Thank you.
Hill climbing in Malta
Started by
Barry Boor
, Mar 17 2012 08:45
106 replies to this topic
#51
packapoo
-
- 731 posts
- Joined: May 08
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 07:24
Really fascinating thread, Barry.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Advertisement
#52
Stephen W
-
- 15,585 posts
- Joined: December 04
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:02
The car is built and driven by a man named Joe Mifsud.
A great hillclimb special and typical of the type with design features redolent of Chevron and Delta!
#53
macoran
-
- 3,989 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:44
I'd love to see some detail pics of the rear of the chassis
The car is built and driven by a man named Joe Mifsud.
#54
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:58
Next time I see the car I will take some more but for the momwnt...
#55
Alan Cox
-
- 8,397 posts
- Joined: March 03
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 10:32
Certainly a Chevron cockpit surround.A great hillclimb special and typical of the type with design features redolent of Chevron and Delta!
#56
macoran
-
- 3,989 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 09 April 2012 - 10:56
Next time I see the car I will take some more but for the momwnt...
Thank you Barry
#57
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:09
Further to Barry's bit on my mate Joe Mifsud, this was the forerunner to his present single seater already pictured. It too was home built, and Imp powered.
#58
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:14
Joe later re-bodied this car and it was much prettier.
#59
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:20
Here's an interesting one. This is a complete one off. It was originally called an ALGA, taken from it's manufacturer and owner's name Alfio Gambero. It was built in the late 60s in Catania in the garage of Ingeniere Ignazio Serra, and raced in the Targa Florio by it's owner for a couple of years. It may have been there in 72, in the 1300 SP class _ I was in the 1600 SP class that year, which was won by Eris Tondelli driving one of his Chevrons. He was the Italian Chevron importer.
Alfio Gambero sold it to my brother in law Alex probably around 1980. Alex hill climbed it with it's original 4 cylinder Alfa Romeo twin spark 1300 engine for a while, then sold it to Vince Borg who promptly shoehorned a HART 2.5 into it, hill climbed it and drag raced it.
It was later - probably early 90s - bought by a German who took it back to Germany with him, and has restored it back to original spec and races it regularly in historic races in Europe.
Certainly and interesting and unique motorcar.
Alfio Gambero himself was always a mystery to me. Serra used to offer me the services of his garage when I hill climbed in Sicily between 78 and 82, and Gambero was always there, immaculately dressed, and always with some brand spanking new racing car. I always wondered what he did for a living because I never ever saw him do any more than make the tea in Serra's garage.
About 15 years ago I heard he had been shot and killed by the mafia.
This Alex Zammit - it's first Maltese owner, at the Mtahleb hill in the 80s.
And this is Vince Borg with the ALGA now with HART power.
Alfio Gambero sold it to my brother in law Alex probably around 1980. Alex hill climbed it with it's original 4 cylinder Alfa Romeo twin spark 1300 engine for a while, then sold it to Vince Borg who promptly shoehorned a HART 2.5 into it, hill climbed it and drag raced it.
It was later - probably early 90s - bought by a German who took it back to Germany with him, and has restored it back to original spec and races it regularly in historic races in Europe.
Certainly and interesting and unique motorcar.
Alfio Gambero himself was always a mystery to me. Serra used to offer me the services of his garage when I hill climbed in Sicily between 78 and 82, and Gambero was always there, immaculately dressed, and always with some brand spanking new racing car. I always wondered what he did for a living because I never ever saw him do any more than make the tea in Serra's garage.
About 15 years ago I heard he had been shot and killed by the mafia.
This Alex Zammit - it's first Maltese owner, at the Mtahleb hill in the 80s.
And this is Vince Borg with the ALGA now with HART power.
Advertisement
#60
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:29
Here's another interesting locally built car built in the 70s.
The owner was Lino Portelli who had previously hill climbed an E type - till he rolled it. The Jaguar 3.8 engine then went into this special which was built by Lino and Carol Galea who now owns an excellent classic car museum in Malta.
The car was extremely short, and very light. Lino virtually sat on the rear diff! It was successful because it was so fast in a straight line.
The owner was Lino Portelli who had previously hill climbed an E type - till he rolled it. The Jaguar 3.8 engine then went into this special which was built by Lino and Carol Galea who now owns an excellent classic car museum in Malta.
The car was extremely short, and very light. Lino virtually sat on the rear diff! It was successful because it was so fast in a straight line.
#61
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:44
My brother in law Alex Zammit has had a good number of racing cars since his youth. He now races a Radical.
This car pictured is a Formula Abarth of the 70s, very popular in Italy with the up and coming Fangios of the era. Alex bought it in 1977 from an Italian racer. It was originally fitted with a standard 1600 FIAT twin cam 4 cylinder engine and VW gearbox - Italy's equivalent of Formula Ford.
It's first outing was to be a hill climb at Mellieha but Alex took all 4 corners off whilst practicing unofficially on the Friday. We took it back to his garage and scratched our heads a bit. It needed a complete set of wishbones, so Alex being the resourceful fellow that he has always been, removed the conduit from a couple of rooms in his house .... and welded up a set of wishbones, and was on the start line on Sunday.
Not content with the 1600 power, a twin spark Alfa 2 litre was tried next, then a 3 litre flat 6 Porsche, and even a V6 Dino which sounded absolutely glorious. Does this qualify as the car with most different engines?
This car pictured is a Formula Abarth of the 70s, very popular in Italy with the up and coming Fangios of the era. Alex bought it in 1977 from an Italian racer. It was originally fitted with a standard 1600 FIAT twin cam 4 cylinder engine and VW gearbox - Italy's equivalent of Formula Ford.
It's first outing was to be a hill climb at Mellieha but Alex took all 4 corners off whilst practicing unofficially on the Friday. We took it back to his garage and scratched our heads a bit. It needed a complete set of wishbones, so Alex being the resourceful fellow that he has always been, removed the conduit from a couple of rooms in his house .... and welded up a set of wishbones, and was on the start line on Sunday.
Not content with the 1600 power, a twin spark Alfa 2 litre was tried next, then a 3 litre flat 6 Porsche, and even a V6 Dino which sounded absolutely glorious. Does this qualify as the car with most different engines?
#62
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:46
That looks like the Dino engine in it in the pic.
#63
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 19:59
Again from the 70s, this is an ex Formula Ford 1600 Royale. It was bought from UK by Joe Martin, for his brother John to hill climb. It was later sold to Vince Borg who replaced the pushrod 1600 with a SOHC Holbay 2000. Vince hill climbed it successfully for some years, finishing runner up to me in the championship one year.
It has since had 3 or 4 owners and I believe it now runs a 1600 Fiat engine.
When Joe Martin sold the Royale he replaced it with this interesting and rare Formula Atlantic Hawke. The car originally ran a Lotus twin cam engine with which young John Martin hill climbed it.
It was later sold to Mark Camilleri who fitted a Peugeot 2 litre engine, and then sold on to it's present owner Patrick Gauci who now runs it with a Kawasaki ZX12 motorcycle engine, both on the hills in Malta and circuits in Italy.
It has since had 3 or 4 owners and I believe it now runs a 1600 Fiat engine.
When Joe Martin sold the Royale he replaced it with this interesting and rare Formula Atlantic Hawke. The car originally ran a Lotus twin cam engine with which young John Martin hill climbed it.
It was later sold to Mark Camilleri who fitted a Peugeot 2 litre engine, and then sold on to it's present owner Patrick Gauci who now runs it with a Kawasaki ZX12 motorcycle engine, both on the hills in Malta and circuits in Italy.
#65
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 20:50
The Hawke Joe mentioned in post #63 is the one in the very first post on this thread.
#66
Phil Rainford
-
- 5,302 posts
- Joined: March 07
Member
Posted 19 April 2012 - 21:06
Just love this photo..especially the guy who is walking up the hill as if he is off to work
PAR
#67
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 06:04
If he's on his way to work, as this is Mtahleb, he's got a mighty long walk ahead of him!
#68
Alan Cox
-
- 8,397 posts
- Joined: March 03
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 08:41
Thanks for the fascinating stuff on this thread - especially Joe's period pics. I can't imagine where else one would go to find out about the history of Maltese motor sport.
Completely OT, however, it's 70 years ago this week that Malta was awarded the George Cross (15th April 1942).
Completely OT, however, it's 70 years ago this week that Malta was awarded the George Cross (15th April 1942).
#69
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 18:24
Here's another interesting one. A 70s Chevron F3 Toyota. The car was imported by Teddy Aquilina, one of three brothers in business here as Avis representatives. Teddy had hitherto driven a very quick 2 litre Escort Mk 1 special saloon, and this was his first foray into single seaters.
The car was later sold to Hubert Camilleri who promptly replaced the Toyota engine with a 2 litre Cosworth and has run it with Cosworth power since. With is outboard coil spring suspension and plenty of travel, it is ideally suited for our lousy road surfaces.
The car was later sold to Hubert Camilleri who promptly replaced the Toyota engine with a 2 litre Cosworth and has run it with Cosworth power since. With is outboard coil spring suspension and plenty of travel, it is ideally suited for our lousy road surfaces.
#70
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 18:29
And another one. Also purchased from UK. This is an ex Formula 2 March HART. Beautiful piece of kit. It was imported by Eddie Micallef, primarily for hill climbing. Eddie too had graduated from a 2 litre Escort Mk 1. Quite a step.
Eddie hill climbed the car, and also drag raced it regularly, as in the pic. It has changed a couple of hands since and is now owned by Hubert Camilleri, but hasn't been raced for some years.
Eddie hill climbed the car, and also drag raced it regularly, as in the pic. It has changed a couple of hands since and is now owned by Hubert Camilleri, but hasn't been raced for some years.
#71
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 18:35
Going a bit more modern still, this is a 90s Dallara Alfa Romeo. Another ex F3 car which since being imported into Malta has been owned and raced exclusively by Lino Brincat. Lino won the local hill climb championship with it in 2006. He is now 63 years old and tends to just chose the odd event to race these days. Can't say I blame him. In fact I know exactly how he feels.
#72
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 18:40
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Barry for helping me out with posting these pics. It is usually just a case of taking the pics straight out of my albums and pasting them in here, but for some reason this forum has contrived a complicated way of doing what could be a two minute job. I now have to e mail the pics to Barry, who then waves his magic wand, or something and resends them to me in a way that I can post them.
Thus the present break. I've got poor Barry working again. But the results will be worth it. Some interesting locally built single seaters and special saloons coming up next.
Thank you Barry.
Thus the present break. I've got poor Barry working again. But the results will be worth it. Some interesting locally built single seaters and special saloons coming up next.
Thank you Barry.
#73
Phil Rainford
-
- 5,302 posts
- Joined: March 07
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 18:47
Thanks Joe and Barry for bringing the motor racing scene on Malta to life for us through the pages of this thread
PAR
PAR
#74
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 19:22
Here's one that was built completely in Malta in the early 70s. It was built by Phillip Zammit for his son Marco to drive. Space frame of course, with a Lotus twin cam in the back, driving through a Renault gearbox if I'm not mistaken. Triumph Herald front uprights were standard fare in those days when everything seemed so much more simple and practical.
Having raced that car successfully for some years Phillip took a big step up for his next project, a single seater again, but with rocker suspension front and rear, and a 3.4 litre Cosworth GA V6 engine. Now that wass an interesting motorcar. Unfortunately we never saw it in action on the hills as, following a serious accident on the hills in the early 90s all permits for speed events on public roads were witheld for some years.
Having raced that car successfully for some years Phillip took a big step up for his next project, a single seater again, but with rocker suspension front and rear, and a 3.4 litre Cosworth GA V6 engine. Now that wass an interesting motorcar. Unfortunately we never saw it in action on the hills as, following a serious accident on the hills in the early 90s all permits for speed events on public roads were witheld for some years.
#75
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 19:42
My kid brother David - now 62 - was also responsible for building a couple of interesting machines. His first DATUS (David's Lotus) was constructed in John Drury's garage in the late 70s. It was a beautifully modern shaped machine with pointed nose, wings front and rear etc, but the spaceframe had been built of too thin section square tubing, so it flexed badly, and cracked regularly. It was powered by a Lotus 907 engine which had also been worked on quite a bit.
When David bent the tub quite substantially on one hill climb, it had been a blessing in disguise because it was the perfect excuse to build a Mk 2 spaceframe. This was built much stronger and the car was successful from the word go. Both Mk 1 and Mk 2 looked stunning in Dunlop yellow. A couple of years down the road David was given an offer he couldn't refuse for the car from Walter Zammit - brother of Alex of conduit wishbones fame. Walter repainted it blue and also ran it successfully for some years. I know he then sold it too, and I know it's still about somewhere, but I have no idea where.
A few more years passed and David got the bug again, but this time he took the easy way out, buying a beautiful F3 March with 2 litre FIAT engine from a friend in Italy. The car was immaculate and gave David lots of fun and success for quite a few years. It is pictured here at a hill climb at Nadur on the island of Gozo. The March has since been sold locally and i believe is still on the island.
When David bent the tub quite substantially on one hill climb, it had been a blessing in disguise because it was the perfect excuse to build a Mk 2 spaceframe. This was built much stronger and the car was successful from the word go. Both Mk 1 and Mk 2 looked stunning in Dunlop yellow. A couple of years down the road David was given an offer he couldn't refuse for the car from Walter Zammit - brother of Alex of conduit wishbones fame. Walter repainted it blue and also ran it successfully for some years. I know he then sold it too, and I know it's still about somewhere, but I have no idea where.
A few more years passed and David got the bug again, but this time he took the easy way out, buying a beautiful F3 March with 2 litre FIAT engine from a friend in Italy. The car was immaculate and gave David lots of fun and success for quite a few years. It is pictured here at a hill climb at Nadur on the island of Gozo. The March has since been sold locally and i believe is still on the island.
#76
Tim Murray
-
- 24,607 posts
- Joined: May 02
Moderator
Posted 20 April 2012 - 20:03
It could almost be Jean-Pierre Jarier in a (miniature) Tyrrell 010 - it's even got the right number!
This is excellent stuff - thank you Joe.
#77
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 20:17
1976 was to see a change for the better in the local scene, with a number of Italian drivers regularly making the trip across the 60 mile stretch of Mediterranean sea to join us in local hill climbs.
The first and only Italian to take an overall win in Malta was Vito Veninata driving his Chevron Cosworth 2 litre. Vito was a seriously successful driver in Italy, having won a number of National hill climbs, as well as being pretty good on the numerous Italian circuits.
I met Vito regularly between 1978 and 82 when I was hill climbing in Sicily, but had occasion to meet him again 3 years ago whilst in Sicily doing a Vintage Motorcycle Rally with my 1948 HRD Meteor. It transpired that Vito was the president of the hosting club. Needless to say much time was spent remembering the good old days.
Whilst Vito had won overall at Mtahleb in 1976, second overall was another driver with whom I was to bump regularly again. Salvatore Di Giacomo had a beautiful Dallara X19 1300, and was the man to beat in the 1300 Group 5 class in Sicily and Southern Italy. After our first meeting in 1976 in Malta, I was to meet him regularly on the hills in Sicily in 1980, 81 and 82 when I too raced in 1300 Group 5. We had some super battles. After that we lost touch completely, until at that chance meeting during the vintage bike rally I asked Vito about Salvatore's whereabouts. It turned out he was in Milan at the time visiting family so that was that I thought. Blow me down if at the following year's rally Di Giacomo wasn't invited, and seated next to me at the banquet. One year on, Vito had not forgotten about my wish to meet Salvatore again, and Salvo did me the greatest honour that day when he announced that I had been his toughest competitor during the times we were both racing. He doesn't race any more, but he still has his beautiful Dallara X19, on a plinth, in his sitting room.
The first and only Italian to take an overall win in Malta was Vito Veninata driving his Chevron Cosworth 2 litre. Vito was a seriously successful driver in Italy, having won a number of National hill climbs, as well as being pretty good on the numerous Italian circuits.
I met Vito regularly between 1978 and 82 when I was hill climbing in Sicily, but had occasion to meet him again 3 years ago whilst in Sicily doing a Vintage Motorcycle Rally with my 1948 HRD Meteor. It transpired that Vito was the president of the hosting club. Needless to say much time was spent remembering the good old days.
Whilst Vito had won overall at Mtahleb in 1976, second overall was another driver with whom I was to bump regularly again. Salvatore Di Giacomo had a beautiful Dallara X19 1300, and was the man to beat in the 1300 Group 5 class in Sicily and Southern Italy. After our first meeting in 1976 in Malta, I was to meet him regularly on the hills in Sicily in 1980, 81 and 82 when I too raced in 1300 Group 5. We had some super battles. After that we lost touch completely, until at that chance meeting during the vintage bike rally I asked Vito about Salvatore's whereabouts. It turned out he was in Milan at the time visiting family so that was that I thought. Blow me down if at the following year's rally Di Giacomo wasn't invited, and seated next to me at the banquet. One year on, Vito had not forgotten about my wish to meet Salvatore again, and Salvo did me the greatest honour that day when he announced that I had been his toughest competitor during the times we were both racing. He doesn't race any more, but he still has his beautiful Dallara X19, on a plinth, in his sitting room.
#78
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 20:26
I've already mentioned Vince Borg's ex Formula Ford 1600 Royale, which he hill climbed successfully with a Holbay SOHC 2000.
And also John Martin's beautiful Formula Atlantic Hawke which was powered by a Lotus twin cam 1600 engine.
Here's one I haven't mentioned. Martin Spiteri's Chevron, another ex F3 car I believe. I can't tell you what year it was but I'm sure somebody will. I believe the car is still on the island too.
And also John Martin's beautiful Formula Atlantic Hawke which was powered by a Lotus twin cam 1600 engine.
Here's one I haven't mentioned. Martin Spiteri's Chevron, another ex F3 car I believe. I can't tell you what year it was but I'm sure somebody will. I believe the car is still on the island too.
#79
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 20:33
You've read all these wierd names. Here's your chance to put a face to them. This pic was taken in 1982, so alot of us will have changed a bit !
Left to right: Teddy Aquilina (Avis Chevron Toyota), Vince Borg (Royale Holbay and ALGA), Alex Zammit of conduit wishbone fame, Marco Zammit (no relation to either Alex or Walter), Walter Zammit (Alex's brother who bought my brother's Datus), and yours truly.
You can catch a glimpse of the Mk 2 Datus in it's yellow Dunlop colours, in the background.
Left to right: Teddy Aquilina (Avis Chevron Toyota), Vince Borg (Royale Holbay and ALGA), Alex Zammit of conduit wishbone fame, Marco Zammit (no relation to either Alex or Walter), Walter Zammit (Alex's brother who bought my brother's Datus), and yours truly.
You can catch a glimpse of the Mk 2 Datus in it's yellow Dunlop colours, in the background.
Advertisement
#80
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 20:57
It wasn't all single seaters in Malta. I myself have always been a Mini man. Having raced the standard Leyland Brick since 1964, allbeit with some pretty drastic mods, in 1980 I decided it was time to build one from scratch, so between the end of 1 championship and the next I set about "sawing bits of tubing and welding them together".
There wasn't time to take body moulds and make a fibreglass bodyshell, so we took the floor out of the original steel shell and bolted that on for the first hill climb of 1981 at Mtahleb.
I went back home after that event with a load of mental notes and a big "to do" list. Priority 1 - scrap the rocker front suspension which was causing bump steer due to bad geometry. That was replaced with a set of home made Mc Phersons, and the handling improved immediately. I also threw away the butterfly arrangement on the home made fuel injection and went for a more efficient and neater slide throttle arrangement, also home made.
And we also found time to do a fibreglass shell. Xaviour Borg, a superb panel beater friend helped out with this. luckily we pigmented the fibreglass black, for as it turned out, we didn't have time to paint the car, so it ran in black for a couple of events, winning it's class and placing 3rd overall behind 2 single seaters on it's 3rd outing. It was then sprayed DUNLOP yellow, which is how it stayed until I wrote it off in 1994.
There wasn't time to take body moulds and make a fibreglass bodyshell, so we took the floor out of the original steel shell and bolted that on for the first hill climb of 1981 at Mtahleb.
I went back home after that event with a load of mental notes and a big "to do" list. Priority 1 - scrap the rocker front suspension which was causing bump steer due to bad geometry. That was replaced with a set of home made Mc Phersons, and the handling improved immediately. I also threw away the butterfly arrangement on the home made fuel injection and went for a more efficient and neater slide throttle arrangement, also home made.
And we also found time to do a fibreglass shell. Xaviour Borg, a superb panel beater friend helped out with this. luckily we pigmented the fibreglass black, for as it turned out, we didn't have time to paint the car, so it ran in black for a couple of events, winning it's class and placing 3rd overall behind 2 single seaters on it's 3rd outing. It was then sprayed DUNLOP yellow, which is how it stayed until I wrote it off in 1994.
#81
paulsenna1
-
- 265 posts
- Joined: July 04
Member
Posted 20 April 2012 - 21:04
Superb thread... Many thanks!
#82
Allen Brown
-
- 5,540 posts
- Joined: December 00
Member
Posted 21 April 2012 - 09:40
And another one. Also purchased from UK. This is an ex Formula 2 March HART. Beautiful piece of kit. It was imported by Eddie Micallef, primarily for hill climbing. Eddie too had graduated from a 2 litre Escort Mk 1. Quite a step.
Eddie hill climbed the car, and also drag raced it regularly, as in the pic. It has changed a couple of hands since and is now owned by Hubert Camilleri, but hasn't been raced for some years.
Looks like a March 782 to me. Any idea when it was brought into Malta?
#83
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 21 April 2012 - 09:47
Looks like a March 782 to me. Any idea when it was brought into Malta?
It'll have been mid to late 80s.
#84
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 21 April 2012 - 10:25
I'm due to visit Hubert's garage shortly, Allen. I'll try to get the chassis number - and those of his two Chevrons, and his Radical......
#85
Stephen W
-
- 15,585 posts
- Joined: December 04
Member
Posted 22 April 2012 - 08:50
And also John Martin's beautiful Formula Atlantic Hawke which was powered by a Lotus twin cam 1600 engine.
Joe, do you know the history of the Hawke? I seem to recall Alan Newton ran one in British Speed Events and was wondering if it was the same car?
#86
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 22 April 2012 - 16:06
Joe, do you know the history of the Hawke? I seem to recall Alan Newton ran one in British Speed Events and was wondering if it was the same car?
Steve. I gave a brief history of what I know about it, some posts back. To recap: It was purchased from UK probably early 80s by Joe Martin, to replace the FF Royale his younger brother John had been driving. The Hawke was one of very few Formula Atlantic cars made, and in fact came here in F Atlantic spec with 1600 Lotus twin cam engine.
It has had various nose cones, as you can see from earlier pics, but I can't tell you which the original one was. It has also been through a few different power units. After the twin cam, it's next owner fitted a 2 litre 4 cyl Peugeot, and it now runs with a Kawasaki ZX12. It was actually taking part in the hill climb at Mizieb today, which was won by young Zach Zammit driving a Honda 2 litre engined 90s Ralt from Matthew Zammit's even older Van Diemen, and Alan Curmi's ex Josh Anastasi 2008 championship winning JBR-3 Kawasaki, which we built in 2005/06.
#87
Stephen W
-
- 15,585 posts
- Joined: December 04
Member
Posted 23 April 2012 - 08:28
Joe, do you know the history of the Hawke? I seem to recall Alan Newton ran one in British Speed Events and was wondering if it was the same car?
It was purchased from UK probably early 80s by Joe Martin, to replace the FF Royale his younger brother John had been driving. The Hawke was one of very few Formula Atlantic cars made, and in fact came here in F Atlantic spec with 1600 Lotus twin cam engine.
Joe, any chance you could find out who it was bought from in the UK. The one I am interested in also had a Lotus T/C.
Thanks.
#88
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 May 2012 - 19:14
Joe, any chance you could find out who it was bought from in the UK. The one I am interested in also had a Lotus T/C.
Thanks.
I've just come across a few more period pics of the Royale in it's very early days here. I don't know if I've put them in my facebook albums, but if not I will do so shortly.
#89
Chris Townsend
-
- 384 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 20 May 2012 - 19:57
Steve. I gave a brief history of what I know about it, some posts back. To recap: It was purchased from UK probably early 80s by Joe Martin, to replace the FF Royale his younger brother John had been driving. The Hawke was one of very few Formula Atlantic cars made, and in fact came here in F Atlantic spec with 1600 Lotus twin cam engine.
It has had various nose cones, as you can see from earlier pics, but I can't tell you which the original one was. It has also been through a few different power units. After the twin cam, it's next owner fitted a 2 litre 4 cyl Peugeot, and it now runs with a Kawasaki ZX12. It was actually taking part in the hill climb at Mizieb today, which was won by young Zach Zammit driving a Honda 2 litre engined 90s Ralt from Matthew Zammit's even older Van Diemen, and Alan Curmi's ex Josh Anastasi 2008 championship winning JBR-3 Kawasaki, which we built in 2005/06.
I think that only one Hawke made it into UK Atlantic. Raced by John Day in 1971 with a t/c. May have subsequently gone to Scotland with Ted Dzierzek.
Chris
#90
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 20 May 2012 - 20:03
I think that only one Hawke made it into UK Atlantic. Raced by John Day in 1971 with a t/c. May have subsequently gone to Scotland with Ted Dzierzek.
Chris
This one definately came with a Lotus twin cam.
#91
Chris Townsend
-
- 384 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 21 May 2012 - 20:06
And another one. Also purchased from UK. This is an ex Formula 2 March HART. Beautiful piece of kit. It was imported by Eddie Micallef, primarily for hill climbing. Eddie too had graduated from a 2 litre Escort Mk 1. Quite a step.
Eddie hill climbed the car, and also drag raced it regularly, as in the pic. It has changed a couple of hands since and is now owned by Hubert Camilleri, but hasn't been raced for some years.
Is this the ex Alex Ribeiro-Phil Dowsett-Dave Hoban car? I know that went to Malta in the mid to late 80s but thought it had since come back to UK
Chris
#92
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 21 May 2012 - 20:27
Not sure if it's still here. Will check and let you know.
I seem to remember someone once mentioning Alex Ribeiro in connection with the car.
I seem to remember someone once mentioning Alex Ribeiro in connection with the car.
#93
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 03 June 2012 - 07:02
Here are a couple of cars that were at the climb in Gozo some weeks ago, neither of which had appeared in Malta this season up to that time:
Edited by Barry Boor, 03 June 2012 - 07:03.
#94
Johnbull
-
- 64 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 03 June 2012 - 15:03
A bit of info on these last 2 pics by Barry - I didn't know you were at the hill climb in Gozo.
Top pic is of a motorcycle engined hill climb car which was built in UK. No idea who the manufacturer was. It has an 1100 oil cooled Suzuki motor, and belongs to a tyre customer of ours who operates under the name of GADUR - all Gozitans have nick names. He purchased it some 3 or 4 years ago. Josh and I stopped in at his place during the Gozo hill climb weekend to find that he is presently building another similar car, but with more modern lines - high nose etc. Quite a character.
The second car came from Italy. I think it was originally an ERMOLLI Formula junior. Formula Junior is Italy's equivalent of British Formula Ford - very straight forward tubular spaceframe, no wings, and all run 1000cc Fiat Panda engines on single carbs. There is usually a whole grid of them at the Racalmuto circuit in Italy when we go there for Sicilian championship meetings.
This particular car was purchased by Tony Vella, who many years ago had built and raced a Mini engined Terrapin with considerable success. Tony threw away the whole back end of the Ermolli and fitted it with a 1300 Suzuki Hyabusa engine. Weighing in at well under 400 kilos it was pretty quick. In Gozo that weekend it's new owner was having no end of problems with it. It just didn't seem to want to rev at much above tick over. I wasn't at Mtahleb last weekend so I don't know if he's sorted it out yet.
Keep the pics coming Barry, and I'll keep up the commentary.
Top pic is of a motorcycle engined hill climb car which was built in UK. No idea who the manufacturer was. It has an 1100 oil cooled Suzuki motor, and belongs to a tyre customer of ours who operates under the name of GADUR - all Gozitans have nick names. He purchased it some 3 or 4 years ago. Josh and I stopped in at his place during the Gozo hill climb weekend to find that he is presently building another similar car, but with more modern lines - high nose etc. Quite a character.
The second car came from Italy. I think it was originally an ERMOLLI Formula junior. Formula Junior is Italy's equivalent of British Formula Ford - very straight forward tubular spaceframe, no wings, and all run 1000cc Fiat Panda engines on single carbs. There is usually a whole grid of them at the Racalmuto circuit in Italy when we go there for Sicilian championship meetings.
This particular car was purchased by Tony Vella, who many years ago had built and raced a Mini engined Terrapin with considerable success. Tony threw away the whole back end of the Ermolli and fitted it with a 1300 Suzuki Hyabusa engine. Weighing in at well under 400 kilos it was pretty quick. In Gozo that weekend it's new owner was having no end of problems with it. It just didn't seem to want to rev at much above tick over. I wasn't at Mtahleb last weekend so I don't know if he's sorted it out yet.
Keep the pics coming Barry, and I'll keep up the commentary.
#95
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 03 June 2012 - 15:13
I wasn't at Mtahleb either last time but i believe everyone is there again next weekend.
I'm running out of different cars to photograph now, I'm afraid.
I'm running out of different cars to photograph now, I'm afraid.
Edited by Barry Boor, 13 June 2012 - 07:07.
#96
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 13 June 2012 - 07:07
Note to all photographers; ALWAYS make sure your battery is well charged before you venture out. 
Just a few images from Mtahleb last Sunday, for reasons that I won't go into here...
I don't often photograph the tin tops - this was just to get the feel of the set-up.
This Elise is one of the prettiest cars on the scene over here, IMHO.
Here are a couple of the sports cars. I think you can probably see the attraction that hill climbing has in Malta. Forget the blue car - look at the surroundings:
Finally, I'm hoping that Mr. J. Bull can hang some flesh on the bones of this one. It is listed in the entry with the single word FORMULA. I never got down to the paddock this time and I haven't seen this one before:
Just a few images from Mtahleb last Sunday, for reasons that I won't go into here...
I don't often photograph the tin tops - this was just to get the feel of the set-up.
This Elise is one of the prettiest cars on the scene over here, IMHO.
Here are a couple of the sports cars. I think you can probably see the attraction that hill climbing has in Malta. Forget the blue car - look at the surroundings:
Finally, I'm hoping that Mr. J. Bull can hang some flesh on the bones of this one. It is listed in the entry with the single word FORMULA. I never got down to the paddock this time and I haven't seen this one before:
Edited by Barry Boor, 13 June 2012 - 07:08.
#97
Mallory Dan
-
- 3,121 posts
- Joined: September 03
Member
Posted 13 June 2012 - 10:44
782 nose Barry, not sure about the rest.
#98
Stephen W
-
- 15,585 posts
- Joined: December 04
Member
Posted 14 June 2012 - 09:14
782 nose Barry, not sure about the rest.
Looks like a spaceframe FF2000 chassis of some sort possibly a Sparton with various bits of bodywork attached.
#99
Barry Boor
-
- 11,549 posts
- Joined: October 00
Member
Posted 14 June 2012 - 10:14
Steve, Hubert Camilleri asked me last Sunday, when were you coming out?
Advertisement
#100
Lee Nicolle
-
- 11,069 posts
- Joined: July 08
Member
Posted 14 June 2012 - 11:02
Looks a good simple car except for those front shocks. An impossible angle!!Next time I see the car I will take some more but for the momwnt...
