5 replies to this topic

[Spiderlounge]

Hello, I'm looking for information on a Brabham BT23B, I have found two entries for such a car as follows:

Non-starter at 1969 Race of Champions with Climax engine, driver Roy Pike, entered by either Antique Automobiles (i.e. Colin Crabbe) or Jack Smith

Took part in 1969 Canadian Grand Prix with 2.8 Climax engine, driver John Cordts, entered by Paul Seitz

 

Are these the same cars? Was the car originally a BT23A? I can't find any info on this 23B type, what was it built for?

 

Many thanks in advance if anyone can help.

[David McKinney]

First thing is to try the search function - simply entering "bt23b" brings up several past threads in the main Nostalgia Forum and the TNF archive

[Allen Brown]

It was a derivative of the BT23 Formula 2 car and its BT23A Tasman derivative built with Climax engines for libre racing.  Of the three built, two were used in hillclimbs and the third in libre racing.  It was the libre racing car that ended up doing some Formula A in Canada and was allowed to start a GP.  

 

Jack Smith later brought the car back to the UK and was killed in it at Snetterton in July 1972.  

[Spiderlounge]

Oh for pity's sake, every car I take an interest in seems to end up with some poor sod ketting killed in it... Thanks very much Allen, that clears a few things up for me.

 

One assumes it was the same BT23B in both F1 races, but I suppose it might not have been? Also, can anyone clear up the entrant at Brands Hatch?

[HistoryFan]

Hello, I'm looking for information on a Brabham BT23B, I have found two entries for such a car as follows:

Non-starter at 1969 Race of Champions with Climax engine, driver Roy Pike, entered by either Antique Automobiles (i.e. Colin Crabbe) or Jack Smith

Took part in 1969 Canadian Grand Prix with 2.8 Climax engine, driver John Cordts, entered by Paul Seitz

 

 

Who was that Paul Seitz? Didn't find anything about him

 

[Rupertlt1]

I think Paul Seitz was the brother of Phil Seitz - both sons of Burke Seitz, who raced and entered Corvettes in the fifties for Gorries Chevrolet in Toronto, the family business. See:

 

http://www.racingspo...-Seitz-CDN.html

 

Edit: Could Burke have been one of the brothers?

 

http://library.ryers...eatures/gorrie/

 

Edit:

Canada Track & Traffic, December 1968, Page 49:

ELVA BMW Mk.8 - Spectacular looks and

as new condition, spares. Contact: Paul

Seitz, Suite 1608, 2 Carlton Street, Toronto

2, Ontario. 416-363-9391, days.

 

Edit:

Toronto Daily Star, May 21, 1969, Page 18:

About eight Canadian Formula A cars will contest the

series, although at least three of them won't be on hand

until the third race at Edmonton, June 22.

One of the late entries will be driven by Cordts. He's

landed a Brabham, powered by a Coventry-Climax, "four

banger" engine. Paul Seitz is the car's owner.

"The car is in England now, having some work done

on it," Cordts said. "I know it isn't a world-beater, but, at

least, I'll have a go at the series."

 

Edit:

Toronto Daily Star, Sep 10, 1969, Page 32:

Cordts will drive a Brabham-Coventry-Climax, owned

by Paul Seitz of Toronto. He handled the car in last week's

Continental Championship race at Ste. Jovite.

 

Edit:

The Globe and Mail, June 22, 1970, Page 23:

Harewood Acres, Ontario, June 20, 1970. 

"Al Pease of Toronto won two [races] in the Paul Seitz Brabham Formula A car..."

 

Edit:

Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa Grand Prix, July 1, 1970

Al Pease, Brabham BT23B, Seitz Racing, DNF, ret'd lap 13.

http://www.autocours...f/1970-gulf.htm

See also: Mosport Park, Oct 11, 1970.
 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 28 September 2014 - 21:06.