Vintage Racecar was asked to play a part in continuing celebrations of 50 Years of the Lister “Knobbly” at the Silverstone Classic. John Pearson organized an impressive parade of 18 Listers between the races at Silverstone. VR’s European Editor, Ed McDonough, was invited to drive Lister founder Brian Lister for several laps of the Grand Prix circuit as part of the parade.
Brian Lister was candid about the 50 years: “I never expected the cars to be around 50 years ago, or even 40 or 30, but here are all these ‘Knobblies’ being together in a parade. The best thing is that most of them are still racing.”
Sir Jackie Stewart got behind the wheel of an Ecurie Ecosse car for his laps, and caught up on the history of the car with its originator: “Lister is such an important part of British motor racing that it is wonderful to see all these cars together, along with people like Brian, John Coundley, John Pearson, and David Ham who had so much to do with racing them. And of course, Archie Scott Brown, the great Lister driver, was a Scot!”
VR was honored to be asked to take part in the parade, organized by Pearson and the BRDC’s James Beckett. McDonough was surprised to learn that this was only the 5th or 6th time that Brian Lister had ever been driven in one of his cars!
