Matters of moment, June 2004

Both JBW F1 cars square up for the first time

The two JBW Formula One cars built by Brian Naylor shared a grid at Donington for the HGPCA Pre-1966 GP race in May. It was thought to be the first time that the 1959 and ’61 cars had ever competed in the same race.

Stephen Griswold drove the later car and Marshall Bailey the 2.5-litre ’59 version in only its third race since ’66. Bailey’s car runs a rare prototype Maserati Birdcage engine and was raced by Naylor in four GPs in period. It won several non-championship F1 races.

“Naylor built this car around the engine,” said Bailey, who plans to tackle more HGPCA races this year.

During the JBW’s rebuild, after years held in storage, the car was tended in the Chimside garage that was used to prepare chassis for Jim Clark early in his career.

Watts for full Tiger attack

Former touring car ace Patrick Watts is planning an assault on the 2005 Arrnajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship after two strong outings in his Sunbeam Tiger (above).

Watts was the revelation of the Welsh International Rally as he fought back from an early puncture. His stage times over the Epynt Ranges consistently topped those of historic category winner Dessie Nutt. Watts will tackle several more events in 2004.