Historic Moments from the British Saloon Car Championship
Gregory’s role as a director at Brands Hatch paved the way for the Kent circuit to host a trial run on Boxing Day 1957. The success of this event led to Brands Hatch becoming the venue for the first points-scoring round of the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) in early April 1958.
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One of the most memorable races from that era took place in cold and dry conditions, with Jack Sears dominating the saloon race in his Austin A105. However, the real excitement came from the battles in the sub-1200cc class, particularly between George ‘Doc’ Shepherd and John Sprinzel in their A35s.
Another race saw Tommy Sopwith and Gawaine Baillie showcasing the prowess of the Jaguar 3.4s, effortlessly securing first and second place in the 1600cc and over 3500cc category.
Subsequent races at Brands Hatch and Mallory Park saw Sprinzel and Baillie continuing their winning streak, with Tommy Bridger causing a stir by triumphing in the 1200-1600cc class with a Borgward Isabella.
Notable incidents included Harold Grace’s dramatic flip in his Riley 1.5 at Mallory Park, adding to the thrill and unpredictability of the BSCC races.
