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Return of the Connew ... story!


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#151 P 4 Staff

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Posted 09 July 2005 - 22:59

Barry...always keep my eyes open. Although at 2 pictures of Niki they seem to think it´s Jimmy Connors...beside Niki...when in fact it is Robin Herd. :lol:
well...anyway it´s a good site.

Best: Staffan.

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#152 ensign14

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Posted 13 August 2005 - 13:28

33 years ago today...

#153 Barry Boor

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Posted 13 August 2005 - 19:03

So it was! Thanks, Ens.

I'll remind P.C.

#154 Terry Walker

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Posted 16 August 2005 - 02:19

I have just read the Connew story with amazement. It's impossible, it couldn't happen... Well, definitely not under Bernie's megabucks closed shop. I mean, for eons guys have been building their own cars to go club racing-been there done that and got the bankruptcy papers-but for a clutch of amateurs to build a Grand Prix car AND get it onto the grid is incredible.

I hope there's a condensed version of the 6-part story in Wikipedia FI coverage. Last time I looked, even names like Mugen had no story. Connew has to be there.

Wouldn't it be nice if some well heeled enthusiast restored it to F1 condition and went historic racing? (Not me I hasten to add. No heels at all.)

#155 Terry Walker

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Posted 16 August 2005 - 03:53

Just checked Wikipedia. No article on Connew Grand Prix Car. :

#156 P 4 Staff

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Posted 19 August 2005 - 23:42

This is a new picture to me...or have I missed it somewhere. From Brands Hatch.
Posted Image
Staff.

#157 Barry Boor

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Posted 20 August 2005 - 06:40

It has been around for.... 33 years actually, Staff, but it is a nice one.

It's another one that leaves us puzzled as to why we sent him out without the airbox.

Neither Peter nor myself remember doing that or can explain the thinking behind it.

The photographer had to be pretty quick because François only managed a few laps before the suspension bent!

#158 eldougo

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 02:50

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Hi Barry i found this photo no the back page of (On Four Wheels ) No52. the car is entering the pits at Austrian Gp 1972 .I guess you would not dought remember the time and place.

#159 John Ginger

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 18:21

Now that this thread has been revived, and me being a relavant newcomer to TNF, I am eager to learn more :)

I am fairly amazed or even embarressed that this has passed me by for all these years, my interest in our sport was ignited in early 73, so I guess I was just a little late, IIRC Francois Migault was driving for BRM by then, and David Purley was in a private March

Obviously, I have seen the various references to Peter Connew etc made by Mr Boor et al - can anybody point me towards where story resides now, I will find it easy enough to imagine it in that era :)

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#160 David McKinney

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 18:30

Obviously, I have seen the various references to Peter Connew etc made by Mr Boor et al - can anybody point me towards where story resides now, I will find it easy enough to imagine it in that era :)

I always find internet search engines the best way to find this sort of thing, eg:
http://62.149.36.46/~bruce/cgi-bin/

#161 John Ginger

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 19:09

I always find internet search engines the best way to find this sort of thing, eg:
http://62.149.36.46/~bruce/cgi-bin/


David,
Many thanks, looks like I have another 'distraction' awaiting!

#162 Tim Murray

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Posted 09 September 2010 - 19:50

Whilst looking for something else I stumbled across this:

My Dad designed & built an F1 car and all I have left is the bits down the garden....

#163 macoran

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Posted 09 September 2010 - 20:02

Whilst looking for something else I stumbled across this:

My Dad designed & built an F1 car and all I have left is the bits down the garden....

Fabulous !! there's even pics there that aren't on Barry's site, I think....

#164 Bjorn Kjer

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Posted 09 September 2010 - 20:08

me too thinks that!

#165 Cargo

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Posted 09 September 2010 - 20:14

Whilst looking for something else I stumbled across this:

My Dad designed & built an F1 car and all I have left is the bits down the garden....


Blimey!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Those pics are brand new ones... Briliant....



#166 David Beard

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Posted 09 September 2010 - 21:09

Fabulous !! there's even pics there that aren't on Barry's site, I think....


Lovely :D

#167 wolf sun

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 00:51

Brilliant find, I wonder whether Barry knows about this...?

(And what is that 'something else' you've been looking for on muscletalk, Tim...? Not enough steroids on TNF, I suppose... :p )(Just kidding, no offence ;))

Edited by wolf sun, 10 September 2010 - 00:53.


#168 arttidesco

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 06:54

Brilliant find, I wonder whether Barry knows about this...?


If he didn't he does now ! :lol:

What a story to tell your mates about your Dad !

Good to see the 'Connew' word spreading and it being so generously received else where :up:

#169 Tim Murray

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 07:20

(And what is that 'something else' you've been looking for on muscletalk, Tim...? Not enough steroids on TNF, I suppose... :p )(Just kidding, no offence ;))

Ha! If you could see my puny little body, Wolfgang, you'd agree that I have no interest in body building. :lol:

I was actually googling on 'John Bolster', and it picked up on the reference to Mr Bolster in Barry's story in that thread.

(that's my excuse, anyway ... )  ;)

#170 GD66

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 08:35

Now THAT is a ripping yarn ! Ambitious, quixotic, laced with drama and personality clashes, the possibilities cruelled by harsh reality and crappy old bad luck.... an excellent read. Thanks for posting, and belated congrats to all involved for giving it a red-hot go ! :clap:

#171 Barry Boor

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 10:31

I see that all those posts on that thread were were written in mid-2009. I'm surprised Peter or Chris never told me about it.

Although there are some pictures there that are not on my site, I think I have them all somewhere on my computer.

I thought the comment from the guy who had "never heard of the DFV" was hilarious.

#172 Ray Bell

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 11:22

Was that the one who thought it was built around stock Ford castings... or was that someone who chimed in later?

And then there was the one with a FFord who thought that Mk 9 Hewlands from 1982 were 'old'...

#173 macoran

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 20:56

Was that the one who thought it was built around stock Ford castings... or was that someone who chimed in later?

And then there was the one with a FFord who thought that Mk 9 Hewlands from 1982 were 'old'...

The oldest parts he "worked with"....................

#174 wolf sun

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 21:44

Ha! If you could see my puny little body, Wolfgang, you'd agree that I have no interest in body building. :lol:


A sharp mind beats a strong physique any day! :wave: :up:


#175 Tim Murray

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Posted 10 September 2010 - 22:04

How true. :clap:

(Now, - er - where did I leave my sharp mind ... )

#176 donshut

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 19:40

This is my second post - my first post - late last night - went in the middle of Ray Bell's post about uploading images - I apologize to him and Twin Window for my over enthusiasm.

This is for Mr Boor and his team who were my teenage heroes.

Mallory Park F5000 1973

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By donshut at 2010-09-29

#177 DogEarred

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 20:13

Just a small story for Barry Boor.

When I was an engineering student in Barking, many years ago, I saw a local newspaper article about Peter Connew building an F1 car in his garage.
The next day I rushed round to the road name given in the article. I was dead keen to try and voluntier my services to help in any way I could. (I expect you got many such offers)
I walked up and down the road looking for likely houses with garages. I spotted one but it was locked up & the owner was out & I never plucked up courage to go back.
It turns out, reading this thread that I was in the wrong place anyway, having now seen the parade of lock-ups in your photos!

I don't know whether it was an opportunity lost for the team or a lucky near miss.....

#178 Gary C

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 20:14

is this a previously un-seen photo ??

#179 pete3664

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 22:06

I know it's not much, but I would contribute a externally OK but internally trashed DFX block and pair of heads to the project, I know its not the same engine ,but with an external change to DFV valve covers it could be used as a mockup. I'm in the US, but if someone could get it over there I'd feel like I was contributing to a legend. PM me if someone is interested.

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#180 donshut

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 22:09

yes - until I found this forum I hadn't met anyone else who would have been interested!!

is this a previously un-seen photo ??



#181 Barry Boor

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 22:19

Pete, my excitement knows no bounds. I will contact you very soon.

Donshut - yes, a new photo, though we have one taken, I think by Twinny, at more or less the same time.

#182 Twin Window

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Posted 30 September 2010 - 23:03

Donshut - yes, a new photo, though we have one taken, I think by Twinny, at more or less the same time.

And Donshut's is far better than mine!

I only ever took these two photos of the hallowed beast in question; the first at the 1972 Victory Race at Brands Hatch and the second at the aforementioned Mallory Park F5000 event in July, 1973.

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Posted Image

:up:

#183 arttidesco

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Posted 01 October 2010 - 00:57

And Donshut's is far better than mine!

I only ever took these two photos of the hallowed beast in question; the first at the 1972 Victory Race at Brands Hatch and the second at the aforementioned Mallory Park F5000 event in July, 1973.

Posted Image

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:up:


Would you happen to know the result for the Connew at Mallory Mr Twiney, oldracingcars,com is down on results at the moment ?

Edited by arttidesco, 01 October 2010 - 00:58.


#184 philippe7

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Posted 01 October 2010 - 06:41

oldracingcars,com is down on results at the moment ?


Yes, I noticed that too a couple of weeks ago, seems that Allen has a serious dispute with Wikipedia about some data theft from his site, very unfortunate for us but I'm afraid he's taking the appropriate measures for the time being.....

#185 Barry Boor

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Posted 01 October 2010 - 07:04

IIRC and remember I was not part of the team in 1973, the car failed to qualify at Mallory.

#186 arttidesco

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Posted 01 October 2010 - 07:19

Thanks Barry :up:

#187 f1steveuk

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Posted 01 October 2010 - 10:00

Yes, I noticed that too a couple of weeks ago, seems that Allen has a serious dispute with Wikipedia about some data theft from his site, very unfortunate for us but I'm afraid he's taking the appropriate measures for the time being.....



Oh, it's not just me then, Wiki' helping themselves to other peoples data, who would have thought (my dispute is on going after two years!!!))

Good job the Connew fits that trailer, sort of!!!

Edited by f1steveuk, 01 October 2010 - 10:01.


#188 arttidesco

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 15:39

I managed to get the F5000 results for the Connew by looking up the chassis in oldracingcars.com, don't know why I did not think of that in the first place ! Doh ! Must still be along way from qualifying for my Anoraks Proficiency Badge :-)

I still have an outstanding question oldracingcars.com says the Connew DNQ'd at Mallory and Brands, BUT looking at this site which I have never heard of before Allen Brown is given as the reference, if I have read it correctly, for the Connew qualifying 21st at Mallory and recording a DNS due to a split oil pipe.

Can any one definitively confirm or refute a DNS for Connew at Mallory on July 8th 1973 ?

Thanking you in anticipation,

Edited by arttidesco, 04 October 2010 - 15:40.


#189 Tim Murray

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 17:25

I've managed to dig out the Motoring News report on the Mallory event - unfortunately it's fairly brief (they apologise for 'circumstances beyond their control' preventing them from providing a full report). It does say the following, in the coverage of the practice session:

Pierre Soukry did a slow lap in the F5000-adapted Connew-Chevy, but pulled up with a broken oil pipe.

I'm guessing this slow lap would have been enough to make him 21st fastest.

#190 Tim Murray

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 18:17

... and as I had the 1973 MNs out I checked on the Brands race on 27th August. The pole position time was 44.3 sec. Soukry's official practice time was 5 min 05 sec. :eek:

Edited by Tim Murray, 04 October 2010 - 18:19.


#191 Barry Boor

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 19:15

Ah, yes, but fair play, Tim, he was on foot. All the others had racing cars.

#192 Gary C

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 19:24

...................was just thinking that I could walk a lap of Brands faster than that.

#193 arttidesco

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 20:29

Thanks for looking Tim :wave:

So are we saying we are still not sure if Pierre was fast enough to qualify at Mallory ?

Not withstanding the steep hill on the Brands short circuit I very much doubt I was ever fit enough to run round Brands in 5 mins, certainly not with the aid of fire proof suit and crash helmet :rolleyes:



#194 David McKinney

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 21:14

Autosport is quite specific about the car being a DNS after lapping at 53.0 before the oil-tank split

#195 donshut

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 21:31

I photographed the connew in the paddock - see above - and remember being bitterly disappointed not to see it on the track.
I don't remember it doing just one lap - I must have blinked - I checked all my negs the other day to see if I could find other photos of it.
This is my only other image.

Posted Image
By donshut at 2010-09-29

#196 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 21:33

Oh, it's not just me then, Wiki' helping themselves to other peoples data, who would have thought (my dispute is on going after two years!!!))

Good job the Connew fits that trailer, sort of!!!

Yes I thought that was top quality transport for a F5000 also.

#197 Barry Boor

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 21:42

Thanks again, donshut, another picture that Peter Connew will be delighted to see.

#198 donshut

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 21:58

I appreciate your kind reply - do you remember the "Connew Supporters Club"? - I was a member - and remember getting a few newsletters - one of which included a crossword puzzle!

Thanks again, donshut, another picture that Peter Connew will be delighted to see.



#199 Barry Boor

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 22:19

I think 'twas I who created that crossword!

Eventually the Club was taken over by Daddy D (Ron Doran) our super welder and father of Chief Mechanic Roger. Sadly, Ron passed away a couple of years ago.

I still have some of the Supporter's Club correspondence.

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#200 arttidesco

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 23:15

Thanks David, Don & Barry I have that as a DNS at Mallory now :-)

Barry you never mentioned a supporters club before is it still going ?