437 replies to this topic

[Alan Cox]

Have just received the following release about this August's Gold Cup meeting, where F5000 will be the feature:

HSCC sends out call for F5000 old boys

The Historic Sports Car Club has issued a call to all former Formula 5000 racers to join a celebration of the category at the Oulton Park Gold Cup on 30/31 August.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the inaugural British Formula 5000 Championship race, the category is being celebrated at Oulton Park and the club is now trying to locate as many former F5000 racers as possible.
The race weekend will include a grid full of the thundering 5-litre racing cars in action in the HSCC's Historic Formula 5000/Formula 2 Championship.

However, to mark the 40th anniversary, all former F5000 racers are being invited to Oulton Park to share in the celebration and re-live the glory days of a category that was always a great favourite with the fans.
Having been introduced in the US in 1968, Formula 5000 came to Britain for the 1969 season. As well as a British championship, the cars also raced alongside Formula 1 cars in non-championship F1 races like the Oulton Park Gold Cup. Then, in 1973, the Gold Cup became a dedicated Formula 5000 race before the category evolved into Group 8 in the middle 1970s.

Holding this unique celebration at the beautiful Cheshire parkland track has added significance as the inaugural Formula 5000 race in Britain was held at Oulton Park over the Easter weekend in early April 1969. Peter Gethin won in his McLaren M10B from David Hobbs (Surtees TS5) and Keith Holland (Lola T142).

The links between the HSCC and Formula 5000 go back to the early days of the category, as Grahame White, now Chief Executive of the HSCC, was Chairman of the Formula 5000 Association in the early 1970s. White was also closely involved with Chevron's F5000 racing activities in the same period.
"I am very much looking forward to seeing as many past F5000 drivers as possible who can attend the Gold Cup. I've already spoken to Peter Gethin who said he would love to come and he will make every effort to be there," said White.

Any former F5000 racers who would like to know more about the event should contact the HSCC office on 01327 858400

[Cirrus]

Where art thou, Jake Allport?

Whither Kaye Griffiths?

Fred Saunders, Davy Powell, John Bowtell, Bob Miller, Lingard Goulding - It would be great to see some of the characters of early F5000 make it to Oulton.

[john winfield]

Sounds excellent. How about giving free entry to any spectators who were there for that first race in 1969?
Just a thought,
John 'cheapskate' Winfield

[john aston]

Let alone those who were marshalling their first ever meeting- Knickerbrook- after hitchiing from Huddersfield.Cue ' luxury, we walked from Coventry after working an 80 hour shift'

[Barry Boor]

How about those who made all the bodywork for a rarely raced and wholly unsuccessful F.5000 car from 1973?

[john winfield]

Free entry confirmed for all these deserving categories, if accompanied by two grand-parents, preferably living.

[Barry Boor]

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by john winfield
Sounds excellent. How about giving free entry to any spectators who were there for that first race in 1969?
Just a thought,
John 'cheapskate' Winfield

John, you beat me to it!

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Stephen W


John, you beat me to it!

...and what about us chaps who marshalled at that first race......

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Giraffe


...and what about us chaps who marshalled at that first race......

I'm sure they will need marshals at the Gold Cup.

[Giraffe]

You are quite right, Steve! From memory, the excitment that surrounded that first F5000 meeting was such that it was difficult to get on the marshalling rosta as it was hugely oversubscribed! It was a gloriously sunny Easter day, and the crowd was huge! The noise of all those fabulous thunderous V8's gathered together on these shores for the first time will live with me forever!

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Giraffe
You are quite right, Steve! From memory, the excitment that surrounded that first F5000 meeting was such that it was difficult to get on the marshalling rosta as it was hugely oversubscribed! It was a gloriously sunny Easter day, and the crowd was huge! The noise of all those fabulous thunderous V8's gathered together on these shores for the first time will live with me forever!

By giraffe138

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Giraffe



By giraffe138

I always thought that Oulton Park was lucky to get the first ever UK F5000 race. I think if Easter had been later in the month of April the first round would have been at Brands!

The start was certainly impressive but the attrition rate was pretty high!

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Stephen W


I always thought that Oulton Park was lucky to get the first ever UK F5000 race. I think if Easter had been later in the month of April the first round would have been at Brands!

The start was certainly impressive but the attrition rate was pretty high!

Yes, you could say that! Keith Holland who was on the podium after finishing in third place behind Gethin and Hobbs was four laps adrift! Hobbs in second place was almost lapped by Gethin! Didn't seem to detract from the excitment though! I remember Bev Bond lumbering around at the back in the Hepworth 4WD....

[Alan Cox]

[elansprint72]

I seem to remember being almost too mesmerised by the sound to take any photos; never heard anything like it.

Is it too early to suggest a TNF get-together at the event this year? I'll be there with the Cheshire Lotus Owners Group and can probably sort out any Lotus "Owners" (catch my drift, guv?) with a week-end ticket (if it goes like previous occasions).



This shot from Gold Cup 04, ermm...... yes I was driving and shooting..... The Elan is a bit more sorted now and someone else would have to hold the camera.

[Giraffe]

I've still got the horn button (sat infront of me now) from my S2 Europa that I sold in 1976; does that qualify me by default?

[elansprint72]

Originally posted by Giraffe
I've still got the horn button (sat infront of me now) from my S2 Europa that I sold in 1976; does that qualify me by default?

More than most.
btw, chanced upon your History of TNF thread and thought "here is another innocent abroad", let's just tip-toe quietly away, shall we?

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Giraffe
I've still got the horn button (sat infront of me now) from my S2 Europa that I sold in 1976; does that qualify me by default?

I still have the gear-knob that was fitted to my Elan when I bought it (it was the wrong type and kept coming off in my hand!)

[Auroraf1]

Originally posted by elansprint72
I seem to remember being almost too mesmerised by the sound to take any photos; never heard anything like it.

Is it too early to suggest a TNF get-together at the event this year? I'll be there with the Cheshire Lotus Owners Group and can probably sort out any Lotus "Owners" (catch my drift, guv?) with a week-end ticket (if it goes like previous occasions).



This shot from Gold Cup 04, ermm...... yes I was driving and shooting..... The Elan is a bit more sorted now and someone else would have to hold the camera.

Are you trying to get TNF a bad name or just the Lotus Owners Club?

[elansprint72]

Originally posted by Auroraf1


Are you trying to get TNF a bad name or just the Lotus Owners Club?

No.

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by elansprint72

More than most.
btw, chanced upon your History of TNF thread and thought "here is another innocent abroad", let's just tip-toe quietly away, shall we?

More likely run away with my pants onfire!

[Auroraf1]

Hi Chaps

I thought you might like to know what else is being worked on for Gold Cup.

As per all other historic meetings we are celebrating the mini's 50th birthday with a mini display area with as many minis as possible spanning the years. There should be a parade of them on Sunday morning, sadly something we dropped for the other car clubs last year due to the poor behaviour of some of them taking part the year before.

It is Morgan's 100th birthday, but we are still waiting to see what we can do for that.

An anniversary that seems to have been missed is the 40th year since The Italian Job was released, so we are celebrating that in Chequers on the Sunday night, with the film showing and a few competitions and an Italian menu.

There is work going on behind the scenes to get the Ferguson P99 to appear at the only track it ever won on, but negotiations are still at an early stage.

Invites will be going out to most of the usual car clubs. The deal as per last year will be entry via a car pass for the car and driver. We have pruned this list since last year as some cars appeared which really didn't enter into the spirit of the occasion.

I have been approached by the Gilbern Owners Club as it is also a 50th anniversary for them, so hopefully there will be a good turn out of them.

The door is still very much open to anyone who has any ideas to add. Please feel free to put them forward to me.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Auroraf1
It is Morgan's 100th birthday, but we are still waiting to see what we can do for that.

May I suggest a bonfire - they burn really well!

[Alan Cox]

Originally posted by Stephen W
May I suggest a bonfire - they burn really well!

Just the sort of comment one might expect from a young hooligan from north of Liverpool!

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Alan Cox

Just the sort of comment one might expect from a young hooligan from north of Liverpool!

[Simon Arron]

Originally posted by Auroraf1
The door is still very much open to anyone who has any ideas to add. Please feel free to put them forward to me.

Phil

It is 25 years since racing resumed on the full Oulton Park circuit.

Birthdays: Niki Lauda is 60 this year (if you can organise a March 722 and some track sprinklers, I could always offer him an overnight lift from Spa for the Monday...), John Surtees 75, Stirling Moss 80 and, if you feel a tribute to quite-good Swedish F3 drivers is appropriate, Conny Andersson will be 70.

It is also 50 years since a rear-engined car won the F1 world title for the first time if you fancied a gathering of whatever the collective noun is for Coopers.

For the 2010 Gold Cup, I think you should celebrate Phil Rainford's 50th.

Kind regards,
SA

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

Birthdays: Niki Lauda is 60 this year (if you can organise a March 722 and some track sprinklers, I could always offer him an overnight lift from Spa for the Monday...), Kind regards,
SA

So am I, maybe we can have a joint party, can you imagine it me and NIKI together again,
I remember standing next to him in the pi$$stones in Silverstone paddock, doing what you do in there, and asking him if he would swap hats, he declined, do you think he would remember me
[/Hero worship] [/Hero worship] [/Hero worship]

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

Phil




For the 2010 Gold Cup, I think you should celebrate Phil Rainford's 50th.

Kind regards,
SA

Can I put in a request for a liquid lunch at the Red Lion in 2010 ;)

PAR

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138


By giraffe138

Where have the last 40 years gone?!?!
My 1969 Gold Cup programme signed on the front by Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jo Bonnier & Colin Chapman, and on the back by Trevor Taylor, Jackie Oliver, Innes Ireland and Mike Walker.
I was a reasonably experienced Track Marshal at Avenue on that sunny day, aged 15 years and 3 months.....

In the supporting Sports Car race that was won by Frank Gardener in Sid Taylor's Lola T70 Mk111B, no less than 13 Chevron B6/B8's took to the grid!!!

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Simon Arron
It is also 50 years since a rear-engined car won the F1 world title for the first time if you fancied a gathering of whatever the collective noun is for Coopers.

For the 2010 Gold Cup, I think you should celebrate Phil Rainford's 50th.

Kind regards,
SA

I thought the collective noun for Coopers was a barrel. As for rainford's 50th I thought that was some time back!

[Brynmor]

I must say if a proportion of the ideas above happened it would be a wonderful thing for the Gold Cup. I made my views quite obvious on here last year and perhaps upset a few in that the re-birth in 2003 perhaps spoilt us somewhat with the line-up and guests present.

The opportunity is there to keep that momentum going surely to make it a real event, as opposed to it being a very good club meeting?

I've also just been hearing about the 1969 meeting as my dad was also present!!

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Brynmor
I must say if a proportion of the ideas above happened it would be a wonderful thing for the Gold Cup. I made my views quite obvious on here last year and perhaps upset a few in that the re-birth in 2003 perhaps spoilt us somewhat with the line-up and guests present.

The opportunity is there to keep that momentum going surely to make it a real event, as opposed to it being a very good club meeting?

I've also just been hearing about the 1969 meeting as my dad was also present!!

I was introduced to this sport as a 14 year old in 1968 as the result of an initiative of the British Motor Racing Marshals Club, because even in the '60's, they recognised that not enough young people were getting involved. Young guys like yourself Brynmor, with your ideas and opinions are the lifeblood of the sport and of TNF for that matter! Please keep it up!

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Stephen W


I thought the collective noun for Coopers was a barrel. As for rainford's 50th I thought that was some time back!

Cheeky.....I had an extremely hard paper round I'll have you know ;)

PAR

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford
Cheeky.....I had an extremely hard paper round I'll have you know ;)

PAR

Bet your paper round wasn't in Liverpool like mine? Now that was a HARD paper round!

[Kingsleyrob]

Originally posted by Stephen W


I thought the collective noun for Coopers was a barrel.

I think it's a Climax of Coopers....

It's also the 50th anniversary of a privately entered MGA winning its class at Le Mans, all the more relevant as it was a bunch of north west enthusiasts who achieved this feat. I know Phil already has an alert on this one.

Simon, on a related issue, I have dropped you a PM.

Rob

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Kingsleyrob
I think it's a Climax of Coopers....

Rob

Surely it cannot be a Climax of Coopers as so many early cars didn't use Coventry's finest as motive power?

Bristol, Norton, JAP, Vincent, Alta etc etc etc.

[Barry Boor]

Originally posted by Kingsleyrob
"I think it's a Climax of Coopers...."

Sounds more like a porn film at a barrel-makers convention!

[David McKinney]

At the risk of going even further off-topic - some more engines seen in Coopers over the years
Additions to Stephen W's list except for those marked with an asterisk

AJS
Alfa Romeo 1500, 1900, V8, V12
Alta*
Aston Martin
ATS
BMC A-Series, 1800
BMW
Borgward
Bristol*
BRM 4, V8, V12, F2
BSA
Buick V8
Chevrolet V8
Chrysler V8 7.2
Connaught 1500, 2000
Coventry Climax FWA, FWB, FWE, FPF, V8
Daimler V8 2.6, 4.5
Datsun
DKW
ERA
Ferrari 555, 625, 250TR
Fiat 1100, 1500
Ford UK 100E, 105E, 109E, 116E, Lotus twincam
Ford Falcon
Ford Zephyr
Ford V8 4.2, 4.7
Hillman Minx
Holden
Jaguar 2.4, 3.4, 3.8, 3.0
JAP*
Lancia
Lea-Francis
Maserati A6GCS, 150S, 200S, 250S, T60, T61, V8, V12
Matchless
Mercedes-Benz
MG
Norton*
Oldsmobile V8
OSCA
Peugeot 1000, 1500
Pontiac V8
Porsche
Riley 1500
Rover 1100, 1500, 2000, V8
Triumph
Vauxhall Ten, Victor
Vincent*

What have I missed? - something obvious, I bet

I quite like the idea of a Barrel of Coopers, myself...

[Kingsleyrob]

A McKinney of Coopers??????;)

Yes, I quite like a barrel of Coopers too Steve Hope the ankle's improving.

Rob

[Barry Boor]

Actually, in all seriousness, my Dad went to a grammar school in the east end of London that was originally founded by the Worshipful Company of Coopers. The school was, and indeed still is, known as Cooper's Company (amalgamated with Coborn Girls Grammar School and moved out to Essex nowadays.)

So maybe the true answer would be - a Company of Coopers; sounds about right to me.

Enough of this drivel, back to Oulton Park.....

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by David McKinney
At the risk of going even further off-topic - some more engines seen in Coopers over the years
Additions to Stephen W's list except for those marked with an asterisk


Alfa Romeo 1500, 1900, V8, V12

What was the Cooper-Alfa V12?

[David McKinney]

A misprint?

[elansprint72]

For the French: a tonneau of Coopers, or if they are Mini-Coopers, a tonnelet?

[Brynmor]

Originally posted by Alan Cox

Finally had a read of the above programme yesterday, must say the menu available in the restaurant was rather nice sounding.....and all for I believe it works out at 75p .....

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Brynmor


Finally had a read of the above programme yesterday, must say the menu available in the restaurant was rather nice sounding.....and all for I believe it works out at 75p .....

Now that could be the basis of a very good marketing ploy for MSV. If they really want to recreate the atmosphere of 1969 why don't they offer the same menu for the smae price at the Gold Cup meeting this year?

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Stephen W


Now that could be the basis of a very good marketing ploy for MSV. If they really want to recreate the atmosphere of 1969 why don't they offer the same menu for the smae price at the Gold Cup meeting this year?

Will the food not of gone off by now?;)

PAR

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford


Will the food not of gone off by now?;)

PAR

By giraffe138

Here's the menu from '69 Gold Cup; from memory the food was a bit off to start with! Prices not bad tho', and waiter service!!!

[MDixon]

Fascinated by this, all a bit before my time (sorry folks).
I've looked down the list of drivers, are many of them still around today?

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by MDixon
Fascinated by this, all a bit before my time (sorry folks).
I've looked down the list of drivers, are many of them still around today?

Well I know that Lanfranchi, Norinder and Hailwood are no longer with us. Chris Summers posts occasionally on TNF, and John Scott-Davies is in Oz and due to post here via a third party soon.
I am not aware of any of the other drivers having departed; some such as Gethin and Hobbs and Rob Lamplough I've seen about at Goodwood and elsewhere in recent times.