The I Avon Trophy was a non-championship Grand Prix which was held at the Castle Combe Circuit on 1 October 1955, three weeks after the end of the season. It was the inaugural running of the Avon Trophy, and the last race run to Formula One regulations to be held at the circuit.

1955 Avon Trophy
Non-championship race in the 1955 Formula One season
Race details
Date 1 October 1955
Official name I Avon Trophy
Location Castle Combe Circuit, Wilts.
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 2.961 km (1.84 miles)
Distance 55 laps, 162.831 km (101.2 miles)
Pole position
Driver Vanwall
Time 1:14.4
Fastest lap
Driver United States Harry Schell Vanwall
Time 1:13.6
Podium
First Vanwall
Second Maserati
Third Cooper-Bristol

The race was won from pole by American, Harry Schell, ahead of privateer Horace Gould, in second and Bob Gerard in third.

Background

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The Castle Combe circuit, converted from an airfield just five years earlier, welcomed Formula One racing for the fourth consecutive year, having hosted the Joe Fry Memorial Trophy in previous years.

The inaugural Avon Trophy, although post-season and non-championship, was attended by numerous championship contenders from the 1955 season, as well as some new faces ahead of 1956. Among those who entered the race were American, Harry Schell, privateer Horace Gould and Frenchman, Louis Rosier. Peter Collins and future championship runner-up, Tony Brooks also attended.

Classification

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Qualifying

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Pos No. Driver Constructor Time/Gap Grid
1 26   Harry Schell Vanwall 1m14.4 1
2 6   Horace Gould Maserati +0.6 2
3 12   Bob Gerard Cooper-Bristol +0.6 3
4 30   Tony Brooks Connaught-Lea-Francis +2.6 4
5 10   Roy Salvadori Maserati +2.8 5
6 4   Louis Rosier Maserati +3.2 6
7 40   Graham Whitehead Connaught-Lea-Francis +3.2 7
8 2   Peter Walker Connaught-Alta +4.4 8
9 20   Paul Emery Emeryson-Alta +5.8 9
10 34   Tom Kyffin Cooper-Bristol +9.0 10
11 28   Alastair Birrell Cooper-Bristol +12.4 11
12 32   Dick Gibson Connaught-Lea-Francis +12.4 12
13 14   Peter Collins Maserati unknown 13
14 18   Michael Young Connaught-Alta unknown 14
DNA 8   Les Leston Maserati
DNA 16   Ron Flockhart BRM
DNA 22   Mike Hawthorn Ferrari
DNA 36   Bruce Halford Cooper-Bristol
DNA 38   John Young Connaught-Lea-Francis

Race

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Pos No. Driver Constructor Laps Time/Retired
1 26   Harry Schell Vanwall 55 1:10:32.8
2 6   Horace Gould Maserati 55 +20.0 s
3 12   Bob Gerard Cooper-Bristol 55 +32.6 s
4 10   Roy Salvadori Maserati 55
5 30   Tony Brooks Connaught-Lea-Francis 54
6 40   Graham Whitehead Connaught-Lea-Francis 54
7 32   Dick Gibson Connaught-Lea-Francis 53
8 2   Peter Walker Connaught-Alta Gearbox
9 18   Michael Young Connaught-Alta
10 20   Paul Emery Emeryson-Alta
Ret 4   Louis Rosier Maserati 18 Broken shock absorber
Ret 14   Peter Collins Maserati 9 De Dion tube
Ret 28   Alastair Birrell Cooper-Bristol
Ret 34   Tom Kyffin Cooper-Bristol

References

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Previous race:
1955 International Gold Cup
Formula One non-championship races
1955 season
Next race:
1955 Syracuse Grand Prix
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