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Graham Hill - information needed - tricky question

Started by alfredaustria , Oct 14 2010 18:43

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13 replies to this topic

#1 alfredaustria

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 18:43

Hi - Perhaps anyone knows where and when this photo was taken? Or perhaps do have more information about that race. I did not know that Graham took part in races like that. No Graham Hill-book mentions that. So, I was very surprised to see this photo. I got that reprint from a newspaper. Best wishes Alfred

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#2 arttidesco

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 19:02

Hi - Perhaps anyone knows where and when this photo was taken?

Wish I could add something other than thanks for sharing this picture Alfred, a right corker :up:

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#3 Tim Murray

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 19:10

The photo was discussed in this earlier thread, but no-one came up with anything definite about it:

Bernie Ecclestone – stock car driver

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#4 Bloggsworth

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 19:16

In that case, it's definitely Wimbledon...

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#5 MCS

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 19:21

In that case, it's definitely Wimbledon...

...and not West Ham? Races were held in the 1950s and 1960s apparently.

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#6 Bloggsworth

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 20:26

...and not West Ham? Races were held in the 1950s and 1960s apparently.

Or Walthamstow - Could have been anywhere...

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#7 simonlewisbooks

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 21:08

I reckon this is very early - 55 perhaps?
I recall seeing mention of an Auburn stock car that appeared around that time, and a vintage Bentley too! Such long wheelbase devices didn't last long , shorter chassis were the way to go and the exotic leviathans proved both too unwieldy and too expensive to repair !
Hill's appearance also tallies with this kind of date.
West Ham was the now-vanished Custom House Stadium, a dog and speedway venue, rather than the football ground.
Great photo Alfred. Never seen it previously and as you say there is no mention in any book that I know of. :up:

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#8 LittleChris

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 21:34

I
West Ham was the now-vanished Custom House Stadium, a dog and speedway venue, rather than the football ground.

The old stadium can be seen on Google earth but you need to look a the 1945 picture as by the late 70's it had been demolished and housing built on the site.

There's a wikipedia article here

http://en.wikipedia....est_Ham_Stadium

Chris

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#9 alfredaustria

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Posted 14 October 2010 - 21:49

In my opinion the photo is taken 1956 or later. Because from 1956 on Graham used the helmet with the stripes of the London Rowing Club. In his early races 1954/55 Graham used a normal helmet: unicoloured (grey - as I saw only black&white-photos - haha)

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#10 alfredaustria

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Posted 29 November 2010 - 20:33

Unbelievable. Today it is 35 years, that Graham died. I just wanted to bring this topic in mind.
Best wishes from Austria. Alfred

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#11 Bauble

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 15:43

I have a very vague memory of Graham doing a 'dirt track' race, possibly with Cliff Davis and others to raise money for the Springfield Boys Club!

Does that jog any thoughts from virtually comatose brains?

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#12 elansprint72

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 15:49

Next to the photo it says "West Ham Stadium" !

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#13 alansart

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 16:22

Next to the photo it says "West Ham Stadium" !

West Ham Speedway Stadium closed in the early 70's. I went there for a Speedway event in the late 60's.

I think they ran Stock races there in the 50's and 60's. A friend of my fathers was a bit of a Stock Car nut and used to go quite a lot but never mentioned Graham Hill being there. We were both West Ham Footie Supporters so went to 4 or 5 matches a year together but when I got into cars he took me to the Speedway, which was the next best thing!

Sadly he passed away earlier this year, so I can't get anymore info from him.