The Tom Delaney Cup
Introduced in September 2007, the Tom Delaney Cup will be presented each season
to the highest scoring driver at season end who is aged 50 or over.
This award, companion to the Newman Cup in the rFactor division, is for the "senior" competitors in the Formula Vee
division of The Regulars On-Line Racing League.
Upon declaration of their eligibility,
drivers will be enrolled in this prestigious competition.
Cyril Terence "Tom" Delaney was best known in his later years for being the oldest licensed racing driver in the world,
having competed in the same Lea-Francis car for more than three-quarters of a century from 1930 until just a few months
before his death.
In 1930, Delaney he won two trophies in his first year of competition, and quite a number thereafter, at venues such as
Brooklands, Brighton Speed Trials, Shelsley Walsh, Chalfont,
Prescott and Phoenix Park (leading the Irish GP for most of the way). He raced at many well-known circuits including
Donington (he competed both in the inaugural meeting in 1933 and in 2005!), Castle Combe, Rockingham, Goodwood and Silverstone.
In 2004 Delaney, at age 94, suffered a serious accident while racing at Silverstone where he was thrown out of his car, which then bounced
off a barrier running him over! In hospital that evening he was told he had miraculously only injured his wrist, whereupon
Delaney telephoned his mechanic to see if the car could be repaired for the next race!
In late 2005, Delaney received the Motor Sports Association's first ever "Lifetime Achievement" award to mark his 75 years
of motor racing. His last race, at the age of 95, came at a VSCC meeting at Silverstone in April 2006.
Tom reckoned racing was the best way to keep feeling young!
A "Delaney Cup" winner is a superior driver for his age and has proven that he can overcome the ravages of time.
Remember, there are "old" drivers and there are "bold" drivers but there are no "old and bold" drivers.
| Season
| Delaney Winner
| Class
|
Back