Saloon Cars Own Race: A Historic Look at Brands Hatch’s 1962 Long-Distance Race for Production Saloon Cars
On October 6, 1962, the British Racing and Sport Car Club hosted the nation’s first long-distance race for production saloon cars at the Brands Hatch Circuit southeast of London . The six-hour race saw a variety of saloon cars take to the track, including Ford Anglias, Minis, and Jaguars.
The race was captured on film, and a historic newsreel from the event gives us a glimpse into racing as it really was back in 1962. The footage shows mechanics spinning wheels, putting petrol in cars, and working on engines . It also features close-up shots of drivers, including Elizabeth Jones and her co-driver Pauline Mayman, as well as Mike Parkes putting on a safety strap.
The race was a success, and it paved the way for long-distance production saloon car racing in the UK. Brands Hatch became a popular venue for such events, hosting the Willhire 24 Hour and the British Touring Car Championship in later years.
Today, the 1962 Saloon Cars Own Race is a reminder of a bygone era in motorsport history. The race and its participants have become legendary, and the historic newsreel footage is a fascinating look into the past.
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