Club News, December 1959

The provisional list of World Championship (capital letters), Sports-Car Championship (italics) and British International events is as follows: —

Jan. 31st: ARGENTINE GRAND PRIX (F.1).

Feb. 6th: Buenos Aires 1,000-km. (Sports).

Mar. 26th: Sebring 12 hours (Sports, Grand Touring).

April 18th: Goodwood (F.1, F.2, Sports, Touring).

April 30th: Aintree (F.2, Sports, Touring).

May 8th: Targa Florio. (Sports, Grand Touring).

May 14th: Silveestone (F.1, F.2, Sports, Touring).

May 22nd: Nurburgring 1,000-km. (Sports, Grand Touring).

May 29th: MONACO GRAND PRIX (F.1, F.J.).

May 30th: INDIANAPOLIS.

June 5/6th: DUTCH GRAND PRIX (F.1, F.J.).

June 19th: BELGIAN GRAND PRIX (F1).

June 25/26th Le Mans 24 hours (Sports, Grand Touring).

July 3rd: FRENCH GRAND PRIX (F.1).

July 16th: BRITISH GRAND PRIX (F.1).

July 3Ist: GERMAN GRAND PRIX (F.1, or F.2).

Aug. 14th: PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX (F.1).

Aug. 20th: R.A.C. Tourist Trophy (Sports, Grand Touring).

Aug. 27th: Brands Hatch (F.2, Sports, Touring).

Sept. 4th: EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX, ITALY (F.1).

Sept. 17th: Snetterton (F.1, F.2, Sports, Touring).

Sept. 24th: Oulton Park (F.1, F.2, Sports). 

Oct. 30th: MOROCCAN GRAND PRIX (F.1).

Nov. 6th or 13th: Venezuelan Grand Prix (Sports, Grand Touring).

Dec. 10th: AMERICAN GRAND PRIX (F.1).

From this list it will be seen that the Argentine G.P. is listed as a World Championship event once again. If it does take place it will mean that there will be no close season at all since the American G.P. is scheduled for December 12th. Indianapolis is once again included as a Championship event although the rules say that each country can have only one event counting towards the Championship each year. The German.G.P. is listed as F.1 or F.2 so may possibly not count for the Championship. There is only a week between the Monaco G.P. and the Dutch G.P. If the Belgian and Moroccan G.P.s do not take place next year they cannot count for the Championship in 1961, unless by reason of force majeure. Lack of money is not force majeure.

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The F.I.A. have just ratified several new rulings of the C.S.I. The point for the fastest lap is now dropped and in future events will go to the sixth place man … Formula 2 which was due to expire this month will now extend to December 1960 … No driver participating in a World Drivers’ Championship event may take part in another event on the same day. This should spoil things at Silverstone where many of the drivers compete in as many as three races … The new regulations for Appendix’ C” have also been ratified, which brings in the need for taller windscreens, smaller turning circle, different body dimensions, luggage space and a minimum ground clearance.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, who tried to bring in some of these points at last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, have now issued their Regulations for the 1960 event. The maximum capacity limit has been removed although the Championship limit is still 3-litres. Grand Touring cars of any capacity can compete. There will be no ruling on refuelling this year but each class will have a maximum fuel tank capacity which amounts to the same thing except that the more economical cars will have an advantage. A minimum capacity of 1,000 c.c. for G.T. cars and 700 c.c. for sports cars has also been set. Drivers may complete at least 52 laps next year before handing over.

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Regulations for the 35th Exeter Trial which takes place on January 8/9th are now available from L. G. Eckett, 1, Holmdene Avenue, London, N.W.7. The event is open only to members of the Motor Cycling Club details of which can be obtained from J. A. Masters, 22, Norland Square, Kensington, London, W.11.