324 replies to this topic

[kayemod]

Usual line up of background 1975 classics, Mk2 Cortina...

No, a Mk 3.

[tinkerwinker]

No, a Mk 3.

Thanks, my mistake, too much nostalgia for lunch

Edited by tinkerwinker, 26 May 2010 - 17:58.

[Giraffe]

This is interesting: I am sitting looking at a photo of a Lotus 23 which was entered by Team Walpres (sponsored by Bertie Bradnack's Walsall Pressings firm which made the Walpres racing mirrors). The regular driver of this car was Mo Nunn but in his Autosport Cockpit Cameo he said that he had financed the car with a partner, who raced it once. The caption says S. Taylor and is definitely the same car. I think I am correct in saying that Mo was from Walsall, so was Sid Taylor Mo's partner in the car and did he race it? The event was the LMC (Leicestershire Motor Club?) meeting in October 1964 at Mallory Park. That same month, the Cockpit Cameo article reported that the partner wanted his money back so the car was sold.

Any comments?

Michael

Having asked Sid about this today, I can confirm that he never drove the Lotus 23, and doesn't recall having any financial involvement in it, although he was friendly with Mo and Bertie also, they all being local to him. Best ask Mo, Michael.

Meanwhile, here's a great pic that was amongst a stack that Sid gave me today. A little help needed with an identification here.....


By giraffe138 at 2010-05-30

At the opening of the Steering Wheel Club, West Bromwich, gathered around Sid's Lola T142 we have left to right the club's manager, Sid, Alan Rollinson, Roy Pierpoint, Denny Hulme, Lawrie Hickman, Trevor Taylor and Chris Craft, but who is the mystery bloke on the right of this picture???

Edited by Giraffe, 30 May 2010 - 17:40.

[Giraffe]

Brian Redman, chief mechanic Ron Bennett and associate with Sid's ubiquitous Lola T70 MK111B SL76/138 owned today by Nick Linney.


By giraffe138 at 2010-06-01

Photo courtesy of the Sid Taylor collection.

[bill p]

Sid's Lola T70 Mark 3 at 1967 BOAC 500 taken by Instamatic! Apologies for someone's shoulder, I wasn't tall enough at the time to see over the crowd



Photo copyright Bill Patterson

[bill p]

A better photo from the 1967 BOAC 500 of Sid's Lola




Photo copyright Bill Patterson

[Giraffe]

Happy Birthday Sid! Have a great day, and a great party tonight!!!


By giraffe138 at 2010-08-15

Photo courtesy of the Sid Taylor collection.

[Jerry Entin]

Riverside 1972 F-5000 Race
Brian Redman driving his Chevron B-24. The crew are Martin Middleton mechanic and Paul Owens, from Chevron and Sid Taylor, Jerry Entin and Thomas Taylor, Sid's little brother and Ron Bennett head mechanic.

This race was won by Brian Redman over Sam Posey.

photo: Cliff Startin
scanned for site: Giraffe AKA Tony Gallagher

Edited by Jerry Entin, 18 January 2018 - 01:50.

[RA Historian]

Check out the 'doo on our friend Jerry!

Tom

[Giraffe]

Derek Daly did all the shakedown & testing of the original Theodore in late 1977 and drove for the team in 1982 before moving on to Williams, which is a story in itself. Derek told me this week that he got the motor racing bug the day in 1965 he spotted a transporter on English plates parked in his street in Dublin.
Sid was paying his sister a visit, and she was a customer at Derek's parents corner shop. An introduction to Sid was arranged and 12 year old Derek was allowed into the transporter to see his first racing car, Sid's Brabham BT8. Derek say's he can see the shiny white Brabham as though it was yesterday, and he went on to follow Sid's racing activities at Phoenix Park & Dumboyne.


By giraffe138 at 2010-12-10

[Giraffe]

A rare snap of Sid preparing for his first ever race in his Austin Healey at Oulton Park circa 1962. Sid tells me he finished dead last and hid in the toilets until everyone had left the circuit!


By giraffe138 at 2010-12-14

[Giraffe]

Sid works on his first single seater racing car, the Landar Formula Junior in a classic early 60's paddock scenario.


By giraffe138 at 2010-12-16

[Jagracer]

Sid Taylor's Lola T-70 Coupe.
Car was driven by Denis Hulme to a fine win at the Thruxton meeting in August of 1969.
photographer Keith Lewcock

I remember that race as I was No.2 Mechanic to Ron Bennett for the whole of 1969 & I can tell you all about the drivers we had & what went on that year so if anyone is interested please get in touch
By the way Ron Bennett is one of the best Racing Mechanics I ever had the privelidge to work with and with a wicked sense of humour as well
Phil Bradford

[Steve O'Brien]

That looks like Tony Dean behind the car in the red shirt

[Giraffe]

Having asked Sid about this today, I can confirm that he never drove the Lotus 23, and doesn't recall having any financial involvement in it, although he was friendly with Mo and Bertie also, they all being local to him. Best ask Mo, Michael.

Meanwhile, here's a great pic that was amongst a stack that Sid gave me today. A little help needed with an identification here.....


By giraffe138 at 2010-05-30

At the opening of the Steering Wheel Club, West Bromwich, gathered around Sid's Lola T142 we have left to right the club's manager, Sid, Alan Rollinson, Roy Pierpoint, Denny Hulme, Lawrie Hickman, Trevor Taylor and Chris Craft, but who is the mystery bloke on the right of this picture???

poglespeed has identified the mystery man as Ian Mitchell. Thanks poglespeed!

[Giraffe]

Talking with Brian Redman this last hour reminded me of when Sid borrowed the BRM P167 off Louis Stanley (as McLaren wouldn't let him run his M8E) for the 1971 season Can-Am round at Laguna Seca & Riverside. Brian took a fine fourth place at Laguna Seca behind Revson, Stewart and Hulme. Howden Ganley took it to third place at Riverside behind Hulme and Revson. McLaren were less than pleased to find out afterwards that it was a special Chevi unit loaned by them to Sid for Interserie use in the M8E that was powering the BRM!


By giraffe138 at 2011-01-03

Photo by Stan Sholik from the Sidney Taylor collection.

[eldougo]

....Eating Japanese

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Jerry Entin]

Eldugo: Nice picture that is Sid Taylor and Julian Randles partaking of a noodle bowl of some type.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 09 January 2011 - 02:46.

[eldougo]

...... One of the logs Sid worked under.
By eldougo at 2005-08-13

The Japan GP 1977 when they were running Patrick Tambay in the Ensign.

Edited by eldougo, 09 January 2011 - 07:55.

[David McKinney]

Mystified by the statement that McLaren "wouldn't let" Sid run his M8E in the Californian races
Did they own it? Otherwise how could they stop him doing what he liked with it?
Or was it a works-backed effort for Interserie only?

[eldougo]

Mystified by the statement that McLaren "wouldn't let" Sid run his M8E in the Californian races
Did they own it? Otherwise how could they stop him doing what he liked with it?
Or was it a works-backed effort for Interserie only?

l Quite strange David i must admit ,maybe it was the motor that was ON LOAN ,not the car???

[Giraffe]

The McLaren was effectively the works Trojan car & McLaren didn't want it running against customer cars in the US,( possibly mainly due to the engine). The engine was lent to Sid by McLaren and had lots of tweeks (ie special crankshaft). This gave the BRM the edge. (I'll confirm with Sid on his return from Bangkok next week.

[Jerry Entin]

Howden Ganley in the BRM P-167 at Riverside in 1971
Howden Ganley would finish third behind Hulme and Revson.

David: The McLaren Mk 8 E was given to Sid Taylor at the cost of materials and labor. In other words a Works sponsored machine. The engine was loaned by McLaren's. Peter Gethin was Sid's driver in the Interserie of this Mk 8 E McLaren.

McLaren didn't want this car brought to California for the last two races of the 1971 CanAm. They didn't want to race against their own works backed machine. That is when Sid asked Lou Stanley if he could borrow the BRM.

Brian Redman was to be the driver. He ran the car at Monterey or LaGuna Seca as the track is called. As Brian wasn't able to run Riverside, Lou Stanley sent over Howden Ganley.

Eldougo: That engine was the engine from McLaren's CanAm effort in 1970 and belonged to McLaren's. It was equipped with the latest McLaren developed type fuel injection and all the tweaks they knew. Only problem was at the last race Sid Taylor had run the car, the crank had broken.

Sid Taylor shipped the BRM P167 to me with a broken crank in the engine. He said have it ready to go to Monterey in 2 weeks. One more thing the engine has something wrong with it.

I took the engine to George Bolthoff and he fixed it and came to Monterey with us.

photo: Pete Lyons
copyright Pete Lyons

Edited by Jerry Entin, 08 December 2015 - 05:00.

[Giraffe]

I introduced Sid to the wonders of "Skype" at his home in Birmingham this morning and via a video call, he and Jerry Entin did half-an-hour of 'catching-up'! It was great fun!


By giraffe138 at 2011-01-21

Jerry & Sid share a beer on one of Jerry's visits to the UK in the early 1970s

[Giraffe]

Pictured today at the BRDC Midlands Region luncheon at Nuthurst Grange, Hockley Heath........


By giraffe138 at 2011-02-20

Left to right, Hannah Cates, Mary Taylor, Peter Cates, Sid Taylor & Paul Taft & partner.


By giraffe138 at 2011-02-20

Sid & Ron Bennett


By giraffe138 at 2011-02-20

Tim Parnell & Sid.

[David McKinney]

David: The McLaren Mk 8 E was given to Sid Taylor at the cost of materials and labor. In other words a Works sponsored machine. The engine was loaned by McLaren's. Peter Gethin was Sid's driver in the Interserie of this Mk 8 E McLaren.

McLaren didn't want this car brought to California for the last two races of the 1971 CanAm. They didn't want to race against their own works backed machine. That is when Sid asked Lou Stanley if he could borrow the BRM.

Thanks Jerry

[Giraffe]

Sid Taylor pictured with Derek Daly at Sid's restaurant "Milanos" in Birmingham this evening. Derek dropped by on his way home to Indianapolis via Dublin from Paul Ricard where his son, rising GP3 star Conor was testing.


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-08

[Pink Snail]

Then and now Tony - post number 210 & 227!! Good to know that Derek still has time for Sid. When some drivers leave the scene it appears they wouldn`t give a hoot what happened with the people that helped make them who they were. I am going to enjoy this book when it breaks cover mate!

Edited by Pink Snail, 09 March 2011 - 21:02.

[Macca]

And good to glimpse young Sid in Gary's "Rear View Mirror" TV prog, at the 1966 Int. Trophy.

Paul M

[rdmotorsport]

Sid Taylor pictured with Derek Daly at Sid's restaurant "Milanos" in Birmingham this evening. Derek dropped by on his way home to Indianapolis via Dublin from Paul Ricard where his son, rising GP3 star Conor was testing.


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-08

great restaurant too, hope to be down there shortly

Rodney

[Giraffe]

great restaurant too, hope to be down there shortly

Rodney

Let me know when you're coming Rod!

[Giraffe]

It was a great day for the Irish at Silverstone today..........


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-31

'The Green Team' pictured at the GP3 test today, l to r: 'Big D' Derek McMahon, Derek Daly, Sid Taylor, David Kennedy & Gary Anderson

[MoMurray]

It was a great day for the Irish at Silverstone today..........


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-31

'The Green Team' pictured at the GP3 test today, l to r: 'Big D' Derek McMahon, Derek Daly, Sid Taylor, David Kennedy & Gary Anderson

Having grown up in the "Dirty Old Town", I think this picture is fantastic. These five men are in great part responsible for really putting Irish motorsport on the map and to see them together with such rich and intertwined histories is marvelous. And young Conor didn't do so bad either!

My only question is "how has Big D found tir na n'og up there in Donegal. The man appears to be getting younger.

Mo.

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

Having grown up in the "Dirty Old Town", I think this picture is fantastic. These five men are in great part responsible for really putting Irish motorsport on the map and to see them together with such rich and intertwined histories is marvelous. And young Conor didn't do so bad either!

My only question is "how has Big D found tir na n'og up there in Donegal. The man appears to be getting younger.

Mo.

BIG D , having had a health scare about 2 years ago is looking very fresh and still enjoying life .

[Giraffe]

BIG D , having had a health scare about 2 years ago is looking very fresh and still enjoying life .

Track inspection (old habits die hard.......................)


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-31

Derek pictured with the late John Handley's nephew Tim Price at Silverstone yesterday. Derek is over here on a mini-motorsports break and if you want to say hi to him, he will be at the BTCC round at Brands Hatch this weekend.


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-31

Meanwhile Sid & the two Derek's recreate a scene from "Last of the Summer Wine"....................


By giraffe138 at 2011-03-31

How can a young driver fail with a management team like this?

Edited by Giraffe, 01 April 2011 - 07:08.

[Giraffe]

David Kennedy who was narrowly beaten to the 1979 Aurora F1 British championship in Sid's Wolf WR1 (by Rupert Keegan) chatting on Thursday with Sid.


By giraffe138 at 2011-04-02

By giraffe138 at 2011-04-02

[watkins]

The Brian Redman/Sid Taylor F 5000 Chevron at Watkins Glen in 1972.

*Photos courtesy of B. Dart

[Alan Cox]

Brands Hatch 1966. Don't you love the flexible ramps being used?
http://www.fotolibra...nds-hatch-1966/

[gerryracer]

I have fond memories of watching Sid. But my long lasting memory is of one day at MALLORY PARK in the late sixties. Mary was racing her mini, and I was in the same race, and she had a very bad shunt, and fortunately I was at the spot just after it happened, and pulled her from the badly damaged car, she was fine, I'm pleased to say. Cut to a year ago, and I am in Brum, and having a meal and in came Mary and her husband Sid! The amazing thing is, that the great man recognised me, and said that he remembered me from that day! Great bloke. I wish him and Mary well.

[MoMurray]

So I am in Indianapolis on business unrelated to anything racing and as I sat for breakfast in the hotel, I overheard the guys at the next table discussing the good old days of racing (Tambay, Redman, etc). It suddenly dawned on me that I might know one of this group purely from the conversation so after eating I introduced myself and indeed I was correct. Jerry Entin, what a pleasure to meet you and what a small world. Of course only then did I learn about the historic Indy and the activities planned at the Speedway today. Despite my best efforts I am unable to change travel plans and so I have to miss it but I did enjoy meeting Jerry.

Mo.

[Jerry Entin]

Jerry Entin with Mo Murray today at Indy in front of the Crown Plaza Hotel
The other fellows are friends of mine from Michigan that have come to Indy to watch the Vintage Indy Gathering. They are Bill Wiswedel and Rick Knapp in front and Ben Scheiwe and Ron Mack in the back row.

It was also great to meet Mo Murray and his friends at breakfast.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 14 May 2011 - 05:14.

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138 at 2011-02-20

An amazing coincidence that thread starter Mo Murray should bump into Jerry! Another coincidence is that Brian Bennett, brother of Ron (pictured above recently with Sid) was on the emergency team which attended Frank Sytner's accident in the old Sidney Taylor Racing Lola T70MkIIIB at Donington Park two weeks ago. Frank was hospitalised in Derby, and I shall be in Derby next Wednesday afternoon working on the Sid book project with Ron.


By giraffe138 at 2011-05-06

Edited by Giraffe, 14 May 2011 - 06:57.

[Giraffe]

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon interviewing Sid's legendary mechanic Ron Bennett today. Ron was full of stories of the opening of the new Silverstone Wing yesterday which sounds as if it's truly remarkable with it's quarter of a mile of pits!
I have many photos of Ron's career which he allowed me to borrow from him, but one item that caught my eye was his application to join the BRDC, proposed by his then boss at Team Elite, John Wagstaff, and seconded by one Jim Clark.................

[RotaryBri]

I have had the pleasure of chatting to Sid and Mary at the Hotel that they own, Norton Manor in Norton between Knighton and Presteigne, Powys. What an interesting man and what a story. Sid also knew a business colleague of mine, Robin Rennicks, another Irish motor racing competitor and enthusiast. It's a small world.

I can recommend the Hotel for a visit and great food as well.

[Giraffe]

I have had the pleasure of chatting to Sid and Mary at the Hotel that they own, Norton Manor in Norton between Knighton and Presteigne, Powys. What an interesting man and what a story. Sid also knew a business colleague of mine, Robin Rennicks, another Irish motor racing competitor and enthusiast. It's a small world.

I can recommend the Hotel for a visit and great food as well.

http://www.nortonman...o.uk/index.html

[Giraffe]

I spent a most enjoyable afternoon interviewing Sid's legendary mechanic Ron Bennett today. Ron was full of stories of the opening of the new Silverstone Wing yesterday which sounds as if it's truly remarkable with it's quarter of a mile of pits!
I have many photos of Ron's career which he allowed me to borrow from him, but one item that caught my eye was his application to join the BRDC, proposed by his then boss at Team Elite, John Wagstaff, and seconded by one Jim Clark.................

Oh, and it must be in the genes as one of Ron's sons is Michael Schumacher's engineer at Mercedes!

[Giraffe]

Sid was visited today by the authorised historian of the Macau Grand Prix Dr.Philip Newsome of Hong Kong. Philip has been commissioned by the government of Macau to present an update of his 2003 book for the 60th year of the event in 2013. In addition, Philip has been charged with presenting a book commemorating the life of the driving force behind the race, Teddy Yip. Sid provided Philip with several interesting stories of life with Teddy for the publication.


By giraffe138 at 2011-05-24

By giraffe138 at 2011-05-24

[Giraffe]

TNFer 'Jagracer' / Phil Bradford spent the 1969 season as second mechanic to Ron Bennett on Sid's Lola T70Mk3B and I spent a great afternoon earlier this week chatting and eating with Phil at his home in Mid-Wales.
Phil started in racing with Gerry Ashmore and went on to run Ian (Mo) Skailes Chevron B16 and Brian Robinson's cars before joining Dicksons of Perth to run Norman in Formula Atlantic and Formula 2. Phil was in the day, and still is a legendary cook having trained as a mechanic with Jaguar but taken a sabbatical as a Rolls Royce trained chauffeur, butler school & Cheltenham catering college graduate before joining Ashmore.
Here he is pictured with the Lola in an amazing Castrol achievements publicity line-up.


By giraffe138 at 2011-06-02

Edited by Giraffe, 03 June 2011 - 10:07.

[eldougo]

A GREAT photo thanks Giraffe ,you could write a story about that pic ,we have Sports cars,Rally cars F2, F5000,Racing,Speedway bikes,and a Jump jet only Sid could get a thing like that going.

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

phot from the Castrol Achievements book , they all used Castrol