Austin 7 Championship (1978 - 1993)
It was 10 years since the last Austin 7 engined car raced in 750 Formula, at the time it was the Cowley Mk3 driven by Bill Cowley. The introduction of the Reliant 750SV and then 600 OHV in 1966 saw the A7 go into retirement.
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1978 was time to revive Austin 7 racing, with Ken Cooke a the helm. Ken would later go on to become 750MC Vice President. The Austin 7 championship would be a mix of both scratch and handicap events, including several near standard Chummy's. By the end of the 1979 season the new Austin 7 Championship was thriving, with 26 entrants in the last event of the year. As 1981 came the regular competitors were in for a surprise. 5 single seater Austin 7 racing cars arrived from Australia to compete. The racing result inevitable. The championship had a slow decline to 1993, when the number of races was reduced for 4. After 1993 the Austin 7 championship ceased to be.
750 Trophy (1993 - 2016)
All to keen for Austin 7 racing to continue in the 750 Motor Club Mike Featherstonehaugh had a new idea. There was now a number of 'retired' 750 Formula cars which were no longer competitive in the 750 Formula, with both Reliant and Austin 7 engines. Some had Austin 7 chassis, other the later 2x2 rail design. Alongside this F1172 Specials and Cooper 500s were also looking for a home. 750 Trophy was born.
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The early 750 Trophy regulations had a disclaimer, should there be an over-subscribed grid, the Austin 7s would take preference.
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Class A: Pre-1939 Austin 7s, pre-39 sports car under 1100cc
Class B: Pre-1966 Austin 7s
Class C: Pre-74 Formula cars, F1172 Specials, other Historic sports or racing cars under 1200cc
Class D: Cooper 500s
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Cooper 500 popularity grew with the historic car movement, they would go on to form their own Championship and gain entry to prestige events such as Goodwood. Over the years the 750 Trophy grid numbers would fluctuate, with both the Austin 7 and pre-74 Formula cars taking it in turns to be the car of choice. Eventually 750 Trophy would lose championship status. 2016 it would average just 14 cars per race.
750 Trophy acquired championship status, with regular large entries of Coopers 500s. Mike Featherstonehaugh would sadly pass on and Graham Chambers would take the helm. Graham worked to create a family friendly paddock atmosphere, an annual drivers BBQ, drivers raffle and awards such as Dave Rees Trophy for best spirit of the formula. Stalwart racer Don Rawson would award the Don Rawson A7 Scratch Cup. By 2003 another racing series was born, 750 Triple Challenge. The Austin 7s would race in the Triple Challenge, 750 Trophy was now dominated with pre-74 Formula cars and Coopers.
Austin 7 Triple Challenge (2003 - 2007)
Graham Chambers brainchild was a three calendar event for just Austin 7s, the Austin 7 Triple Challenge (A7TC). David Whetton would also be integral to the series success, Graham and David established several classes. Essentially, it had an Austin 7 engine, you could take part in the A7TC.
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Dr Whetton was the mastermind of the secret handicap formula, awards were established for road-going, upright radiator, super charged, non supercharged and more. If you entered, you won a prize.
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The Austin 7 scene was thriving, 20+ cars grids, with a variety from 'traditional' Austin 7s to single seater race cars. Racing super enthusiasts would compete in both A7TC and 750 Trophy races in the same weekend.
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The A7TC took an enormous amount of effort to keep good grids, eventually Graham would stand-a-side and A7TC wouldn't be the same. In 2007 the Triple Challenge was scrapped. Graham would continue racing briefly, until he tipped over 'The Blue Austin' at Silverstone, then deciding he would take racing retirement.