The Fressingfield Oily Rag Club
#1
Posted 01 March 2007 - 00:42
tales of his life as a designer from building and racing his own 1172 special then Lola, Brabham, Eagle, BRM, Shadow, Arrows, Lotus, Ford, TWR Jaguar, Aston Martin, Toyota, Ferrari, Lister and Audi and his 750mc racing he does today.
Tony spoke for 2hrs 45mins and had time to meet and speak to anyone who had questions afterwards! Very entertaining. The controversy over the Shadow/Arrows affair was particularly interesting.
Bob Dance was there as were many familiar faces from the racing scene here in East Anglia including a number of the Snetterton marshalling corps. Steve Wyatt (the organiser) welcomes any new members who want to join. No subs as such, free membership, however there is a crash helmet to put donations in at the end of the night which helps pay for the hall and after speech tea and buns. An impressive list of speakers in recent months - Brian Lister, Jack Sears, Jim Russell, Martin Donnelly, Whizzo Williams, David Brodie, Richard Attwood. Next meeting is March 28th if anyone is interested in the trek across to Stradbroke Community Centre near Diss in Norfolk.
The next speaker is known to Steve, however he is not letting on who it is just yet until he has confirmation that they can definitely make it. He has other well known names already lined up for future meetings. All members receive a newsletter via post.
I can put you in touch with Steve if anyone wants to join. The club also organise trips and events in the summer. A great bunch of enthusiasts.
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#2
Posted 01 March 2007 - 08:32
Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
Steve Wyatt (the organiser) welcomes any new members who want to join. No subs as such, free membership, however there is a crash helmet to put donations in at the end of the night which helps pay for the hall and after speech tea and buns. An impressive list of speakers in recent months - Brian Lister, Jack Sears, Jim Russell, Martin Donnelly, Whizzo Williams, David Brodie, Richard Attwood. Next meeting is March 28th if anyone is interested in the trek across to Stradbroke Community Centre near Diss in Norfolk.
The next speaker is known to Steve, however he is not letting on who it is just yet until he has confirmation that they can definitely make it. He has other well known names already lined up for future meetings. All members receive a newsletter via post.
I can put you in touch with Steve if anyone wants to join. The club also organise trips and events in the summer. A great bunch of enthusiasts.
Sounds great Andrew! Whizzo used to visit our Motor Club in Farningham and was always the source of great merriment! Details would be much appreciated, a nice drive through Constable country in early spring would be rather nice, would love to have been there for Dickie Attwood.
Sterling
#3
Posted 01 March 2007 - 08:38
#4
Posted 01 March 2007 - 08:39
#5
Posted 01 March 2007 - 09:23
#6
Posted 01 March 2007 - 09:28
#7
Posted 01 March 2007 - 11:06
Purchased a brilliant book there....Motor Racing: Reflections of a lost era.The author Anthony Carter was present.
Masses of photos ( 300) previously unpublished taken by Anthony as his hobby from 1956-79.
A true TNF delight.
#8
Posted 01 March 2007 - 16:02
Sorry. Pure nostalgia.
#9
Posted 29 March 2007 - 07:00
#10
Posted 29 March 2007 - 07:08
Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
Another superb evening last night with speaker Jackie Oliver. Tales of his famous Marcos shunt at Snetterton and F1 debut with Colin had everyone in stitches, as did his banter with Jack Sears and Bob Dance in the audience. Jim Russell was also present among the 160 members, greeted by the replica Gulf 917 standing guard at the entrance. A sell out with people on the waiting list. The FORC is a fantastic place to be, hidden away in a small Suffolk village. Next month Bob Dance is speaker.
Here, here! Worth the long trek from Brands, even with cameras monitoring my...........(sometimes) progress at 30mph It was such a joy to see and listen to one of the guys I used to watch race at Brands,so very often,my special memories Brands Hatch July 1968 and his BOAC drives
A lovely way to spend an evening in a pastoral setting, very real but almost imaginary!
Thank you Steve!
#11
Posted 29 March 2007 - 11:31
"Right Sonny, only six cars ever finish this race, hang around at the back and you'll get a point!"
Jackie put the car in the wall exiting the tunnel, Chapman's next words to him once he had walked back to the pits were
"You're fired!"
Luckily for him Colin had a change of heart.
#12
Posted 29 March 2007 - 18:30
Someone ought to record or video these talks! I'd buy them!
#13
Posted 29 March 2007 - 18:33
#14
Posted 29 March 2007 - 19:06
#15
Posted 29 March 2007 - 19:48
Originally posted by Gary C
Shame, eh??
You should make the trip Gary...you could have travelled with me last night from Brands....just the 200 mile round trip, but oh so worth the effort, as Andrew said, Jackie was in fine form and there was some great banter going on......who would have thought that 40 years after the event an enthusiast could attend such a great "grass roots" event, just brilliant!!!!
Sterling
#16
Posted 27 April 2007 - 16:38
#17
Posted 27 April 2007 - 16:50
Originally posted by Gary C
did anyone go to this weeks' meeting?
I sadly could not attend as I had tickets for a concert, as much as I would have loved to hear Bob Dance speak..........feast or famine eh? There was also the Hornsey Lotus meet on the same night.....
Sterling
#18
Posted 28 April 2007 - 07:07
#19
Posted 01 October 2007 - 19:56
Are you going Andy? Gary? Richard? Andy tipped me the wink, it is a great opportunity to have a natter and noggin, much in the old style that we used to have "back in the day"
Sterling
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#20
Posted 01 October 2007 - 20:54
I pointed Steve and Norman (from FORC) in the direction of a couple of other very well known potential speakers
when we were at the Revival. Hopefully they will do a deal to have them come along in 2008.
#21
Posted 01 October 2007 - 21:09
Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
Yep, I'll be going. Steve Wyatt I think you meant Sterl?
I pointed Steve and Norman (from FORC) in the direction of a couple of other very well known potential speakers
when we were at the Revival. Hopefully they will do a deal to have them come along in 2008.
You are of course correct Andy, the postman came early today and I didn't have my specs on...thats my excuse anyway!!!! Any clues to the presenters????? Someone like Brian Redman maybe?
#22
Posted 02 October 2007 - 06:09
#23
Posted 02 October 2007 - 06:19
#24
Posted 27 October 2007 - 21:51
#25
Posted 01 November 2007 - 08:28
So many names came up, most with great affection,tales of his great mates, Ronnie, "Mike the Bike" and Barry Sheen, the high jinx that took place, especially with Ronnie holding his BMW on the lock stops on Slough East slip road...... scaring the pants off a pleading Brodie........meanwhile Ronnie is grinning
The obvious sadness at losing his mates tragically, including Roger Williamson, one of the few guys to beat the Brode in a saloon car (in the wet and Roger in a 1 litre Anglia........) and he briefly touched on the anger he felt with both the deaths of Mike Hailwood and Roger.
David spoke at length on his "Run Baby Run" days, his Le Mans effort, the RS500, Mazda, that awful accident (at the '73 British GP, I was there) and it really did feel like being re introduced to an old friend, a great bloke I'd say and great fun
The time Denny turned up at Northampton after his Silverstone shunt, the Stewarts en bloc with family and the language he used when being told he would lose his legs......
Now if only I had taken my "Works Escorts" book, I could have got him to sign the picture of his immaculate black Escort, but now that book will travel up with me next month to listen to Stuart Turner, I cannot wait.
Worth the trip.....every mile, even in the camera enforced 30 limits
#26
Posted 01 November 2007 - 12:34
Then Dave Brodie had that fabulous big arched Elan S4 in the black and yellow pin stripes as well ! I do believe there were at least 2 Black Escorts. The greatest days of saloon car racing, the 1970s.
#27
Posted 01 November 2007 - 13:20
#28
Posted 01 November 2007 - 15:57
Originally posted by RTH
Then Dave Brodie had that fabulous big arched Elan S4 in the black and yellow pin stripes as well !
Yes, that was the ex- Goodliffe hillclimb car. I seem to remember it had "proper" front suspension from a Formula car. I was gobsmacked when I first saw it on the hills, it still had the full standard and very plush Elan interior.
#29
Posted 01 November 2007 - 16:17
Was Brodie the first to take a Lotus twincam out to 2.1ltrs?Originally posted by RTH
I do believe there were at least 2 Black Escorts.
Roger Lund
#30
Posted 01 November 2007 - 17:25
Originally posted by bradbury west
Was Brodie the first to take a Lotus twincam out to 2.1ltrs?
Roger Lund
Good memory Roger, that is exactly the question I asked him last night and how did he manage to keep it together when FoMoCo could not! We used to run a book every week end to see when it would blow up, but it did not!!! It seems the Brode was a very good engineer as well, also supplying a certain firm in Northampton with the odd RS500 block, because of all the tricks that he had added ;)
#31
Posted 01 November 2007 - 19:20
What was the answer? - although, since that would have been in non-homologated races, starting with a different block from the original "L" probably helped! BRM did most of the Team Lotus BSCC and Ford Boreham rally homologated twinks?Originally posted by sterling49
that is exactly the question I asked him last night and how did he manage to keep it together when FoMoCo could not!
Any mention of his visits to Guyana in early 70s (in Chevron B8 2.0 BMW)? Someone asked me about tracking him down with a view to doing some commentary for some 8mm film of the 72 races that resides in the Caribbean on an island that has only just obtained the technology to convert it to Video/DVD.
IIRC the RS500 tricks extended to the fuel on one occasion.....
#32
Posted 01 November 2007 - 19:41
#33
Posted 01 November 2007 - 20:57
Originally posted by RS2000
What was the answer? - although, since that would have been in non-homologated races, starting with a different block from the original "L" probably helped! BRM did most of the Team Lotus BSCC and Ford Boreham rally homologated twinks?
Any mention of his visits to Guyana in early 70s (in Chevron B8 2.0 BMW)? Someone asked me about tracking him down with a view to doing some commentary for some 8mm film of the 72 races that resides in the Caribbean on an island that has only just obtained the technology to convert it to Video/DVD.
IIRC the RS500 tricks extended to the fuel on one occasion.....
It involved serious welding to the block at some place in Hanwell, London, the guy apparently put a near divers suit on (including helmet) to complete the task and then it was left to cool naturally overnight, with asbestos material covering it. The welder, apparently, lost half his body weight whilst doing the job, no other welders would touch it.........he came out of the suit looking like he had just had a shower! When the 1st block was done, Brode said "I'll be back tomorrow with another one for you" They then had to completely machine the welded block and he said the bores were a mess and that they would sort out.........
He spent some time telling us about Guyana and the fat profit he made from selling the Chevron to a local guy, also that although he won most of the races, he let a local guy win the last one, so that he would be invited back for the next years series ;)
#34
Posted 01 November 2007 - 21:10
Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
I missed the Dickie Attwood one Sterling, I am told he also spoke for over two hours.
The Brode started at 7.30p.m. last night and finished at around 10.20, he was then shooting the breeze with the gathered enthusiasts.
#35
Posted 01 November 2007 - 21:39
Probably Hillthorne in Hanwell? I lived quite near him/them then.
Gordon Spice has already said much the same about "letting" locals win in Guyana (whereupon a "local" region observer confirmed to me at least one case where GS certainly didn't have a choice). Those "locals" actually included guys from the islands who then came to Britain and did F3, including a 4 time F3 pole sitter. You can't read much into it as the cars were all mis-matched. The guy who beat DB one time had never driven his car until then and had just learnt it by the final race.
#36
Posted 01 November 2007 - 21:44
Originally posted by RS2000
Probably Hillthorne in Hanwell? I lived quite near him/them then.
That sounds like the name.
#37
Posted 29 November 2007 - 22:20
And a very famous ex works RS1800 parked outside, HHJ 702N, used by Russell Brookes and John Brown in Andrews Heat for Hire colours
#38
Posted 29 November 2007 - 23:01
Well, a famous registration. Not sure about the car....(I know Robson has its 1976 record wrong in "The Works Escorts", since I saw it as an original car then where he claims a different car appeared). The exact re-shell history is one of many such cars still under debate by the experts!Originally posted by sterling49
a very famous ex works RS1800 parked outside, HHJ 702N, used by Russell Brookes and John Brown in Andrews Heat for Hire colours
#39
Posted 29 November 2007 - 23:09
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#40
Posted 03 January 2009 - 09:17
Wednesday 28th January.........Doug Nye
Wednesday 25th February.......John "Smoking" Rhodes
Wednesday 25th March..........Colin Seeley
Wednesday 29th April.............John Delane (Tyrell F1,001,002,004)
I have attended a number of these events (David Brodie, Jackie Oliver and Stuart Turner) and confirm it is a brilliant way to spend an evening with like minded enthusiasts in the warmth of a nice village community centre. Entrance strictly by ticket only, so therefore pre-booking is advised, and beware, tickets go fast! I have details if anyone would like to apply, FORC meet at Stradbroke, Suffolk, which is situated just south of Diss.
Regards
Sterling
#41
Posted 03 January 2009 - 09:41
#42
Posted 06 January 2009 - 19:43
Originally posted by sterling49
The team at Quilter House have been busy over the winter organising some excellent speakers for the coming months, I list below the programme for any interested forum members:
Wednesday 28th January.........Doug Nye
Wednesday 25th February.......John "Smoking" Rhodes
Wednesday 25th March..........Colin Seeley
Wednesday 29th April.............John Delane (Tyrell F1,001,002,004)
I have attended a number of these events (David Brodie, Jackie Oliver and Stuart Turner) and confirm it is a brilliant way to spend an evening with like minded enthusiasts in the warmth of a nice village community centre. Entrance strictly by ticket only, so therefore pre-booking is advised, and beware, tickets go fast! I have details if anyone would like to apply, FORC meet at Stradbroke, Suffolk, which is situated just south of Diss.
Regards
Sterling
If you are interested in atttending, you need to book as soon as possible, as I have just reserved 3 tickets for the "DCN" evening and the numbers allocated were quite high. As far as I am aware, to date, there will be 5 or 6 TNF members planning to make the journey.
#43
Posted 06 January 2009 - 20:06
#44
Posted 19 January 2009 - 13:40
#45
Posted 19 January 2009 - 15:06
#46
Posted 19 January 2009 - 15:49
Be prepared to sign many of your books...there will be a long queue!
#47
Posted 19 January 2009 - 16:37
Just keep us enraptured for two and half hours just like Jackie Oliver.Richard Attwood and Tony Southgate managed too....
#48
Posted 19 January 2009 - 16:49
Credit : Ian Kitson
#49
Posted 19 January 2009 - 16:59
As an aside,can TNF members make themselves known at FORC? It would be great to put some faces to names,or vice-versa.
Looking forward to next week.
mgtd
#50
Posted 19 January 2009 - 17:20
Doug , will you be bringing any books for purchase ?