You just HAVE to check this out.

I hope Barry dos'nt mind me putting a link up to his site. It is really a incredible story...go read and enjoy.

http://retro2.vsni.net/pc1boor.htm

The Connew Story By Barry J. Boor

"Even to those who would have to admit to being REAL F.1 Anoraks, the name Connew is probably totally meaningless. A single entry in any F.1 records book does not even begin to scratch the surface of what is, I believe, a remarkable story. Of course, I am biased, having been one of the three major members of the Peter Connew Motor Racing team. However, I think anyone who reads it will have to admit, it was a very brave effort."

http://www.forix.com...4&rmo=6308021

What a great story!

And one that might never have been published, were it not for the http://www. Motor sport is full of great untold stories like this one.

Thank's Pete

If you stop, step back, look at how the Nostalgia Forum has developed, look at the many sites out there on the WWW that are shedding light on subjects that are the definition of "non-commercial" or just not what "sells" in print or just not known to the editors of the print media, suddenly you begin to see how incredible all this is for folks like us.

Earlier today in an email, someone suggested that this Forum was like a letters to the editor feature in a journal or magazine. I had never looked at it that way, but I now see what he was pointing out to me.

BTW, the Connew is one of my favorite stories. Unlike the rather snooty and dark view taken by most today about the minor teams that used to exist almost by the score, I thought they added something to the flavor of the proceedings.

Under today's rules, to mention but a few, McLaren and Williams and even Ferrari would be somewhere but not on the F1 grid... Keep in mind that Ferrari was never a true manufacturer, but a small constructor of specialist sports cars. Its annual production was barely that of an hour at any of the major US companies or of a day of the European companies. Not a criticism, just a comment.

True, some of the minor teams were truly awful in some ways, but there was a freedom to try even if that meant getting embarrassed in full view of the paying audience.

The Connew crew gets one of my rare four star awards for their sheer determination and actually getting onto the grid. Sometimes winning is just getting into The Show....

I can relate to Barry's statement that it was the most exciting thing he ever did... I modified a car and raced it for three seasons, travelling a fair bit with it, on an absolute shoestring, winning some trophies on the way...
But they created the thing from scratch, and a much more complex thing than I ever had, and overcame problems and national boundaries and different languages to present it on a grid for a World Championship race ... out of a little private pommie backyard.
Incredible!

Thanx for all those nice comments, people.
I'm sorry I never found ATLAS F1 before.
If anyone has any more Connew-related questions, I'd be delighted to answer them as best I can.
Fire away.

Great story, Barry! Thanks.

"Many years ago, with its supporting company already about to liquidate, a "dart-shaped" Connaught was raced at Goodwood."

Connew? Connaught? Or am i on the total wrong track here?

Brent, totally. No connection whatsoever. But thanks for giving me the opportunity to post my 30th message.

Am I a grown-up now ????

As good as it gets... in fact, it's just like growing up, it's all downhill from here... Keep it up Barry, your enthusiasm will do none of us any harm at all...

Barry's a fully fledged member. Your shout friend ~/

For anyone interested, there is a great short story in the April 2000 issue of the English version "F1 Racing"...page-128 also a few good pictures of the car and Peter Connew.

I'm sure all us racers have some great stories to tell in our racing days, the world forgot all about the "back-yard" teams , and in F1 they'll never be back, except in Vintage £ Historic events, (at least we have that!)eg: TGP F1