44 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

Few weeks ago, we discuss some good South African F5000 drivers.
Now it's part of some good South African mechanics.
Topically: Alistair Gibson retires in Formula One. He worked in there since 1995 (with Benetton, since 1998 for Tyrrell/BAR/Honda). Where worked he beforde Formula One? I also heard, that Gibson's father also was a mechanic in Formula 1. Where and when?
And what South African mechanics, designers or something like that are really good in your mind? And why?

Good evening after such a spectacular Grand Prix!

[Hieronymus]

Cedric Selzer was Jim Clark's mechanic. I recall that he posted on TNF, once or twice.

Gordon Murray and Rory Byrne are the two most obvious ones.

There must be others, but my knowledge on the technical-side of racing is very limited, so I can't find these details from the top of my head.

[zakeriath]

Ken Howes, ex Ian Scheckter mechanic is now the motorsport technical director at Hendicks motorsport.

[HistoryFan]

Oh, let's see, perhaps I find some infos about Howes and Selzer.

[HistoryFan]

Selzer entered a Lotus from 1962 for Richard Attwood in the Lotus anniversity race in 2004.

[Hieronymus]

CLASSIC CAR AFRICA had a nice article on Selzer a couple of years ago. I'll read it up and will post a few comments.

Two other very prominent mechanics here in Southern Africa were Eduardo (Eddie) Pinto and Gordon Jones. Pinto worked on Sam Tingle's cars and Jones was John Love's mechanic.

[zakeriath]

Originally posted by HistoryFan
Oh, let's see, perhaps I find some infos about Howes and Selzer.

From a Hendricks press release

ABOUT KEN HOWES:


Howes began his career in 1968 as a Formula One mechanic in South Africa, where he spent 16 years working with open-wheel race cars before coming to the United States in 1984 to manage an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) team.


While working in Indianapolis, Howes was introduced to Hendrick Motorsports owner and president Rick Hendrick, who at the time was assisting General Motors in reviving its Corvette road-racing project. In 1985, Howes was offered a position managing Hendrick's team in the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) division.


After racing sports cars with Hendrick for a half-decade, Howes began regularly attending NASCAR events in 1990, joining the Winston Cup Series (now NEXTEL Cup) two years later as crew chief for driver Ken Schrader and the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets.


Howes in 1996 spearheaded Hendrick's research and development department, which he managed until being named competition director in 2001.

[HistoryFan]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
CLASSIC CAR AFRICA had a nice article on Selzer a couple of years ago. I'll read it up and will post a few comments.

Two other very prominent mechanics here in Southern Africa were Eduardo (Eddie) Pinto and Gordon Jones. Pinto worked on Sam Tingle's cars and Jones was John Love's mechanic.

Pinto worked for Team Gunston

[HistoryFan]

Pinto also worked for Ted Toleman in the South African Touring Car series in the mid 90s. I think in 1995. I don't know with which car and driver.

[jorism]

Does anyone have information about Colin Burford, or does the name ring a bell?

He emigrated from the UK in 1971 to help Dave Charlton as mechanic in the South African Formula 1 championship for some years.

[zakeriath]

The last time I knew of Colin (late 80`s) he was still working for SAMCOR who manufactured Fords, Mazda`s & Mitsubushi`s. Colin worked in the race division and was responsible for the Mazda race teams of which Charlton at one stage raced for.

Colin also raced standard production saloons himself, again mostly Mazda`s in the Wynns 1000 plus the standard production series.

[zakeriath]

Maurice Rosenberg worked for both Roy Klomfass and Basil van Rooyen, he was also known as an expert in tuning the FF kent engines and webber carbs. Known as a bugger for detail.

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by HistoryFan
And what South African mechanics, designers or something like that are really good in your mind? And why?

If one go back to the 1950s it is worth mentioning the names Bob van Niekerk and Willie Meissner. They built the DART sportscar. Both were good racing drivers as well. Meissner was a mechanical genius. Read here for short biographies in English - click on "GSM Geskiedenis":

http://www.gsmclub.co.za

There was also John Myers who built the Protea sportscar in the mis 50s.

Gordon Henderson is also worth mentioning.

Peter de Klerk was first a mechanic and then turned to racing. He built the Alfa Special with the aid of Pat Phillips.

[fines]

Wasn't Nobby Clark originally from South Africa?

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by zakeriath
Maurice Rosenberg worked for both Roy Klomfass and Basil van Rooyen, he was also known as an expert in tuning the FF kent engines and webber carbs. Known as a bugger for detail.

Is Maurice related to Harold Rosenberg who raced a Lola during 1972 and 1973 in the SA Drivers' Championship races?

[ex Rhodie racer]

Originally posted by fines
Wasn't Nobby Clark originally from South Africa?

Not that I was aware of. Always only thought of him as Rhodesian. Nobby was probably the best known of all Southern African spannermen. He worked for, amounst others, Gary Hocking, Jim Redman, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson, all world champions. Who have I left out? What a wonderfully modest fellow into the bargin.

Other´s that come to mind.

Dozy Ballington, worked for brother Korkie.
Peter Aldridge, (PMBboy on this forum) worked for both South Africa´s two wheel world champions, Korkie Ballington and John Ekerold, as well as Trevor Van Rooyen on 4 wheels.
Syd Stacey, worked for Mike Fogg.
Rhodesian Keith Pertersen together with South African Greg Irvine, worked for John Ekerold.
Trevor Tillbury from Pinetown worked for Takazumi Katayama, Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson.

Quite an impressive list.

[Killarney]

Eddie Pinto passed away recently.

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Killarney
Eddie Pinto passed away recently.

circa May 2006

[Hieronymus]

Douglas kindly sent me the following photo of Eddie Pinto with comment:

"I had found this picture of Eddie on the web and when I showed it to him shortly before he died, he said the other guy in the photo was Luigi (Ronnie Peterson's mechanic?) A South African guy apparently, I'm not sure if his last name was d'Ovidio? He worked on the South African F1 in the 60s I believe? This photo must have been taken in Spain/Portugal (?) when Charlton and Villeneuve swopped cars".

Can anyone identify this chap?



(photographer unknown)

[Michael Oliver]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
Douglas kindly sent me the following photo of Eddie Pinto with comment:

"I had found this picture of Eddie on the web and when I showed it to him shortly before he died, he said the other guy in the photo was Luigi (Ronnie Peterson's mechanic?) A South African guy apparently, I'm not sure if his last name was d'Ovidio? He worked on the South African F1 in the 60s I believe? This photo must have been taken in Spain/Portugal (?) when Charlton and Villeneuve swopped cars".

Can anyone identify this chap?



(photographer unknown)

Luigi D'Ovidio runs (ran?) a company called Italian Cars Pty in Jo'Burg back in 1998 when I met him. He had come over with his friend Dave Charlton for the Lotus 50th anniversary meeting and dinner at Brands Hatch. I don't recall him every mentioning a connection with Ronnie Peterson, although that is not to say that there is one...

Michael

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by HistoryFan
Alistair Gibson retires in Formula One. He worked in there since 1995 (with Benetton, since 1998 for Tyrrell/BAR/Honda). Where worked he beforde Formula One? I also heard, that Gibson's father also was a mechanic in Formula 1. Where and when?

Al Gibson was the mechanic of the South African sportscar champion driver, Dawie Gous, in the early 1960s.

[Henry Snee]

Originally posted by ex Rhodie racer


..... Peter Aldridge, (PMBboy on this forum) worked for both South Africa´s two wheel world champions, Korkie Ballington and John Ekerold, as well as Trevor Van Rooyen on 4 wheels.

He's too modest to say so himself so I'll add that Peter was also mechanic to Michael Schumacher during his world championship winning days at Benetton - thus possibly being unique amongst mechanics South African or otherwise, in having worked for world champions on both two and four wheels.

[HistoryFan]

Originally posted by Hieronymus


Al Gibson was the mechanic of the South African sportscar champion driver, Dawie Gous, in the early 1960s.

Thank you!

[rdmotorsport]

when i worked in rsa i remember one of the finest engine builders I have ever met ,a chap called taylor who worked with wayne taylor among others.

[zakeriath]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
when i worked in rsa i remember one of the finest engine builders I have ever met ,a chap called taylor who worked with wayne taylor among others.

Roger Taylor, one of the hardest task masters I ever met, he made me file out the exhaust manifold plate of the Fiat motor that they were putting into Scheckters atlantic.




On the right talking to Ken Howes, Scheckter with his back to the camera.

He also raced once a year in the Wynns 1000.

[Russell_Sheldon]

Aside from being one of Formula One's finest chief mechanics, Alistair Gibson is also one of the nicest people anyone could ever hope to meet.

He has a wonderful sense of humour and during practice for last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, which coincided with the 2007 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and England, Alistair stuck the English and South African Rugby Union coats of arms on the 'lollipop'. For race day, the day after the Rugby World Cup final, which South Africa won, Alistair took some black tape and crossed out the English coat of arms. Not impressed, Jenson threatened to run him over when he pitted -- fortunately for Alistair, Jenson retired before he could pit....




Here Al gets a geography lesson from a Honda fan at the 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix:-



Alistair has decided to take some time off from Formula One and 'retires' after this Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, to concentrate on his art. He is well known for his beautiful carbon fibre shark sculptures and has enough commissions to keep him busy for the rest of the year. He will hopefully be back at the Brackley factory in 2009, working alonside Ross Brawn and the Honda team for their 2009 title chase.

With kind regards,


Russell Sheldon
Dubai, UAE

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Russell_Sheldon
He has a wonderful sense of humour and during practice for last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, which coincided with the 2007 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and England, Alistair stuck the English and South African Rugby Union coats of arms on the 'lollipop'. For race day, the day after the Rugby World Cup final, which South Africa won, Alistair took some black tape and crossed out the English coat of arms. Not impressed, Jenson threatened to run him over when he pitted -- fortunately for Alistair, Jenson retired before he could pit....

Nice story, Russell...

I think Jenson was bluffing. When he visited SA a few years ago he was quick to tell that his grandmother was an Afrikaner.

[cedricselzer]

There was a South African mechanic who worked at Coopers called Hugh or Hughey in the early 60's. Does anyone know his surname?

Cedric Selzer

[Andrew Kitson]

Don't forget Trevor van Rooyen was himself a very good engineer and engine builder. Until recently ( around 2005) he built Scholar FF Zetec engines that have won British titles and races for Jamun Racing and Comtec Racing. He also built the legendary 'Patch' FF Kent engine that won 4 FF Festivals.

[fan27]

Fred Goddard was also very good. Not quite South African but spent a lot of time there after leaving Rhodesia.

[nubenow]

Here's another for you...........Richie Bray, not sure where he had been prior, but in the early days of TIGA Race Cars, I think he was a partner along with Howden Ganley & Tim Schenken, certainly when they were in Caversham and before Tim left to go back to live in Australia.

Richie married a daughter from the Grundon rubbish and recycling business and as far as I know, is still involved in the business in England.

[ry6]

Derrick White at Connaught then later Cooper and Jaguar?

[ry6]

Cedric - does Hugh Franklin ring a bell?

[cedricselzer]

Thanks Rob. I am sure you are correct.

Cedric

[idrive]

The mystery person next to Eddie Pinto is Luigi D'Ovidio and he has/had connections with Italian team. He did a deal with Gary Formato to race F3000 and also had Stephen Simpson on his books for a while.

Paul Cepnich is in Australia (Stone Bros?) and Roger Taylor is also over there now.

Trevor van Poppering is/was with Honda and there was another South African on the payroll (whose name escapes me at this crucial time).

There were two Colin Burfords here. One was English and he raced a Lotus 7 before heading off to Malaysia or Thailand to run a diving school.

Little Braam Smith is with Ascari and there are many others in lesser formulae. Greg Bailey worked for Michel Campaigne while Mathew Nash was with a F/Ford team

[fan27]

Garth Harradine?

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by idrive
Trevor van Poppering is/was with Honda and there was another South African on the payroll (whose name escapes me at this crucial time).

Related to Leo van Poppering, I presume? By the way, is Leo still around?

[mahleu]

There's also Basil Green of Perana Capri (and the others) fame.

[Richard Jenkins]

Peter Ashdown reminded me the other day that South African Brian Davey was one of his mechanics in the early days of Lola. He said there was another one but couldn't recollect his name... Anyone?

Edited by Richie Jenkins, 07 May 2010 - 00:44.

[JockinSA]

Good morning

Just joined this site and found it interesting to find out about some of the people that I know.

Maurice Rosenberg is still going strong and has recovered from being shot in an a robbery attempt at his workshops in northern JHB. I work with him frequently at the circuits as he is the Tech Com for the VW Challenge series.

Eddie Pinto I worked with on the abortive Toleman BMW Touring Car fiasco. (I have commented on this in one of the Toleman threads.)
I would like to know what happened to Mick Jones though as I lost contact with him after the saga and he went to work for Jimmy Price in Port Elizabeth. I still remember Mick's stories of his time at Boreham with great pleasure and he was certainly one of those people who had the right to say been there, done that, and got the whole wardrobe.

The Greg Bailey that was mentioned is I presume the son of Peter Bailey of Bailey Edwards Cars. If it is, then they are all up to their necks at the moment trying to finish their Le Mans project so that it can start testing. They had hoped to get it out earlier this month for the 9 hour Revival meeting at Kyalami but had been delayed waiting for some parts.

[rdmotorsport]

Good morning

Just joined this site and found it interesting to find out about some of the people that I know.

Maurice Rosenberg is still going strong and has recovered from being shot in an a robbery attempt at his workshops in northern JHB. I work with him frequently at the circuits as he is the Tech Com for the VW Challenge series.

Eddie Pinto I worked with on the abortive Toleman BMW Touring Car fiasco. (I have commented on this in one of the Toleman threads.)
I would like to know what happened to Mick Jones though as I lost contact with him after the saga and he went to work for Jimmy Price in Port Elizabeth. I still remember Mick's stories of his time at Boreham with great pleasure and he was certainly one of those people who had the right to say been there, done that, and got the whole wardrobe.

The Greg Bailey that was mentioned is I presume the son of Peter Bailey of Bailey Edwards Cars. If it is, then they are all up to their necks at the moment trying to finish their Le Mans project so that it can start testing. They had hoped to get it out earlier this month for the 9 hour Revival meeting at Kyalami but had been delayed waiting for some parts.

When I was working in RSA Tony Martin somehow managed the assistance of Ian Flux to engineer and set up his car

[llmaurice]

Pieter DeKlerk was of course a mechanic at Lotus in the late '50s before returning home to a successful race career .

[Doug Nye]

Thanks Rob. I am sure you are correct.

Cedric

I think the 1963-64 era South African Cooper works team mechanic's correct name is Hughie Frankland...

DCN

[Michael Oliver]

I think the 1963-64 era South African Cooper works team mechanic's correct name is Hughie Frankland...

DCN

...who I heard from a fellow Cooper mechanic when interviewing him for Tales from the Toolbox was responsible for nearly finishing Jochen Rindt's F1 career if it hadn't been for the intervention of a sharp-eyed Bernie Ecclestone. Apparently, BCE noticed that Hughie had filed away a lug for the throttle cable and taped the cable on to the chassis tube (which carried hot water and therefore when it heated up, the tape didn't hold quite as well as it should have). Consequently, Jochen couldn't get full throttle and struggled to qualify at some races, including Monaco, which is where the problem came to light. Before that, the team had been sending engines back to Climax, telling them that the engine was blown or not performing properly and each time Climax could not find any problem with the unit when they put it on their dyno... Hughie apparentely departed the team as a result.

Michael

Edited by Michael Oliver, 21 December 2010 - 22:38.

[Kendall1987]

Hi there - I know this thread is very old but hoping someone might be able to help. Eddie Pinto was my paternal grandfather - I do not have a relationship with my father but I was hoping to learn more about Eddie and doing some research came across this forum. If anyone has any info, pics etc. it would be much appreciated.