Jon Chippindall was a great historic motor racing enthusiast who had competed regularly in the first 3 Festivals. It was a tragic end to a wonderful weekend of motor sport and festivities when he was tragically killed on the circuit during his run on Sunday afternoon.

Jon had previously congratulated the Committee and indeed the entire town on a fantastic event. He said that it was the best event that he attends all around the country and the one and only event that he would cancel everything to make sure he could be here. We take some consolation in the fact that he died doing something he really loved, in a car that he had owned and raced for decades.

Jon’s racing compatriots rallied following his death and created the “Jon Chippindall Memorial Trophy” – a trophy which, it was decided, would be awarded each year to the driver who most captured the spirit and enthusiasm towards historic racing that Jon himself had attained. The flaggies and marshals without whom we could not run the event have the task of choosing the winner each year.

In 2005 it was won by Joe Wilson and pictured below are the 2006 winners, Alec Lowe and his co-driver Lance Collins. Congratulations Alec and Lance!

Perpetual Trophy
In memory of Jon Chippindall

Sculpture by James Corbett of “Chippy” in his Austin 7
Thank you to the many who contributed to the fund for this trophy: