500 Club History

History The history of the 500 Movement from its pre war origins, Formula 3, decline and revival
CAPA Prior to the Second World War a number of racing enthusiasts in Bristol set out to enjoy themselves with some low budget motor sport. They formed an organisation which they called CAPA (after the initials of four of the founders (Dick) Caesar, Aldrich, Bobby Price and Adrian (Butler). CAPA has to be regarded as the true forerunner of the 500cc movement. The members also included Bickerton, Joe Fry (who allowed members to compete on his estate at Lulsgate), his cousin David Fry, Walter Watkins, A. C. H. Harding, John Siddall, McCormick, Breyer and others. The CAPA cars were mainly based on Austin Sevens with body work removed and a mild tune. Whenever the group met, the subject of developing more low cost motor sport was raised and It is thought that it was Dick Caesar who first suggested the idea of using motorcycle engines as the power plant for racing cars. His argument for this being that they were cheap to buy, available and would enable a good power to weight ratio. The plan was to evolve a formula to which all cars would conform, thereby preventing the wealthier racer from having too much of an advantage over the CAPA type of constructor. The Bristol Aeroplane Company Motor Sports Club The outbreak of War in 1939 put a halt to all active motor sport. The CAPA enthusiasts were also members of, among others, the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light Car Club and some of them worked at the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Many members were called up for military service and the clubs were shut down for the duration. Those members continuing to work in the Company formed the Bristol Aeroplane Company Motor Sports Club, the idea being to keep the spirit of motor sport alive even if competitive events had to stop. The 500 Club In the Autumn of 1946, an AGM was held but it was clear that members wanted to revitalise their old clubs and regarded the BACMSC as having served its purpose. A resolution was passed to wind up the BACMSC and found a new club to pick up the threads of what CAPA members had been thinking about before the war. It was called the 500 Club and the balance of the BACMSC funds were transferred to it. In a matter of months about half a dozen cars had been built to a general specification prepared by the Club and competition began, initially on the hills but quickly progressing to circuit racing, making use of the newly available airfield perimeter roads as the British Government began to release control of them (See From Acorns to Oak Trees for an amusing anecdote about the first attempt to race at Silverstone). A key part of the concept was the encouragement of individuals to construct their own cars and, in this, the Club was highly successful. *Iota* Such was the interest that, in early 1947, the 500 Club began publication of its own magazine “Iota”, named after the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. This in itself was a triumph in view of the austerity of post war Britain. Iota was published for six years before merging with “Motor Racing”. The 13th of July 1947 was a significant milestone for British motor racing as the first post war race was held at RAF Gransden Lodge. Nearly all competing cars were pre war but the 500s were invited. Moving up from short sprints and hill climbs was a big step up and most of the cars fell by the wayside allowing an easy win for Eric Brandon in the prototype Cooper. A new Committee and a new home At the end of 1947, members chose to move the Club’s headquarters from Bristol to London and at the first AGM in December, held in Surbiton, Surrey, a new committee was elected which reads as a who’s who, including Earl Howe, S.C.H. “Sammy Davis, Laurence Pomeroy, Raymond Mays (of ERA and, later, BRM), John Cooper and Dick Caesar. They also endorsed certain changes to the technical rules including making bodywork mandatory and braking on all four wheels, aimed at creating “proper” racing cars.
Grand Prix In the autumn of 1948, the RAC organised it’s first major International Race for Grand Prix cars at the new Silverstone Circuit and the National 500 Formula was chosen for the supporting race. Over 26 cars arrived, a staggering achievement in the circumstances, although only 8 finished. The race was significant in a number of regards; Many people were surprised by the small difference in lap times between the 500s and the Grand Prix cars, Stirling Moss was one of the leaders until mechanical problems forced him out and (ominously for the future) Cooper cars took the first four places with John Cooper himself finishing second. Spike Rhiando was the winner. This single race provided a real showcase for the 500 Club and gave international exposure to the movement. Through 1948 and 49 the number of cars and drivers continued to increase and drivers began to compete across Europe. At the Daily Express, B.R.D.C. Grand Prix meeting at Silverstone in the summer of 1949 over 100,000 spectators attended and the 500 race was another great success. This time, Eric Brandon won with Moss second and Cooper cars took the first six places.
Formula 3, the Half Litre Club and a Golden Age With international exposure and success came recognition and for 1950, the FIA adopted the 500 Club's National Rules to create a new International Formula 3. Racing in England and across Europe continued to develop and at the end of the year the Club formally changed name. This was, in fact, forced on the Club by the existence of another 500 Club. Allegedly, a number of our members were making full use of the other club's plush premises in the West End of London, much to the disgust of it's members! The First meeting of the Directors of The Half-Litre Car Club Limited was held at Lower Grosvenor Place, London, in December 1950. The Half Litre Club promoted the first car race at the new Brands Hatch Circuit in 1950 and played a major role in the development of the track through the 1950s. The period between 1950 and 1955 was a golden age for Formula 3 and a number of the star drivers and teams found that they could earn a living from start and prize money, racing every weekend at home and abroad. The stars included Moss, Stuart Lewis-Evans, Don Parker, Les Leston, Ivor Bueb, Jim Russell, Trevor Taylor and Peter Collins plus a number who went on to great things outside of the cockpit such as John Cooper, Ken Tyrrell and Bernie Ecclestone.
Cracks The Formula had been conceived to encourage low cost home built cars with an open set of rules but the rise of the star drivers, teams and constructors (such as Cooper and Kieft), left the amateurs trailing. The use of the Manx Norton engine was a particular blow for the privateers due to it’s high cost and restricted availability (The Manx was not sold as an engine so wealthy teams purchased complete motorbikes for stripping). British teams and drivers dominated Formula 3 across Europe, which inevitably caused resentment.
The British Racing and Sports Car Club Members interest in other categories of racing began to develop and in September 1954 the Half Litre Club became the British Racing and Sports Car Club, based at Brands Hatch in Kent, the circuit which had been largely developed by the Club. The BRSCC is still one of the largest clubs in Britain.	Motor Sport's slightly sarcastic reaction to the proposed name change!
Decline From around 1958, Formula 3 began to decline at the international level though it continued as a national class into the early 60s. Formula 2 was now established as an international class and 500cc Formula 3 was being eclipsed by the new Formula Junior so by 1962, 500cc racing was over. Cars continued to compete on the hills through the 60’s but many were heavily modified, laid up or scrapped. Revival In January 1968 a group of enthusiasts, led by Peter Kendal, John Turner, Edie Silk and Tony Griffin joined forces to preserve the cars and formed the 500 Owners Association. The first newsletter was published to 50 new members in October and the first formal meeting held in November. As interest in historic motor sport grew during 1990’s so cars began to reappear on the tracks. Buoyed by the success of the Festival of Speed, Lord March introduced the Goodwood Revival Meeting, at the circuit whose rise and fall mirrored that of the 500cc Formula. From around 2000, 500cc Formula 3 has seen significant growth and there are more cars competing regularly than for many years. Every year a few more cars are restored and made ready to rejoin the fray and interest at an international level is growing.
For more information on the early days of the 500 movement, See Keith Gough's article "From Acorns to Oak Trees" or Perspective to help understand the significance of the 500 movement in the development of motorsport in Britain.