In The Rotunda

IN THE ROTUNDA THE 1963 ‘BLACK FLAG’ EX-JACK SEARS AC COBRA

Words by John Evans Photography by Martyn Goddard

LIKE ITS NAMESAKE, the Cobra that occupied the rotunda in July mesmerised members with its captivating looks and ability to strike with devastating effect. Known as the Black Flag Jack Sears Cobra, the V8-powered roadster, registration number 39 PH, entered motor racing folklore when, during the 1964 Ilford Films Trophy Race at Brands Hatch, it was driven to victory despite being black flagged and so sent to the pits. As the rest of the field raced by, Jack Sears, the car’s driver, saw red not least because, in his opinion, the black flag had been incorrectly awarded.

Sears had assumed that, following a crash in practice involving one of the leading drivers, he could occupy third place on the front row and did so (team owner John Willment later claimed he saw an official wave Sears into position). A grid marshal disagreed and told Sears to move back but it was too late and the race started. As Sears crossed the line at the end of the first lap he was directed to the pits.

“When I was told to go, I was white with rage,” recalled Sears. “I charged through the pits shaking my fist at every official.” When he restarted Sears soon began lapping at record speeds. He eventually overtook Jackie Stewart’s Lightweight E-type Jaguar to win by four seconds, declaring the race, “the greatest I ever drove”.

Club member Gregor Fisken, the car’s present owner, says that with podiums at races including Le Mans and Goodwood, not to mention Brands Hatch, 39 PH has the greatest European race history of any racing Cobra, and is a pleasure to drive. “People think Cobras must be a handful. This one is not!”

SPECIFICATION

TYPE

Two-seat roadster racer

ENGINE

Ford 289 V8 4.7

CARBURETTORS

4 x Weber downdraught

SUSPENSION

Transverse leaf front and rear

STEERING

Rack and pinion

BRAKES

Discs all-round, in-board at rear

Jack Sears launches his Cobra from third position at the start of the 1964 Ilford Films Trophy Race – and into motorsport folklore

In the years since its controversial victory, the Black Flag Jack Sears Cobra has amassed a distinguished European race record