Nigel’s memories from the last 37 British Grands Prix

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In 1975, F1 Fanatic reader Nigel Bryce saw Emerson Fittipaldi win the British Grand Prix for McLaren.

Nigel hasn’t missed Britain’s round of the world championship once since then, having been in the crowd for the last 37 consecutive British Grands Prix.

In the intervening period the race has moved away from Brands Hatch, Silverstone has had two major alterations – and prices have gone up quite a bit. “£3.50 for admission seems to ring a bell,” begins Nigel. “The programme for 1975 cost 50p…”

The Hunt controversy

For his second British Grand Prix Nigel headed to Brands Hatch where he witnessed a famously controversial race:

“I was sitting in a stand just beyond Clearways heading onto the start/finish straight. The atmosphere was electric.

“There was a huge accident heading into Paddock Hill involving [Niki Lauda] and Clay Regazzoni, which resulted in a red flag.

“The remaining cars all made their way around the circuit except [James] Hunt, who thought it would be a good idea to take a shortcut and enter the pit lane from the back.

“It was announced that James was to be excluded from the restart. There was fury among the fans and there was lots of jeering and booing and also unacceptably the throwing of cans etc… onto the track. It went on for a long time before finally it was announced that he would race and actually went on to win the race – only to be excluded at a later date.”

Changes for the better – and worse

Nigel laments the loss of variety in the other on-track races at the Grand Prix: “The support races used to be so much better than they are now: Formula Ford, Formula Atlantic, Touring Cars. Celebrity races also, especially at Brands Hatch, were always entertaining.

“Unfortunately now the races are the same every year, I still enjoy them apart from GP3 or Formula Lawnmower as I like to call it – they are probably the worst-sounding race cars of all time!”

But some things have changed for the better, like the notorious Silverstone traffic. “It really isn’t a problem now if you know where you are going,” he says.

“When I first started going in the seventies, I used to drive up the night before find a lay-by and try and sleep or get to the circuit find an entrance and park up in order to be first in. You used to be able to drive right into the circuit and park on or just behind the banking.”

Mansellmania

Nigel witnessed many of the race’s great moments, such as Keke Rosberg’s record-breaking 160mph lap of Silverstone in qualifiyng in 1985: “I was sat at Woodcote, I can remember watching the car as it gripped incredibly on what was one of the greatest corners ever.”

Over the following years a driver whose name became synonymous with Silverstone gave the crowd plenty to cheer about: Nigel Mansell.

“I was particularly fond of Mansell,” his namesake admitted. “I work in the aviation business and used to meet Mansell on a regular basis on his commute to the Isle of Man. He always had a lot of time for me and we would always discuss how the last race went.

“On one occasion there was a test coming up at Brands Hatch in preparation for the Grand Prix. I said to Nigel that I intended to go down to Brands that day. He said that after the lunch break in the Goodwood Suite if I could get his attention he would take me across to the pits and Lotus garage.

“True to his word he came out of the Goodwood Suite and got mobbed by a lot of fans. I nervously called out, next minute he told me to hold on to him, then moments later I was walking across the tarmac at Brands and promptly sat in the Lotus pit drinking tea. I couldn’t believe it!”

Soaked at Silverstone

For several years Nigel spurned offers of accommodation – until one famously wet race in 1998: “I used to go with my brother, who would take some clients of his along. They would stay in a nice hotel or similar and we would meet up at the circuit.

“The hotel was always offered to me but, being a diehard fan, I opted to sleep in the car. I used to park at Club and was quite happy to go back after the day’s racing, have a barbeque and soak the atmosphere up. It was a bit lonely sometimes but people always stopped and talked.

“I did this for many years until the 1998 race weekend. It rained and rained and rained. I trudged back to the car absolutely soaked to the skin at 5pm on Saturday evening, got in and quite simply didn’t move. It was awful – I had to dry my clothes using the car heater.”

Cheering the home heroes

His enthusiasm for the race hasn’t dimmed despite clocking up almost four decades of visits: “I like to arrive early and soak up the great atmosphere, that’s one thing that has never changed over the years.

“I have always gone with friends or family. My wife comes along again now, she enjoyed the Mansell years and came along to the memorable races of 1986 and 1987 and of course 1992.

“We stay now and have done for about eight years, half an hour away in Staverton. We have met some great people over the years and have become true friends with a couple from Belgium that we meet up with throughout.

And who will he best supporting at his 38th consecutive British Grand Prix? “Over the years I suppose I have supported the Britons more than anybody else: Hunt, Mansell, Hill and of course more recently Hamilton and Button.

“I’ve also got fond memories and admiration for Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

“This year i am keeping a close eye on the Lotus team with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean – their first win may come soon!”

Over to you

Has anyone out there been to the British Grand Prix – or another race – more times than Nigel?

If so, we want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or get in touch via the contact form.

And if you’re heading to this year’s race make sure you join in the discussion here:

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Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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19 comments on “Nigel’s memories from the last 37 British Grands Prix”

  1. I was there over 10 years ago, has the food improved much? I was there the whole weekend and my most lasting memory was the overwhelming desire to eat a vegetable.

    1. This is definately still the case at the Nurburgring and Spa!! But Silverstone is much better now as there is quite a variety of food vans now

      1. all at extortionate prices?

  2. Wow! To say I am jealous of your being able to attend the last 37 British Grand Prix is a massive understatement!

  3. 37 races consecutively? Wow….anyone who can beat that?!

  4. Very impressive Nigel – that’s dedication

  5. Its such loyal and passionate fans that makes what Formula 1 is today.

    Hats off to you sir!

  6. I actually like the sound of GP3 cars. I also think it’s gret to have GP2 and GP3 run on the same days as F1, as you can see the F1 drivers of the future just after seeing the F1 drivers of the present. The other lower formulae which run on their own have less appeal to me.

  7. Peter Maynard
    4th July 2012, 10:47

    Yes, I can beat Nigel by one – my first was 1974. And that includes all the non-championship F1 races in the ’70s and the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch and Donington.

    1. Pipped him! And are you going this year as well?

      1. Peter Maynard
        4th July 2012, 12:02

        Yes, I am. A 3 day GA ticket driving up and back from Devon each day with my push bike in back of car.

    2. Wow, the two of you should meet up and have a chat about all the shared memories Peter!

  8. Well done Peter, i didnt think i would be the only one out there! Enjoy the weekend, dont forget your brolly!!
    regards
    Nigel

    1. Peter Maynard
      4th July 2012, 12:05

      Thank you. I was set to go to the 1973 race but a friend of mine talked me out of it saying it would be too crowded and I wouldn’t see anything. Unfortunately, I listened to him.

  9. Wow! Now that is impressive. Nice one, Nigel.

    I’ve been to 8 consecutive races myself and I’m only 18 years old. Being an Aussie F1 fanatic, I really only get the chance to attend the Melbourne GP every year. However, I’ll never forget my first race when I was 10 years old. It was the 2005 Italian GP. Now being the biggest Ferrari fan, this was like a dream to me. Since then I’ve attended the Australian GP since 2006 with my tickets already booked for next year.

  10. I was gonna say “must be boring after 37″… but I insulted myself for even thinking that, really…

    Excellent achievement! I’d do it if I could too…

  11. I agree with the comments about the support races, I guess in those days the track owner/promoter had more say about it.

  12. That was a brilliant read, thank you for sharing it @keithcollantine and Nigel.

    GP3 cars don’t sound that great at all, you’re right.

  13. All booked for next year!

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