Baxter best as Sussex sprint wins acclaim

The inaugural VSCC Goodwood Sprint was hailed a success and produced a deserved win for James Baxter in his Frazer Nash single-seater.

Run over a standing start lap of the race circuit, the event brought down the curtain on the club’s speed season and drew a very strong entry.

However, the stringent noise regulations meant that some of the noisier cars, notably the ERAs, were absent.

Having battled hard against the ERAs on the hills all season, Baxter was in sparkling form in his 3.5-litre Nash and hustled the 1934 car around in a fraction over 100sec to claim FTD.

Despite a dramatic spin at Lavant during practice, Simon Williamson’s bravado aboard his Delage LSR car netted him the award for fastest time by a vintage car. He charged around the famous track in 113.61sec in the 10.5-litre monster.

Best time by a pre-war car was set by Peter Candy’s Riley Falcon Special in 112.68sec, while the non-aero engined Edwardian class fell to Ron Birkett’s rare but well-campaigned FL. The 1909 French machine, so named because it was built within sight of the Eiffel Tower, recorded 156.16sec.

With a very positive reaction from spectators and competitors alike this event is set to become a popular feature, and has already been added to the 2004 calendar.