21 replies to this topic

[f1steveuk]

Does anybody have any info'/pictures of the Mistrale (could be Mystrale or Mistral etc etc) Formula Ford built in Eastbourne by someone called Pringle?? One of the chaps involved later went on to run "Skid Car". Ta!!

[Henk A. Hazelaar]

F1steveuk,

From Steve Nickless "The Anatomy & Development of the Formula Ford Race Car":

Pringett-Mistrale (GB)

A lovely car designed Pat Rochefort and first produced by Gary Corbett in 1969; by mid-1970, 12 copies had been sold. The shop was in Eastborne, Sussex, and the name is a anagram of PRING le and CorbETT who were partners and brothers-in-kaw.
Syd Fox was one of the margue's more well-known drivers. The sturdy machines were eventually used by Motor Racing Stables and coincidentally or not Gerry Corbett was manager of the Silverstone Racing School in the early '80s.








Regards,

Henk A. Hazelaar

[Henk A. Hazelaar]

Other pictures:










Regards,

Henk A. Hazelaar

[f1steveuk]

Can't thank you enough, exactly what I was after. Many many thanks.

[Mallory Dan]

The name Peter Ramella rings a bell in a Mistrale in the 70s...

[RTH]

I remember one coming up for auction in a furniture and general sale room in Ware about 1973 (someone locally must have gone bankrupt) complete car sold for £360 ! , I had no where to put it at the time !!

[f1steveuk]

I have heard that Ron Pringle is still an accountant in Eastbourne, this job is becoming easier all the time!!

[zoff2005]

Hi Steve

I drove a Pringett Mistrale in 1969/70, it was the car previously driven by Liane Engemann. The other works car, driven by Syd Fox, held the lap record at Brands, so I thought it was the car to get. I did a few races, without much success, all at Brands (including the Race of Champions meeting in 1970). I then sold the car in June 1970 to a man named Gray. I asked Pringett to collect the proceeds as I was living in Paris at that time. They did so and promptly went bankrupt - so it took a year to get my money. Pringle eventually paid out of his own pocket which was very honest of him. Corbett, as you said, became an instructor at Silverstone.

Not certain if this will work, but here (with luck) is a picture of me spinning at South Bank

All the best
Marcus



Picture by Evan Selwyn-Smith

[f1steveuk]

A few further bits of info'







For any Pringette Mystrale followers out there!

[Bino Mk II]

Two Mistrale-F.Ford race in Brazil, in the " Torneio BUA - Formula Ford " - 1970:

Feb 01 - Rio de Janeiro -

Sid Fox - DNF
Liane Engemann - DNF

Feb 08 - Curitiba -

Sid Fox - DNF
Liane Engemann - DNF

Feb 15 - Fortaleza -

Sid Fox - DNA
Liane Engemann - DNA

Feb 22 - Rio de Janeiro -

Sid Fox - DNA
Liane Engemann - 14º

Mar 01 - Interlagos -

Sid Fox - DNA
Liane Engemann - DNF


Bino Mk II

Edited by Bino Mk II, 07 June 2013 - 16:06.

[Hillclimber]

I've just joined this forum, you may like to know that I own a Pringett Mistrale MK11, chassis number 14 (there were 17 produced, 10 MK1 and 7 M11) with which I regularly compete. My car was originally raced by Dave Morgan, who I understand went on to drive for Lotus F1.

 

You will be pleased to know that all of those involved in the production of this fine racing car, Ron Pringle, Gerry Corbett, Rick Stevens (Works Manager) are still about and very active. If you would like me to post some recent photographs, then I would be pleased to do this, that is once I have learnt how to add photographs!

[RonPohl]

Nice to see some FF discussion. Very little FF on TNF for some reason.

[f1steveuk]

I'd be very grateful to see some pictures. I'm in contact with Ron's son David, and I'm sure he'd love to see them too!!

[fyrth]

As Mike has yet so post a pic I'm taking the liberty, Loton Park 16.4.06

 

 

Edited by fyrth, 15 April 2014 - 18:59.

[ctypejag]

Hi
Just joined this forum and spotted this thread. I used to race a Mistrale FF in the early 70's at Brands Hatch & Lydden Hill. Great times, towed it on a trailer with an old Ford Zephyr 6. I'll dig out some photos etc and post them later........

[f1steveuk]

Please do, especially as I am currently in the UK and shouuld be visiting the "home" of the car, the very garage it was built which is still in Stansted Road Eastbourne

[zoff2005]

Hi
Just joined this forum and spotted this thread. I used to race a Mistrale FF in the early 70's at Brands Hatch & Lydden Hill. Great times, towed it on a trailer with an old Ford Zephyr 6. I'll dig out some photos etc and post them later........

Might be my old car! I sold mine in 1970. (see post 8).

Marcus

[alansart]

I seem to remember Supersaloon racer Tony Strawson having a one of race in his mechanics Mistrale. Must have been around the mid 70's. It was a bit of a squeeze getting Tony in and out of the car 

[ctypejag]

Now, not sure how you post photos here but below is a link to my Flickr account (I hope) with photos of my Mistrale FF, some entry lists, race programs and my highest placed trophy (2nd) won at Lydden Hill 05/09/71.  My first race was at Lydden 28/03/71 and I came 5th. Used to stay overnight at the Halfway House near to Lydden circuit ( almost opposite the Spinning Wheel). Other photos show racing at Brands.  Couple of the entry lists include one 'Tony Brise' who I raced against in karts and then later in Sporting Car Trials.  Had some race prep done at a small business called Race Development Engineering at Wrotham, Kent near to Brands, and had the engine 'blueprinted' by Steele.  Some great adventures in those days and some fond memories.  Biggest problem was lack of money!!!

Let me know if the link doesn't work and I'll try something else. Photos aren't great, didn't have expensive digital cameras in those days, nor were we into taking photos....had other things on our minds!!

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHskmUKMfg

[f1steveuk]

Superb, I shall try and get a picture of the old "works" asap

[ctypejag]

Great, will be interesting to see the old 'works' if you can get a photo.............

Brian 

[mikeallen]

I'm writing up Volume 2 of Whatever Happened to the Gold Cup and came across Robert Meaton in a Mistrale in the 1976 heat 2? Anyone got any info on the driver or car or pictures or results sheets from this meeting? Cheers

Mike Allen