15 replies to this topic

[dgarrett]

Lotus Elan 26-R-22

I have done some deep research on the racing history of the above car, 1964-1967, when it was raced extensively in Europe by the Swiss Karl Foitek (father of Gregor). I have a large collection of results, reports, and photos. I have summarised some of my findings on the attached photosummary sheet (never done this before, hope it works, and special thanks to Ray Bell in far-off Australia for talking me through it...!)

If anybody has any leads on the four "missing" photos, or has any thoughts on any other races the car might have done, or just wants to swap notes on continental racing in that period, then I'd love to hear from them



free image uploader

David Garrett

[Ray Bell]

A great job you've done there, David...

Gathering all of that stuff must have taken some time. Do you plan to keep on doing the same with its American history?

[raceannouncer2003]

Have you contacted Karl Foitek?  Here is a link:

 

http://www.foitekaut...58&changelang=5

 

Steve Clark here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada has the ex-Karl Foitek Lotus 23 and I believe he has been in touch with him.

 

Vince H.

[richardspringett]

Hi David

 

I guess from your post that you have been in contact with Karl Foitek?

 

I spent a very pleasant afternoon with him last November exploring his photographic records racing my Alfa Romeo TZ.  

 

He is exceptionally friendly and helpful; though his interest was more winning than recording the fact!

 

Richard

[dgarrett]

A great job you've done there, David...

Gathering all of that stuff must have taken some time. Do you plan to keep on doing the same with its American history?

Ray

Firstly, thanks for all your help, without which I certainly wouldn't have been writing this reply...

Yes, actually I've tracked the history in America, where in fact the car spent most of its life. It was bought in Detroit by a certain Ernest Bazzana in 1974, he sold it to Arthur Pryde, also in Detroit, and he sold it to Ric Kellen who took it to California and owned it for 28 years! You can pick up the story (hopefully!) from the attached photosummary, which, if I have learned my techniques correctly from the master, should now appear below....???

Edited by dgarrett, 12 April 2015 - 20:03.

[dgarrett]

Hi Vince

Good to hear from you - wow, that's another of Karl's cars in good hands. He had a great year with that Lotus 23 in 1964 - maybe you've already got this colour shot of it on the Gaisberg hillclimb, 28th June 64

David

[dgarrett]

Have you contacted Karl Foitek?  Here is a link:
 
http://www.foitekaut...58&changelang=5
 
Steve Clark here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada has the ex-Karl Foitek Lotus 23 and I believe he has been in touch with him.
 
Vince H.

And Karl himself is very good shape - a sparkly eyed 83 year old (nearly 84!) - this was taken at Foitek Automobile last year

David


[/quote]

[raceannouncer2003]

Hi Vince

Good to hear from you - wow, that's another of Karl's cars in good hands. He had a great year with that Lotus 23 in 1964 - maybe you've already got this colour shot of it on the Gaisberg hillclimb, 28th June 64

David

 

Hi David

 

Thanks for the photo.  I will pass it on to Steve.

 

Vince H.

[Graham Gauld]

I am happy to see that Karl Fiotek is still alive and well. He was to blame for one of the slight accidents Sherwood Skelly and I had on the 1959 International Tulip Rally. It was Sherwood's first International event and he was very enthusiastic with his new MGA Twin Cam.

That year there were six Twin Cams on the rally led by the factory cars of John Sprinzel and John Gott. As we were the junior member of the MGA Twin-Cam crew we were lectured by John Gott before the start and told that all the MGA Twin-Cams must finish !!!!  

On one of the early stages Sherwood proved quicker than Sprinzel immediately was asked by Gott what revs he was using and when Sherwood replied he was using everything on the clock he was firmly told to limit his revs.  However three stages later and during the night  we were overtaken on a flat section on top of a Col in the South of France by Karl Fiotek in his factory Alfa-Romeo. Sherwood remarked " He's quick lets follow him" which as any regular rally co driver will tell you is the last thing you want to hear from your driver. We duly plunged down the other side trying to keep the Alfas tail lights in sight but at a tight right over a river bridge Fiotek had no problems but we hit the parapet hard and dislodged some of the stones off the top !  It took us about twenty minutes to get the smashed front wheel off and replaced before carrying on. After a second crash we finally had to retire around Mont Ventoux stage on which I was supposed to drive because we were way over the maximum hours allowance. So I have good reason to remember Karl Fiotek and to see his skill at first hand.

[JtP2]

Graham, you never cease to amaze me.

[dgarrett]

Graham that's a great story - obviously Karl never knew the disaster unfolding in his wake, but I'm sure he'll chuckle when I see him next month and tell him!

David

[Graham Gauld]

David

 

This was our car on the start line for one of the Stages on the '59 Tulip. I nipped out to take the picture.

 

 

http://postimg.cc/image/tjjhxy2ej/

 

GG

[dgarrett]

Hi David
 
Thanks for the photo.  I will pass it on to Steve.
 
Vince H.

Hi Vince, I've sent the photo over to Steve, plus a couple more from the same event, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the car. You should teach him to use the Forum - I'm only a few days ahead of him!

Best

David

David

[dgarrett]

Hi David
 
I guess from your post that you have been in contact with Karl Foitek?
 
I spent a very pleasant afternoon with him last November exploring his photographic records racing my Alfa Romeo TZ.  
 
He is exceptionally friendly and helpful; though his interest was more winning than recording the fact!
 
Richard

Hi Richard

Yes, I went over to see Karl a couple of times last year, and I am due over again very soon for him (hopefully!) to review the extensive photobook and story I have done on him and his Elans. Lovely man!

I'd be very interested to hear the story of you car - I have several photos of Karl racing various models of Alfa, but none of a TZ (is that the "Tubolare"?). Is that the one that he shared with Silvio Moser in the Oct 64 1000Km in Paris? I'd love to see a current photo and to hear the history of the car

Best

David

[The Mountaineer]

Hi David,

 

No pictures found, but two of the missing 26R race numbers:

 

Schwarzenberg-Bödele 1965   146

Monza Swiss Championship 1966   48

 

By the way, if you - or other British enthusiasts with interesting cars - would like to participate in our Historic Hillclimb Demonstration Run at Altbüron/Switzerland on August 16th, please send a PM. We are trying to persuade Karl to join us as well.

More info on www.fluegerli.ch

 

Urs 

[elansprint72]

 

 

A couple of more recent photos from Oulton Park.