Willie Eckerslyke

I've been trying to research more about Nigel Moores and exactly when he started to use the above name and how many times he raced under it and with what results. Just a personal whim, but if anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.

Nigel Moores was certainly using the pseudonym regularily when I saw him race XKD512 at Aintree in 1970. His entries were usually in the name of his mechanic, Paul Kelly but you never knew who was going to be driving until the car hit the track, Willie (Nigel), Paul who occasionally got a drive or Bill Allen. It was the same with his Ferrari 625, and I saw the cars out many times on Tuesday nights at Aintree. The D-Type was sold after Nigel was killed whilst a passenger in a Range Rover which rolled in the South of France. I understand some of Nigel's cars remain in the Moores family Trust.

Nigel Moores was certainly using the pseudonym regularily when I saw him race XKD512 at Aintree in 1970. His entries were usually in the name of his mechanic, Paul Kelly but you never knew who was going to be driving until the car hit the track, Willie (Nigel), Paul who occasionally got a drive or Bill Allen. It was the same with his Ferrari 625, and I saw the cars out many times on Tuesday nights at Aintree. The D-Type was sold after Nigel was killed whilst a passenger in a Range Rover which rolled in the South of France. I understand some of Nigel's cars remain in the Moores family Trust.

Nigel Moores had more than one D Type. I assume you are referring to the pale blue one which he or Paul Kelly usually raced wheras the black one was raced by Bill Allen ( think that was the car auctioned earlier this year). My apologies for the lack of chassis number ID.

Nigel Moores had more than one D Type. I assume you are referring to the pale blue one which he or Paul Kelly usually raced wheras the black one was raced by Bill Allen ( think that was the car auctioned earlier this year). My apologies for the lack of chassis number ID.

Yes indeed, the Lord Louth Car that had been out in South Africa & Rhodesia. Is the black one still with the Moores Trust, "Butty Co." or some daft name?

... "Butty Co." or some daft name?

Sarnie Ltd, wasn't it?

Nigel Moores was certainly using the pseudonym regularily when I saw him race XKD512 at Aintree in 1970. His entries were usually in the name of his mechanic, Paul Kelly but you never knew who was going to be driving until the car hit the track, Willie (Nigel), Paul who occasionally got a drive or Bill Allen. It was the same with his Ferrari 625, and I saw the cars out many times on Tuesday nights at Aintree. The D-Type was sold after Nigel was killed whilst a passenger in a Range Rover which rolled in the South of France. I understand some of Nigel's cars remain in the Moores family Trust.

He also owned XKD 515.

http://www.xkevocati...pe-history.html

Edited by alansart, 12 October 2009 - 12:54.

Nigel Moores was certainly using the pseudonym regularily when I saw him race XKD512 at Aintree in 1970. His entries were usually in the name of his mechanic, Paul Kelly but you never knew who was going to be driving until the car hit the track, Willie (Nigel), Paul who occasionally got a drive or Bill Allen.

Paul was sometimes Paul Sherman Kelly, or Paul Sherman, or just plain old Paul Kelly.
Wasn't Bill Allen the father [or maybe grandfather] of ex ITV F1 commentator James Allen?
And I regularly stood too close to Nigel at the bar after the Tuesday test nights. Typical multi millionnaire, never had any money, or cigarettes on his person. Cost me a small fortune that man, well the odd glass of beer and a couple of Embassy filter tips.

Edited by Ian Smith - Diz, 12 October 2009 - 17:49.

Nigel Moores had more than one D Type. I assume you are referring to the pale blue one which he or Paul Kelly usually raced wheras the black one was raced by Bill Allen ( think that was the car auctioned earlier this year).

As noted above, he owned XKD 512 and 515. 512 was the ex-Lord Louth car, which was black when he raced it while 515 was metallic blue. 512 was one of the lots at Brooks' first sale at Olympia in 1989, and they sold it again a few years later.

Yes, Diz, Bill Allen is James Allen's father. Bill, with Paul Kelly, were founding fathers of Speed Merchants who were probably the first outfit to get involved with promoting historic racing.

Here is "Willie" in XKD 512 coming into Lodge Corner at Oulton Park 11th August 1973


With reference to Lowdrag's enquiry, I wish you luck, but I fear it will be quite a task to find out when Nigel first adopted his "nom de course", and collating all his results will be challenging.

Willie Eckerslyke has featured in a few threads.

Searching posts (rather than threads) throws up these...

http://forums.autosp...llie Eckerslyke

I wonder how many people outside the UK, (or even perhaps the NW UK) miss the Lancashire dialect play on words?

Edited by David Beard, 12 October 2009 - 16:54.

I wonder how many people outside the UK, (or even perhaps the NW UK) miss the Lancashire dialect play on words?

I have to admit that it wasn't till I overheard someone using the nom de course in a non-motoring bar, not long after I arrived from the colonies, that I twigged ;)

I have to admit that it wasn't till I overheard someone using the nom de course in a non-motoring bar, not long after I arrived from the colonies, that I twigged ;)

Being from the Southern part of the UK, but have been allowed to live in the northern climes, it's been quite interesting understanding what this lot are on about.

I can't complain

Peter Sherman Kisner when racing in Ireland .

Paul was sometimes Paul Sherman Kelly, or Paul Sherman, or just plain old Paul Kelly.
Wasn't Bill Allen the father [or maybe grandfather] of ex ITV F1 commentator James Allen?
And I regularly stood too close to Nigel at the bar after the Tuesday test nights. Typical multi millionnaire, never had any money, or cigarettes on his person. Cost me a small fortune that man, well the odd glass of beer and a couple of Embassy filter tips.

Bill Allen was indeed James Allen's dad. I knew a couple of the younger boys from the extended Moores family at the time (one of them adopted) and they always professed to know nothing of Nigel's motor racing activities. Nigel was often spotted on the Formby by-pass at speeds I would estimate in excess of 125mph notably in various Ferrari's so that must have given them a clue.....
I was always rather miffed (pre-1971 & my driving license at least) to arrive at Aintree from Crosby on my pushbike for Tuesday night practice to man the flags and extinguishers at my permanent post at the end of the Railway Straight only not to be even allowed access to the clubhouse afterwards as it was licensed premises and I was under age. These days I wouldn't be allowed on the track but I'm always tripping over kids in pubs and bars!
PS I used to stop at the Cabbage Inn for a refreshing pint of lager on the way home, price 2/6d (12.5p!!!)

Edited by Giraffe, 13 October 2009 - 06:02.

Bill Allen was indeed James Allen's dad. I knew a couple of the younger boys from the extended Moores family at the time (one of them adopted) and they always professed to know nothing of Nigel's motor racing activities. Nigel was often spotted on the Formby by-pass at speeds I would estimate in excess of 125mph notably in various Ferrari's so that must have given them a clue.....
I was always rather miffed (pre-1971 & my driving license at least) to arrive at Aintree from Crosby on my pushbike for Tuesday night practice to man the flags and extinguishers at my permanent post at the end of the Railway Straight only not to be even allowed access to the clubhouse afterwards as it was licensed premises and I was under age. These days I wouldn't be allowed on the track but I'm always tripping over kids in pubs and bars!
PS I used to stop at the Cabbage Inn for a refreshing pint of lager on the way home, price 2/6d (12.5p!!!)

Did they have L---r in those days, G. Shame on you...

Western Australia, 1975. A widespread clan.

Did they have L---r in those days, G. Shame on you...

Yes Dan, I was the first wave of the lager generation; Harp & Skol. The last pint I pulled professionally was in 1973 when it cost the princely sum of 17p, but by then I was hooked on Carlsberg Export Hof at 24p per pint. In later life whilst living in Yorkshire, I came to appreciate Tim Taylors beers, not Landlord which I find too strong, but Best Bitter or Golden Best which if it is good, I prefer to the lagers that are fairly poor overall these days. Trouble with cask ales, even in Yorkshire, very few pubs keep it and serve it correctly, so it's largely poor. My local was a Sam Smiths pub where the beer was cheap but diabolical; a first rate laxitive tho'.... I digress...