Shelsley Walsh 2009

15/16 August

Simon Braithwaite has continued his success at Shelsey Walsh.  In the event held on 15/16 August he competed in the car and made improvements in his time. He writes:-

‘Had a great meeting at Shelsley last weekend. I started with 40.3 seconds then 40.1 seconds (down from 42 and 41 last time).

My handicap time was set at 39.80 for the competitive runs on Sunday.

On the first run I somehow did a 38.64 !! then I messed up a potentially quicker second run with a missed 3^rd gear shift, getting to line with a slowing 42.52.

I think I did around 39.9 in your car a few years ago (and I was really trying!) so the 38.64 was a really good time. It was good enough for a class win, so I now have 1 x 3^rd and 2 x 1^st’s this season.

My last outing is at Prescott on the first weekend of September’.

I look forward to hearing from Simon again and putting his results for the last event of the season up on Lotusracer.

May 3rd/4th 2009.

Simon Braithwaite’s Lotus Eleven Series 2 competing at Shelsley Walsh, May 3rd/4th 2009. Simon achieved an excellent time of 46.87seconds.

©Rich Danby / www.Zipp.co.uk

©Rich Danby / www.Zipp.co.uk

418 SRE  Lotus Eleven Series 2
Le-Mans Model - Chassis No. 316

Current owner: Simon Braithwaite.

Chassis 316 ‘418 SRE’ was built during July 1957.  It was purchased by Doug Graham, Owner of the Wolverhampton based ‘Express & Star’ newspaper. The car was race prepared by Innes Ireland Ltd who provided one of the first commercial driver training & race preparation operations. Doug Graham drove the car in around 30 race meetings during 1957 / ‘58. The car competed at all the prominent UK circuits including Goodwood. A sole overseas trip yielded a 2nd place in the 1958 Copenhagen Cup meeting at the Roskilde Ring circuit in Denmark. At the end of the 1958 season the car was sold as he upgraded to a new Lotus Fifteen.

Doug.Graham , Mallory Park , September 22nd 1957

Chassis 316  was bought by Tom Threlfall. Tom only drove the car until mid 1959 by which time it was already proving uncompetitive. He purchased Lotus Eleven chassis 330 from Dick Prior and retired chassis 316 from active service. The car then disappeared for around 18 years until being rescued in pieces in 1978. Restoration began in earnest during 2004.
 

Tom Threlfall , Brands Hatch , March 30th 1959