Throwback Thursday – Ian Walker pushing ahead of John Aley’s Mini in the Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite on his leg of the 1961 Silverstone 6 Hour Relay Race. Ian was one of a talented 6 man line-up driving for Team Sebring including Paul Hawkins; a racing legend that was once ranked as one of the most elite drivers in the world by the FIA based on his achievements.

The car was purchased from BMC after John Sprinzel, advised Ian of its availability. The car had previously been driven by Pat Moss, the most successful female rally driver of all time and sister to racing legend Stirling Moss. She had used the car in several continental rallies including the Tour of Corsica. After numerous modifications to chassis, body and engine, the ultimate small capacity club racer was born.

Team Sebring were up against 23 other outfits and as the race was won on a handicap basis, the race technically started before the start flag dropped. After being underestimated by the handicappers, the team immediately started putting pressure on the other crews by averaging their lap times 5 SECONDS faster than was predicted. Ian was performing better than the bigger Healey 3000’s by about a second a lap which ultimately led his team a position of 1^st place overall.

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