This is the first time the 500 OA has been invited to Aintree for a long time. Unfortunately only one driver entered, Darrell Woods in his Staride. Darrell’s Staride was first raced at Aintree in 1954 by Harold Phillipson which is the year when the Aintree car race circuit was first opened.

Darrell had clutch problems and missed first practice, when fixed he attempted to go out in second practice but he wasn’t having much luck as his exhaust pipe snapped off at the manifold and he missed second practice. The Liverpool Motor Club couldn’t have been more helpful, as they kept coming over to him to say as soon as you are ready, go to the front of the queue and we’ll let you go out. With some assistance from the Pre-War Austin Seven Club drivers he was able to temporarily fix the exhaust pipe and Liverpool Motor Club allowed him to do his timed runs without having practiced as they knew he had driven the course before in his Austin Seven. Although he had a few issues his car drew a lot of attention and admiration from the public, club officials and drivers from other classes.

There were three timed runs that counted for the overall results and the club allowed all drivers to do an additional two timed runs if they wanted, but these times wouldn’t count in the results. All the drivers considered two practices and five timed runs was really good value for money.

Darrell said his car handled well on this big sprint circuit and his run times improved on each run. Even though he was the only car in his class the Liverpool Motor Club still presented him with a trophy and commented that they were delighted to see the Staride and hoped that more 500’s will come along next year.
 

Classified Finishers