Tom Sheds Leaf

The world’s oldest competition licence holder, 93-year-old Tom Delaney was thrown from his Lea-Francis Hyper in a shock accident during the BRDC 500 revival race at Silverstone on August 1. Entering Becketts, Delaney ran across the grass. As he fought for control, the supercharged vintage racer pitched its driver sideways out of the low-sided cockpit. Much to the horror of spectators, a tyre hit his helmet and gloved hand. The safety car immediately took control of the race while marshals attended Delaney on the track but the elderly driver was not badly hurt. Although shaken and bruised, he was later released from hospital.The former Lea-Francis works driver and Brooklands competitor is determined to continue racing and specialist Roger Dowson is preparing Delaney’s second Hyper, the quicker ex-Kaye Don TT winner, for the first Brooklands Trophy race at the Goodwood Revival on September 4.