The Goodwood Road Racing Club’s 73rd Members Meeting, took place last weekend and will likely be long remembered for a big accident involving former F1 and Le Mans winner Jochen Mass in a one-of-a-kind 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS “Porter Special” owned by German collector Dr. Klaus Lehr. Although reports published elsewhere claimed the car to be valued at more than $5 million, it was actually built up in the 1950s from a wrecked Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupe by a master American fabricator named Chuck Porter, who labeled it an SLS, with the last letter said to stand for “scrap.” Although Taylor powered it with a 5.7-liter Chevy V8, Lehr has had it restored with a 3247cc Mercedes-Benz 300 SL engine.
In any case, Mass crashed the Mercedes into the back of a 1959 Lister-Jaguar Knobbly driven by Tony Wood during qualifying for the weekend’s Salvadori Cup race. The Lister, owned by Barry Wood, was entering the pits when Mass powered out of a chicane to find the slowing Lister in his path. He locked up the brakes, but the Mercedes could not avoid impacting the rear of the Lister. Both cars were severely damaged in the crash, but the drivers escaped serious injury. The Salvadori Cup race for Sports Prototypes from 1955-60 was ultimately won by Sam Hancock driving a Lister-Jaguar Knobbly.
In addition to the weekend’s other races, the winners of which are listed below, a number of exhibitions also entertained the gathered crowds, as a group of high-airbox F1 cars reminded everyone how F1 used to be, highlighted by Freddie Hunt driving his father James’ Hesketh and Jean-Pierre Jarier’s reunion with one of the UOP Shadows he drove 30 years ago. Also putting on a show was a selection of McLaren GTRs celebrating the marque’s overall victory at Le Mans 20 years ago.
Goodwood Members Meeting Race Winners
Sports Car Races
Les Leston Cup for British Production Sports Cars from 1960-’66 – Chris Ryan, MGB Le Mans
Graham Hill Trophy for Grand Touring cars from 1960-’66 – Shaun Lynn/Emanuele Pirro, AC Cobra Le Mans Coupe
Salvadori Cup for Sports Prototypes from 1955-60 – Sam Hancock, Lister-Jaguar Knobbly
Bruce McLaren Trophy for prototype sports cars from 1960-’66 – Nicholas Padmore, Lola T70-Chevrolet
John Aldington Trophy for pre-1967 Porsche 911s – Andrew Jordan, Porsche 901
Single-Seater Races
Taylor Trophy for rear-engine, drum-braked Formula Junior cars – Andrew Wilkinson, Lynx Mk3-Ford
Derek Bell Cup for Formula Three cars from 1964-’70 – James King, Chevron B17-Ford
Earl Howe Trophy for grand prix cars and voiturettes from pre-1935 – Sean Danaher, Maserati 8CM
Hawthorn Trophy for 1950s Formula One cars – Barrie Baxter, BRM Type 25
Touring Car Races
Gerry Marshall Trophy for Group 1 touring cars from the ’70s and ’80s – Race 1: Nigel Garrett, Chevrolet Camaro Z28; Race 2: David Clark/Matt Neal, Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Sopwith Cup for 1950s sedans/saloon cars – Andy Wallace, Jaguar Mk1
