Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, also called Formula 2, is a type of open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009–2012 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship. The name returned in 2017 when the former GP2 Series became known as the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
The Alta Car and Engineering Company was a British sports and racing car manufacturer, commonly known simply as Alta. Their cars contested five FIA World Championship races between 1950 and 1952, as well as Grand Prix events prior to this. They also supplied engines to a small number of other constructors, most notably the Connaught and HWM teams.
The 1952 British Grand Prix was a Formula Two race held on 19 July 1952 at Silverstone Circuit. It was race 5 of 8 in the 1952 World Championship of Drivers, in which each Grand Prix was run to Formula Two rules rather than the Formula One regulations normally used.
Roy Francesco Salvadori was a British racing driver and team manager. He was born in Dovercourt, Essex, to parents of Italian descent. He graduated to Formula One by 1952 and competed regularly until 1962 for a succession of teams including Cooper, Vanwall, BRM, Aston Martin and Connaught. Also a competitor in other formulae, he won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin with co-driver Carroll Shelby.
Charles Anthony Standish Brooks was a British racing driver also known as the "Racing Dentist". He participated in 39 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 14 July 1956, achieving six wins, 10 podium finishes and 75 career points. He was third in the World Drivers' Championship in 1958 with Vanwall and second in 1959 with Ferrari. He also scored the first win by a British driver in a British car in a Grand Prix since 1923, driving a Connaught at Syracuse in 1955 in a non-championship race.
Ivor Léon John Bueb was a British professional sports car racing and Formula One driver from England.
Anton "Toni" Ulmen was a German motorcycle and racing driver from Düsseldorf, Germany. His racing career started in 1925 on a 250 cc Velocette. In 1927 he won the opening race of the Nürburgring on a 350 cc Velocette. In 1929 he won the 350 cc class on the Eilenriede, a non-permanent race course near Hannover. From 1949 to 1952, he was four times German sports car and Formula 2 champion.
Connaught Engineering, often referred to simply as Connaught, was a Formula One, Formula Two and sports car constructor from the United Kingdom. Their cars participated in 18 Grands Prix, entering a total of 52 races with their A, B, and C Type Formula 2 and Formula 1 Grand Prix Cars. They achieved 1 podium and scored 17 championship points. The name Connaught is a pun on Continental Autos, the garage in Send, Surrey, which specialised in sales and repair of European sports cars such as Bugatti, and where the cars were built.
Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, is a 4.428 km (2.751 mi) racing circuit located close to the city of Jerez de la Frontera, 90 km (56 mi) south of Seville and deep within the sherry-producing region in the south of Spain. The project was led by the Spanish engineer Manuel Medina Lara, based on a preliminary idea from Alessandro Rocci.
Eric David Thompson was a British motor racing driver, book dealer and insurance broker. He participated in sports car racing between 1949 and 1955 taking his greatest success by finishing third in the 1951 Les 24 Heures du Mans and took part in the 1952 RAC British Grand Prix.
Davidstow Circuit is a disused motor racing circuit and airfield built in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. The circuit was built on the site of a World War II RAF Coastal Command base, RAF Davidstow Moor, opened in 1942. Davidstow circuit opened in 1952, and held three Formula 1 races between 1954 and 1955. The circuit hosted its last race in 1955, and was one of many of Britain's airfields to be transformed into motor racing venues. Davidstow circuit is notable for the first victory in a Formula One race by a Lotus.
The 6th Lavant Cup was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 19 April 1954 at Goodwood Circuit, West Sussex. The race was run over 7 laps, and was won by British driver Reg Parnell in a Ferrari 625. Second-placed driver Roy Salvadori in a Maserati 250F shared fastest lap with Parnell. Kenneth McAlpine was third in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis.
The 2nd Curtis Trophy was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 5 June 1954 at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk. The race was run over 10 laps of the circuit, and was won by British driver Roy Salvadori in a Maserati 250F, who also set fastest lap. Bill Whitehouse in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis and Jimmy Somervail in a Cooper T20-Bristol were second and third.
The 24th Grand Prix des Frontières was a non-championship Formula One motor race held on 6 June 1954 at the Chimay Street Circuit in Chimay, Belgium. The Grand Prix was won by B. Bira in a Maserati A6GCM. André Pilette finished second in a Gordini T16 and Don Beauman was third in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis. Jacques Pollet toook pole and fastest lap in another Gordini T16.
The 2nd Crystal Palace Trophy was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 19 June 1954 at Crystal Palace Circuit, London. The race was run over two heats of 10 laps and a final of 10 laps.
The 2nd RedeX Trophy was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 14 August 1954 at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk. The race was run over 40 laps, and was won by British driver Reg Parnell in a Ferrari 625, setting fastest lap in the process. Bob Gerard in a Cooper T23-Bristol was second and Don Beauman in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis was third.
The 1st National Trophy was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Turnberry on 23 August 1952. The race was won by Mike Hawthorn in a Connaught A Type-Lea Francis, who started from pole. John Barber and Ninian Sanderson were second and third in their Cooper T20-Bristols.
The 1st Joe Fry Memorial Trophy was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Castle Combe Circuit on 4 October 1952. The race was won by Roy Salvadori in a Ferrari 500, setting fastest lap in the process. Ken Wharton in a Frazer Nash FN48-Bristol was second and Ninian Sanderson third in a Cooper T20-Bristol. Stirling Moss started from pole in an ERA G-Type but retired just after halfway distance.
The 1st Newcastle Journal Trophy was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held at Charterhall on 11 October 1952. The race was won by Dennis Poore in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis, leading home his teammates Kenneth McAlpine and Mike Oliver. Tony Gaze set fastest lap in his HWM-Alta.
The 22nd Grand Prix des Frontières was a non-championship Formula Two motor race held on 1 June 1952 at the Chimay Street Circuit in Chimay, Belgium. The Grand Prix was won by Paul Frère in an HWM-Alta. Ken Downing finished second in a Connaught Type A-Lea Francis and Robin Montgomerie-Charrington was third in an Aston Butterworth. Johnny Claes started from pole in a Simca Gordini Type 15 but crashed out on the first lap.
Reg Parnell