sale at Sandown Park, Surrey next weeks features what may be a significant Lotus Elan, for not only is it an S4 SE version, it is a drophead and also bears a plaque in the engine bay, which states that the car was modified by BRM for F1 driver Mike Spence...

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