ONE of the most famous names in Grand Prix racing celebrated its 50th anniversary at the internationally-renowned Coys Historic Festival.

And Blackburn businessman Anthony Taylor joined some of the World's greatest racing names for a special parade to mark five decades of BRM.

Anthony, who races a unique Willment-BRM, was invited by the organisers to compete alongside drivers such as Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham, Brian Redman, Tony Brooks and Peter Gethin, in front of 60,000 spectators at Silverstone.

"It was a fantastic occasion. I felt very honoured and privileged to be in the company of so many legendary drivers," said Anthony, who owns Rishton-based kit car manufacturer Autotune.

"It was the first time so many BRM cars, and their drivers, have been gathered together in one place. I'm sure we'll never see the like of it again.

"The whole atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed, and it gave everyone the opportunity enjoy the atmosphere of motor racing as it used to be." Former Burnley driver Brian Redman was just one of the famous names to appear, racing a BRM Type 25.

Redman, who left East Lancashire in 1973 to make a new career in US sports car racing, flew in from his Florida home for the three-day meeting at the request of sponsors Chrysler.

"It was fantastic to meet up with Brian again after all these years," added Anthony.

"He's been very successful in the States, winning three consecutive F5000 championships and running a Porsche and Ferrari dealership on the West Coast."

BRM - British Racing Motors - was formed in 1947 by Raymond Mays, and won its first Grand Prix in 1959, before going on to win the 1962 championship.

Their last Grand Prix victory in 1972 at Monaco was followed by terminal decline which led to liquidation just two years later.

ANTHONY Taylor's unique Willment-BRM was first raced in the 1966 Easter Monday Goodwood meeting with Mike Beckwith at the wheel.

The car was next seen at the May International Trophy race at Silverstone, now driven by Grand Prix pilot Innes Ireland.

After qualifying sixth, Ireland was forced to retire with a broken driveshaft.

Campaigned in 1968 by Ken Simmons, the little 2-litre racer passed through several dealers and was slowly broken up as parts were sold on.

Anthony discovered it in 1978, virtually wrecked and hanging from the roof of a petrol station in Manchester.

He spent the next year researching the car and carefully locating the original parts, including the engine, and restored the Willment-BRM to its 1966 specification.

The car has been a regular competitor in HSCC and Piper/Knight Supersports events ever since, enjoying victory in the 1980 Historic GT under 2-litre Championship.

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