Latest news with #VintageSportsCarClub
West Australian
6 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Albany Classic brings another year of street racing and motorsport history to the Great Southern
The Albany CBD transformed into a racetrack on Sunday as the annual Albany Classic took over the city streets, with more than 100 cars entered to race around the historic street circuit. More than 5000 spectators lined the barricades around York Street and surrounding areas to see the action, with cars from all eras and drivers from across the country descending on the city to compete. Vintage Sports Car Club coordinator Sheryl Swarbrick said the event was a classic nod to motorsport history in Albany. 'With a huge variety of cars, passionate participants, and an enthusiastic crowd, the 2025 Albany Classic and Mt Clarence Hill Climb cemented its place as one of Australia's most iconic and beloved historic motorsport events,' she said. In the Post-1960 Sports Cars category, Ron Fabry took the top step in his 1961 MG Midget, combining finesse with fearless driving. Steven Boyle claimed the Historic Touring Cars category victory in his Fiat 125, while Shane Lawson took out the Tin Tops category in his 1976 Leyland Mini. Craig Saywell won the Racing Cars category in his 1974 Mazda RX3, mastering the precision needed on Albany's tight corners, and the Pre-1960 Sports Cars win went to Geoff Findlay in his 1949 Riley RMB Special. The day wasn't without some dramatic spills, with Warren Bishop (1980 Ford Mustang), Michael Ognenis i(1976 Morgan) and Les Verco (1952 Holden FJ) all making contact with the concrete barriers. On Saturday, the Mt Clarence Hill Climb had 44 entries take on the challenging ascent, with the standout of the day Yannis Hondros (2004 Mazda MX5 SE), who snatched the fastest time of 34.83 seconds, claiming outright victory. Despite the speed on display, Dick Ward's 2024 record in his 1967 Fiat Abarth held fast. Albany Classic Motorsport Club president Glen Badger said the day went smoothly, with hundreds of volunteers involved in set up and pack down. 'The set up and pack down went smoothly this year,' he said. 'I want to say a big thanks to the 100 plus volunteers, we could not have the event without them. 'The weather was fantastic, what more could you ask for. 'Thanks for all the support from the community, we are looking forward to celebrating the 90th anniversary next year.'
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Brooklands tribute to Weybridge man who died in Donington crash
The chief executive of Brooklands Museum has paid tribute to the former vice chairman of its Members organisation, who died in a racing crash on Grimwade, 72, died in a crash at Donington Park circuit on 24 May while competing at the Vintage Motorsport Patterson hailed Mr Grimwade, from Weybridge, as a "wonderful character and a wonderful man".National governing body Motorsport UK said it "sends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Julian, as well as the Vintage Sports Car Club". Speaking on Radio Surrey, Mr Patterson said: "He was very passionate about his pre-war cars and about Brooklands."It's truly a tragic loss to us all in the community - not just at Brooklands but across the wider historic car community as well."He was just a true gentleman who always had time for anyone."Mr Grimwade is credited by Brooklands as being one of the founders of the Members organisation as it is today and served as its vice chairman until 2023.A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said it was notified of a single vehicle collision at a licensed track day at Donington Park on 24 force added: "The driver of the vehicle – a man in his 70s – was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased."Enquiries are ongoing on behalf of the coroner, it added, but no criminal investigation is taking UK said it would also conduct into the governing body the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) also issued a statement on X, following the Donington Park death which it said was one of three fatal motorsport incidents, including one in Scotland and a third in Denmark.
Rhyl Journal
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Driver killed in vintage car racing event crash
Julian Grimwade was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club race at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on Saturday. National governing body Motorsport UK confirmed his death and said an investigation would be carried out into the circumstances. It comes after Dai Roberts, a 39-year-old co-driver, was killed while taking part in the Jim Clark Rally, an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders, on Saturday. Motorsport UK said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that Motorsport UK confirms the passing of Julian Grimwade, who was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club's race event at Donington Park. Official statement from Motorsport UK following an incident at Donington Park today. Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the driver, as well as those in the VSCC community. — Donington Park (@DoningtonParkUK) May 24, 2025 'Motorsport UK joins the entire UK motorsport community in mourning and sends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Julian, as well as the Vintage Sports Car Club. 'As with all serious incidents, Motorsport UK will conduct an investigation into the matter and co-operate with the relevant external authorities.' Donington Park shared the statement on Facebook and added: 'Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the driver, as well as those in the VSCC community.' The international motorsport governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), said there had also been a fatality at an event in Denmark on Saturday. A statement shared on X said: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of those who have sadly lost their lives. 'Our thoughts are also with those injured in the accidents and we send our best wishes to them for their full and swift recovery. 'The FIA offers its support to Motorsport UK and the Danish Automobile Sports Federation at this difficult time and stands alongside all those affected. 'The tragic incidents have united our global motor sport community as we reaffirm the FIA's full support to our members, officials and competitors.' A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: 'Police were notified of a single-vehicle collision at a licensed track day at Donington Park yesterday. 'The driver of the vehicle, a man in his 70s, was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. 'Inquiries are continuing on behalf of HM Coroner.'
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Vintage-car race crashes kill two drivers on same day
Two drivers died in crashes at vintage-car racing events in the UK on the same day. Julian Grimwade, a classic-car enthusiast, was killed while competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club race at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on Saturday. Motorsport UK, the national governing body, confirmed his death and said an investigation would be carried out. Dai Roberts, 39, was killed while taking part in the Jim Clark Rally, an annual closed-road race in the Scottish Borders on Saturday. Motorsport UK said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that Motorsport UK confirms the passing of Julian Grimwade, who was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club's race event at Donington Park. 'Motorsport UK joins the entire UK motorsport community in mourning and sends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Julian, as well as the Vintage Sports Car Club. 'As with all serious incidents, Motorsport UK will conduct an investigation into the matter and co-operate with the relevant external authorities.' Donington Park shared the statement on Facebook and added: 'Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the driver, as well as those in the VSCC community.' Silverstone racetrack paid tribute to Mr Grimwade, and said on X: 'It is with great sadness that we understand a competitor at today's Vintage Sports Car Club's race event at Donington Park has died. 'All of us here at Silverstone Circuit send our sincerest condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of the racer.' Leicestershire Police confirmed no criminal investigation was taking place. A spokesperson for the force said: 'Police were notified of a single vehicle collision at a licensed track day at Donington Park yesterday [24 May]. 'The driver of the vehicle – a man in his 70s – was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Enquiries are continuing on behalf of HM Coroner.' The international motorsport governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), said there had also been a fatality at an event in Denmark on Saturday. A statement shared on X said: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of those who have sadly lost their lives. 'Our thoughts are also with those injured in the accidents and we send our best wishes to them for their full and swift recovery. 'The FIA offers its support to Motorsport UK and the Danish Automobile Sports Federation at this difficult time and stands alongside all those affected. 'The tragic incidents have united our global motor sport community as we reaffirm the FIA's full support to our members, officials and competitors.'
North Wales Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Driver killed in vintage car racing event crash
Julian Grimwade was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club race at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on Saturday. National governing body Motorsport UK confirmed his death and said an investigation would be carried out into the circumstances. It comes after Dai Roberts, a 39-year-old co-driver, was killed while taking part in the Jim Clark Rally, an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders, on Saturday. Motorsport UK said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that Motorsport UK confirms the passing of Julian Grimwade, who was competing at the Vintage Sports Car Club's race event at Donington Park. Official statement from Motorsport UK following an incident at Donington Park today. Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the driver, as well as those in the VSCC community. — Donington Park (@DoningtonParkUK) May 24, 2025 'Motorsport UK joins the entire UK motorsport community in mourning and sends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Julian, as well as the Vintage Sports Car Club. 'As with all serious incidents, Motorsport UK will conduct an investigation into the matter and co-operate with the relevant external authorities.' Donington Park shared the statement on Facebook and added: 'Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the driver, as well as those in the VSCC community.' The international motorsport governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), said there had also been a fatality at an event in Denmark on Saturday. A statement shared on X said: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of those who have sadly lost their lives. 'Our thoughts are also with those injured in the accidents and we send our best wishes to them for their full and swift recovery. 'The FIA offers its support to Motorsport UK and the Danish Automobile Sports Federation at this difficult time and stands alongside all those affected. 'The tragic incidents have united our global motor sport community as we reaffirm the FIA's full support to our members, officials and competitors.'
