Racing Team Pt 1

Club Autosport founders Richard Chilton and Mick Phillips kicked off the race team in the mid 60s.

Starting in oval racing they eventually became very successful winning many Championships multiple times.

These include the English, British, Northern and Midland and Track Points Championships.

In 1984 they moved into circuit racing in the Porsche Club GB Series. As many specialists did at the time they raced a genuine 2.7 RS lightweight, some examples are selling for more than £1 million now. In 1985 Richard and Mick raced a 3.0 slide throttle engined 916, as well as the 2.7rs.

Richard won many races in 1986 with his 959 bodied car in the modified Porsche series and Intermarque Challenge. A car built from the Gruppe B Design Study they had seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car was on track before Porsche had officially released the 959.

Mick went on to win the Porsche Club Championship overall in 1988 in his 911 2.2 S, a great achievement beating over 100 registered drivers including Tiff Needell and Tony Dron.

Richard won the 1987 and 1988 modified Porsche series in the flame spitting red 959. The first Turbo Charged Porsche Race Car the team had built. He went on to win the Intermarque Challenge and Ferrari v Porsche Series in this car and the later Pink 961.

The 90s saw the switch to Thunder Saloons, televised meetings and huge prize money were a big draw.

Both retired from circuit racing later in the 90s to concentrate on their sons racing – Mark Chilton and Craig Phillips.

A wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm has been passed on to the next generation.

Richard drag raced the 930 turbo look car pictured from early 2000 up until 2007. He has now owned the car for 30 years in 2023.  It actually features a full tube frame chassis with complete fibreglass bodyshell including the roof. The car runs a aluminium chevy race engine in the front plus 250hp of nitrous oxide, a 3 speed box that tops out around 170mph at the finish line at santa pod.

Winning his class at Ultimate street car last time out. The car still lives with us here today.