WRDA Archive
Tim Davies
Tim
Davies, a founder member of the WRDA and winner of the first
British Championship in modern times in 1983, returned to the
track in 2013 with a Lotus Cortina and won
the 2013
HSCC ‘By Box’ Historic Touring Car Championship.
Racing Career from 1977 to 1982 & 1983 to 1984 Formula 1985 to 1987
1977 I built a competitive Autograss
myself with a special chassis using a Ford V6 3OOOcc engine which resulted in
many wins. During the same year I won the Western Mail Driving
Competition held at Brands Hatch Racing School. This entitled me
to free training at the school, and I was fortunate to be
awarded the Brands Hatch Racing School Driver of the Year award,
which included 10 wins out of 10 races in Shellsport Ford
Escorts. Part of my
prize as Driver of the Year was 20 laps at Brands Hatch in
Davina Galica' Formula 1 Surtees.
1978 Competed in the Dunlop Star of Tomorrow
and Kent Messenger Formula Ford 1500 c.c Championships
(with some sponsorship from Crickhowell Caravans). Whilst
leading the Dunlop Championship at mid-season, I ran out of
money and struggled for the rest of the season - but still
finished 4th in both championship, gaining 3 outright wins and 5
fastest race times.
1979
(Press Cutting)
Largely an uncompetitive season, due entirely to lack of
finance, racing an old Crossle in Formula Ford 2000.
Nevertheless I gained a great deal of recognition which no doubt
brought sponsorship from Brian Holmes' firm Autowindscreens of Chesterfield for
1980.
1980 A very successful year in Formula Ford
2000. The season commenced with Autowindscreens supplying a new
Reynard SF80. The car proved to be uncompetitive however, but I
am the only driver to have won a race with an SF80.
Autowindscreens then supplied a new Royale FP27. This resulted
in 3 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, 1 lap record and 5 fastest race
times. I completed the season, despite a severe financial strain
due to running expenses, and finished a mere 5 points from winning
the Motorcraft Formula Ford 2000 championship! I was awarded a
cup by Motorcraft, and a trophy by BRSCC Marshals Club for being
the Most Entertaining Driver of the Year at Brands Hatch.
1981
(Press
Cutting)Despite strenuous effort during the winter
to enter Formula 3, it proved impossible again due to the lack
of finance. In June, after half the season had passed (entirely
to lack of finance.), I was most fortunate in securing a drive
in Penistone Hardmetals new Royale RP3O Formula Ford 2000,
following an approach by Royale. Despite not joining the
championship until the 12th meeting of the year,
success for the team followed immediately with Penistones’
professional preparation, with 5 wins, 3 other podium places, 3
new lap records, & 3 pole positions.
Despite having only
competed in 10 out of 24 races, I nevertheless finished 4th
in the Pace FF2000 championship.
Results in the Pace
Petroleum FF2000 Championship
1982 The new
Royale RP32M unfortunately proved to be uncompetitive from the
start. I was the only driver to win a race in an RP33M, but this
was really due to the wet track conditions at Mallory Park.
However, with some five races remaining in the championship,
Penistone Hardmetals, fortunately offered me a drive in a new
Van Diemen RF82.
The results come immediately with a 5th place and
then three consecutive 2nd places, a win in the final
FF2000 round at Mallory Park, and a win for the second time at
the Thruxton T.V Meeting, leading from the start to finish after
qualifying third on the grid. I also set a new lap record at
Snetterton.
In July I competed in the Formula 3 supporting race to the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch and finished a creditable 9th out of 26 starters after very limited pre-race testing and practice!