27 replies to this topic

[Chris Witty]

Back in the mid 1970s when I was Sports Editor at Autosport, I competed in two Celebrity races for motor sport journalists at Brands Hatch. The registeration plates of the cars I raced were XNO 271L (a Mk.1 Mexico) and HJN 918N (a Mk.2 Mexico). I wondered if either of these cars survived the rigours of what they had to put up with and still exist to this day?

[Cirrus]

Surprisingly (given the nature of their treatment), they survived for some time, but may not be around today. XNO 271L has not been taxed since 1994, and HJN 918N since 1988 (according to the DVLA website).

http://www.taxdisc.d...event=link.next

[CoulthardD]

According to the DVLA, neither has recently been taxed.



DC

Edit: snap!

Edited by CoulthardD, 09 February 2010 - 15:27.

[P.Dron]

Back in the mid 1970s when I was Sports Editor at Autosport, I competed in two Celebrity races for motor sport journalists at Brands Hatch. The registeration plates of the cars I raced were XNO 271L (a Mk.1 Mexico) and HJN 918N (a Mk.2 Mexico). I wondered if either of these cars survived the rigours of what they had to put up with and still exist to this day?

Hello Chris,
I have a photo of myself in HJN 905N being rudely leaned upon by Mr Terrence Grimwood (in MTW 156P) through Paddock. That was some time in 1976, but I am not sure which month. It may have been the Grand Prix meeting. You were not in that race, but it is possible that HJN 918N was.

Edited by P.Dron, 10 February 2010 - 22:50.

[Hamish Robson]

One of the Mk1 Shell sport Mexicos still makes the occasional appearance at major RS Owners Club shows. I may have a picture somewhere, it still has the original livery but is quite tidy considering the rigours those cars endured...

[kayemod]

XNO 271L has not been taxed since 1994, and HJN 918N since 1988 (according to the DVLA website).

http://www.taxdisc.d...event=link.next

Apologies for an off-topic question, but that link prompted me to try searching the site to see if cars I owned in the past were still 'alive'. I fiddled around for a while, but couldn't find any way to search on a reg. number I didn't currently own.

That's obviously possible, but how do I do it?

[Hamish Robson]

Try here:

http://www.taxdisc.d...Vehicle Enquiry

[Pullman99]

Apologies for an off-topic question, but that link prompted me to try searching the site to see if cars I owned in the past were still 'alive'. I fiddled around for a while, but couldn't find any way to search on a reg. number I didn't currently own.That's obviously possible, but how do I do it?

I too search on this site using the "Vehicle Enquiry" page. All that I've ever found that's needed is the vehicle registration number (entered without spaces) and the marque (entered via a drop down box). It should then come bck with a "liability date" which indicates when the next tax or SORN declaration is due. Talbots are the main fare for me of course, although No. 1 son frequently searches for Alfa Romeos!

I do hope this works as I haven't searched for anything for some weeks!

[kayemod]

... although No. 1 son frequently searches for Alfa Romeos!

Your son shows excellent taste.

I knew this type of search was possibly, I've done it in the past, but I'll have another go when I have a moment. Last time I searched it was on the 5 Golf GTis I've owned over the years, slightly sad to find that only the last one survives, still used daily by the son of the friend I sold it to 8 years ago, and particularly sad as it was a Mk4, much the least impressive of them all, the 2 Mk 1s were little gems (apart from the brakes!).

[Nanni Dietrich]

Chris, reading the thred's title... I thought to Mr. Berlusconi...

[kayemod]

Chris, reading the thred's title... I thought to Mr. Berlusconi...

Or to Mr Briatore of course. Maybe the thread title could be extended to "...and how many I've had my leg over." (Not me of course, I meant Flavio).

[P.Dron]

Assuming that I have mastered the technology, here are HJN 905N and MTW 156P:

http://img535.images...i/img011kc.jpg/

Edited by P.Dron, 10 February 2010 - 22:50.

[Twin Window]

Chris sent me these earlier today, but I've not had chance to post them until now.

They depict his two wins - and that was two wins out of just two appearances as I understand it!





Apparently the owner of the Mk1 in the top pic, which Chris drove to win the 'Autosport versus the Rest' race at Brands, is currently owned by a member called 'Shellsport 271' who he would very much like to make contact with...

[Chris Witty]

Hi Peter,

Good to hear from you! Great shot of you and Mr Grimwood who, at that time, was Editor of Cars & Car Conversions. I believe he is still in the publishing business somewhere in Surrey producing magazines on ponies and horses no less. The shot of me in HJN 918N was leading Terry at the bottom of Paddock on the rise up to Druids. I remember we blitzed the field that day which led me to believe I could crack it thereafter in the pukka Mexico series in which your brother, Tony, and Gordon Bruce were taking part. Boy was that a rude awakening! My Mk.2 Escort was totalled at Snetterton and I switched to a Mk.1 version which proved better (because it was totally illegal like all the others!) but my best result was a mere 6th at Castle Combe. My career was short and sweet!

Assuming that I have mastered the technology, here are HJN 905N and MTW 156P:

http://img535.images...i/img011kc.jpg/

Edited by Chris Witty, 11 February 2010 - 14:00.

[Chris Witty]

Thanks for the link to the DVLA site and for looking up both registerations.

In view of what they had to put up with, I'm amazed that XNO 271L has survived because I understand it is owned by Shellsport 271, a member of this bulletin board.

Just waiting for him to come forward and collect his prize!

Surprisingly (given the nature of their treatment), they survived for some time, but may not be around today. XNO 271L has not been taxed since 1994, and HJN 918N since 1988 (according to the DVLA website).

http://www.taxdisc.d...event=link.next

[mgtd]

Apropos of nothing really,I found a few snaps of XNO270L driven by one N. Edmonds, Esq., at Druids maybe at the 1974 GP (I think)


















Stephen



Jeremy Lloyd has spun and I think is exhibiting sponsorship from the old favourite aperitif "Noilly Prat"....of which much has been said.

[Twin Window]

Jeremy Lloyd has spun and I think is exhibiting sponsorship from the old favourite aperitif "Noilly Prat"....of which much has been said.

As far as I can remember Edmonds was sponsored by Noilly, although perhaps it was another season (1974 maybe?).

Chris will probably remember.

[Brynmor]

I'm 99% sure those Mk2's are Sports and not Mexico's. No rear spoiler, sport seats etc making me think this...
Saw the old Shell Sport MK1 at the Pageant of Power last year, (lost in the fields of car club displays)

[shellsport271]

Thanks for the link to the DVLA site and for looking up both registerations.

In view of what they had to put up with, I'm amazed that XNO 271L has survived because I understand it is owned by Shellsport 271, a member of this bulletin board.

Just waiting for him to come forward and collect his prize!

Hi Chris
Sorry to have kept you waiting (only just found the topic)
It's great to hear from you.

Yes I have XNO 271L and yes it took a bit of restoring although luckily I found it in 1981.
This was before the tin-worm had taken hold or it got otherwise trashed.
It was plain Daytona yellow when I found it and I recognised the car straight away
It was restored first as a plain road car but eventually I took the plunge, and with a fair amount of luck managed to restore it to 'as raced' in the 1973.

I have the Autosport with the race report where you won as Chris Wittypaldi
Who's idea was that?

XNO is simply supporting dust until I get back to it, it's 99% good to go (apart from being standing in a heated garage)

What can you tell us about the race?

shellsport271

[shellsport271]

I'm 99% sure those Mk2's are Sports and not Mexico's. No rear spoiler, sport seats etc making me think this...
Saw the old Shell Sport MK1 at the Pageant of Power last year, (lost in the fields of car club displays)

We can make that 100% because they are in a FORD brochure on the Escort Sport pages and combined with your eye for detail....

shellsport271

[MexicoTim]

here is an old pics of 271,not mine just one i have,listed as AVO Day Stanford hall 1992


as said before 272 is a regular show goer and should be at Stanford hall on the 20th of this month for AVO National day

Andy who owns 272 also owns another shell sport Mexico but i cant remember the reg number

would be great to see 271 and 272 next to each other again

[MexicoTim]

not sure of the reg number but another shellsport mexico is being restored by an AVO Club member

[Chris Witty]

Hi Chris
Sorry to have kept you waiting (only just found the topic)
It's great to hear from you.

Yes I have XNO 271L and yes it took a bit of restoring although luckily I found it in 1981.
This was before the tin-worm had taken hold or it got otherwise trashed.
It was plain Daytona yellow when I found it and I recognised the car straight away
It was restored first as a plain road car but eventually I took the plunge, and with a fair amount of luck managed to restore it to 'as raced' in the 1973.

I have the Autosport with the race report where you won as Chris Wittypaldi
Who's idea was that?

XNO is simply supporting dust until I get back to it, it's 99% good to go (apart from being standing in a heated garage)

What can you tell us about the race?

shellsport271 

 

Hi Chris
Sorry to have kept you waiting (only just found the topic)
It's great to hear from you.

Yes I have XNO 271L and yes it took a bit of restoring although luckily I found it in 1981.
This was before the tin-worm had taken hold or it got otherwise trashed.
It was plain Daytona yellow when I found it and I recognised the car straight away
It was restored first as a plain road car but eventually I took the plunge, and with a fair amount of luck managed to restore it to 'as raced' in the 1973.

I have the Autosport with the race report where you won as Chris Wittypaldi
Who's idea was that?

XNO is simply supporting dust until I get back to it, it's 99% good to go (apart from being standing in a heated garage)

What can you tell us about the race?

shellsport271

It's only taken me 4.5 years to get back to you regarding XNO 271L but, as they say, better late than never. I would dearly love to be reunited with the car, if you still own it, as on May 25th this year, it will be 40 years to the day I won the Evening News Trophy in it at Brands Hatch. Might be a fun feature to write about. Where do you live and where is the car kept? 

[Rupertlt1]

Brands Hatch, British Airways-Daily Mail Race of Champions meeting, 16 March 1975  

Evening News Champions Shellsport Escort Race (10 laps, 12.4 miles)

1.— C. Baldwin (GB) 11m 37.8 aec (63.97 mph)

2.— T. Percival (GB)

3.— J. Woodall (GB)

Fastest lap: C. Baldwin and D. Galica, 1 min 7.8sec (65.84 mph)

 

The SPARKS Evening News Celebrity Escort race on the bill featured among the entry:

Lady Jane Wellesley (a friend of Prince Charles), yachtsmen Chay Blyth and Robin Knox-Johnston, rugby stars David Duckham and Barry John, "jockette" Meriel Tufnell and goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

The winner was the bobsleigh champion Chris Baldwin. 14 starters.

 

Is second place Tom Percival, the powerboat racer?

Was he Jonathan "Jonnie" Woodall, sometime British Cresta Run champion?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 11 February 2020 - 16:18.

[Sterzo]

Brands Hatch, British Airways-Daily Mail Race of Champions meeting, 16 March 1975  

The SPARKS Celebrity Escort race on the bill featured among the entry:
Lady Jane Wellesley (a friend of Prince Charles)...

This prompted lengthy speculation by a small group of spectators about the criteria for entry, featuring extrapolation of the qualifications which are better not repeated here.

[Rupertlt1]

This prompted lengthy speculation by a small group of spectators about the criteria for entry, featuring extrapolation of the qualifications which are better not repeated here.

 

Somebody must have a programme from the Race of Champions 1975?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 11 February 2020 - 17:10.

[Tim Murray]

I’ve managed to dig out the programme. Here’s the entry list:

Chris Baldwin - bobsleigh
Chay Blyth - sailing
David Duckham - rugby
Jim Fox - pentathlon
Barry John - rugby
Robin Knox-Johnston - sailing
Ivan Mauger - speedway
Ann Moore - show jumping
Tom Percival - power boating
Hugh Porter - cycling
Budge Rodgers - rugby
Meriel Tufnell - horse racing
Lady Jane Wellesley
Bob Wilson - football
Jonathan Woodall - Cresta run

There were obviously some late additions - the report in Motoring News mentions Divina Galica and Richard Walker.

Results (from MN):
1. C. Baldwin 11m 37.8s 63.97mph
2. T. Percival
3. J. Woodall
4. D. Galica
Fastest lap: C. Blyth and Galica, 1m 7.8s 65.84mph

[Rupertlt1]

Many thanks. These races were thought of as light-hearted fun at best (and talentless crashfests at worst).

They provided an 'in' for many folk who might not have tried motor sport at all.

Here we have a top three of considerable ability in allied fields.

Both Percival and Woodall met sad ends. Divina Galica achieved much and is remembered for her F1 exploits.

 

Still hoping for an entry list at the British GP 1972 here.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 February 2020 - 12:54.