41 replies to this topic

[petestenning]

Looking at my programmes i came across this very underated Formula Ford driver of the early 70's.

Mostly seen at Mallory Park and generally in a Merlyn mk17, he was allways competative and usually winning there.

I noticed that at a Les Leston round June 28th 1970 at Mallory proves my point, he won his heat beating Rob Taylor & Sonny Eade.
He then placed 3rd in the final behind Geddes Yeates and Mo Harness both of who were front runners nationally.

At this time he was aslo Race record holder jointly with Syd Fox at Brands Hatch, Fox being surely the most competative in any car of his day.

I would like to know if anyone has memories of John and did he ever progress past F/F?.

[MCS]

He re-appeared some years later in Sports 2000.

But who was "John Trevelyan" ???

[zoff2005]

He re-appeared some years later in Sports 2000.

But who was "John Trevelyan" ???

Colin V remembers him, he raced under an alias and said he had trouble with his trustees, maybe he did not want them to know where all the money was going! He had a HUGE accident at Salzburg in 1970 - Colin says he came around the next lap and JT was hanging out of his car in the trees about 50 yards away from the track - he had hit another car on the straight and flew off. Never really did much after that. Colin has a feeling he lived in Wales but not sure. Really nice guy apparently and very quick.
Marcus

Edited by zoff2005, 19 May 2009 - 10:06.

[Mallory Dan]

He re-appeared some years later in Sports 2000.

But who was "John Trevelyan" ???

Very quick in S2000 in 1978, usually faster than Nick Adams, Frank Sytner, Chris Alford, John Brindley etc. So no slouch at all at National level.

[JohnTrevelyan]

Very quick in S2000 in 1978, usually faster than Nick Adams, Frank Sytner, Chris Alford, John Brindley etc. So no slouch at all at National level.

I was John Trevelyan and am charmed by your kind memories and generous comments.

The accident, mentioned by Colin V in Austria (Salzburgring - with the now famous Dr Helmut Marco officiating) was caused by the pincer movement between Bob Evans and Tom Belso which resulted in the inversion of my Merlyn 11 FF.

I would be delighted to attempt to answer any question from anyone looking for information for Formula Ford '69-'71, Renault 5s in '77 and Sports 2000 in '78.

[kayemod]

I was John Trevelyan...

And then you had 'the operation', right?

[JohnTrevelyan]

And then you had 'the operation', right?

In spite of the near obituary in this forum - no operations.

Trevelyan was always, and still is, my name.

But in the Walter Mitty world of motor racing I am not the only one who had illusions of grandeur..... Many of my contemporaries also rated their chances with Juliette Slaughter!

Probably the best 'double take' genuine photo in Autosport was one taken at the hairpin at Mallory Park with my car underneath an upside down Andy Rouse's Dulon who was apparently hanging in mid air while I 'undertook' him.

I can verify that my car (No 4) was the one attempting to get past Sytner in the Sports 2000 picture - I recall making those rather tall mirror supports

John Trevelyan

[petestenning]

Nice to have you on here John, i was a marshal for much of the late 60's and 70's and remember those days of Andy Rouse in his Dulon LD9 .

I remember you mostly from Mallory Park, was that your local track or did you drive there a lot because you were always very competitive there.?


Pete

[JohnTrevelyan]

Nice to have you on here John, i was a marshal for much of the late 60's and 70's and remember those days of Andy Rouse in his Dulon LD9 .

I remember you mostly from Mallory Park, was that your local track or did you drive there a lot because you were always very competitive there.?


Pete

Thanks for you kind welcome to this forum.

My local track was Brands Hatch and I still rue the day that I waved Tom Pryce past on the last lap of a race there! Perhaps that is why I didn't get the telephone call - I'm still waiting....

One weekend, I recall publicly ticking off a fellow driver for punting me off at the entrance to Gerards, under yellow flags, for which I was fined £25 by the stewards, and two weeks later an American (was it Gary Rodrigues?) was killed after a very similar incident.

Do you recall the first restricted air inlet F3 race with Roger Williamson, James Hunt and the field made up with the riff-raff FFs?

Best Wishes


John Trevelyan

[petestenning]

I do remember that meeting i was on the start line that day, i think there were very few of the cars actually ready to race and as you say the field was bumped up with other cars.

Roger won if i remember right , but my memory is not always correct . lol.

Gary Rodrigues was a nice guy and no mean driver , its a pity there were a lot of drivers with potential back then who did not get the breaks they deserved.

And now that Sports 2000 was mentioned i do recall you in those , the later Shrikes stuck like glue to the track i was amazed at the cornering speed of those .

[JohnTrevelyan]

I do remember that meeting i was on the start line that day, i think there were very few of the cars actually ready to race and as you say the field was bumped up with other cars.

Roger won if i remember right , but my memory is not always correct . lol.

Gary Rodrigues was a nice guy and no mean driver , its a pity there were a lot of drivers with potential back then who did not get the breaks they deserved.

And now that Sports 2000 was mentioned i do recall you in those , the later Shrikes stuck like glue to the track i was amazed at the cornering speed of those .

Roger won it and it was the first and only time I met him. A more unassuming, open and pleasant chap you could not wish to meet.

[zoff2005]

Colin Vandervell sends his regards and wonders if you have news of Peter Johnson (?) or Dennis Rowland. He remembers you very kindly lent him your car for him to do a race at Crystal Palace (his own car was running the next day at Mondello).
The last Colin heard about Dennis Rowland was that he had become a photographer, but has not had any more news for years.
Best regards
Marcus Mussa

[JohnTrevelyan]

Colin Vandervell sends his regards and wonders if you have news of Peter Johnson (?) or Dennis Rowland. He remembers you very kindly lent him your car for him to do a race at Crystal Palace (his own car was running the next day at Mondello).
The last Colin heard about Dennis Rowland was that he had become a photographer, but has not had any more news for years.
Best regards
Marcus Mussa

As far as I know Peter Johnson is well and living quietly in Fulham. Whatever became of Emerson Fittipaldi and Jody Schechter?

Colin's memory is good but does he also remember that the mechanic forgot to put oil into the gearbox until the very last opportunity and that Colin V subsequently won that race at Crystal Palace (beating a hissing Syd Fox) and then went on to win the Mondello Park race.

Some split their weekends...........

Edited by JohnTrevelyan, 21 June 2010 - 10:07.

[Gary C]

Blimey! I can see this is going to be a GREAT Thread! Welcome, John!

[zoff2005]

As far as I know Peter Johnson is well and living quietly in Fulham. Whatever became of Emerson Fittipaldi and Jody Schechter?

Colin's memory is good but does he also remember that the mechanic forgot to put oil into the gearbox until the very last opportunity and that Colin V subsequently won that race at Crystal Palace (beating a hissing Syd Fox) and then went on to win the Mondello Park race.

Some split their weekends...........

What Colin does remember is that the prize money at Crystal Palace was rather good and that you took it all...
And that after weaving all the way down the straight Syd went off on the last corner, without any help from Colin
Emerson is well and living quietly in America
Jody Scheckter is well and living quietly near Basingstoke

[JohnTrevelyan]

What Colin does remember is that the prize money at Crystal Palace was rather good and that you took it all...
And that after weaving all the way down the straight Syd went off on the last corner, without any help from Colin
Emerson is well and living quietly in America
Jody Scheckter is well and living quietly near Basingstoke

And Colin?

[alansart]

And Colin?

Still getting his bearings

It's great he gives an opinion via a 3rd party but many of us would love it if he joined in person.

John. Thanks for contributing here. My first experience of motor racing was at Crystal Palace in 1969, so it's the likes of yourself and Colin that got me hooked.

[Tony Matthews]

Still getting his bearings

Worthy of the Official Joke thread, Alan!

John, was your race at the Salzburgring part of the Johnsons Wax Eurotrophy? I was there as mechanic for Charles Carling, but apart from Jac Nelleman, Ree Karsten, Tom Belso, Bob Evans, Derek W? and Chris Alford, names escape me.

[petestenning]

Charles Carling's name rings a bell , and do you remember Colin Crang who had a big shut at Copse, there was not much left of the car although he was carried from it once the chassis had been unbent, i think the late Ian Taylor was the other driver involved .

[JohnTrevelyan]

Worthy of the Official Joke thread, Alan!

John, was your race at the Salzburgring part of the Johnsons Wax Eurotrophy? I was there as mechanic for Charles Carling, but apart from Jac Nelleman, Ree Karsten, Tom Belso, Bob Evans, Derek W? and Chris Alford, names escape me.

It was part of the Johnson's Wax Trophy. This trophy seemed to attract a lot of Scandinavians and I can probably find the practice times and finishing results but these were of little interest to me as I was recuperating in hospital while my car had no bodywork, suspension or gearbox attached to the chassis after it came to a stand still. A really salient point was that the week before I had doubled up on the roll over bar which, by the time the accident finished was about a third of the starting thickness of the double-t hick bar!

It does appear that Colin Vandervell was there as well.

JT

[JohnTrevelyan]

And Colin?

Can that really be the same Colin Vandervell who subsequently drove a Brabham owned by Bernie Ecclestone? My understanding this Colin V was that he took on the role of Guy Edward's financial advisor.

The truth is that I was lent a VW pickup for a weekend and Colin got the money.

So he's now a recluse?

[Cirrus]

Charles Carling's name rings a bell , and do you remember Colin Crang who had a big shut at Copse, there was not much left of the car although he was carried from it once the chassis had been unbent, i think the late Ian Taylor was the other driver involved .

I think I've seen footage of that shunt on YouTube (maybe one of roydpg's offerings)

[petestenning]

You have here:-

[zoff2005]

Can that really be the same Colin Vandervell who subsequently drove a Brabham owned by Bernie Ecclestone? My understanding this Colin V was that he took on the role of Guy Edward's financial advisor.

The truth is that I was lent a VW pickup for a weekend and Colin got the money.

So he's now a recluse?

Howard..., sorry, Colin, is not really into computers - he has trouble typing - his long fingernails get in the way...

I (Marcus) seem to remember a story about somebody crossing the finishing line in one of those European races (in Italy?) going backwards - was that you?

[Tony Matthews]

It does appear that Colin Vandervell was there as well.
JT

I certainly rember him being at some of the events - Les Rangiers and Imola - but not others, strangely. Perhaps he didn't do them all, not everyone did. David Minister was there for several races one year, including the Tulln Langenlebahn (sp?) airfield circuit, where the all-pervading smell of brussel sprouts, or kale, that was farmed everywhere, nearly put me off greens for life!

I hope you suffer no long-term complications from the accident, it was a biggie!

[JohnTrevelyan]

I certainly rember him being at some of the events - Les Rangiers and Imola - but not others, strangely. Perhaps he didn't do them all, not everyone did. David Minister was there for several races one year, including the Tulln Langenlebahn (sp?) airfield circuit, where the all-pervading smell of brussel sprouts, or kale, that was farmed everywhere, nearly put me off greens for life!

I hope you suffer no long-term complications from the accident, it was a biggie!

Does/do CV/you remember Nick Brittain (ex Imp and Vee driver)? I collected cash from him and paid it out to people who turned up at European meetings which he seems to have organised. Nick appears to have died in 2006 in Australia.

[Tim Murray]

Nick's death was recorded in this earlier thread:

Nick Brittan has died

[Tony Matthews]

Nick's death was recorded in this earlier thread:

Not only did Nick Brittan write about Charles Carling's 'surprise' third place at Les Rangiers thanks in some part to the DSJ-style notes that I made for him, with quick sketches of major land-marks, but a year later I found myself sharing a basement flat in Nick's house in Canonbury with Andrew Marriott and Mike Doodson. It's a small world.

[JohnTrevelyan]

You have here:-

Mark Litchfield and I have been looking at this video and, from Mark's notes, we know Mike Wilds and Tiff Needell took part and that it was on the GP circuit.

What we don't know was who was the fellow with the surname of Russell who was a midfield competitor?

Edited by JohnTrevelyan, 22 June 2010 - 19:52.

[David McKinney]

Adrian?

(Don't know where that came from)

[alansart]

Russell Wood was a name in F3.

Adrian Russell rings a bell. Did he go on to Atlantics in the mid 70's

Edited by alansart, 22 June 2010 - 20:27.

[Mallory Dan]

Russell Wood was a name in F3.

Adrian Russell rings a bell. Did he go on to Atlantics in the mid 70's

Russell Wood was very fast in F3 in 1973. Adrian Russell did some Indylantic in '76, then Libre/G8/Aurora 77-79. Then seemed to disappear.

Re 'Mr Trevelyan', am I missing something here pseudonymously... ??

[JohnTrevelyan]

Russell Wood was very fast in F3 in 1973. Adrian Russell did some Indylantic in '76, then Libre/G8/Aurora 77-79. Then seemed to disappear.

Re 'Mr Trevelyan', am I missing something here pseudonymously... ??

Definately.

Have a look at

http://www.lolaherit...race_wins2.html

[petestenning]

John,
Try Bill Russell Alexis mk18 b , blue car ?


Pete

[DennyRowland]

Colin Vandervell sends his regards and wonders if you have news of Peter Johnson (?) or Dennis Rowland. He remembers you very kindly lent him your car for him to do a race at Crystal Palace (his own car was running the next day at Mondello).
The last Colin heard about Dennis Rowland was that he had become a photographer, but has not had any more news for years.
Best regards
Marcus Mussa

Denny Rowland is alive and well and living in Cyprus, at least I am at the time of writing this.
After too many years playing with engines I reached the point where I simply could not stand another weekend at a race trace. Something that I never imagine could ever happen when I was a very young man.
I then became an aerial photographer/videographer and published a few books. I also did a bit of Banner Towing with my famous PZL Wilga aircraft. It's great to once again hear those names that were an essential part of life in the sixties, seventies and eighties.
I have special memories of the fun we had at Colin's place with some crazy races around the country mansion.

Edited by DennyRowland, 20 June 2011 - 08:46.

[zoff2005]

Denny Rowland is alive and well and living in Cyprus, at least I am at the time of writing this.
After too many years playing with engines I reached the point where I simply could not stand another weekend at a race trace. Something that I never imagine could ever happen when I was a very young man.
I then became an aerial photographer/videographer and published a few books. I also did a bit of Banner Towing with my famous PZL Wilga aircraft. It's great to once again hear those names that were an essential part of life in the sixties, seventies and eighties.
I have special memories of the fun we had at Colin's place with some crazy races around the country mansion.

I just spoke to Colin. He is delighted to hear your news! He goes to Cyprus once a year (next time will be February) so perhaps you can meet up! Or you can make sure you are out of the country ... if you send me a private message with your number I will get him to call you! All the best, Marcus Mussa (an ex customer of yours actually..).

[DennyRowland]

I just spoke to Colin. He is delighted to hear your news! He goes to Cyprus once a year (next time will be February) so perhaps you can meet up! Or you can make sure you are out of the country ... if you send me a private message with your number I will get him to call you! All the best, Marcus Mussa (an ex customer of yours actually..).

Better still he can email me at dennyrowland@me.com

I live in Limassol

[DennyRowland]

Better still he can email me at dennyrowland@me.com

I live in Limassol

Marcus the name rings a bell, but it was a long time ago now and my memory is not what it was. Was that in the Wimbledon days or Forest Green?

[DennyRowland]

Marcus the name rings a bell, but it was a long time ago now and my memory is not what it was. Was that in the Wimbledon days or Forest Green?

Marcus
I was sitting down giving this a little thought and then I thought of paintings and a Lotus Cortina that ended up, with a crossflow engine. When I was in Wimbledon. Am I on the right track?

[zoff2005]

I will give Colin your email - however he will not know what to do with it, he only just got himself a mobile phone, so he is several decades behind.. but I am sure he will be in touch - and Limassol is exactly where he goes!
I never had direct contact with you - I bought an ex-works Pringett Mistrale from Gerry Corbett and had it fitted with one of your engines - had lots of problems as I think the oil tank was no good - oil surge and the engine broke after a few races! You repaired it but then I got married, sold the car and stopped racing (not for long..).
Colin has all these funny tales of you both chasing over Europe in your VW transporter - I remember there was a race against Tony Dron which ended when Colin's luggage got knocked off the back of the transporter as you were trying to cross a level crossing with the barrier coming down - Dron won that race!

[DennyRowland]

I will give Colin your email - however he will not know what to do with it, he only just got himself a mobile phone, so he is several decades behind.. but I am sure he will be in touch - and Limassol is exactly where he goes!
I never had direct contact with you - I bought an ex-works Pringett Mistrale from Gerry Corbett and had it fitted with one of your engines - had lots of problems as I think the oil tank was no good - oil surge and the engine broke after a few races! You repaired it but then I got married, sold the car and stopped racing (not for long..).
Colin has all these funny tales of you both chasing over Europe in your VW transporter - I remember there was a race against Tony Dron which ended when Colin's luggage got knocked off the back of the transporter as you were trying to cross a level crossing with the barrier coming down - Dron won that race!

When he is in Limassol he can reach me on 99015445 mobile.

Colin and I did race against each other on one occasion. It was the Brockhurst GP, I remember he knobled me on the last lap with a straw bail.

Probably the best bit of fun was when Colin won the Grovewood award. On the way home he found himself alongside A. Mariott and a race began around the streets of London. It is a long story but it was followed by a London Bobby taking off his helmet and throwing it at our car as we sped off down a one way street.

Edited by DennyRowland, 29 June 2011 - 12:18.

[zoff2005]

Yes, he objected to people overtaking on the pavement! Apparently it really finished when you hid in the Carlton Hotel carpark and changed the number plates! No wonder you both emigrated!