75MM's Scott Brown Trophy – 26 Listers at Goodwood

This was as it should be for the inaugural Scott Brown Trophy, named after Archie Scott Brown who mastered the powerful Cambridge-built Lister sports-racers like few others. Twenty-six Knobblys – open, coupe, Costin-bodied, Jaguar and Chevy V8-powered – were entered for the race including BHL101, the first car from 1958. 

That, along with five others, were prepared by Knobbly specialists CKL Developments. “We have prepared six cars, five for racing, but I think CKL has probably done work on all the cars here at some time or another,” CKL’s new managing director Wicher (Vic to his mates) Kist tells GRR.

“BHL101 was the first Knobbly Brian Lister made in ’58 and is the most significant Knobbly in existence. But we know them all, and each car has its own story to tell.” 

BHL 101, the white car number 10, was being driven by Le Mans specialist Sam Hancock. Showing just how quick the Jaguar-powered sports racer is, it qualified fourth on the grid despite a misfire.

What’s special about driving a Knobbly? Vic Kist says: “I drove one last year at a test day and couldn’t stop grinning for three days it was so enjoyable.”

Certainly at CKL they love their Listers – as do the MM fans judging by the reaction all the cars in the Scott Brown Trophy received. Nothing not to like about a noisy, slidey Knobbly after all. 

And we should be seeing more and more of them – including the continuation cars the new Lister company is currently making. “We are working closely with Lister on these cars, which have new chassis built on the original jigs,” says Vic.

Photography by Pete Summers