1487 replies to this topic

[alansart]

All arms and elbows, Roddy McPherson and his Cooper-Bristol

I really like this batch. 80's Historic racing at it's best.

The paying public can't sit on their camping chairs anymore at Lodge (and see anything) but if you head off to Knickerbrook there's still a few that are keeping the tradition alive... and long may it continue

Edited by alansart, 25 April 2012 - 18:32.

[Phil Rainford]

I really like this batch. 80's Historic racing at it's best.

The paying public can't sit on their camping chairs anymore at Lodge (and see anything) but if you head off to Knickerbrook there's still a few that are keeping the tradition alive... and long may it continue

Also tents have become quite the fashion at Knickerbrook ...great photos Alan

PAR

[Alan Cox]

Thank you for your kind comments, gents. Plenty more where they came from when scanning time allows.

[Lola5000]

Great photos of Neil Corners Dino,when i was young in Australia,he was also one of my racing heros.
What is he up to these days?

[David McKinney]

... if you head off to Knickerbrook there's still a few that are keeping the tradition alive

...except that it's not Knickerbrook any more

[Stephen W]

The paying public can't sit on their camping chairs anymore at Lodge (and see anything) but if you head off to Knickerbrook there's still a few that are keeping the tradition alive... and long may it continue

Also tents have become quite the fashion at Knickerbrook ...great photos Alan

...except that it's not Knickerbrook any more

Having visited Oulton Park for the first time since 1996 I have to admit that some aspects of the venue are vastly improved. However from a spectator's point of view there are some major changes that have made the place considerably worse. The outside of Lodge is a nightmare unless you can wangle a Media Pass. Down at Old Hall it isn't much better. Finally what the heck have they done to Knicker Brook? All that catch netting is so un-necessary now that they have the chicane thingy yet it still obscures the view.

I did notice on the back of the programme that the area opposite Cascades is now called Knickerbrook although it is also called "Hizzy's Chicane" - come on make your minds up! I also noticed that the bit just after Lodge is now called "Dear Leep" - must be the cost of all that catch netting that has brought on the change!

[Alan Cox]

16 September 1984 - Old Hall Corner, Oulton Park

Willie Green with Bruce Halford's Lotus 16

[Alan Cox]

Idyllic scene - the Cadwell Park grid, still with the old house in the background, 1996

Andrew Smith with father Dick's Nurburg 'Nash

John Ure (AJM1) on front row with Duncan Ricketts (R1B) behind

[Giraffe]

If I ever had to view only one contributor's photographs to TNF, they would be your's Alan. Composition, elegance, sheer class every time.

[Alan Cox]

Too kind, Tony, Do I owe you some money that I have forgotten about?
I have been very fortunate to have been able to gain an insider's view before third-party insurance worries and elf 'n' safety became the overriding factors for circuit owners.

Here are a few from Spa Historics 1996

First lap of Supersports into La Source. Peter Hannen just has the edge over Charlie Agg, both in McLaren M8Fs

Charlie Agg rounds La Source

The very talented Peter Hannen on his way to victory.

Down amongst the tiddlers, Tony Birchenough's Dorset Racing Lola. I think it's a T290 but stand to be corrected.

Three from the Donington Superprix 1996, when BRM was the featured marque.
Tony Rudd chats with Ian Titchmarsh

Louis Stanley and wife Jean. Even then Jean's penchant for 'big' hair was still evident but Louis' complexion gave cause for concern.

[Richard Jenkins]

If I ever had to view only one contributor's photographs to TNF, they would be your's Alan. Composition, elegance, sheer class every time.

I don't owe Alan any money, but I have to agree - I always check out your posts. As everyone knows I'm a driver/personality man, but as much as I think the car shots are fantastic, I love seeing the photos of people on here. Whether it's added security or hysteria around some festivals these days, but you can't quite get the same quality of photograph these days. Wonderful stuff.

The best thing is the photos are never ending, it's always worth clicking the thread to see what will turn up next.

[elansprint72]

I don't owe Alan any money, but I have to agree - I always check out your posts. As everyone knows I'm a driver/personality man, but as much as I think the car shots are fantastic, I love seeing the photos of people on here. Whether it's added security or hysteria around some festivals these days, but you can't quite get the same quality of photograph these days. Wonderful stuff.

The best thing is the photos are never ending, it's always worth clicking the thread to see what will turn up next.

Alan's shots are always good value and I agree with his comment on those of us of a certain age being fortunate to get to viewpoints which are now forbidden.

imho one of the reasons why we don't see many good quality driver/personality shots these days is because of the equipment the legions of "pro" snappers are using; there is nothing more off-putting than having some paparazzo pointing a foot-long grey lens in your face, flash firing like an Uzi.
I was one of only three photogs granted access to the Drivers' Club at the last Le Mans Classic, I dumped the heavy gear behind the reception desk and used a digital Leica and a D700 with a tiny lens, no flash, the other two (French Paps) went around with big-bangers annoying folks who were tired/anxious/just trying to relax between races. I've been invited back, not sure that they have.

In this out-take (Le Mans Class?? shoddy composition!) we are at the prize presentation; Patrick Peter and Richard Mille (a great double-act) showing their passion for the sport.



My brief for this year is "behind the scenes" hopefully I'll have something to show here.

[Andrew Fellowes]

I guess this must have been mid '80s. In blue is well known Australian motor racing photographer Paul Cross, I think we spent most of the day in the Bamford Motorhome, how I got home afterwards I have absolutely no idea.










at this point Paul and I made a discreet exit before we got into trouble for drinking the white wine!

[Ted Walker]

I see "Mo"Scales and Bruce Halford.

[Phil Rainford]

imho one of the reasons why we don't see many good quality driver/personality shots these days is because of the equipment the legions of "pro" snappers are using; there is nothing more off-putting than having some paparazzo pointing a foot-long grey lens in your face, flash firing like an Uzi.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the field of photography Pete .........but I do agree it always seems to be cheating to stand there and take multiple images of the one car just so you manage to take one in focus !!


PAR

[Stephen W]

I don't pretend to be an expert on the field of photography Pete .........but I do agree it always seems to be cheating to stand there and take multiple images of the one car just so you manage to take one in focus !!

PAR

Before the advent of digital photography if like me you were paying for the film and processing yourself it was a great constraining factor. I remember hearing about a professional photographer who submitted over 30 rolls of film for one race for me 30 rolls of film would have lasted 10 meetings!

[Simon Arron]

30 rolls of film would have lasted 10 meetings!

Luxury. I used to have to get up at 5.00 in the morning, cycle to Hale station, catch the 6.16 to Cuddington, ride several miles to Oulton Park and then make 36 frames of Kodak Tri-X last all day. You try telling the amateur photographers of today that etc etc etc.

Meanwhile, here is one of about 1500 shots I took at the Goodwood Revival in 2010...

[Frank S]

Luxury. I used to have to get up at 5.00 in the morning, cycle to Hale station, catch the 6.16 to Cuddington, ride several miles to Oulton Park and then make 36 frames of Kodak Tri-X last all day. You try telling the amateur photographers of today that etc etc etc.

Meanwhile, here is one of about 1500 shots I took at the Goodwood Revival in 2010...

To me, that is one to "Ooh" and "Ahh" over.

[David McKinney]

I agree

I can't see anything to tell me it wasn't taken i 1960 or 1961

[Stephen W]

I can't see anything to tell me it wasn't taken i 1960 or 1961

Apart from the roll-over hoops & crash helmets, copious amounts of gravel and the tyre wall?

[Barry Boor]

Yeah, but apart from that..... what else has Lord March done for us?

[David McKinney]

Apart from the roll-over hoops & crash helmets, copious amounts of gravel and the tyre wall?

Those small roll-hoops were in evidence in 1960/61, and I can't see anything to tell me the crash-helmets aren't period, either

The circuit backdrop is a bit of a spoiler, though

[brucemoxon]

I guess this must have been mid '80s. In blue is well known Australian motor racing photographer Paul Cross, I think we spent most of the day in the Bamford Motorhome, how I got home afterwards I have absolutely no idea.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Paul just picked you up and carried you home. A large, large man. Rugby player, don't you know? His son (Ryan) is too. And his other son, Clay, was a top shot-putter. Also large.

I too was of the 'up at stupid 0'clock, cycle train and cycle' to Oran Park from Dundas. (About 40km by road). And I'd only have a roll or two of film, which I'd process myself. And pay mill owner for permission to come to work.

And at the end of the meeting, on the bike and pedal like mad to get back to Campbelltown and the train before it got dark. 'Cause our meetings were in Winter and the sun was going down.

I love digital photography. Most of my pictures are in focus, but the opportunity to get a really good shot is better for me.

A selection from Phillip Island...

Yes, that's his rear window breaking.



Seriously. Phwoar.





Evidence that some people will race anything.



And a mixed bunch - variety is, after all, the spice of life.



Finally - Australia's sporting colours backed by the same. And a favourite car of mine.



Oh, and digital photos are much easier to upload.



Bruce Moxon

[E1pix]

All great shots, the last one is bloody fantastic!

[Phil Rainford]

While half of TNF seem to be sunning themselves in Monaco .... some shots from the AMOC at Oulton yesterday



The DB4 of Alan Hudd enjoys the early morning sun at Lodge






Star of the day was Nicholas King in his DB4 who was more than capable of mixing it with the modern Astons



The DB4GT of Darren McWhirter was on the pace



Enough said....



Well held that man...Clive Morley was holding nothing back in his Bentley


PAR

Edited by Phil Rainford, 13 May 2012 - 21:10.

[Tim Murray]

Well held that man...Tony Armstrong was holding nothing back in his Aston Martin Mk11 Ulster

Issa Bentley, innit?

Great photos, Phil.

[Phil Rainford]

Issa Bentley, innit?

Great photos, Phil.

Oops ....modified the post Tim


PAR

[elansprint72]

I'm reasonably sure that Tony was (despite the lack of photographic evidence) holding nothing back in his Ulster. Which one was it, the one with a super-charger?

[Phil Rainford]

Is this the car in question Pete?




PAR

[elansprint72]

Is this the car in question Pete?




PAR

Not the one I was thinking of; I know that Tony has two of these devices but I'm just beginning to wonder if the one with a big supercharger on the front actually belongs to him.

Lovely shot, Phil.

Edited by elansprint72, 14 May 2012 - 07:42.

[Phil Rainford]

Thanks Peter....

Thought this Bentley3/4.5 of Clive Morley was immaculate



PAR

[petestenning]

I have managed to rescue some photos i thought i had lost, but have no idea who or what some are .


A Martini F3

[elansprint72]

Not the one I was thinking of; I know that Tony has two of these devices but I'm just beginning to wonder if the one with a big supercharger on the front actually belongs to him.

Lovely shot, Phil.

Amazing the things one learns from one's from ones water-meter reader... apparently there are even more Astons in the Armstrong garages and some other really interesting cars are tucked away in Rainow.

[arttidesco]

Thanks to responses to previous posts I've narrowed this photo down to most likely FIA GT meeting at Brands in June 1989, however even after looking at dozens of 250 GT SWB records on the Barchetta site I am no closer to identifying either the driver or chassis number, all I do no is that the race was won by Lindsay Owen-Jones driving a similar #2 car chassis #2021.

Can any one identify either the driver or car in my photo ?

Relevant answers maybe credited and used in a forthcoming blog.

Thanking you in anticipation of your responses.

Edited by arttidesco, 20 May 2012 - 23:13.

[petestenning]

Fabrizio Violati by any chance? Looks like Scuderia Campodoglio on the front wing.

[Tim Murray]

If it is the Brands Superprix meeting in June 1989 it has to be Violati as (according to Autosport) only he and Owen-Jones drove Ferrari 250SWBs in the FIA European Cup race, finishing 1-2 after a battle with a couple of Elites. There's a photo in Autosport showing the Owen-Jones car with another red 250 just visible behind it, which must be Violati, although the band at the top of the windscreen is more yellow in the Autosport pic.

[arttidesco]

If it is the Brands Superprix meeting in June 1989 it has to be Violati as (according to Autosport) only he and Owen-Jones drove Ferrari 250SWBs in the FIA European Cup race, finishing 1-2 after a battle with a couple of Elites. There's a photo in Autosport showing the Owen-Jones car with another red 250 just visible behind it, which must be Violati, although the band at the top of the windscreen is more yellow in the Autosport pic.

Thanks Tim, the photo I took may well have been during practice, I had not noticed it before but the band looks taped over, it's certainly not photo shopped

[arttidesco]

Thanks to Peter and Tim for their help with today's post

[autodelta58]

Rick Hall De Tomaso 505 Masters Festival Brands Hatch 2012.Pictured today during the historic race of champions.

[Barry Boor]

Super! I love to see this car despite the sad memories it evokes.

[David Lawson]

I was at the Masters Historic Festival at Brands yesterday, I would have gone again today but aching legs from walking round the grand prix circuit a couple of times and sunburn put paid to that.

A glorious entry on a gloriously sunny day at this great circuit made for an excellent race meeting, here are a few of my photographs featuring three great British makes of racing cars.


Barry Baxter at Stirlings in his BRM P48


Baxter's BRM P153 and P48


BRM P180 leads the De Tomaso 505 into Druids


Brian Maile's Cooper T41


Will Nuthall exits Stirlings hard on the power in the Cooper T53


Sid Hoole's Cooper T66 and the Lola Mk4 of Mark Piercy at Stirlings


Bob Dance polishing the Lotus 25


Allan Rennie's Lotus 35 Martin at Druids


Roger Will's Lotus 16 blowing steam in practice

David

[Alan Cox]

Great photos, as ever, David and Autodelta. Looks like perfect Brands weather. Whose T53 was Will Nuthall driving?

[Frank S]

Fine work; I feel so rich to be able to see and enjoy it. Thank y'all.

[David Lawson]

Whose T53 was Will Nuthall driving?

According to the programme it is Giorgio Marchi's

David

[RogerFrench]

Thank you photographers!

Isn't that BRM P153 just about the most purposeful-looking GP car ever built? Gorgeous! The Lotus 25 is lovely, but just doesn't look mean enough.

[racer8888]

A few more from Saturday at Brands Masters Festival ...

[elansprint72]

Thanks for posting chaps; best set of photos we have had on here for a while.

[David Lawson]

My final few photographs from Saturday at Brands.


If I did funny captions I would probably say, "A nice pair of bristols".


Cooper Bristol preparation


Rod Jolley two wheeling at Dingle Dell


Sid Hoole's Ensign MN01


Roger Wills Lancia LC2 Group C


Ratio change for the Lola Mk4


Driver change for the Elan during practice


Sadly this Lotus 40 suffered a suspension failure in practice


Andrew Beaumont in the Lotus 76


March 701 in John Love livery - I didn't hear who the owner/driver is.


Josef-Otto Rettenmaier's Maserati 6C34


John Delane in 002 entering Druids


Roger Wills Tyrrell P34

David

[Barry Boor]

That looks like the same March that Roger Wills tripped over at Monaco. The driver was a Turkish gentleman in Monaco and the helmet is certainly the same.

[philhitchings]

Thanks ofr posting the Brands images. I took nothing myself on Saturday and, like you, my legs were too achy to return on Sunday. That Lancia was the business