Monday 12th April 1971

Brian Redman drove his McLaren M18A to victory in both 20 lap heats of the European Formula 5000 race held on the Brands Hatch circuit. Heat 1 saw Mike Hailwood take the lead on the rolling start, but Redman was in front just past turn 1 and went on to take a 6 second win. The second heat saw Hailwood into an immediate lead. Since combined time determined the winner of two heat format F5000 races, Hailwood tried to build up a margin on Redman. But the Chevy motor in Hailwood’s works Surtees, assembled using parts from various blow ups, was overheating and spraying oil onto Redman’s visor, forcing Redman to back off. With 4 laps to go, Hailwood’s motor gave out and Redman went on to take a comfortable win over Frank Gardner, who finished 2nd on time aggregate.