18 replies to this topic

[ericlai]

Hi everyone,

Allow me to intro myself. My name is eric Lai, a motor enthusiast or rather car nuts from Johor, Malaysia. I have been 'lurking' around autosport for a while but have very very little racing knowledge to share so stayed at the sideline till now. I find your forum to be very interesting and filled with 'rich' information.

I recently chanced upon an item related to the Johor Coronation Grand Prix which sparked my desire to learn more about its background espc since it is from my hometown.

I only found that the first Johor Grand Prix was held to raise money for the War Fund. A second event, held in 1949, was the first formal grand prix event held in Southeast Asia. The Johor Grand Prix continued to run until 1953 and was superseded by the Johor Coronation Grand Prix in 1960. Other than that, i have found nothing.

So i am hoping someone from this forum can share more history than the information i had. I am also particularly interested in the driver's history. Names like Chan Lye Choon who won the 1961 Johor Grand Prix. Pictures would definitely be appreciated. Or any contacts with the authorities/drivers in this area.

Thanks for reading.

Best regards
eric lai

[raceannouncer2003]

Apparently there is a book coming out on this race. You can contact the author. Here is the link to the webpage:

http://www.currypotp...uits-Johore.htm

Results of the 1960 race at this link:

http://www.racingspo...02-21-9279.html

Some results for Chan Lye Choon at this link:

http://www.racingspo...e-Choon-HK.html

There are photos of the Aston Martin Chan Lye Choon drove in 1959 in the Johore Grand Prix at these links:

http://www.currypotp...cle-TopGear.pdf

http://www.macau.gra.....a Gold_en.pdf

There is also a photo of the ex-Chan Lye Choon 1961 winning Lola Mk 1 on this webpage:

http://www.currypotp...manDreaming.htm

Hope this helps.

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 23 March 2010 - 06:12.

[hansfohr]

Hallo Eric,

This blog reveils interesting info regarding the history of the Johor GP.
http://malaysiavinta...d.blogspot.com/

[Nev]

Hi

I don't know if they are of interest to you but I came across a chest full of trophies, all won by a BS Arnold, during a house clearance. Most had "RAF Seletar Auto Club" badges and were from the period 1960-1963. The most desirable ones went to a collector in Australia - including an absolutely enormous solid-silver bowl - but I have two smaller ones remaining. If they are of any interest to you please email me privately - I will be happy for them to go to a good home for the price of postage.

Neville,

http://www.xj13.eu

[Sharman]

I think I am right in saying that Tony Goodwin ran his Lola mk 2 in the Johor GP around this time. He was a Royal Air Force Doctor in Singapore?Malaya, I am in email cpntact with him and c ould ask any questions you might want to ask.

Edited by Sharman, 23 March 2010 - 10:57.

[Vitesse2]

Hallo Eric,

This blog reveils interesting info regarding the history of the Johor GP.
http://malaysiavinta...d.blogspot.com/

Interesting, but not entirely accurate, given that Yong Kee Nam's pictured car is an E-type, not a D-type Jaguar as stated in the text.

You can also find a few mentions of the race here on TNF by using the search function and searching with the older Empire-era spelling "Johore". They're scattered around, so select "show results as posts" to see them.

[Ralf Pickel]

I´d say - fom the proportions it must be a XKSS ? Looks too short for a E, also nose/headlamps look more like XKSS.
Wheels/wheelnuts and leather strap for bonnet are also telltales.

Edited by Ralf Pickel, 23 March 2010 - 14:59.

[D-Type]

I´d say - fom the proportions it must be a XKSS ? Looks too short for a E, also nose/headlamps look more like XKSS.
Wheels/wheelnuts and leather strap for bonnet are also telltales.

I'll go along with that. There's no headrest, the windscreen has a frame, the car has bumpers - all features of the XKSS rather than the D-Type.

Edited by D-Type, 23 March 2010 - 16:14.

[Nev]

Hi everyone,

I recently chanced upon an item related to the Johor Coronation Grand Prix which sparked my desire to learn more about its background espc since it is from my hometown.

Hello again Eric - a little more info - BS Arnold raced in the Coronation Grand Prix in the early 1960s (I used to own one of his trophies). The remaining two trophies I have are yours if you want them. There is also a mention of him here from 1955 http://newspapers.nl...1121.2.127.aspx

[ericlai]

thank you so much everyone. I am overwhelmed by the responds. Special thanks to Sharman and Nev, i will take up your offers.

Just to share, I visited a photographer of the era. He still lives along the circuit streets. Bought a photo of Albert Poon, the curcuit and a race bike racing down the street. The best part of the purchase was him sharing with me the history and his personal experience watching the Johor Grand Prix. His eyes lit up and his wrinkled face shine during this conversation. I could relate to him and felt like i went back in time. It was amazing.

Now i have some photos but hunting down Chan Lye Choon 1961 Grand Prix Podium picture. That will be a great addition to the cup i owned. I will be happy to pay for the original or reprint.

And i hope to meet up with Eli soon. Cant wait for his book to learn more about the history of Malaya racing.

Please continue to feed me with more links or information. Your effort is much appreciated.

Once again thank you so much for reading. I will share the photos next week.

[ericlai]

Dear All,

A plead to everyone.

I wish to gather items; trophy, posters, adverstisements, pictures, medals, or anything related to the Johor Grand Prix. If you have any information and wish to part/sell, please pm me. thanks.

Best regards
eric lai

[Jean L]

Yong Kee Nam Jaguar is D type XKD 510 part converted to XKSS.Tragic car: Tony Dennis (1956) + Yong Kee Nam (1963).

[ericlai]

bump.

just in case someone has more information.

[JGP1952]

Hi everyone,

Allow me to intro myself. My name is eric Lai, a motor enthusiast or rather car nuts from Johor, Malaysia. I have been 'lurking' around autosport for a while but have very very little racing knowledge to share so stayed at the sideline till now. I find your forum to be very interesting and filled with 'rich' information.

I recently chanced upon an item related to the Johor Coronation Grand Prix which sparked my desire to learn more about its background espc since it is from my hometown.

I only found that the first Johor Grand Prix was held to raise money for the War Fund. A second event, held in 1949, was the first formal grand prix event held in Southeast Asia. The Johor Grand Prix continued to run until 1953 and was superseded by the Johor Coronation Grand Prix in 1960. Other than that, i have found nothing.

So i am hoping someone from this forum can share more history than the information i had. I am also particularly interested in the driver's history. Names like Chan Lye Choon who won the 1961 Johor Grand Prix. Pictures would definitely be appreciated. Or any contacts with the authorities/drivers in this area.

Thanks for reading.

Best regards
eric lai

Hi, Eric.

I came across your missive quite by chance, and I may have something of interest for you.

I attended the 1952 Johore Grand Prix and still have a few 58 year old pictures, if you would like them? In addition, I also have my pass to section "B" of the Jail Corner Grand Stand, seat No. 133.

I attended several race meetings at the Johore street circuit, including motorcycle events during the period 1952-54.

Best wishes

Bill

[ericlai]

Hi, Eric.

I came across your missive quite by chance, and I may have something of interest for you.

I attended the 1952 Johore Grand Prix and still have a few 58 year old pictures, if you would like them? In addition, I also have my pass to section "B" of the Jail Corner Grand Stand, seat No. 133.

I attended several race meetings at the Johore street circuit, including motorcycle events during the period 1952-54.

Best wishes

Bill

Thanks bill. I would love that. Pls email me. Many thanks.

Dear all,

Sorry for missing in action. I was out due to illness. Am back and still hoping i could some artifacts, pictues, trophy, advertising, posters and medals relating to the Johor Grand Prix. Hoping it will be good enough to showcase to Malaysian that Johor was the 'birth' place of Malaysia racing. Not sure the last statement was factually accurate but certainly one of the first. Thank you for reading and hope more information will come by.

Warmest regards
Eric Lai

[David McKinney]

I don't know of any earlier race - not for cars, anyway

...though of course Malaysia didn't exist when the first races were held at Johore (as it was spelt back then)

[Vitesse2]

Agreed, David. Certainly hillclimbs and sprints, but no circuit races. An interesting sidelight I recently found is that the Seremban speed trials were "Brighton-style" - two-abreast!

[David McKinney]

I was surprised to learn that we did it in NZ too - at least in some events immediately after WW2, and one that I know of before

[sss11]

Hi, Eric.

I came across your missive quite by chance, and I may have something of interest for you.

I attended the 1952 Johore Grand Prix and still have a few 58 year old pictures, if you would like them? In addition, I also have my pass to section "B" of the Jail Corner Grand Stand, seat No. 133.

I attended several race meetings at the Johore street circuit, including motorcycle events during the period 1952-54.

Best wishes

Bill

Bill rode a m/cycle # 83 in the 1952 Johore GP. Drove a VW in the 1961 Johore GP & a Simca 1000 in the 1962 GP. Would appreciate photos should you or anyone have any.
Merry Christmas
Rodney Seow