Racing Minors
#1
Posted 13 December 2006 - 19:46
Many thanks
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#2
Posted 13 December 2006 - 19:58
#3
Posted 13 December 2006 - 20:05
I seem to remember it had "Don't push" on the rear bumper.
I also seem to remember him backing it into the barriers at Paddock on one occasion, I'm not sure I remember the "Don't push" after hat…
#4
Posted 13 December 2006 - 20:18
I do not have any photos, but I do know that one was in use on the west coast of America in 1952. It appeared at Pebble Beach and Golden Gate with John Cox, then at Madera with Carl Ganschow.
On the East coast John Price raced one at Vero Beach and at Watkins Glen in the same year. One also appeared at Sebring in 1952.
Back in 1950 4 Minors were run at Sebring.
Hope this is of help.
Terry
#5
Posted 13 December 2006 - 20:21
#6
Posted 13 December 2006 - 20:31
#7
Posted 13 December 2006 - 21:31
Nic Mann's 600 bhp Rover V8 turbocharged nitrous oxide Morris Minor was a bit quick.
#8
Posted 13 December 2006 - 21:32
#9
Posted 13 December 2006 - 21:52
#10
Posted 13 December 2006 - 21:55
I was going too say Harry Ratcliffe - then I remembered Brian Redman
Before that there was Fred Marriott, in the 1958 BTCC, and even before that Alan Foster in the Daily Express race in 1954. The name of Peter Collins also seems to be linked with one in my memory, but I can't be more definite
We used to see loads in New Zealand, from 803cc low-light models through cars with MGA and twincam Lotus-Ford engines right up to the infamous Morrari
None of which is helping Jon's quest for photos, though I might be able to dig out some NZ ones. Unless of course he's interested only in UK ones
#11
Posted 13 December 2006 - 22:14
Paul if you could email me that picture that would be great.
#12
Posted 13 December 2006 - 23:04
There is a picture of the Morrari on TNF already, and Autocar ran a super shot in the early sixties showing it from the off-side, doorless, hillclimbing in NZ with a woman driver, IIRC, and she was wearing a seatbelt.
John, I suspect Ted Worswick, inter alia, would be able to update you on Harry. I will try to find out for you.
Roger Lund.
#13
Posted 13 December 2006 - 23:21
#14
Posted 13 December 2006 - 23:32
Roger Lund.
#15
Posted 13 December 2006 - 23:53
Originally posted by RS2000
I believe Martin Chinnery raced, autocrossed and rallied one in Kent. You can probably contact him via ASEMC (UK Regional Association of South East Motor Clubs) under the strange pseudonym "Chin".
hmmmn, Chin's details are on the 7oaks web site:
www.sevenoaksmotorclub.com
#16
Posted 14 December 2006 - 09:03
The low light cars were ALL 918 sv produced 48/53 the 803 OHV dated from the Austin/Morris merger and ran from 52/56 when the 948 appeared
JF
#17
Posted 14 December 2006 - 09:24
TNF member KB started in Minors.
The Minor that Austin Taurenac raced had the Mazengarb OHV conversion and was 1052cc.
#18
Posted 14 December 2006 - 10:11
Originally posted by Sharman
David
The low light cars were ALL 918 sv produced 48/53 the 803 OHV dated from the Austin/Morris merger and ran from 52/56 when the 948 appeared
JF
(It was all a long time ago... )
#19
Posted 14 December 2006 - 10:18
She told about it in an article moons ago.
RL
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#20
Posted 14 December 2006 - 10:44
Dont I Know It !!!
Roger
She passed me on the Hob Hey Rally in 19umptytump on the outside of a bend doing a "Wall-of-Death" on the grass banking
John
#21
Posted 14 December 2006 - 12:09
#22
Posted 14 December 2006 - 14:29
#23
Posted 14 December 2006 - 14:31
#24
Posted 14 December 2006 - 14:52
Roger Lund.
#25
Posted 14 December 2006 - 14:55
Some fierce Minors here: http://www.minormani...hp?id=4&catid=4
Justin
#26
Posted 14 December 2006 - 15:37
The late Mike Bennion also raced a hairy V8 version in the late 60s. Current BTCC driver
Mike Jordan started his career racing a Minor in classic saloons in 1979.
#27
Posted 14 December 2006 - 17:01
Originally posted by bradbury west
Probably Ratcliffe or Barton in Harry's old car, although I think Harry went to a 1300 Cooper S only in 64.. What colour? See paddock photo post by Twinny.
Roger Lund.
Just watched it again it was a white car with a blue centreline stripe started on the front row finished 4th and they said it was Andy Barton race won by John Fitzpatrick in a Mini.
#28
Posted 14 December 2006 - 18:25
http://www.vintagega.../ministock.html
I also recall in the mid-80's in the San Francisco Bay Area, a driver with a red Morris Minor in a Mini Stock class at Baylands Raceway. He moved up to the Mini Sprint division (open wheel cars looking like Midgets) and used the Minor engine.
#29
Posted 14 December 2006 - 20:42
RL
#30
Posted 14 December 2006 - 22:08
Jf
#31
Posted 14 December 2006 - 22:29
#32
Posted 14 December 2006 - 22:40
Thanks again chaps
Jon
#33
Posted 14 December 2006 - 23:41
Originally posted by flat-16
Can anyone post a shot of the Morrari? I've tried a search, but the threads seem a tad old. Thanks.
Good idea!
In the meantime, I'll add that there were many Minors raced in Australia's Sports Sedan category after they lost favour in touring cars.
The Appendix J class for tintops ended in 1964 and with it some desirable freedoms. So Minors, which would not take too well to racing against the much more modern machinery in Improved Touring, were invited to run (along with everything else that had become 'illegal') in Sports Racing events with the title of 'Sports Racing (closed) by invitation'.
This was the prelude to the introduction of the Sports Sedan category about 1969 or 1970. So for a few years it was full of amateurish efforts at making (generally) older cars go faster than they would if they were entered under the Improved Touring rules.
Minors got Peugeot 403 and B-series BMC engines by the number. Some got even more, though I don't specifically remember any. Last week I had access to a picture of one spinning at Warwick Farm, but that's on the 'office' computer about 850kms from here.
#36
Posted 15 December 2006 - 04:26
Here's the Minor, no idea what power unit, spinning at Warwick Farm c.1967:
Creek Corner in its heyday. And look at the wheelspin on that FC heading towards the Esses...
#37
Posted 16 December 2006 - 00:02
#38
Posted 16 December 2006 - 00:37
It would be true to say that the history for chassis and engine has been interesting - to say the least.
Justin
#39
Posted 17 December 2006 - 04:39
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#40
Posted 17 December 2006 - 10:13
#41
Posted 18 December 2006 - 06:36
BM
#42
Posted 21 December 2006 - 05:30
I co-drove with him in the 1961 Nurburgring 500-kilometre race. That was one time the car did not finish, as the right front stub axle broke while he was driving. I did the first stint - a genuine Le Mans start, running across the road and all. I was already interested in race car crash protection, so was the only driver to take the time to do up a seat belt, while all the Fiat 500s and similar rushed by in front of me.
The Minor was very standard, and a pain to drive, but to race on that circuit is unforgettable whatever the car! I have a few black and white pix if anyone's interested.
#43
Posted 21 December 2006 - 05:33
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that. What's more, those would be appropriate on the TNF BMC Owners Club thread too.
#44
Posted 21 December 2006 - 05:42
#45
Posted 04 January 2007 - 09:24
#46
Posted 04 January 2007 - 09:33
Originally posted by Michael Henderson
In 1960 and 1961 Nigel Moores (then the Littlewoods heir, but now I believe now the late NM)
Indeed, Michael, Nigel Moores (aka Willie Eckerslyke/Paul Kelly) was killed in a road accident in the south of France in 1977. He was a major influence in historic racing in the early 70s, with a collection of Ferraris, Maseratis and, particularly, D-Type Jaguars.
It would be great to see your photos of the 'Ring.
#47
Posted 05 January 2007 - 17:00
#48
Posted 05 January 2007 - 23:13
Originally posted by brucemoxon
There's also at least one still running in Australian Group N Historic sedans.
BM
In NSW, Aaron and Chris Gabriel run the immaculate BRG Minor....have picture somewhere
#49
Posted 06 January 2007 - 09:59
Originally posted by Alan Cox
Indeed, Michael, Nigel Moores (aka Willie Eckerslyke/Paul Kelly) was killed in a road accident in the south of France in 1977. He was a major influence in historic racing in the early 70s, with a collection of Ferraris, Maseratis and, particularly, D-Type Jaguars.
It would be great to see your photos of the 'Ring.
Alan, you mean to say that Nigel Moores used two pseudonyms? Could this "Paul Kelly" have driven in the Spa 24h of 1974 in an Escort (and in 66 in a Lotus-Cortina)?
#50
Posted 06 January 2007 - 12:12