Jack Sears, who passed away on 7 August, may appear to have had little connection with Formula One. But apart from being an outstanding driver and heavily involved with Silverstone and the British Racing Drivers Club, the tall, urbane Englishman left a lasting impression on anyone attending the 1964 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.A former British Saloon Car Champion in cars ranging from a humble Austin Westminster to a monstrous 7-litre Ford Galaxie, Sears could turn his hand to anything. He will be remembered for testing an AC Cobra Coupé for the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hours by clocking 185 mph at an early hour on the M1 motorway. The maximum speed limit may not yet have been introduced but the story made headlines in the national newspapers.Sears was at the wheel of a 4.7-litre Cobra 289 for the Ilford Films Trophy for Grand Touring Cars, a support race on the morning of the Grand Prix. The similar Cobra of Bob Olthoff should have been on the front row but the South African was a non-starter.Having qualified on the second row and assuming the grid would shuffle forward to fill the vacant space, Sears took up position on the outside of the front row alongside Jackie Stewarts Jaguar E-Type and David Pipers Ferrari GTO. There was a heated discussion with a marshal but, when the race started, everyone - Sears included -- assumed the matter had been resolved.The officials had other ideas and held out the black flag. Sears, thinking there was something wrong with his car, dutifully stopped in the pits, only to discover that he had been called in for a dressing down by the Clerk of the Course. The officials felt Sears had, in effect, jumped the start and the pit visit was seen as a form of penalty. Besides, it was thought this might add interest to the race. It did.Absolutely incensed, the normally affable Norfolk farmer - affectionately known as Gentleman Jack -- floored the throttle of his mighty machine, shaking his fist as he went, the Cobra leaving a trail of rubber as he powered towards Paddock Hill Bend. In case officials were in any doubt about Sears opinion of their judgement, he shook his fist again at the end of the next lap.Now began an extraordinary demonstration of barely controlled fury. It is probably fair to say that neither before nor since has an AC Cobra been hurled round the Brands Grand Prix circuit with such spine-tingling vigour. Those who witnessed it still talk about the sight of that bellowing V8 as Sears, headlights blazing in symphony with the mood of the driver, began to storm through the field.The drama was not confined to the track. A fracas ensued in the pits as John Willment, the entrant of the Cobra and a man of muscular disposition, grabbed the Clerk of the Course by the collar and shoved him into a flowerbed.Sears, meanwhile, was proving to be an equally irresistible force as the red car with white stripes thundered its way around the track. Nothing would stop him on this day, not even Stewarts leading E-Type. The entire place was on its feet as Sears, cheered to the echo, won by 4.2 seconds.After such an epic performance, the Grand Prix for 1.5-litre cars was bound to seem rather tame. Best Cheapest Jordan 1. LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Cheapest Air Max Store. Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. http://www.cheapestairmaxstore.com/fake-air-max-plus-cheap.html.ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Stan Smith Store. Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Cheapest Nike Cortez. Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net.PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ten-man Italy escaped with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier Friday after star striker Mario Balotelli was sent off in the second half. The draw still allowed Italy to pull four points clear of second-place Bulgaria in Group B with four more games to go. The Czechs are third, five points behind Italy and still have hopes of reaching next years tournament in Brazil. Balotelli was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving his second yellow card. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made two good saves to keep the game scoreless. He raced off his line to deny Petr Jiracek in the first half and did the same in the second to prevent Libor Kozak from netting. "The point is of great importance for us," Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli said through an interpreter. "Its clear. Without (Buffon), we would have lost, he was our best player. ... We were not able to find our rhythm. We were very slow." The Czechs went on the attack after the Italians were reduced to 10 men and captain Tomas Rosicky had his goal-bound shot blocked in the 75th minute. Six minutes from time, Jiracek beat Buffon but hit the post from Jaroslav Plasils free kick. "Its a huge disappointment," Jiracek said. "I wasted such big chances." Substitute Daniel Kolar fired just wide in injury time when left unnmarked in the area, while Lazio striker Kozak tested Buffon again with a shot from the edge of the area following a flowing Czech move in the 67th.dddddddddddd "We played a great match," Kozak said. "We just didnt score." The Czechs looked rejuvenated by the presence of Rosicky, who missed most of the campaign due to an injury. Ignazio Abate almost netted an own goal 11 minutes into the game by diverting a pass from Tomas Hubschman to Kozak and the ball just went wide of the left post. Oother attempts by Rosicky, Jiracek and Michal Kadlec missed the target while Buffon dived to his right to save a shot from Kozak from outside the area. Prandelli started Balotelli alongside Stephan El Shaarawy in attack but the Milan star forwards failed to make their presence felt. Although the visitors gradually gained composure later in the first half, they were unable to pose a threat to goalkeeper Petr Cech, with Balotelli more engaged in arguing with the opponents, fellow Italians and the referee. "Balotelli was nervous," Prandelli said. "It is his problem and he has to cope with that." El Shaarawy was replaced after the first half by Sebastian Giovinco. Next, the Czech Republic hosts Armenia on Sept. 6 while Italy plays Bulgaria at home. Italy now travels to Brazil for the June 15-30 Confederations Cup. Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
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