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A Kenyan track called Nakuru


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#51 sspunny

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Posted 11 May 2011 - 07:48

Hi Brian

My dad Roger used to race a Saab and Renault Gordini at Nakuru - I have a bunch of photos (and I remember my Dad making mention to the DKW on numerous occassions) so I'll take a look through for you...

Neville

P.S. How do I post pics to the site???

Hi Neville,

I lived in Nakuru and as a teenager used to go to the races regularly. I am collecting pictures of racing at the Nakuru track and it would be great to have a look at your pictures. Hope you can put them on an image hosting website as suggested by Tim.

Surinder

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#52 iks

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 03:13

A friend and I hitch-hiked to the Nakuru racetrack at least twice from Nairobi in the mid sixties. But we went for the motorcycle races. There was always the same fleet of mismatched bikes: AJS, Matchless, Nortons, BSA and Triumph and one lone Japanese bike with a fairing. I don't recall whether it was a Yamaha or Honda 250cc. The results were almost always the same; The bigger Norton would pull away from the others on the back straighaway and the Yamaha/Honda would slip ahead through the curves. If anyone has more information on the bike races I woul de glad to hear from you. I might even remember the names of the riders. Another cultural notes on Nakuru were the choices of outhouses/WC's: you could select the Eastern (Indian) or European style.

Closer to Nairobi (I attended the Duke of York and my friend the Prince of Wales boarding schools) we attended a lot of "scrambles" (motocross). I remember also seeing some grass-track minicoopers race at Jamhuri Park. That was a long time ago!

-Ian

#53 D-Type

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 15:24

There was also a 250 NSU with a fairing - can't remember the rider though.

I can remember:
Henry Ayub and Vic Preston on Norton Manxes
Jack Simonian on Triumph Bonneville and later Yamaha 250 (I don't think it had a fairing)
Bob Rose on Bonneville or BSA (can't remember which)
Beau Younghusband on BSA (I think)
Ivan Smith on a BSA (i think)Gordon Crow on a Vincent
Audrey Robbins :love: on Yamaha 250 and Bonneville (courtesy of Jack Simonian)
Vispi Mistri on various old bikes
And always at least one sikh with his hair in a pigtail streaming out behind his helmet. I can't remember any names though.

And a 1 or 2 lap scooter race with the riders lying so flat they looked under the handlebars
"Didi" Kalsi, Billy Rowlands and several others on Lambrettas vs Charlie Officer, Audrey Robbins, Gordon Dyer and Vispi Mistri on Vespas

After posting this I'll probably remember more.

Edit:
(1) Simonian's Yamaha and Vispi Mistri added
(2) Ivan Smith added

Edited by D-Type, 14 May 2011 - 19:41.


#54 RogerBarnard

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 15:41

Im not a 100% sure but i think joginda singh was a relative of mine.My father was born in Nakuru in 1947,Joginda Singh was my dads uncle who was a rally driver


The full name of Joginder Singh - who won the Safari Rally three times - is Joginder Singh Bhamra. He was born in 1932 near Kericho and was one of seven brothers. He now lives in London. I can pass on your details to him if you wish. E-mail me at rbarnard@dircon.co.uk.


#55 RogerBarnard

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 15:49

Hi Brian

My dad Roger used to race a Saab and Renault Gordini at Nakuru - I have a bunch of photos (and I remember my Dad making mention to the DKW on numerous occassions) so I'll take a look through for you...

Neville

P.S. How do I post pics to the site???


Hi Neville,

We used to know Roger and Maureen quite well when we lived in Kenya (1966 - 84).

I understand that Roger sadly died. Is Maureen still in South Africa?
You can contact me directly on rbarnard@dircon.co.uk

Roger Barnard

#56 RogerBarnard

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 15:57

Hi D Type,
Do you remember that Lotus XV. My father owned it in 67-69. Then we returned to UK.
He also owned the Le Gallais Special in the preceding years.
The Lotus is being restored for a second time at the moment (Chassis 607).
I am trying to find out if anything remained of the LGS just as the makers son is looking for it.
I have included a couple of pictures to help.
Regards Saxa


https://mail.google....1...mzm011n0

https://mail.google....1...p=inline


If you've not already spotted it, there's a separate thread in this forum entitled "Le Gallais Special". You might find out some of the information you are looking for there.

Regarding the Lotus XV, I remember it being raced in the 1970s with a Datsun engine, by Ewart Walker (who worked for D.T.Dobie - the Nissan dealers in Kenya).


#57 D-Type

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 16:22

If you've not already spotted it, there's a separate thread in this forum entitled "Le Gallais Special". You might find out some of the information you are looking for there.

Regarding the Lotus XV, I remember it being raced in the 1970s with a Datsun engine, by Ewart Walker (who worked for D.T.Dobie - the Nissan dealers in Kenya).

The Lotus also had a Ford Taunus V4 at some stage. The Climax engine and presumably the ZF transmission apparently went into an Escort. But all the main bits ended up with Bill Colson (I think)

#58 RogerBarnard

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 18:35

The full name of Joginder Singh - who won the Safari Rally three times - is Joginder Singh Bhamra. He was born in 1932 near Kericho and was one of seven brothers. He now lives in London. I can pass on your details to him if you wish. E-mail me at rbarnard@dircon.co.uk.


Oops!

Joginder Singh's full name is Joginder Singh Bachu (sometimes spelled Bhachu)

Apologies - blame my advancing years!

#59 D-Type

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Posted 13 May 2011 - 20:52

According to Roger's Safari history, Joginder's regular co-driver, Jaswant was his brother and his 1967 co-driver Harbajan Singh Sembi was his brother-in-law. So, Callisto, if Joginder is your great uncle, then two more rally drivers also are. But, remember there were several Sikhs competing in the Safari and other East African rallies so your great uncle could have been one of the others.


Edited by D-Type, 29 November 2016 - 00:20.


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#60 TimB

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Posted 05 August 2011 - 09:24

Porsche 911TR Research HELP - Embakasi & Nakuru circuits Kenya etc...

New to the forum so apologies that my first post is a request for help! (Currently having my fathers old slides of Oulton Park in the 50's/60's/70's transferred to digital so hopefully have something to contribute in the near future).

I am looking for help with research on the history of my car as detailed in this thread (unlike a number of early 911's in Africa the car was in circuit rather than rally spec):

http://www.early911s....Of-Africa-quot

I was delighted to receive an email a couple of weeks ago from someone who has asked a contact in Kenya to try and do some research on the car, however, even their initial feedback was great in that it confirmed knowledge of the first owner Peter George Sargentson and confirmed that the car competed at the Nairobi (Embakasi) circuit and also believed to have raced at the Nakuru circuit.

If anyone has any information/pictures of events at these circuits, particularly between mid '68 and the early '70's then I would be delighted to hear; my particular car was RHD and would have been tangerine in colour competing from mid '68 until the early '70's when it was taken to Uganda (where it may also have competed in hill climb/sprint type of events).

They also think that the East African Porsche agent Gordon C. R. Crow, who ordered the car direct from the Porsche factory in Stuttgart, operated from the petrol station in Langata which is now run by rally driver Ian Duncan.

Again if anyone can provide any further information on any of the above or can point me in the direction of where to search I would be very grateful.

Thanks
Tim

#61 D-Type

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Posted 05 August 2011 - 10:22

Sorry, I can't add anything. This is after I left Kenya.

Edited by D-Type, 05 August 2011 - 20:20.


#62 Fred Gallagher

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Posted 05 August 2011 - 12:00

Porsche 911TR Research HELP - Embakasi & Nakuru circuits Kenya etc...

They also think that the East African Porsche agent Gordon C. R. Crow, who ordered the car direct from the Porsche factory in Stuttgart, operated from the petrol station in Langata which is now run by rally driver Ian Duncan.

Again if anyone can provide any further information on any of the above or can point me in the direction of where to search I would be very grateful.

Thanks
Tim


I met Gordon Crow in the Isle of Man around 1980 when I was rallying there. He was doing mobile car servicing at the time. He might just still be there.

I bought a teachest (!) full of Porsche literature from him but there was nothing about individual cars in it.

Fred

#63 TimB

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Posted 06 August 2011 - 17:44

Thanks for that Fred.

Tim



#64 D-Type

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Posted 06 August 2011 - 20:41

Gordon Crow used to race a 1000cc Vincent at Nakuru. He later also raced cars - I have a 1962 programme where in addition to riding the the Vincent he also drove a Martin-Norton in a novices handicap. About 1964 he was doing a recce for the Safari when the car hit an unlit parked truck and he lost an eye. I think he then retired from racing.
Tim, I'm afraid this doesn't help your quest one iota - sorry.


#65 TimB

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Posted 07 August 2011 - 08:13

Thanks Duncan

Part of the fun of researching a car like this is the different roads it takes you down and the areas of the sport and broader issues of the period it opens up so any information is gratefully received.

Tim

#66 Gary C

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Posted 17 July 2012 - 20:43

I'm presuming all the circuits have now been demolished??

#67 arttidesco

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Posted 18 July 2012 - 01:20

I'm presuming all the circuits have now been demolished??


See the previous page of this thread Gary.

Found a number of interesting photo's by entering Nakuru Racing Track in Google images.

#68 Graham Clayton

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Posted 25 April 2013 - 12:02

Here is a nice 1962 photo of the main straight and the pits:

Posted Image

Source: http://www.gordonmum...ges/nakuru5.jpg

Edited by Graham Clayton, 25 April 2013 - 12:02.


#69 D-Type

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Posted 25 April 2013 - 21:21

Ah yes, I remember it well!

If you look to the right you can just see the end of the pit entry road which ran on the inside of Lake View Corner. We may not have had any pit buildings but we had one of the first separate pit entries in the world.

Edited by D-Type, 06 May 2013 - 20:56.


#70 BMistri

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Posted 07 June 2016 - 12:15

There was also a 250 NSU with a fairing - can't remember the rider though.

I can remember:
Henry Ayub and Vic Preston on Norton Manxes
Jack Simonian on Triumph Bonneville and later Yamaha 250 (I don't think it had a fairing)
Bob Rose on Bonneville or BSA (can't remember which)
Beau Younghusband on BSA (I think)
Ivan Smith on a BSA (i think)Gordon Crow on a Vincent
Audrey Robbins :love: on Yamaha 250 and Bonneville (courtesy of Jack Simonian)
Vispi Mistri on various old bikes
And always at least one sikh with his hair in a pigtail streaming out behind his helmet. I can't remember any names though.

And a 1 or 2 lap scooter race with the riders lying so flat they looked under the handlebars
"Didi" Kalsi, Billy Rowlands and several others on Lambrettas vs Charlie Officer, Audrey Robbins, Gordon Dyer and Vispi Mistri on Vespas

After posting this I'll probably remember more.

Edit:
(1) Simonian's Yamaha and Vispi Mistri added
(2) Ivan Smith added

 

Hello D Type. Just having a play about online I found your post. Vispi Mistri was my Dad and used to have all kinds of old bikes before he passed. I did not know he had a Vespa though but I do have photos of various rallys and mud ranges he visited with friends. Did you know him or have any photos of him? PM me. Thanks. 



#71 D-Type

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Posted 09 June 2016 - 19:09

I only knew him vaguely from competing against him in Vespa Club of Kenya rallies, etc. He was several years older than me but very friendly and welcoming to us youngsters. He rode an old 150GS that went a lot faster than you would expect.  As well as Nakuru he also raced the Vespa in the scooter class of grass track racing.  All in the early sixties.

I'm sorry I don't have any photos of him.



#72 BMistri

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Posted 27 June 2016 - 17:00

I only knew him vaguely from competing against him in Vespa Club of Kenya rallies, etc. He was several years older than me but very friendly and welcoming to us youngsters. He rode an old 150GS that went a lot faster than you would expect.  As well as Nakuru he also raced the Vespa in the scooter class of grass track racing.  All in the early sixties.

I'm sorry I don't have any photos of him.

Hello D-Type. Thank you so much for the info and for letting me know. Everyone always said he was friendly and welcoming.   ;)



#73 Gary C

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Posted 26 November 2016 - 23:33

here's a couple of images from my collection, both from the Nakuru races in June 1964.
First up is a Manx Norton.....
scan0015_copy.jpg

Then there's the A.M.B. Special...
scan0033small.jpg
any further info about this car would be greatly appreciated.

Click on the pics for larger images

#74 D-Type

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Posted 28 November 2016 - 19:59

The AMB was a locally built special powered by a Porsche engine and presumably also featured a Porsche gearbox and running gear.  The builder and original driver was named Biondi and I am 99% certain his initials were AMB.

The AMB was the inspiration for the Sagoo specials: the Cortina powered Mk1 and the Lincoln Comet powered Mk2.  I don't know the details, but I was told that the body was built by Gurbux Singh Sagoo's panel beating company, called something like City Spray Painters.  There was some disagreement with Biondi and Gurbux, who had raced an SS Jaguar at Langa Langa resolved to produce a car that would beat the AMB.



#75 nexfast

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Posted 28 November 2016 - 20:30

The AMB was a locally built special powered by a Porsche engine and presumably also featured a Porsche gearbox and running gear.  The builder and original driver was named Biondi and I am 99% certain his initials were AMB.

The AMB was the inspiration for the Sagoo specials: the Cortina powered Mk1 and the Lincoln Comet powered Mk2.  I don't know the details, but I was told that the body was built by Gurbux Singh Sagoo's panel beating company, called something like City Spray Painters.  There was some disagreement with Biondi and Gurbux, who had raced an SS Jaguar at Langa Langa resolved to produce a car that would beat the AMB.

 

There was a Marcello Biondi entered in the 1966 Safari. Could it be the same person?



#76 D-Type

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 00:02

There was a Marcello Biondi entered in the 1966 Safari. Could it be the same person?

Yes, it would be.  If I remember correctly, he co-drove with Paulo Coniglio, but that may have been another year.



#77 Gary C

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Posted 14 December 2019 - 16:14

Resurrecting this thread again.  I have just acquired (or rather, it's in the post to me as we speak!) a roll of B&W home movie film of a race meeting at the original Langa Langa circuit in 1952.

Here's a scan of one of the captions for the film; film2.jpg

 

 I'm wondering if there's a way of getting some info on the date of the meeting plus somehow get a list of races/entrants. A bit of an ask I know, but this IS TNF!



#78 D-Type

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Posted 14 December 2019 - 23:35

The only Langa Langa dates I have come from part scans of programmes:  
26 March 1951 - Inaugural meeting, "Easter Monday Speed Trials"
8 October 1951 - "King's Day Motor Racing" , the first proper race meeting numbered in period as Programme No, 2

30 December 1951 - "End of the Year Race Meeting", Programme No. 3

I don't have Programme No 4, I would guess it was at Easter as the Safari hadn't yet adopted its Easter slot

6 July 1952 - "The Norton Meeting", Programme No. 5  

13 October 1952 -  "Queen's Day Meeting", Programme No. 6

 

Then Nakuru held it's first meeting on 5 February 1956
 



#79 Gary C

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Posted 15 December 2019 - 13:11

Thanks indeed Duncan, really handy info,l it therefore dates my film as being 13.10.52,


Edited by Gary C, 15 December 2019 - 13:12.


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#80 D-Type

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Posted 15 December 2019 - 23:26

Thanks are also due to TNFer Milan Fistonic who sent me scans of a selection of Kenya programmes several years ago.