Redditch chartered surveyor John Truslove took third place overall after a weekend of flawless driving around the street circuit in the Grand Prix Historique de Pau.
Driving a 1963 Brabham BT-6 that was the works car of ex-world champion Denny Hulme he faced challenges from 18 other drivers of such legendary marques as Cooper, Lotus, Alexis, Stanguellini, Gemini, Elva, Deep Sanderson and Mallock.
But his experience and consistency saw him maintain third place throughout free practice, qualifying and races 1 and 2.
He was only beaten to the chequered flag by the somewhat lighter local resident Stephane Rey, who is an acknowledged Pau circuit expert, and 20-year-old F3 driver Harry Tincknell who was having his first sight of a complicated circuit he would be driving in the Grand Prix de Pau the following weekend.
And, as John Truslove pointed out in his podium interview for local radio – was less than one third his age!
He was supported by a team of nearly 20 fans and business contacts who made the trek from the UK to the French town which lies in the shadow of the Pyrenees.
Free practice and qualifying was held on the Saturday with two races some four hours apart on the Sunday.
John Truslove said: “The car ran brilliantly and everyone contributed to a great weekend and a highly satisfactory result all round.
“The street circuit of Pau, which has an older racing pedigree than Monaco, is extremely tricky but very rewarding when you get it right, and it was great to be out there racing again against so many great old classics….and their cars.”
