61 replies to this topic

[eeyore48]

Can anyone help me with photos and or stories related to Mr. Walker's involvement in motor racing? I am particularly interested in his links to Oulton Park and the vehicles he constructed.

[Stephen W]

Just a couple of shots of Derek's cars:


Above: 1977 May Oulton Park - Derek Walker in his Escort Spocial Saloon


Above: 1979 September Oulton Park - Derek Walker in third place in his Skoda Special Saloon

[Alan Cox]

You will find many posts referring to him on the Oulton Park scoreboard thread, and also the club racing photos thread. His Terrier FJ also appears on the current Oulton Park Gold Cup thread.

[mike faloon]

Peter McFadyen's two books, Motor Racing at Oulton Park in the 1960's and the 1970's are a good starting point; Derek has to be one of the most approachable drivers around and probably knows more about driving round Oulton Park than anybody else around.

[Alan Cox]

Derek began racing in 1961 with an MG special, having previously worked as mechanic for Dave Rees on the Terrier which he now races himself. His long line of 'Ladybird' cars began with chassis for the 1172 formula, (nos 1-5). 6 and 7 were 1-litre BMC-engined clubmans cars followed by no 8, a front-engined Formula Ford car - I'd love to see a photo of that one. No 9 was a rear-engined FF and 10 was a Holbay-engined clubmans car. 11 was the 1-litre Holbay Fiat 850 special saloon. 12 was a still-born 2-litre Escort which never raced because of a change in the regs. A 2-litre spaceframe Escort followed, and then came the Cosworth FVD-engined Skoda.

In between times, he has served as Clerk of the Course at Aintree, Longridge and Oulton, and also organised marshals' training days, so, apart from his market gardening activities, very much a life devoted to grass-roots motor sport and one which continues to this day.

[eeyore48]

Thanks, gentlemen. I have the pleasure of introducing Derek to the members of the North West area of the Midget and Sprite Club in November and it is always useful and polite to know a little about your invited guest. I will follow up the leads you have given me. If you'd like to hear the man in person consider yourself invited. Contact me for details, please.

[Alan Cox]

At the time of Mike Kettlwell's booklet to celebrate 25 years of Oulton Park, Derek was listed as having won more races there than anybody else. I don't know if that still applies, because he has certainly had more wins since then.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
At the time of Mike Kettlwell's booklet to celebrate 25 years of Oulton Park, Derek was listed as having won more races there than anybody else. I don't know if that still applies, because he has certainly had more wins since then.

I'm sure Derek is still in the lead as it were, Alan. I noticed that a copy of the 25 Years booklet went for about fourteen quid on ebay recently

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
At the time of Mike Kettlwell's booklet to celebrate 25 years of Oulton Park, Derek was listed as having won more races there than anybody else. I don't know if that still applies, because he has certainly had more wins since then.

Suggest Dave Ellis who was unbeatable in this monster in the 1980s......



...must be a also be a contender for the most outright wins at Oulton

Kind regards

Phil

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Thanks, gentlemen. I have the pleasure of introducing Derek to the members of the North West area of the Midget and Sprite Club in November and it is always useful and polite to know a little about your invited guest. I will follow up the leads you have given me. If you'd like to hear the man in person consider yourself invited. Contact me for details, please.

I mentioned TNF and their Northern meetings to Derek in the summer. He seemed quite keen to attend a meeting. Over to Mr Cox to arrange an invite. Don't forget to ask him to bring that scrapbook with him. Barry Boor knows the one, as we perused it at Anglesey in July.

[eeyore48]

Forgive my ignorance but what is TNF? Does one need That Northern Feeling for racing at Oulton? Where do TNF meet etc. If you would like to visit M&S to hear Derek then may I repeat the earlier invitation.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Forgive my ignorance but what is TNF? Does one need That Northern Feeling for racing at Oulton? Where do TNF meet etc. If you would like to visit M&S to hear Derek then may I repeat the earlier invitation.

TNF = The Nostalgia Forum

There are meetings in several areas of the Country including the North West.

We even have Southerners who have that Northern Feeling w.r.t. Oulton Park!

There is another thread which deals with the Northern gatherings so take a look.

Hope to see you there!

As for the Marks and Spencers visit - any details? Like where and when?

[eeyore48]

Stephen, now you know why I'm eeyore - old grey donkey. TNF!
Now the M&S visit must not be confused with the S&M visit or even visits to the M&S club. The latter meets at the Kilton on the A50 nr J 20 M6 and according to the rules you must own a Midget or a Sprite or something else but have an interest in them or something else but have nothing better to do on the second Wednesday of each month. Oh, and we sometimes go to Oulton Park and invite guest speakers. In the search for new members/speakers I am prepared to accompany you to M&S in Crewe, Hanley, Macclesfield or Handforth Dean or send you a voucher. Again, please contact with any enquiries, lingerie sizes or information on Mr. Walker.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Stephen, now you know why I'm eeyore - old grey donkey. TNF!
Now the M&S visit must not be confused with the S&M visit or even visits to the M&S club. The latter meets at the Kilton on the A50 nr J 20 M6 and according to the rules you must own a Midget or a Sprite or something else but have an interest in them or something else but have nothing better to do on the second Wednesday of each month. Oh, and we sometimes go to Oulton Park and invite guest speakers. In the search for new members/speakers I am prepared to accompany you to M&S in Crewe, Hanley, Macclesfield or Handforth Dean or send you a voucher. Again, please contact with any enquiries, lingerie sizes or information on Mr. Walker.

Do you get a lot of people turning up? How about if we arranged a Northern TNF gathering at the same venue on the evening Derek Walker is giving his chat? Would you be able to cope with another dozen or so nutters?

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Stephen W


Would you be able to cope with another dozen or so nutters?

That's the great thing about the TNF meetings, you feel quite normal until you have to enter the real world again ;)

Kind regards

Phil

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford


Suggest Dave Ellis who was unbeatable in this monster in the 1980s......



...must be a also be a contender for the most outright wins at Oulton

Kind regards

Phil

I don't know what he called his monster in the 1980s, but his latest one is called an Aston Martin GT 700R and he took another Oulton win last Saturday.

[eeyore48]

Gentlemen...apologies for delay in responding. Yes, I think we can cope with a dozen nostalgics but exactly what form of nuttiness should I prepare for?

[Giraffe]

At the Oulton Park Gold Cup 2007, I presented Derek with a framed copy of an Oulton programme from 26th October 1968, showing Derek entered in the Guards Championship Formula Ford race in the front engined Ladybird VIII. Also entered in that race were Tim Schenken,Tony Dron,James Hunt, Reg James,Tony Trimmer (entered by Frank Williams), Steve Matchett and various other familiar names from the world of motorsport.
Significantly however, I also included in the frame a copy of a national press cutting showing the Ladybird stood on it's nose having demolished an advertising hoarding at Knicker Brook, with Derek still in it! All you can see of Derek is his arm protruding from the wreckage!
Derek told me that he bit through his lip in the accident, and was unable to drink tea for some time after, as it leaked in all directions! He was very pleased with the presentation, and gratefully gave me an assortment of Ladybird cloth badges in return.
Interestingly, he was awarded 2nd place in the Formula Junior race that day, later upgraded to 1st, as his transponder was mounted near the rear of the Terrier and the car he beat on the road by a short head has his in the nosecone!
Derek was racing in the first race I ever marshalled at, at Aintree in 1968 when I was 14, and I am still watching him race competitively now at the age of 54! He is a true "Local Hero"!

[eeyore48]

Thank you Mr. Giraffe a really nice post. Do you have any Ladybird photos? I am especially interested in the clubman-type cars. Thanks for joining in.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Gentlemen...apologies for delay in responding. Yes, I think we can cope with a dozen nostalgics but exactly what form of nuttiness should I prepare for?

Thanks for that; all we will now need is the exact date and time plus the venue. If you can either put that on this thread or the NW TNF thread we can sort ourselves out!

[Sharman]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Stephen, now you know why I'm eeyore - old grey donkey. TNF!
Now the M&S visit must not be confused with the S&M visit or even visits to the M&S club. The latter meets at the Kilton on the A50 nr J 20 M6 and according to the rules you must own a Midget or a Sprite or something else but have an interest in them or something else but have nothing better to do on the second Wednesday of each month. Oh, and we sometimes go to Oulton Park and invite guest speakers. In the search for new members/speakers I am prepared to accompany you to M&S in Crewe, Hanley, Macclesfield or Handforth Dean or send you a voucher. Again, please contact with any enquiries, lingerie sizes or information on Mr. Walker.

The S&M meeting has been moved to Bayswater Road when the guest speaker will be Max Mosley

[eeyore48]

Ouch!

[Giraffe]

eeyore 48, I have no pic's I took myself of Derek and the various Ladybirds, although there must be hundreds if not thousands out there in various publications and in private collections.
I do however have pics of my presentation to him with the Terrier, and the press pic of the 1968 crash, but (like many others) I have never been able to get my head around the system for posting them on this site.
When is the presentation, and I will take advice and endeavour to get it done before then.

[eeyore48]

Hi, Giraffe. Meeting will be Nov 12th at 8pm in the Kilton motel on A50 nr. J20 of M6. Thanks again for your interest.

[MCS]

Special Saloon race at Oulton Park, 1977. Derek leads Tony Sugden, Peter Baldwin and Gerry Gough through the rain and gloom at Old Hall...

[Ian Smith - Diz]

And according to MN today, he will be racing one of his Ladybird Clubmans Cars in Classic Clubmans next season. Apparently it was on display at their last round of 2008 at Oulton Park last Saturday.

[ltvrt]

i know derek walker very well, why are you asking about him? mail me LTVRT@yahoo.co.uk

[Alan Cox]

See post no 6, ltvrt

[ltvrt]

hello alan,
sorry i dont like communicating over forums, you have my email address, if you want something write me an email

[Giraffe]

....not quite as good a communicator as the charming Derek himself, it would seem....., sheesh!

[Alan Cox]

Originally posted by ltvrt
if you want something write me an email

I don't actually want anything, thanks, Lawrence. In response to your query I was simply indicating why someone was asking about Derek.

[eeyore48]

Thanks, Alan. I'm sorry if my posts have caused friction between you and your friend Lawrence. Giraffe seems to have an interesting take on the tone of L's post. If L would care to look back over the thread then it will become clear. If L requires any more justification for my original enquiry then if he indicates so via this forum I will be happy to fill him in. eeyore48

[Giraffe]

In my humble opinion, Derek represents everything that is good about our sport, and if I knew how to go about it, I'd propose he got a gong for all he's contributed.

[David Beard]

Originally posted by Giraffe
In my humble opinion, Derek represents everything that is good about our sport, and if I knew how to go about it, I'd propose he got a gong for all he's contributed.

Having thoroughly enjoyed his talk and response to many questions at the Sprite & Midget club meeting tonight, I have to agree. Thanks for inviting us, Mr Eeyore.

[eeyore48]

David, it was a real pleasure to share the evening with Derek and like-minded enthusiasts. The man is a star and I'm grateful that he was so willing to give his time to us. May I also thank you and your m8s for attending. Regards, eeyore

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Giraffe
At the Oulton Park Gold Cup 2007, I presented Derek with a framed copy of an Oulton programme from 26th October 1968, showing Derek entered in the Guards Championship Formula Ford race in the front engined Ladybird VIII. Also entered in that race were Tim Schenken,Tony Dron,James Hunt, Reg James,Tony Trimmer (entered by Frank Williams), Steve Matchett and various other familiar names from the world of motorsport.
Significantly however, I also included in the frame a copy of a national press cutting showing the Ladybird stood on it's nose having demolished an advertising hoarding at Knicker Brook, with Derek still in it! All you can see of Derek is his arm protruding from the wreckage!
Derek told me that he bit through his lip in the accident, and was unable to drink tea for some time after, as it leaked in all directions! He was very pleased with the presentation, and gratefully gave me an assortment of Ladybird cloth badges in return.
Interestingly, he was awarded 2nd place in the Formula Junior race that day, later upgraded to 1st, as his transponder was mounted near the rear of the Terrier and the car he beat on the road by a short head has his in the nosecone!
Derek was racing in the first race I ever marshalled at, at Aintree in 1968 when I was 14, and I am still watching him race competitively now at the age of 54! He is a true "Local Hero"!

By giraffe138


By giraffe138

By giraffe138 at 2009-01-15

By giraffe138 at 2009-01-15




By giraffe138 at 2009-01-15

By giraffe138

Finally adding pics to this posting; John Milicevic in his Lotus 18 was initially awarded first place, later corrected. The podium has a compere and presenter rather familiar to TNF.

[Giraffe]

By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/giraffe138

[eeyore48]

Thanks, Mr. giraffe. Really pleased to see your photos and read your post. I think I was at both races, too. Who is celebrity doing compere's duties on the podium ? AND...1968 grid had some characters, didn't it?
Do I recognise Pipeman of the year Ken Bailey, Bearded Dick Barker, Scribbling Dron, Silversmith Reg James, Useless Hairdresser Tony the Trimmer and one or two half decent drivers? eeyore

[Giraffe]

Willie Green on the left; Ian Titchmarsh in boater, eeyore48!


By giraffe138 at 2009-01-15

[eeyore48]

Oh, the shame! Better resolution on second pic, thanx. What did they call 'im in Autospork? Titbog? And Mr Marsh was Bog Marsh...?

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138 at 2009-01-16

No, it's not Dave Rees..............

By giraffe138 at 2009-01-16

It's Derek Walker!

[eeyore48]

Now you're taking the pistons! I spotted DW immediately and I knew it wasn't the late Dave because he wasn't calling me (et al) "Jim" but is the top one featuring Niki Lauda's cap?

[ianselva]

Originally posted by eeyore48
Thanks, Mr. giraffe. Really pleased to see your photos and read your post. I think I was at both races, too. Who is celebrity doing compere's duties on the podium ? AND...1968 grid had some characters, didn't it?
Do I recognise Pipeman of the year Ken Bailey, Bearded Dick Barker, Scribbling Dron, Silversmith Reg James, Useless Hairdresser Tony the Trimmer and one or two half decent drivers? eeyore

Also Bill Longley, who was a partner involved in building the Dulon, who also raced one of the Lotus 24s as a Formula Ford and when I last saw him 10 years ago was building Remote Controlled Pilotless aircraft ( Drones) as used by many air forces.

[eeyore48]

Thanks,ian. Was Bill responsible for the F5000 that was (Autospork cliche coming up) the "smart but bulky" Dulon? If so do you recall the drivers? Regards, eeyore

[David Beard]

I have to admit, I didn't know about Ladybirds when I took these...

[MCS]

Originally posted by David Beard

That's a lovely photograph David - you could almost be forgiven for thinking that Oulton Park was still the beautiful parkland circuit it once was.

[eeyore48]

;) Lovely photographs. Thanks for sharing them. Regards, eeyore48

[elansprint72]

Derek with Ian Ward, 1976.

[David Beard]

The Terrier again, Gold Cup meeting 2009

[Barry Boor]

...and jolly well it went, too!