1966 RAC Tourist Trophy explained

The 1966 RAC Tourist Trophy saw the world’s oldest motor race, organised by the Royal Automobile Club, return to Oulton Park on 29 April, for the 31st running of the RAC International Tourist Trophy Race sponsored by Daily Express. The TT, was the second round of the British Sports Car Championship.[1] [2]

Report

Entry

Despite the race being dropped from the World Sportscar Championship, the event still attracted a total of 30 sports cars, across two classes. However, just 21 took part in qualifying.[2]

Qualifying

The Formula One (F1) regular, and winner of the previous year’s TT, Denny Hulme took pole position for the Sidney Taylor team, in their Lola-Chevrolet T70 Mk.2, averaging a speed of 102.012mph, around the 2.761miles circuit.[2] Dick Protheroe lost his life at the wheel of a Ferrari 330P-64 following an accident during a practice session.[3]

Race

The race was held over 140 laps of the circuit, split into two heats of 70 laps. Hulme took overall victory, winning with an aggregated time of 4hrs 06:11.200mins., averaging a speed of 94.76mph. Second place went to Tony Dean, in his Brabham-Climax BT8. The podium was completed by Peter Sutcliffe, in his Ford GT40. As Sutcliffe was also the Group 6 class winner, he was awarded The Oulton Trophy. For Hulme, this victory was his second Tourist Trophy, he would go on and win a further two, the last being in 1986.[1] [2]

Classification

Aggregate Results

Pos.No.GroupDriver(s)EntrantCar - EngineTime, LapsReason Out
1st 4Gr. 7 Denny HulmeSidney TaylorLola-Chevrolet T70 Mk.24hrs 06:11.200
140 laps
2nd 14Gr. 7 Tony DeanRace Proved by WillmentBrabham-Climax BT8135
3rd 48Gr. 6 Peter SutcliffePeter SutcliffeFord GT40134
4th58Gr. 7 Geoff BreakellG.H. BreakellBrabham-Climax BT8132
5th 18Gr.7 Tommy WeberVegantune EngineeringLotus-BRM 23131
6th 36Gr.6 Peter de KlerkPorsche Cars (GB) Ltd.Porsche 906131
7th 26Gr. 7 John CoundleyJohn O. CoundleyMcLaren Elva M1A Oldsmobile126
8th 24Gr. 7 Peter Gethin
Derek Bennett
Robert Ashcroft Racing Ltd.Crosslé-BMW 9S125
9th 38Gr. 6 David PiperDavid PiperFerrari 365 P2123
10th56Gr. 7 Peter SadlerPeter SadlerLotus-Ford 30122
11th50Gr. 6 Alan ReesMaranello Concessionaires Ltd.Ferrari 250 LM119
12th20Gr. 7 Mike GartonVegantune EngineeringLotus-Ford 23114
13th28Gr. 7 Brian RedmanRed Rose Racing TeamLola-Chevrolet T70 Mk.21112: Final drive
DNF54Gr. 7 Malcolm WayneMalcolm WayneElva-BRMDNF
DNF6Gr.7 Hugh DibleyRacing Partnership (Jersey) Ltd.Lola-Chevrolet T70 Mk.22: Oil pressure
DNF30Gr. 7 Keith St. JohnRadio London RacingMcLaren Elva-Ford Mk IIDNF
DNF16Gr.7 Mac DaghornFelday Engineering Ltd.Felday-BRM 4Mechanical
DNF8Gr.7 Frank GardnerAlan BrownMcLaren Elva-Ford Mk IDNF
DNF2Gr.7 Jack BrabhamBrabham Racing Organisation Ltd.Brabham-Repco BT172: Oil Leak
DNF32Gr.7 David ProphetDavid ProphetMcLaren Elva-ChevroletDNF
DNF42Gr.6 Mike ParkesMaranello Concessionaires Ltd.Ferrari Dino 206 S1: Ring & pinion
DNS44Gr.6 Dick ProtheroeDick ProtheroeFerrari 330 P-64Fatal accident in practice
DNS46Gr.6 Richard BondNick CussonsFord GT40
Source:[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Sports Racing Prototypes - British Sports Car Championship 1966 . Wsrp.ic.cz . 2014-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221082826/http://www.wsrp.ic.cz/bscc1966.html#2 . 2014-02-21 . dead .
  2. Web site: Tourist Trophy 1966 . Racing Sports Cars . 1966-04-29 . 2014-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131204165330/http://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Oulton_Park-1966-04-29.html . 2013-12-04 . dead .
  3. Web site: Geoff Protheroe . Dick Protheroe Raceing History . Myitshere.co.uk . 2014-02-13.
  4. Web site: Le Mans 24 Hours 1923 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars.