20 replies to this topic

[Morris S]

Hill in the BRM here :

 

 

I thought this was Goodwood April '63 as both the BRM and the Mini both have their corresponding competion numbers on (3 and 113 respectively). It has been suggested to me however that it's Folkingham. If so it must be shorlty after , and why's the Cooper Mini at BRM's test track ?

 

Anyone pin down the location ?

 

Thanks

 

Pete

[d j fox]

It’s actually 1965 and this just has to be Silverstone. The old hanger, the concrete breeze blocks and the scaffolding supporting a large advert hoarding give it away.

 

In the "good old days" teams used to base themselves on the outside of the old Woodcote (very much pre-chicane ) for testing--hence the works Mini joining in the action.

 

I would guess that this is pre- International Trophy race testing and post Goodwood Easter Monday where Graham’s P261 carried the No.3 offset.

 

 

I'm sure Doug will know when!!!!

 

David

Edited by d j fox, 04 November 2013 - 16:10.

[Vitesse2]

The same picture is on the BRM Wiki page and stated to be 1964 at Folkingham - although the Wikimedia page where it's hosted says it's 1965! Credited to English Steel Corporation, possibly via John Crosthwaite - it appears to be a scanned original photo:

 

http://en.wikipedia....Hill_in_BRM.jpg

[Michael Ferner]

Tyres look a bit "fat" for '63 - actually, they look fat even for '64! Anyway, it can't be '63 because that's a P261, isn't it?

[Vitesse2]

Looking closer, the reg number of the Mini is GPH 1C, which means it must be 1965 or later. C suffix denotes a car registered between January and December 1965 - the mid-year change didn't come in until 1967: E was Jan-Jul 1967, F was Aug 1967- Jul 1968.

 

Edit: sold at Bonhams last year, built December 1964, exhibited at the 1965 Racing Car Show. Raced by Warwick Banks etc etc.

 

http://www.bonhams.c.../20145/lot/151/

Edited by Vitesse2, 04 November 2013 - 16:24.

[Tim Murray]

Further confirmation that it's 1965 - the slots around the radiator intake were first used at the 1964 Mexican GP. Also the top rear radius rod appears to be connected to the top of the upright, not at hub height. The P261 first raced with this configuration at the 1965 Race of Champions.

[Morris S]

Sorry chaps my mistake, a simple typo ! Yes it's 1965.

 

Definately Silverstone ??

[Roger Clark]

Doug Nye's book mentions just two test sessions between Goodwood and Silverstone, with Graham driving 2615, which this car is.  Graham raced it at Goodwood, but not at Silverstone.  Both test sessions were at Snetterton.  Could this be there?

[RS2000]

Can only be 65 as the Cooper Car Co Cooper S is a Group 2 car and BSCC went Group 5 in 66 (and didnt carry reg nos).

Edited by RS2000, 04 November 2013 - 19:59.

[JtP1]

Can only be 65 as the Cooper Car Co Cooper S is a Group 2 car and BSCC went Group 5 in 66 (and didnt carry reg nos).

 

+ the tyres are R7s which didn't come out till 65. It's earlish in 65 as the BRM is fitted with 1st generation R7s on the rear.

Edited by JtP1, 04 November 2013 - 20:11.

[Morris S]

So we've definitely established it's 1965, yes.  Anyone else recognise this venue ?  I think it's a T2 hangar, Goodwood, Silverstone or Snetterton ?

Edited by Morris S, 05 November 2013 - 12:18.

[Jean L]

The BRM on the picture is identical to the P261 of Graham Hill at Goodwood the 19 april 1965 for the Sunday Mirror Trophy.

Edited by Jean L, 05 November 2013 - 15:46.

[MCS]

Despite the breeze blocks and the scaffolding I think it could be Snetterton - perhaps up at the old hairpin?  I just sense it for some reason. Although why the cars would be up there and not in the pits/paddock area doesn't make a huge amount of sense.

 

There were certainly T2 hangars in evidence at Snetterton (Heath), although I believe one or more were relocated elsewhere at some point to be used as grain stores or for large agricultural machinery and such like.

 

Andrew Kitson may know...

Edited by MCS, 05 November 2013 - 20:32.

[Morris S]

This is proving more difficult than I first thought !  Thanks so far chaps, can anyone else pin this down ?

[Paul Parker]

This is proving more difficult than I first thought !  Thanks so far chaps, can anyone else pin this down ?

 

I think this is Silverstone at the farm (cannot recall who owned it) after which Farm Straight was named which was, again from memory, where the original start was sited.

 

Cars would use this spot to start from during testing, I could be mistaken, but hopefully not, as I used a Michael Cooper colour shot of Salvadori in an early Cooper-Maserati T80 in RFP, with this old hangar in the background.

[alansart]

I think this is Silverstone at the farm (cannot recall who owned it) after which Farm Straight was named which was, again from memory, where the original start was sited.

 

Cars would use this spot to start from during testing, I could be mistaken, but hopefully not, as I used a Michael Cooper colour shot of Salvadori in an early Cooper-Maserati T80 in RFP, with this old hangar in the background.

 

Was it Jimmy Brown who owned the farm?

 

An ariel photo from 1949 shows 2 hangers on the outside of the circuit. I think the building on the inside is the farm.

 

 

As for Snetterton. I seem to remember seeing a photo of a hanger on the outside of the circuit at Coram.

[Paul Parker]

Was it Jimmy Brown who owned the farm?

 

An ariel photo from 1949 shows 2 hangers on the outside of the circuit. I think the building on the inside is the farm.

 

 

As for Snetterton. I seem to remember seeing a photo of a hanger on the outside of the circuit at Coram.

 

Yes it was Jimmy Brown.

[Morris S]

All making sense now, thanks chaps, thank you. This particular hangar would be on the exit of Abbey then, outside of the circuit and just before the start line in 1965.  I also have the colour shot of Salvadori testing the prototype T81 pictured beside the hangar from the other end. I did wonder whether it was the same place !

 

Thanks once again.

 

Pete

[Tim Murray]

This particular hangar would be on the exit of Abbey then, outside of the circuit and just before the start line in 1965. 

 

The start line had been moved to between Woodcote and Copse in 1952, after the new pits had been built there.

[Michael Oliver]

All making sense now, thanks chaps, thank you. This particular hangar would be on the exit of Abbey then, outside of the circuit and just before the start line in 1965.  I also have the colour shot of Salvadori testing the prototype T81 pictured beside the hangar from the other end. I did wonder whether it was the same place !

 

Thanks once again.

 

Pete

 

Definitely Silverstone, where they used to do all the testing from. I have another shot from this test that I acquired earlier this year and the same personnel are visible in the background.

[Tony Robinson]

Is the fellow standing in the background wearing a duffle coat Ginger Devlin if so that would answer your question why is the Mini there.

Also agree with Michael Oliver definetly Silverstone.

 

Cheers

Tony