It is with sadness that we have to report the loss of Peter Jopp. Peter began racing 500s with a Cooper in 1952 before moving to an Emeryson. He won Le Mans for Lotus before turning his attentions to rallying.

Hugh and Robert Dunsterville have written "Freik The Private Life of the Freikaiserwagen" published by the the Midland Automobile Club. Click on the logo to go to the web site dedicated to the Freik.

Peter Becker, who credits his life-long interest in small-bore formula cars to first reading about them in articles written by the founder of Autobooks; this past Sunday had his name added to the special award named for that very man, Harry Morrow.

 “I’m honoured, I’m also surprised, pleased, and humbled … All at the same time,” said Becker when he was called up to be presented with the national award that celebrates participation and partisanship in the “ancient and honourable” sport of 500cc formula car racing. “I’m humbled to have my name placed on an Award named for the late Harry Morrow that has the names of some of my own personal heroes on it, John Streets, Bob Wenz, and Tom Cecil.”

As part of the 60th Anniversary of the British Grand Prix, two 500s the Cooper Mk II of Richard Bishop-Miller and the Monaco of John Potts, were invited to Silverstone by the BRDC. Click here to see more.

An article by Lothar Mildebrath published in German in the BMW Veteranen-Club Nachrichten. Click here to view.

Reg Phillips, probably the hill climber held in the highest affection by the sport, died on 15 May 2008, aged 93. Best known in the last 25 years for his indecently quick driving of a road-going MGF, racing Peugeots 106 and 205 and a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, his motor sport career began before the Second World War in trials. An appreciation by Tony Cotton.

Made by Rupert Instone, one of two cars made. Front wheel drive. Engine Triumph T100, 500cc. Gearbox Manx Norton, (Sturmey Archer) 4 Speed, Manx ratios. Close ratio. Rebuilt over 10 years, part time. Two complete spare wheels plus ½ cwt of engine and gearbox spares. Have full documentation + F.I.A. Identity form. Price £15.000 Tel. Jon Worthington. 0797855338 See Mezzolitre for more.

Peter Becker, in the US, is planning on casting some Cooper wheels. More details from admin@vintageraceprep.com.

This year we will be enjoying two continental events, the race at Croix en Ternois and a hill climb at Etretat over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th August. See the Hills page for entry forms. Etretat is a picturesque small town on the Normandy Coast about 15 miles from Le Havre and is easily accessible by ferry to Calais or Le Havre.

The 500 Owners Association came into being in 1968 to preserve the 500cc class of Formula 3. The starting point was a letter from Peter Kendall to John Turner, in January, proposing the idea. Click here for more details.

The Earl of March Trophy has been confirmed for the Goodwood Revival 2008 over the weekend of 20th and 21st September. We will publish more details as they become available. See the official Goodwood site at: www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/intro/races.htm

Race Retro - The Fifth International Historic Motorsport Show is on 14th to 16th March 2008 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Advanced tickets can be purchased, with a £5 saving by using the Hotline 0844 848 3229 or purchasing on line via the website - www.historicmotorsportshow.com.

As well as continuing to build the archive of cars and drivers in the Marques and Men sections, we try to help owners to trace the history of their particular car. See Histories and Mysteries for some pleas for help. If you would like to trace the history of a car or know anything which might help, please get in touch at neil@hodgeslondon.plus.com.

The 500 Owners Association have been invited to join the BRSCC for our 2008 Overseas jaunt. Croix en Ternois is just over an hour from Calais (and its hypermarkets) making it an attractive and easy to reach circuit. Details are still being agreed but click here for more information.

As agreed at the AGM in November, we hope to have a number of stand alone races in 2008 however it vital the the Competition Secretary has a good feel for likely attendance to avoid potential embarrassment and financial risk to the Club. Please could you email Gordon as soon as possible to indicate your intentions for the following races: Mallory Park (Don Truman), Snetterton (John Cooper) Cadwell Park (VSCC), Snetterton (HSCC) Croix en Ternois and Phoenix Park. It is not binding at this stage but a Yes/Probably/Probably Not/No would help him to gauge the mood and plan accordingly.

Once again we joined together in Cheltenham for the Annual General Meeting and Prize giving and for once it didn't matter that the weather was atrocious! Click here for a report and details of the winners.

It is our sad duty to report the Jim Russell's garage in Downham Market has been demolished to make way for housing. The price of living in Brown's Britain. The garage was used by Jim to prepare his Cooper 500 and later as the base for the cars which featured in the film "Grand Prix". Click here to see the full story courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press.

Marcus Pye has been a champion of 500cc Formula 3 for some time. In his regular column in Autosport 18th October, he reviews the Iota Trophy race from Brands Hatch and the season closer at Mallory Park. He also says some kind words about Formula 3 as a whole. Thanks Marcus! Click here to see more.

Please help us to complete the history of this remarkable hybrid engine comprising a JAP twin with Norton Heads. Click here for details.

The 2007 AGM will take take place on Sunday the 18th November at the Thistle Hotel Cheltenham. Click here for details.

Henry Koring passed away at the start of February at the grand old age of 93. Henry spent the pre war years touring Europe with a group of friends racing their motor cycles and earning just enough to live on. He was in quality control at various aircraft component manufacturers during the war and when peace returned he opened a motor cycle shop in Tottenham Court Road. He would catch the train to Wolverhampton and collect a new machine from the Norton Racing Dept. and then train it north to the Isle of Man and the T.T. Races. Henry had several spills and eventually decided that 4 wheels might be safer. He bought the Mk3 Smith from Ken and after the Norton engine failed in spectacular fashion at Brands Hatch, he replaced it with a dry sump Road Race JAP. This improved the handling of the Smith dramatically and Henry had several successful years with it before it was sold on to David Kamm. Henry then raced a Cooper which he bought in an accident damaged state from the father of a young doctor who was killed while driving it at Brands Hatch. I have the details some where but not to hand. Soon after this Henry hung up his helmet in favour of married bliss, but continued to tinker with and ride bikes till quite recently.

The 500 Owners Association is saddened to hear of the death of Major Richard Chichester, of Wiscombe Park, where the Club has held its annual Hillclimb event for many years, who died last week at home. Major Oscar Richard Herschel Chichester, late of the Rifle Brigade, was a descendant of the Marquesses of Donegall. He was born in 1915, a son of Shane Randolph Chichester, OBE, by his wife Madeline Herschel. He was educated at Wellington College then Trinity College, Cambridge (BA). He spent his early career as Major, in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own. He was ADC to the High Commissioner for Palestine 1946-48, and served in Palestine until 1936. In the 1939-45 War he received The African Star.