Video: Vintage BTCC from Silverstone in 1958

27th July 2020

Laura Thomson

It’s the BTCC, but not as we know it. This four-minute clip dates back more than 60 years to one of the earliest Production Touring Car races, held as part of the 1958 British Grand Prix.

Then the British Saloon Car Championship, the series welcomed near-standard showroom models, and fielded a grid comprising Jaguars, Austins, Rileys, MGs and more. Despite their unmolested nature, the cars raced wheel-to-wheel around Silverstone, performing brilliant powerslides at every opportunity.

Twenty-one cars started the 17-lap race, with Tommy Sopwith and American sportscar star Walter Hansgen campaigning their Jaguars at the forefront, followed by names including Jack Sears (the man after which Goodwood’s Jack Sear’s Memorial Trophy is named), John Sprinzel, Jeff Uren and Bob Gerrard.

Complete with a posh period commentary, the race has been immortalised in Duke Video’s feature length ‘On the Limit’ DVD, which we are treated to a snippet of here.

Enjoy the wonderfully grainy colour footage and incredible slow-motion drifting action, and ready yourself for BTCC of a different era, which starts once again this weekend at Donington Park.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: The closest you'll get to driving a Ferrari Testarossa