VSCC to Remember Stanley Mann at Silverstone
The Vintage Sports-Car Club has announced the introduction of the ‘Stanley Mann Cup’ as part of the upcoming ‘Spring Start’ Race Meeting at Silverstone on Saturday 23rd of April, in honour of the highly-regarded vintage Bentley specialist and long-time VSCC member, who sadly passed away last month. The event will form part of the Club’s illustrious GP Itala Trophy Race for Pre-1931 Vintage Racing Cars, first run in 1947, with a specific class open to any Pre-1931 Bentley car accepted by the VSCC, Bentley Drivers’ Club or Benjafield’s Racing Club – the latter co-founded by Stanley in 1990 in tradition of the celebrated ‘Bentley Boys’ of the 1920s.
Having joined the ranks of the Vintage Sports-Car Club in 1975, Stanley was a regular and successful competitor across the VSCC’s racing and speed events, inevitably in a variety of vintage Bentley machinery, whilst also taking part in trials in his 1929 Ford Model A in recent years. Moreover, Stanley was considered one of the world’s leading experts on vintage Bentleys via his highly successful Stanley Mann Racing business, and was widely regarded for championing the use of W.O. Bentleys in historic motorsport during the modern era. He was well known for his "drive it there, race it round and drive it home" approach to competing.
Former Chairman and co-founder of the Benjafield’s Racing Club and fellow VSCC Club Member, Philip Strickland says, “Stanley was a market maker and proud promoter of the remarkable vintage Bentley. His philosophy was simple – the vintage Bentley can do everything and we should never miss a chance to prove it! Whether racing with the VSCC, rallying or speeding across Russia, USA or the Continent, if Stanley was not there at the front with his Bentley, it probably was not worth attempting.
“His generous spirit will live on in this celebration of his contribution to vintage motorsport and I hope we have a huge turnout for the Stanley Mann Cup. Benjafield’s Racing Club, as well as the family, is honoured to see such an accolade to their lifetime President.”
The VSCC hopes to welcome as many Bentley owners and enthusiasts to Silverstone in April for the long-established season opener as possible, with 200 historic racing machines gathering for the 11-race programme as they remember one of pre-war motorsports most eminent supporters.
