The fiftieth anniversary of Hesketh Racing’s first F1 victory was celebrated at a particular occasion at Silverstone.
Organised by Valentine Lindsay and held through the Classic Sports activities-Automobile Membership’s Spring Begin assembly, it reunited members of the legendary group and included an indication run by the Hesketh 308 wherein James Hunt scored that historic win.
On 7 April 1974, Hunt began the Worldwide Trophy from pole place, having certified 1.7 seconds sooner than the Lotus of Ronnie Peterson. He then made a poor begin and dropped into the midfield because the race received beneath approach… and to make issues worse, the gear lever broke off in his hand.
Undeterred, Hunt launched an outstanding comeback drive and took the lead from Peterson with a dramatic transfer down the within of the daunting, 150 mph right-hander at Woodcote. The victory was not solely the primary for Hesketh Racing, but in addition for Hunt himself at Method 1 stage and got here lower than two years for the reason that group had first appeared in Method 3, and fewer than 12 months after it made its World Championship Method 1 debut within the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix.
Quite a few Hesketh Racing alumni gathered at Silverstone to rejoice that success, together with ‘Le Patron’ himself – group proprietor Lord Hesketh. Lord Hesketh recalled that – in these days earlier than massive screens and radios – the primary he knew about Hunt overtaking Peterson was when he noticed the group within the grandstand reverse all waving their programmes.
‘Le Patron’ was joined by Hesketh Racing group supervisor Bubbles Horsley, plus mechanic Dave Sims, draughtsman Graham Humphrys, fabricator Nigel Rackett, engineer Nigel Stroud and designer Frank Dernie. Lord Hesketh was in a position to share the event together with his kids and grandchildren, and the household of the late Jon Fisher – Hesketh Racing’s shops supervisor – have been additionally there.
Through the lunch break within the VSCC’s Saturday programme, skilled historic racer Callum Grant did some evocative demonstration laps in Hesketh 308/1 – the very automobile wherein Hunt had gained the Worldwide Trophy, and which has been fantastically restored to 1974 specification by proprietor James Hagan. It then returned to the pits, the place it was displayed with a variety of Hesketh bikes that had additionally gathered for the event.
“It was a really special occasion,” stated Valentine Lindsay, “and we’re extremely grateful not solely to James Hagan, but in addition to Tania Brown on the VSCC and everybody on the British Racing Drivers’ Membership.
“Seeing everybody collectively, and watching Callum out on monitor, was a memorable second, and now we’re all actually trying ahead to subsequent yr, once we can rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of Hesketh’s victory within the Dutch Grand Prix.”
And to suppose that fifty years later Hesketh would little question have been refused entry on the grounds that it introduced no worth to the championship nor be a “aggressive participant”.
