Major Peter Braid had quite a ride during this Formula 3 race at Blandford Army camp in August 1949.
Presumably Braid had some flight experience because I can think of no other way he might have gotten his F3 Cooper up on the guardroom house, but apparently a bus stop and a tree gave him a boost along the way.
Looking back into the Topps World on Wheels trading cards. This time, Effyh.
From the card’s reverse:
Horsepower 40
Cylinders 1
Speed 130mph
This Swedish midget racer appeared in America the first time in 1951, taking part in races at Bridgehampton, Long Island. At that time, it had defeated some of Europe’s most powerful cars in open competition. These tiny cars can go surprisingly fast… faster than many cars with greater horsepower.
A ringing endorsement if ever I’ve heard one.
Previously on Effyh. Previously on the 1951 Bridgehampton.
More cards from the World on Wheels series in the archives.
State Senator T. Newell Wood was a politician for 30 years. But for us, his greatest contribution was the race he hosted in the mid 50s around his estate in Pennsylvania: Brynfan Tyddyn. We’ve written about this amazing lost track before, but here’s something we haven’t seen. Senator Wood’s personal racing car.
This little 500cc single seater was one of a handful made by the Hakanson Brothers in Sweden under the Effyh nameplate. Effyh made a bit of a name for themselves on both sides of the Atlantic. Effyh team driver Ake Jonsson piloted the factory example to three Formula 3 World Championships. In the States, John Fitch took an example to class victories at the Bridgehampton Road Race and at the Giant’s Despair hillclimb — which is probably where Senator Wood first laid eyes on one.
This example, like the Fitch and Jonsson machines, was originally powered by a JAP engine; this one legendarily found in Wood’s barn and restored. The example set by the dominant Cooper Formula 3’s Norton power compelled Woods to upgrade to Norton power and Cooper suspension for this Effyh. The new powerplant made this little F3 really move around up the track at Brynfan Tyddyn’s sister event, the Giant’s Despair hillclimb.
Today, the car is in lovely shape and available as part of l’Arte et l’Automobile auction. This Effyh post has more detailed information.