Description:

1959 TURNER MK I SPORTS – ‘YXP 860’

FROM THE COLLECTION OF DARREN TURNER - ASTON MARTIN ‘WORKS’ DRIVER

 

•  1 of two BMC A-Series engined cars supplied by Turner Sports Cars in 1959
• Entered by Yimken Engineering for the BRSCC Autosport Championship
• Period competition history including the 53rd Goodwood Members Meeting
• Fitted with fresh Swiftune engine & accompanied by spares package

 

Chassis 60/304 was one of just two BMC A-Series engined cars produced by Turner Sports Cars in 1959 and supplied to Yimken Engineering to be raced in the Under 1000cc Class of the BRSCC Autosport Championship Series for Production Sports Cars.

Road registered as YXP 860, the Turner was pressed into action by Christopher McLaren who competed at the BRSCC Oulton Park Spring meeting on 2nd April 1960. Ownership subsequently passed to McLaren’s friend Tony Covill who also used the Turner in competition at meetings held by the BRSCC and the BARC. On 1st September 1962, ‘YXP 860’ was entered for two races at the 53rd Goodwood Members Meeting; the Scratch race for Sports Cars Up to 1200cc and a Handicap race.

‘YXP 860’ then made its way to the USA where it was campaigned with The Vintage Sports Car Club of America before being sold to Switzerland where it was used in local rallies.

In 2013 the Turner was acquired by two friends who co-incidentally shared the same surname of…..Turner no less! Darren Turner and James Turner had met as colleagues at Aston Martin Racing, Darren the hot shoe sports car Driver and James, Commercial Director. Team Turner was quickly formed with a view to Darren and James sharing the Turner at events held by the HRDC and Goodwood. The target was set – a return to where it all began for ‘YXP 860’ and an entry for the Goodwood Revival.

Car preparation was entrusted to the well-respected workshops of CCK Historic who went about a total restoration with the Turner being put back to its original colour scheme at this time. The engine, gearbox and brakes were rebuilt ahead of a test day at Goodwood where Darren Turner turned in some shake down laps.

An invitation to the 2014 Goodwood Revival was accepted and the Turner was entered for the Fordwater Trophy, a race for production-based sports and GT cars in the spirit of the Goodwood Members Meetings, 1949-1955. This proved to be a wonderful opportunity for Darren to enjoy a relaxed weekend around the sport he loves without the usual pressures and distractions of a podium result and sponsorship engagements. The Turner was never in danger of challenging the quicker Porsche’s, Ginetta and TR’s but a respectable qualifying position of 21st overall was posted. The race proved much the same and Turner held his qualifying position to finish 21st overall.

Following the Goodwood Revival meeting it was decided the Turner would benefit from a new engine, new springs, dampers and rebuilt instruments, thus a new 999cc inline race engine was supplied by Swiftune Engineering (more details are available).

Due to Darren’s work commitments with Aston Martin Racing the Turner saw little use other than some test miles running in the new engine and some fine tuning of the car set-up.

Following the successful resurrection of the Goodwood Members Meetings, the Turner was invited to enter the Weslake Cup in 2017, a race for A-Series engined sports and GT cars of a type that raced between 1958 and 1966. ‘YXP 860’ proved to be very competitive with Darren qualifying the car in P5 only for an unfortunate DNF in the race.

‘YXP 860’ offers an extremely accessible entry to numerous events and series including; the Goodwood Members Meeting, Goodwood Revival, Equipe GTS and HRDC.

A new set of FIA HTP papers have been applied for and the Turner is accompanied by a spare engine, numerous spare parts and history file.

 

 

Website:

https://henderson-fellowes.com/