Even though Formula 1 cars were considered the pinnacle of motorsport in the late 1960s and early ‘70s, one of the highlights of any grand prix meeting was the Group 2 saloon car race that often followed the main event. The sight and sound of numerous ground-shaking V8 Camaros and Mustangs, harried by a swarm of Ford Escorts and Minis, usually provided the day’s most exciting entertainment.
Leading the ‘big bangers’ was the irrepressible Australian Frank Gardner who competed in every formula of the sport but became famous for his saloon car drives in a variety of models from Escorts to Mustangs and ultimately an ex-Trans-Am 7-litre Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that was entered by an international freight company owned by Adrian Chambers, SCA European Freight Services. At the company headquarters in east London, within the huge workshop where the trucks were repaired, a dedicated racing department was run by two skilled ex-Formula 1 mechanics whose sole job was to prepare the Camaro to the highest standard. Initially they raced a 5.7-litre model prior to the arrival of the second generation 7-litre Camaro Z28 in 1972. Once it was sorted, it proved to be the car to beat, not only in the UK but in Europe as well, provided it held together. Despite being a heavy, difficult car to drive, it was undeniably fast as the smaller engined entries discovered whenever the track was straight. The photograph shows Frank Gardner en route to winning the Group 2 support race at the 1973 Race of Champions meeting at Brands Hatch.
From the book ‘Moments in Motorsport’ by Trevor Legate
