there are probably millions of reasons why a Boxing Day Brands meeting can’t be done; but Let’s dream

The lack of historic racing at this time of year really gets to me. It’s depressing and I’m sure I’m not alone, so here’s an idea to lift the winter gloom. Why not revive that wonderful Christmas tradition, the Boxing Day Brands Hatch meeting? Like most good things these days, there are probably millions of reasons why it can’t be done, and no doubt plenty of people cleverer and more powerful than I am have considered the possibility as well; but forget all that for a minute. Let’s dream a bit.

The first Boxing Day Brands meeting took place over 50 years ago and it soon became an eagerly awaited fixture in the calendar, popular with competitors and spectators alike. For many of us,
it was also the perfect excuse for not going round to Uncle Jim and Auntie Vera’s place for that ghastly glass of sherry. That thought alone might spark somebody into action, and as soon as possible please. We need to restore this vital escape route.

Think of it. I’m not suggesting modern racing in mid-winter at Brands, which appeared to become a non-runner long, long ago. We mustn’t forget, either, the traditional Boxing Day meeting for cars and bikes still running at Mallory Park, called the Plum Pudding Races. What I have in mind would be rather different: a glorious mid-winter occasion, a Big Historic Meeting to complement the Goodwood Revival and the Silverstone Classic, yet with a character of its own. Brands could aim to bring back those great days when Gerry Marshall would put his pint down for a minute to watch Father Christmas, aka Tony Lanfranchi or some such fine character, doing a couple of laps in his F3 car.

In this modern age, mind you, we’d probably have loads of jobsworths with breathalysers all over the place, which might prove a bit of a bore for some. The atmosphere on those days was quite unlike that found at any other meeting, but often the racing was at least as good as anything seen during the normal season. It used to be called The Yuletide Trophy Meeting and I can’t think of a better name for it now.
By the 1960s and 1970s, Boxing Day at Brands Hatch had grown into quite a big deal, and it’s that era I’d like to see put back into our diaries at the end of 2009. Keen historians will know all the facts but off the top of my head I can’t remember it happening after 1980, by which time it had indeed become somewhat lacklustre. As a meeting for historic cars now, there might be a couple of races for 1950s and 1960s saloons, perhaps a Formule Libre dash attracting some big single-seaters, plus historic Formula Fords, F3s and Formula Juniors, all sorts of historic sports cars and something for pre-war cars.

There’s always the risk of postponement or cancellation because of bad weather, of course, which might be seen as a snag, but everybody seemed to cope in the past so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t manage today. All right, there was a tricky one back in 1964, when qualifying was held a few days beforehand, leaving nothing but racing scheduled for Boxing Day. When everyone turned up that morning, the circuit was an ice-rink. The despairing organisers got some volunteers to drive round slowly, some in their road cars, I think, just to see if that would disperse the ice. It didn’t, and most of them spun off harmlessly at very low speeds, which at least provided some amusement for the hardy spectators who had turned out. The 1964 Boxing Day Brands meeting was duly postponed until January 31, 1965, when it went off without a hitch.

My own memories of competing in those Christmas meetings, over several years from 1968 onwards, are of trouble-free events with closely fought races. They were perfect winter breaks.

Remember, Auntie Vera has her filthy old tea towel to hand and already she’s wiping some of the dust and grime off those antique sherry glasses. Meanwhile, Brands Hatch has never been smarter, never so well organised as it is today – and that’s where I’d like to be next December 26. That’s all. I leave you, and those who could make it actually happen, with that happy thought as I head off for a splendid pint of Adnams Yuletide ale at my local, that being the best antidote to the winter blues available right now.