84 replies to this topic

[garyfrogeye]

There was Wing Commander K.W. (Mac) Mkenzie. I believe that he was a founder member of the RAFMSA (as well as downing a Messerschmitt Bf109 with his Hurricane even though he had run out of ammunition, by knocking off it's tail)!

See this thread
http://forums.autosp...threadid=102792

[raceannouncer2003]

1. Mike Fisher - originally from Seattle. Raced Corvette, Lotus 18, Lotus 27, Porsche 906, Lotus 33 (in '67 Canadian GP). Then (according to Martin Rudow's latest book), "...off to do Air Force pilot training. He ended up flying the best fighter planes of the day, including the F-102, F-101, F-4, and the F-15, and had a long career in the Air Force. During his flying days he raced off and on....Brabham BT 29 FB, a March 722 FB, a Lola T360 FB, a Lola T 264 SV, a Porsche 910, and March 78B,...and a Porsche 933...initial testing on the DeAtley Chevrolet Camaros...a spell as CART's executive vice-president in 1997, and...recently retired as a colonel after a lifetime of flying...Today Mike lives Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he is a consultant for Science Application International Corporation (SAIC), which contracts with the Air Force." I showed the following photo elsewhere on the forum...Mike Fisher and wife a couple of other Albuquerque residents at Martin Rudow's book launch at Seattle (Pacific Raceways) in July:



2. Lewis MacKenzie - Major-General (Canadian) - more info here:

http://en.wikipedia....Lewis_MacKenzie

3. My brother, Vic Howlett - drove his Sunbeam Tiger at Westwood and at local hillclimbs in the 60s and a Kelly Vee in Nova Scotia (80s?). I think he went to the Canadian runoffs one year. Flew T33s (plane, not car!) and 104s, and ended up "flying a desk" in Ottawa before he retired as a Major a few years ago. I have a photo somewhere of us four brothers beside Vic's T33, which happened to end up in LA on a "training flight" the weekend of the '76 Long Beach GP! We took in a Canucks vs. Kings hockey game at Jack Kent Cooke's Fabulous Forum that weekend too!

Vince H.

[HDonaldCapps]

Originally posted by RA Historian
P.S.: Col. Capps--was it you who said "into the lion's mouth" in The Racers?

No, if I had any lines they were mercifully consigned to the cutting room floor....

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps


No, if I had any lines they were mercifully consigned to the cutting room floor....

[Huw Jadvantich]

who was the military type who was involved in the Austin 1800/Austin Maxi Marathon rally entries?

[RS2000]

Originally posted by Huw Jadvantich
who was the military type who was involved in the Austin 1800/Austin Maxi Marathon rally entries?

Plural - and loads of them - several complete crews on the 1970 London-Mexico WCR alone from UK services?

Edit:
70 WCR (not just the Maxi/1800s) :
BAMA - John Hemsley/Wally Easton and John Rhodes/John Minto Pug 504s
RN - Mitchell/Evans/Taylor 1800
RAF Red Arrows - Terry Kingsley/Peter Evans/Mike Scarlett Maxi
RAFMSA? - Don Soames-Waring/Andy Thwaite/George Crighton Cortina GT

May be more

[RS2000]

1968 London-Sydney entries from :
RN
17/21st Lancers
Royal Green Jackets
BAMA (2 entries - Mike Bailey and John Hemsley + crews)
RAF
RAFMSA (the second works-built Hunter, similar to winning works car)
and at least one totally private entry from another serving UK officer?
(and another one from a Norwegian officer withdrawn at last minute?)

[Loren Lundberg]

Originally posted by Doug Nye
And of course there was old 'Bombs Away' himself - SAC General Curtis LeMay - "Even if there's only one American left alive after a nuclear exchange, we in the US will have won". Allard J2 etc.

DCN

And LeMay's Public Information Officer, the late Colonel Reade Tilley (who I believe may have become an ace in WWII -flying with the RAF!). I know that he informed me once that in 1956, the general and has staff made an inspection/survey of an "auxillary" air base in Florida - sleepy little town called Sebring. The Colonel made me a copy of his "Thank you" letter signed by Maurice "Rosey" Rosenberger of Chevrolet for his assistance in the pre-race preparations of the Corvettes.

[Huw Jadvantich]

Colonel Ronnie Hoare; Major Upsett

[simon drabble]

has anyone included Bob Birrell who has raced constantly whilst serving and a friend of mine whilst a subalton in the Tank Regiment managed to not only race Formula Ford but also to get the army to sponsor him!!!

[Quixotic]

Also CAPT Peter Jannson....... Australian touring car driver........Indian Army I think.....If the claims are true of course.

[ErleMin]

Aiden & Eddie Jones - Vee & SuperVee Shannon guys were in the TA weren't they?

[ghinzani]

has anyone included Bob Birrell who has raced constantly whilst serving and a friend of mine whilst a subalton in the Tank Regiment managed to not only race Formula Ford but also to get the army to sponsor him!!!

He was listed earlier Simon. I recall he had a March 813 Toyota that he ran in some BF3 in 82, then got posted out to Germany so ran it in German and Euro F3 rounds. I can recall seeing an advert in Autosport circa early 84 where Bob was offering to hire the old beast for Germand and Euro rounds for the princely sum of £850 a round - a bargain even then, must have had a cheap squaddie crew to man the pumps.

[Quixotic]

Corporal Ray Bartlett is an Australian Soldier who raced Spintcars and who currently owns the Speedway team that won the 360 Australian Championships a couple of years ago, and who has just signed V8 Supercar, (Taxi), Driver Tim Slade to race his Sprintcar this season.

Edited by Quixotic, 08 November 2010 - 02:43.

[cheapracer]

Slightly off topic but with the theme.

The Russian motorcycle MX and Enduro team riders in the 60's and 70's were all trained Army guys I believe (on Chech CZ's and Jawa's).

[Les Dalton]

Bon Jour all,
I know quite a few fellow soldiers that were involved in international motor sport, other than John Hemsley, Freddie Preston,Wally Easton et al.
Indeed, Michael Cooper-Evans was in the same regiment as I was, the 11th hussars, and he was a very successful single seat racer in the 60s and a good chum of Innes Ireland.
Prince Michael of Kent, was also an 11th Hussar and was enthusistic (and very quick ) and really into motor sport, he competed in the London to Mexico in the Works prepared MAXI along side Nigel Clarkson (also an 11th Hussar and successful motor racer) and Gavin Thompson of the 17/21st Lancers.
There were 7 Army entered cars in that rally, one from the RAF, and one from the NAVY.
In the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon, Freddie Barker and Johny Lewis both 11th Hussars, finished 18th O/A in a Mecedes 280S, so by and large, the 11th Hussars (The Cherrypickers) were well represented in International sport.
Another officer who used to race Formula Ford in the late 60s, was Martin Grant-Peterkin, he was an officer in the Royal Scots Greys.
By the way, regarding the several previous mentions of Bob Birrell, on the 27th of this month I am going to the 50th Anniversary Dinner of BAMA "British Army Motoring Association" and the main part of the evening will be to dine out Bob Birrell to mark his retirement from the position of secretary of BAMA, which he has done tremendously well for the last thirteen years.
If anyone has a message for Bob, send me a Pmail.
My book called FLY ARMY should be out by the end of November, it is currently being published in the USA.
It covers the ten years that I represented the British Army International rally team and is jam packed with superb action photographs of Turbocharged Land Rovers, Austin1800s, and of course our super little Mini.
I shall post the relevent details of the book, when I receive the first copy.
Regards from France (and Hi to RS2000)
Les Dalton.

Edited by Les Dalton, 10 November 2010 - 08:58.

[tyrrellp346wheels]

Fawklands hero Simon Weston also tried his hand at racing in 1989.

Apparently starting at Thruxton

Here he drives/demonstrates at the Birmingham Superprix :



Don't know how long his career lasted because its the only instance i've known of him racing.

Edited by tyrrellp346wheels, 09 November 2010 - 21:40.

[Jackie]

From my dad's memoirs. London to Sydney, 1968:

The team included me and Ken Chambers, Roger Clark, Gunnar Palm, Ove Andersson, Nick Brittan, Tom Belso and Rosemary Clark. Also another team consisted of David Harrison who was a captain in the army and Lt. Martin Proudlock, both stationed at Bramcote.

Incidentally, if you’ve ever read anything about the army team, something that is never mentioned anywhere is the fact that Martin Proudlock is a VC. He achieved a Victoria Cross in Aden which is very, very rare in ‘peace time’. And I didn’t find out from him...

Ford, in their wisdom, had decided that the team members needed toughening up and took advantage of the fact that Davis Harrison arranged - courtesy of the British Army - for us to make use of the facilities at Bramcote.

[Jackie]

P.S. This is from handwritten notes - doesn't he mean Rosemary Smith?

[Tim Murray]

P.S. This is from handwritten notes - doesn't he mean Rosemary Smith?

Yes indeed. The Ford (England) works entries were driven by Eric Jackson/Ken Chambers, Nick Brittan/Jenny Brittan, Roger Clark/Ove Andersson and Bengt Söderström/Gunnar Palm. Rosemary Smith/Lucette Pointet were also part of the works effort, although entered from Ireland by ‘Henry Ford and Son’ (Ford of Cork). The Harrison/Proudlock car was one of several entries by the British Army Motoring Association. I can’t find Tom Belso anywhere on the entry list – I think this may be a mistake.

[Bauble]

Don't forget Wing Commander Frank Aikens, early 500c stalwart, Patrick Head's father Michael was also a serving officer if I remember correctly when he raced a Jaguar in the '50's and young Bill Smith who died at Dundrod in 1955 was also a National Serviceman while he raced a Jag C type.

A little more up-to-date; The RAFMSA had three teams racing in the 750 Motor Club's Birkett 6 Hour race on Oct 30th.

[maoricar]

ISTR that Doug Bremner was still a Sgt in the NZ Army, in the 1960's when he campaigned his always immac. Corvair powered VW, with some success, in local hill-climbs and sprints.

[David McKinney]

Don't think I knew that

Barry Munro, father of Formula Vee in NZ, was an Army officer - Captain, I think

[Doug Nye]

I'll ask again - so who was 'US Serviceman' 'Joachim Parker'...of Solitude GP fame...?

DCN

[Tim Murray]

He has his own thread, but unfortunately it never got very far towards solving the mystery:

Joachim Parker’s BKL-Borgward, 1964 Solitude GP

[Quixotic]

The amount of support that you got racing in Australia if you were a Serviceman was directly dependant on the goodwill of your Commanding Officer.

In 1995, whilst a lowly CPL in an Infantry Battalion, my CO LTCOL Mark Sampson, gave me all the time off I needed to do the entire Australian 125cc Grand Prix Championship. Additionally he paid for My Mechanic, my Bike and myself to Fly to Tasmania for the Tassie Round of the Championship.

For the 95 and 96 Season he provided me with two RAEME mechanics, a Truck and all the time I needed to do all rounds of the Australian Championships. I hasten to add that he was an avid racing enthusiast.

By Contrast in 2000 Brigadier Andy Nickolic Banned All Army members from racing in "Velocity Motorsports" as it was "unsafe". (Like being a soldier is the world's safest profession eh?????). Hell, I got many more injuries playing football in the Army, that I ever did racing cars or bikes over the last 26 or so years.

Since 2000 I have been racing as a private individual and have had significant grief from some of my superiors from time to time about my choice of sport. Other superiors have gone out of their way to be helpful. I guess it depends if they like racing though. It was always easier to get support from my bosses however when I raced at a high level. Nowdays, since I just run at Club and State Level meetings support supprot is a bit harder to come by.

I go back to a Infantry Battalion next year as a Crusty old SGT. The good news is that my RSM is a motorsports enthusiast, (or so I have been told), so my life may get easier, (at least from a racing perspective).

Here's hoping anyway......

[Jackie]

Yes indeed. The Ford (England) works entries were driven by Eric Jackson/Ken Chambers, Nick Brittan/Jenny Brittan, Roger Clark/Ove Andersson and Bengt Söderström/Gunnar Palm. Rosemary Smith/Lucette Pointet were also part of the works effort, although entered from Ireland by ‘Henry Ford and Son’ (Ford of Cork). The Harrison/Proudlock car was one of several entries by the British Army Motoring Association. I can’t find Tom Belso anywhere on the entry list – I think this may be a mistake.

Thank you Tim!

[275 GTB-4]

,

The amount of support that you got racing in Australia if you were a Serviceman was directly dependant on the goodwill of your Commanding Officer.

In 1995, whilst a lowly CPL in an Infantry Battalion, my CO LTCOL Mark Sampson, gave me all the time off I needed to do the entire Australian 125cc Grand Prix Championship. Additionally he paid for My Mechanic, my Bike and myself to Fly to Tasmania for the Tassie Round of the Championship.

For the 95 and 96 Season he provided me with two RAEME mechanics, a Truck and all the time I needed to do all rounds of the Australian Championships. I hasten to add that he was an avid racing enthusiast.

By Contrast in 2000 Brigadier Andy Nickolic Banned All Army members from racing in "Velocity Motorsports" as it was "unsafe". (Like being a soldier is the world's safest profession eh?????). Hell, I got many more injuries playing football in the Army, that I ever did racing cars or bikes over the last 26 or so years.

Since 2000 I have been racing as a private individual and have had significant grief from some of my superiors from time to time about my choice of sport. Other superiors have gone out of their way to be helpful. I guess it depends if they like racing though. It was always easier to get support from my bosses however when I raced at a high level. Nowdays, since I just run at Club and State Level meetings support supprot is a bit harder to come by.

I go back to a Infantry Battalion next year as a Crusty old SGT. The good news is that my RSM is a motorsports enthusiast, (or so I have been told), so my life may get easier, (at least from a racing perspective).

Here's hoping anyway......

Heeee heee heee

Is that any way to talk about a superior officer Bloggs!!

"Sir, you may outrank me, but you will never be my superior!"

I thought I had read about an easing of Nickolic's edict...must check when I get back to work

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 11 November 2010 - 08:58.

[Quixotic]

,

Heeee heee heee

Is that any way to talk about a superior officer Bloggs!!

"Sir, you may outrank me, but you will never be my superior!"

I thought I had read about an easing of Nickolic's edict...must check when I get back to work

I believe I am in a unique position to talk about him. In the early 80s in 3 RAR he was my Platoon Commander. We never saw eye to eye then. I have always thought of his Ban as a Personal slight.

If the ban has been lifted, please let me know and give me a Reference, and I'll re-launch Team Army.......

[275 GTB-4]

I believe I am in a unique position to talk about him. In the early 80s in 3 RAR he was my Platoon Commander. We never saw eye to eye then. I have always thought of his Ban as a Personal slight.

If the ban has been lifted, please let me know and give me a Reference, and I'll re-launch Team Army.......

Rest on arms reversed

It would seem that the Nanny state is alive and well...although the indemnity form that you sign to participate in a non-approved sport...is quite open to interpretation!!

[Quixotic]

[quote name='275 GTB-4' date='Nov 16 2010, 21:11' post='4723148']
Rest on arms reversed

It would seem that the Nanny state is alive and well...although the indemnity form that you sign to participate in a non-approved sport...is quite open to interpretation!!


Well...... I hope the new CO of 7 RAR is a Petrol head.........

If not........ Another season of no racing........sigh.....

[8700023f]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought I'd add (as I saw in a few posts above) that we in the RAFMSA currently have a race series that takes in tracks around the UK - normally with the CSCC but also with SEMSEC and the Morgan Sports Car Club. We enter the Birkett every year and won overall in 2008 with class victories in other years...

I'm a Tornado navigator and race an ex-Dunlop Rover GTi Cup 216GTi and we also have pilots, engineers, IT workers and many other RAF trades (and an RN chap) racing with us

Not quite as glam as old days though...

[petestenning]

Its good to know that after many years of attending race meeting that the RAFMSA is still competing today.

I used to sprint and hillclimb some years back and know of Ian Fletcher and his Hornet cars , i believe he may be part of the relay team .?

[8700023f]

Its good to know that after many years of attending race meeting that the RAFMSA is still competing today.

I used to sprint and hillclimb some years back and know of Ian Fletcher and his Hornet cars , i believe he may be part of the relay team .?

He certainly is, and has only just retired from the RAF! He remains as the main man for our Race Challenge, and is currently racing the Mk4 Hornet with a TL1000 engine in it (rumours of a Mk5 in build are probably true...). The Hornet Mk2 is also out racing with us (powered by Zetec) and we have the Mk1 (crossflow I believe) and Mk3 (Rover V8) Hornets currently being rebuilt

[8700023f]

And for what its worth...

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafmotorsports/