65 replies to this topic

[biercemountain]

I did a search and didn't find a thread specifically for celebrity races and thought I'd start one.

I recently got a DVD documentary on Emerson Lake and Palmer and there's a short bw film of them participating in a celebrity race. It took place at Brands Hatch in 1973 and they raced tin tops (Lotus Cortinas?). Ronnie Scott was announced as the winner with Greg Lake taking second, Brian Gibson in third and Clive Scott in fourth. It's not terribly clear but the announcer seems to indicate Keith Emerson ran out of gas and I believe Carl Palmer spun.

Anyone remember (or was present) at this outing. Surely it was a support race for some headline event.

[f1steveuk]

I have some pictures of an Escort "celeb" race at Brands in '73, but not a Cortina one, I'll have a look, I may have an entry list, but recall Henry Coopers name in there...............

[f1steveuk]

I have checked, and I don't have an entry list after all!



This is from a Brands round of the Shell Sport Celebrity race series, but I recall there was also a series using Consul GTs in '73 as well (but that may have been just for "sports" celeb's?

I think the Mexico challenge ended because there was a, er, lack of discipline in the driving department.

I seem to recall the cars were based at Brands as well.

I used to see and speak to Keith quite a bit. In the days I played American football, I did my running on Eastbourne seafront, where Keith used to go jogging, as he lived just outside Eastbourne, where I lived, but that was about 1983ish.

So, in summary, if any one has the entry list from the various rounds of the Shell Sport Mexico series, maybe ELP's names will apear in them?

[sterling49]

I was at the race pictured by Steve above, IIRC there was a furore in the comics the week after, about the standard (or lack of ) driving of the invited guests. I cannot remember the outcome of the race, but Cozee Powell was a bit rapid. These of course were the Shellsport cars, so were as the good lord Ford A.V.O had intended them, with silencers and road tyres (SP41s?)

[biercemountain]

Brilliant Steve! Your picture looks just like the movie. The "Lotus" comment was just a guess on my part.

Is that a flipped car in the background?

[sterling49]

I was standing in front of the accident, it was like World War 111, cars on their rooves, spinning, metal tearing, of course, non of the drivers owned the cars...................

[alansart]

I think they started with Capri's in 1970.

[fines]

Originally posted by sterling49
I cannot remember the outcome of the race, but Cozee Powell was a bit rapid.

Didn't they have a shoot-out for the third ELP seat?;) I'm sure that was when Powell supplanted Palmer...

[sterling49]

Originally posted by fines
Didn't they have a shoot-out for the third ELP seat?;) I'm sure that was when Powell supplanted Palmer...

The winner also got to drive "Tarkus" Michael

The 1st celebrity race in 3000E Capris was absolutely stunning, Hill, Surtees, and co door handling around Paddock with Goodyear Grand Prix tyres howling submission, a great spectacle

[john winfield]

I seem to remember all sorts of 'celebrity' races at Brands: House of Lords v. House of Commons, Sports Stars, DJs etc. Those drivers I remember seeing include Henry Cooper, Ann Moore, Nicholas Parsons, Noel Edmonds etc.
Some events had a more motor sports flavour - team managers for example. I think Colin Chapman, Frank Williams and Ken Tyrrell raced in one.
Then, of course, there were the more unusual races for drivers: tractors were fun, as was the 'Tour de Hatch' on bikes.

[f1steveuk]

3000E Capris!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had one as a company car, ill-handling as a term doesn't do it justice! Way to much weight over the front, and rear wheel drive, and I had it over the winter period, now I know why I am going grey!

[sterling49]

Originally posted by f1steveuk
3000E Capris!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had one as a company car, ill-handling as a term doesn't do it justice! Way to much weight over the front, and rear wheel drive, and I had it over the winter period, now I know why I am going grey!

They taught me everything that I do not know about power oversteer..........my pop had one as a company car too, there were a lot of gaps in the hedges around the Brands Hatch lanes back then

[Twin Window]

Posted on behalf of Peter Darley (on the right)

[sterling49]

A great way to take Druids, Yogi showed them! This was probably a race in 1972, as the 1st race was in 1970 and the Capris were "H" registered. The cars shown in photo are Essex registered, RWC series, probably auctioned after the race.

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by john winfield
Some events had a more motor sports flavour - team managers for example. I think Colin Chapman, Frank Williams and Ken Tyrrell raced in one.

Those of you that came to our TNF Hertfordshire film show recently will recall seeing this race. It was a support race at the sad Victory meeting at Brands in '71 where Seppi lost his life. The F1 team managers were in Ford Escort Mexicos, racing on the club circuit over 10 laps.

[bradbury west]

I am not sure whether it was a celeb race or a regular Mexico event, but in one race poor Simon Taylor, no mean driver at all, had a huge end over end and was quite badly injured.
Roger Lund

[sterling49]

Originally posted by bradbury west
I am not sure whether it was a celeb race or a regular Mexico event, but in one race poor Simon Taylor, no mean driver at all, had a huge end over end and was quite badly injured.
Roger Lund

Roger, I think that was a "Mexico" round (Lumo Group?) when he ended up on top of the bank at the bottom of Paddock, I think the roll cage punched its way through the floor (needles to say, I was there, I must have spent most of my waking leisure time at Brands )

[Pullman99]

Interesting thread. Could run awhile.

The victorious Escort (unless it's a recreation - as per George Washington's axe - but that's currently for another current thread) from the 1971 Victory Race at Brands driven by Jack Brabham and team managed by Graham Hill was at Race Retro and for sale I think. I think that Tim Parnell drove the "BRM" entry. I remember being in the pits and talking briefly with Seppi during the (very late in the afternoon) "qualifying" on the Saturday. Very sad day and it was strange standing besid eth Brabham Escort again at Stoneleigh over 37 years after being next to it at Brands. Same with a lot of racing cars of course but the memories of the day remain quite vivid.

[Phil Rainford]

Lets not forget the Shell Super Sunbeam 1.6ti Invitation Races of the early 1980s.....

PAR

[Kevan]

Originally posted by john winfield
I seem to remember all sorts of 'celebrity' races at Brands: House of Lords v. House of Commons, Sports Stars, DJs etc. Those drivers I remember seeing include Henry Cooper, Ann Moore, Nicholas Parsons, Noel Edmonds etc.

I've got a vague memory that Lords v Commons wasn't immune to the odd 'ringer' being sneaked in? (though the 'Lords' side usually managed to turn up a handful of Peers who had racing experience anyway)

Do they still run them? I did a quick Google, and the most recent reference I can find for Lords v Commons so far is 2000, in an obit for Lord Strathcarron, who won that year.
http://www.telegraph...rathcarron.html

I'm sure I recall seeing at least one in the '90s, when the weapon of choice was something like a Fiesta XR2

[Gregor Marshall]

Lord Brocket won the House of Lords vs House of Commons race two years in a row - think it was the tutoring Dad gave him!!

[bigears]

Originally posted by Gregor Marshall
Lord Brocket won the House of Lords vs House of Commons race two years in a row - think it was the tutoring Dad gave him!!

That explains his involvement with the Renault 5 Turbo Pro/Am race at the 1986 Birmingham Superprix!

I got very incomplete details of the Pro and Am races in here:

http://8w.forix.com/bsp-86race.html

[Phil Rainford]

Mayhem at Druids in the 1986 Celebrity Race at the FF Festival........











PAR

[Twin Window]

Steve Thompson on the grid for an Escort Mexico celebrity race at Snetterton, October 1973. This appears to be the only photo I have ever taken of any celebrity event!



Graham McRae was also in the race, having spent the day in the bar after being unable to get his F5000 car started in the morning...

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Gregor Marshall
Lord Brocket won the House of Lords vs House of Commons race two years in a row - think it was the tutoring Dad gave him!!

Wet races?

[DN5]

Well my most memorable celebrity race was the one supporting the Indy car race in 78. First time I saw a car roll down Paddock.

I recall that the race abondoned after about a lap and half as most of the cars were off the track by then.

Geoff

[fbarrett]

Friends:

Sorry for being a sourpuss, but I've always considered celebrity races a waste of time and equipment. Most such U.S. events are pretty much smash-fests. Of course, they do increase the short-term attraction for paying spectators and tv viewers, so they help promoters, but surely it would be better for the sport in the long term to allow up-and-coming serious race drivers the same opportunity.

Frank

[sterling49]

Frank, I understand your point of view, but some of the races that I viewed had drivers like John Surtees,Graham Hill, Jack Brabham and JYS to name a few, competing, so they had a fair pedigree in some of the events


Some of the worst accidents that I saw in this type of event, was by racing drivers, driving "company cars", MCD ran these events quite frequently (especially for FoMoCo) as it showcased manufacturer's products and the circuit attracted good crowds.

[Gary Davies]

Originally posted by fbarrett
Friends:

Sorry for being a sourpuss, but I've always considered celebrity races a waste of time and equipment. Most such U.S. events are pretty much smash-fests. Of course, they do increase the short-term attraction for paying spectators and tv viewers, so they help promoters, but surely it would be better for the sport in the long term to allow up-and-coming serious race drivers the same opportunity.

Frank

I'm with you. In recent years, the so called celebrity races at the Australian GP appear to have been contested (sic) by aspiring starlets from soapies who have never featured on this greyhair's radar.

I'm somewhat relieved to note that there is apparently no 'celebrity' race listed in this year's Oz GP event list.

[brucemoxon]

Originally posted by Vanwall


I'm with you. In recent years, the so called celebrity races at the Australian GP appear to have been contested (sic) by aspiring starlets from soapies who have never featured on this greyhair's radar.

I'm somewhat relieved to note that there is apparently no 'celebrity' race listed in this year's Oz GP event list.

Don't start me.

I hate these races. What right do these frequently third or fourth rate 'celebrities' have to go car racing?

Too late, it's started.

I rallied for a couple of years with modest success, and I've won my fair share of State and National Motorkhana Championships in my class.

Does this mean I can just pick up a guitar and play at the next Woodstock? Of course not. I haven't paid my dues, nor demonstrated the competence necessary for such a performance.

Feh.




Bruce Moxon

[LB]

On the House of Commons v House of Lords thing wasn't Johnny Dumfries drafted into the Lords team in 1983? (maybe 84)

[cooper997]

BMC were notorious for celebrity races to promote their cars in the early 1960's. They had the "Grand Prix Drivers Mini-Minor Demonstration" just 80 minutes before the 1960 British GP at Silverstone took place.

There was a series of "demonstrations" in the USA to promote the Mini Cooper for its release their too. Even Fangio was involved, with other masters like Moss & Ireland happy to oblige.

There was also another back in England for promoting the Morris 1100 not long after its release at Snetterton, again with many GP drivers taking part.


Stephen

[f1steveuk]

Originally posted by fbarrett
Friends:

Sorry for being a sourpuss, but I've always considered celebrity races a waste of time and equipment. Most such U.S. events are pretty much smash-fests. Of course, they do increase the short-term attraction for paying spectators and tv viewers, so they help promoters, but surely it would be better for the sport in the long term to allow up-and-coming serious race drivers the same opportunity.

Frank

Sometimes entertaining, other times..............................

In Oz, we had to cover the "Celeb" race for TV, to be shown on the big track side screens, so you had a full length GP circuit, with a load of average drivers/actors/singers/nobodies, and let them loose, in four stroke coperate karts. A lap seemed to take a day!

[Alan Cox]

I seem to recall that the estimable Clive James took part in a celebrity race - would it have been before one of the very early World Championship Australian GPs? - and about which he fronted a documentary. It included him having to learn to drive as, although being interested in motor racing, he had never held a driving licence. Am I imagining it?

[alansart]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
I seem to recall that the estimable Clive James took part in a celebrity race - would it have been before one of the very early World Championship Australian GPs? - and about which he fronted a documentary. It included him having to learn to drive as, although being interested in motor racing, he had never held a driving licence. Am I imagining it?

Alan, you are correct. I think I may have it on tape somewhere.

[bradbury west]

ISTR that there was one for journos back in the early 80s at possibly Interlagos?, or over there somewhere, for the then latest FIAT turbo minibrics, which was won by the excellent Mike McCarthy, to whom kind regards via anyone who might know him. Always an excellent writer IMHO
Roger Lund

[Kevan]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
I seem to recall that the estimable Clive James took part in a celebrity race - would it have been before one of the very early World Championship Australian GPs? - and about which he fronted a documentary. It included him having to learn to drive as, although being interested in motor racing, he had never held a driving licence. Am I imagining it?

No, definitely not imagining it- I remember that one as well, and I'm pretty sure you're right about it being a fairly early Australian GP.

Slightly off-topic, didn't Clive James do the voice-overs for the official FIA season review videos at one time?

[Alan Cox]

Originally posted by Kevan
Slightly off-topic, didn't Clive James do the voice-overs for the official FIA season review videos at one time?

Yes, he did.

[Gregor Marshall]

Out of interest, what are we saying is a celebrity race - one-make with famous celebrities, one-make one-offs annually, one-make one-offs with drivers, etc, etc? I have a great photo to post but don't want to hi-jack a thread (again!!).

[f1steveuk]

Originally posted by Gregor Marshall
Out of interest, what are we saying is a celebrity race - one-make with famous celebrities, one-make one-offs annually, one-make one-offs with drivers, etc, etc? I have a great photo to post but don't want to hi-jack a thread (again!!).

No, go on, I want to see it!

[Joe Nix]

Long Beach Grand Prix Pro/Celebrity Race Highlights 1977-2007

http://www.presstele...prix/ci_8760494

I watched most of these in the first half of the 80's, in more recent years I would check to see if I had either ever heard of the "celebrities" or could guess "their field of endeavour".

[Gregor Marshall]

Gerry Marshall leading John Rhodes - Brands Hatch 40th Anniversary Celebrity race.
From my view Dad really that weekend as he'd been asked to drive as he had won the most races at Brands than anyone else - he was quickest but they decided to switch the grid and put Dad at the back - he wasn't happy!!
Anyway, the race was wet (usual Brands Hatch bowel of standing water!!) and spent numerous laps towards the end behind John Rhodes and eventually got past the "old man" on the last lap - great race (maybe some help) but Dad said it was in his top 5 of hardest races so pretty good!!
Was great to see them re-create it at Goodwood in '99.

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Pullman99
Interesting thread. Could run awhile.

The victorious Escort (unless it's a recreation - as per George Washington's axe - but that's currently for another current thread) from the 1971 Victory Race at Brands driven by Jack Brabham and team managed by Graham Hill was at Race Retro and for sale I think. I think that Tim Parnell drove the "BRM" entry. I remember being in the pits and talking briefly with Seppi during the (very late in the afternoon) "qualifying" on the Saturday. Very sad day and it was strange standing besid eth Brabham Escort again at Stoneleigh over 37 years after being next to it at Brands. Same with a lot of racing cars of course but the memories of the day remain quite vivid.

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

The opening laps of the race from the BBC......

PAR

[Lee Nicolle]

There has been a few injurys too. Mark Knoefler got hurt in a turn 1 crash at the AGP from pole and there has been other minor injurys.
Notwithstanding that there has been a couple of celebs who have gone racing after getting a taste during celebrity races. Tony Greig spent a season or 2 in Starion turbo productin car in the 80s and did ok and there has been others too.

[shellsport271]

I did a search and didn't find a thread specifically for celebrity races and thought I'd start one.

I recently got a DVD documentary on Emerson Lake and Palmer and there's a short bw film of them participating in a celebrity race. It took place at Brands Hatch in 1973 and they raced tin tops (Lotus Cortinas?). Ronnie Scott was announced as the winner with Greg Lake taking second, Brian Gibson in third and Clive Scott in fourth. It's not terribly clear but the announcer seems to indicate Keith Emerson ran out of gas and I believe Carl Palmer spun.

Anyone remember (or was present) at this outing. Surely it was a support race for some headline event.

Hi

I wasn't there but my car was !

I own one of the Shellsport Mexicos from those days, XNO 271L, and they certainly had a tough life
It's the yellow over red car seen on the programme cover on the Radio Rewind website, and I'm always interested in finding stories, photo's etc

I have owned the car since 1981 and finally stumbled across the ELP 'film' this year.
That's the first ( and only ) time I've seen the cars moving !

Anyway, 12th of August 1973, Radio Luxembourg race day. Apart from the Pop stars and D.J.'s race there was another at the end of the day for 'real' racing drivers including David Purley (winner),Nick Whiting,Tom Belso, and Tony Trimmer.

Many meetings had two races , one for anyone the public would recognise and one for that meeting's racing drivers.

So obviously I really like this thread and if anybody has anything on the Shellsport cars,please let's see it.

Thanks

Shellsport271

[Kevan]

Gerry Marshall leading John Rhodes - Brands Hatch 40th Anniversary Celebrity race.
From my view Dad really that weekend as he'd been asked to drive as he had won the most races at Brands than anyone else - he was quickest but they decided to switch the grid and put Dad at the back - he wasn't happy!!
Anyway, the race was wet (usual Brands Hatch bowel of standing water!!) and spent numerous laps towards the end behind John Rhodes and eventually got past the "old man" on the last lap - great race (maybe some help) but Dad said it was in his top 5 of hardest races so pretty good!!
Was great to see them re-create it at Goodwood in '99.

1990 or thereabouts? I know I was there (definitely remember it being very wet...) but can't remember what actual meeting the 40th Anniversary race was at- HSCC historics by any chance?

[voxadd]

There was a Lords V commons race at Donington in Jim Russell Racing School Astras (I think, or maybe Vectra SuperTourers) in the late 90s/early 00s. It was a support race to the BTCC. The practice/qualifying was scheduled for early on the Sunday morning (so that the particpants didn't have to be there on the Saturday). Peter Hain, a current labour minister and a bit of an enthusiast (always out on the Network Q rally when he was a Welsh minister), on his out lap from the pits went off down the Craner Curves and took no further part in the proceedings as he hadn't completed a lap in qualifying. Trouble was, as the senior parliamentary representative, he was due to present the trophies for the race which was last on the card, so he had to hang around all day, rather than speeding off in his chauffeured Rover.....

Andrew Duerden

[MoMurray]

http://www.photoshel...000054WzU7zI_Lo
http://www.photoshel...2tQJDZFAECGHJM-
http://www.photoshel...2tQJDZFAECGHJM-
http://www.photoshel...2tQJDZFAECGHJM-

These are from the Toyota Pro Celeb race at Long beach this year. This Baker fellow (something to do with E Channel) bounced off the tirewall and landed on his roof and despite the flags and cornerworkers the blue car driven by an actress ?? managed to hit him.
Amazingly the corners workers drove the Baker car back to the pits afterwards.

Mo

Edited by MoMurray, 14 November 2009 - 21:42.

[shellsport271]

I have checked, and I don't have an entry list after all!



This is from a Brands round of the Shell Sport Celebrity race series, but I recall there was also a series using Consul GTs in '73 as well (but that may have been just for "sports" celeb's?

I think the Mexico challenge ended because there was a, er, lack of discipline in the driving department.

I seem to recall the cars were based at Brands as well.

I used to see and speak to Keith quite a bit. In the days I played American football, I did my running on Eastbourne seafront, where Keith used to go jogging, as he lived just outside Eastbourne, where I lived, but that was about 1983ish.

So, in summary, if any one has the entry list from the various rounds of the Shell Sport Mexico series, maybe ELP's names will apear in them?

Hi
Yes the Shellsport Mexicos were based at Brands, and travelled to Oulton,Mallory, Snetterton, and Mondello.
I'm curious to know whether driven, or transported anyone?
That picture looks to be from Bank holiday Monday 27th August 1973.
There is a series of photos in Autosport that appear to show the lead-up to yours.
If so, the inverted car contains Allan Kayes who reportedly had received a nudge from Les Blackburn
I can't quite see for certain so could you tell me the reg. of the car just clear of the flag.
Yes, I live in hope

Thanks
Shellsport271

[shellsport271]

I did a search and didn't find a thread specifically for celebrity races and thought I'd start one.

I recently got a DVD documentary on Emerson Lake and Palmer and there's a short bw film of them participating in a celebrity race. It took place at Brands Hatch in 1973 and they raced tin tops (Lotus Cortinas?). Ronnie Scott was announced as the winner with Greg Lake taking second, Brian Gibson in third and Clive Scott in fourth. It's not terribly clear but the announcer seems to indicate Keith Emerson ran out of gas and I believe Carl Palmer spun.

Anyone remember (or was present) at this outing. Surely it was a support race for some headline event.

Hi

Digging through my notes and apparently loads of pressure from Ronnie Scott ( Benefiting from an M.R.S. course by way of preparation ) led to Keith Emerson having a big spin at Kidney and stuffing his car into the bank.
Carl Palmer was so amused by this that he then went off at Clearways.
This explains the recovered cars damage as seen in the film

Shellsport271