“Warning – Motor Racing Can Be Dangerous”. These six words are prominently displayed on tickets, signs, and programmes at all Motor Sports events. They proved to be true last Saturday when the vintage racing community lost one of its finest exponents as a result of an on track accident. Thankfully such events are very rare, but are always profound in their effects.
I had known Julian Grimwade for almost 20 years – first catching sight of him while drinking at a roadside bistro outside Le Mans. A magnificent vintage Bentley drew up and out popped Julian to talk to some of my fellow drinkers who already knew him. I immediately decided he was a “good bloke”. He was also a striking and photogenic subject and drove cars that were equally striking – notably the yellow Oakland Romano Special that he bought a couple of years ago. The picture above has featured on these pages before was also his head shot Facebook.
Over the years he developed a mane of hair that gave him an almost lionesque look and he drove with the heart of a lion as well. It takes a rare type of courage to drive very powerful old cars with only a helmet and leather to protect you. I have no doubt that it also brings an immense degree of joy to live on such an edge and trust that he died while doing what he loved.
These pictures below, taken on Saturday, will be the last I will ever have the privilege of taking of him. May he rest in peace.
