Driving the Royal Purple Oils-supported Mustang for owner Bob Pepper, Towcester driver Cunningham was in fine form, setting the fastest lap in qualifying to place the car on pole position for the 12-lap race.

Held on a drying track, Cunningham was outpaced to the first corner of the race by the fast starting Lotus Cortina of Dan Cox and John Young's Alan Mann Racing Mustang.

Cox pulled out an advantage, but a couple of laps later spun his hopes away exiting Club Corner, allowing the Mustangs past. One lap later Cunningham was in the lead.

Faster through the slower sections of the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, Cunningham found himself caught down the straights by Young's powerful car and the scene was set for a grandstand finish.

Cunningham, something of a Silverstone expert, was able to keep Young behind until the final lap when the local racer was baulked by Jim Woodley's slower Austin Westminster on the exit of the Abbey Chicane.
Cunningham became boxed behind Woodley and Young made his move to take the lead.

Cunningham edged his way alongside Young and regained the lead at Bridge Bend, a position he held to the chequered flag.

"That was fantastic," Cunningham said afterwards. "To win at the Grand Prix means everything to me." He added: "The HSCC organised a really good race and the capacity grid put on a great show for the thousands of fans watching.

"I really enjoyed myself, and I want to thank Bob Pepper, the owner of the car, for allowing me to drive the vehicle."

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