26 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

From 1973 until 1981 there was a Selangor Grand Prix. It was a Formula Pacific race. Are there andy infos? Top 3 finishes, race storys? Where was this cuircuit (map?)? Drivers from Selangor?

I only know, that Roberto Moreno won this race in 1981 with his Ralt Ford from Theodore Racing. Graeme Lawrence and Andrew Miedecke finished 2nd and 3rd. Don't know which teams, Lawrence drove a March Ford, Miedecke a Ralt Ford.

[David McKinney]

"Selangor" is listed by Search BB in 12 threads. Have you checked them?

[Vitesse2]

I did, David. All those seem to refer to pre-1973 races, notably 1972. Looks like it's time we had a thread about Selangor ....

[HistoryFan]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
I did, David. All those seem to refer to pre-1973 races, notably 1972. Looks like it's time we had a thread about Selangor ....

Yes, so it is.
I also searched in the web, but there were no good informations.

[David McKinney]

Sorry if we're talking about a different time-frame. I didn't check the threads - just remembered there'd been discussion of the Selangor race in the past
I'll see what I can find (but it might not be for a few days)

[Terry Walker]

Selangor, also known as Shah Alam.

West Aussie driver Dick Ward raced there often in the 1970s and 1980s, first in a Mazda Rotary powered Fiat Abarth (based on the Fiat 600) and later various RX7s. Those are his RX7s on the programme covers. Unfortunately all I have are the covers.

[cosworth bdg]

I was there in 1978 for the Selangor GP with the last Birrana Car built , the A78, with Malcolm Ramsay as the driver I was a member of the team which ran this car for Malcolm. I also have the original program for this meeting..... if it is any help...

[HistoryFan]

Everything helps ;)

[Chris Townsend]

I thought I'd had these posted on oldracingcars.com, but if not will be putting all the South East Asian races up soon!

Selangor 1981

1 Roberto Moreno Ralt R4/81 [265]-BDA 50 laps STILL NEED RACE TIMES
2 Graeme Lawrence March 80A [2]-BDA 50 laps
3 Andrew Meidecke Ralt RT4/81 [256]-BDA 49 laps
4 Bruce Allison Ralt RT4/81 [258]-BDA 49 laps including 1 min pen for jump start
5 John Sheldon Tiga FA81 [164]-BDA 48 laps
6 Peter Williamson Toleman Lola T860 [HU2]-Toyota 48 laps including 1 min pen for jump start
7 Pocholo Ramirez March 76B [17]-BDA 42 laps
Retired
Ray Mallock Ralt RT4/81 [218]-BDA 37 laps engine
Narcisco de la Merced Chevron B34 [34.76.25]-BDA 28 laps transmission
Sonny Rajah Ralt RT4/82 [277]-BDA 22 laps engine
Lucio Cesario Ralt RT3 [203]-VW [AF2 spec] 20 laps electric
Ken Smith March 782 ['15']-BDA 3 laps water pump

GRID
1: Meidecke 1.16.5
2: Moreno 1.17.0
3: Allison 1.17.7
4: Williamson 1.19.4
5: Lawrence 1.19.8
6: Mallock 1.20.0
7: Sheldon 1.21.2
8: Smith 1.21.8
9: Cesario 1.22.1
10: Ramirez 1.26.6
11: Merced 1.28.4
12: Rajah no time

Main source New Zealand Motor Action 11 Jan 1982

Chris

[Chris Townsend]

1983 [27 November]

1 Graham Brown March 81A [15]-BDM 10 laps
2 Kookie Ramirez Marlo 01-Toyota [this was a mixture of the Ramirez family's March 723-12 and Lola T460]
3 Tinton Soesprapto March 80A [2]-BDM 9 laps
Retired
John Blennerhasset March 74B [U1]-BDA 3 laps engine
Pocholo Ramirez Chevron B34 [34.76.21]-Toyota 1 lap engine
DNS
Luis Camus Chevron B34 [34.76.34]-BDA engine failure

All the leading Australian drivers boycotted the race

[Chris Townsend]

1980 [30 November]

1 Graeme Lawrence March 80A [2]-BDA 50 laps 1.07.25.00 including 1 min penalty for push start
2 Tiff Needell March 78B-Nissan 50 laps 1.08.37.0 [Japanese series car] Fastest lap 1.16.4
3 Sonny Rajah Ralt RT1 [5]-BDA 48 laps
4 Narcisco de la Merced Chevron B34 [34.76.25]-BDA 44 laps
5: Pocholo Ramirez Chevron B34 [34.76.21]-BDA 39 laps
6 Romeo David March 76B [17]-BDA 36 laps
Retired
Andrew Meidecke March 76B [763-U1]-BDA 36 laps engine
Steve Millen Ralt RT1 [88]-BDD 29 collision with Needell
Kiyoshi Misaki Chevron B40-Toyota 2T-G 2 laps gear linkage HELP NEEDED ON IDENTITY OF THIS CAR

[Chris Townsend]

1979 [23 September]

1 Andrew Meidecke March 76B [763-U1]-BDA 50 laps 1.10.26.5
2 Ken Smith March 78B ['15']-BDA 50 laps
3 Albert Poon Chevron B40-BDA 48 laps
4 Pocholo Ramirez Chevron 'B40'-BDA probably B34 [34.76.21] 47 laps

7 Tiff Needell March 76B [14]-BDA 39 laps

Retired
Sonny Rajah March 73B 4 laps [perhaps 712M-7]
Del Schloemmer Chevron B34 [34.76.20]-BDA 7 laps
Graeme Lawrence Chevron B49 [49.79.04]-BDA 0 laps

Also ran
Peter Marshall Ralt RT1 [5]-BDA
Diana Poon Brabham B40-BDA
Romeo David
Narcisco de la Merced

18 entered, 15 started

[Graham Gauld]

When I was based in Hong Kong I visited the Selangor circuit - which I have always called Shah Alam - and I believe the reason it was closed down was that at the far end of the circuit there was a large palace up on the hill and the Malaysian prince, or whatever, who owned it objected to the noise. I befriended one of the Thai teams and the day after the race they let me have a few laps of the circuit in one of their race-prepared Honda Civics which was great fun. Originally they were going to let me try their DTM Mercedes which they had imported at the beginning of the season. However, their driver crashed the car a couple of months before and the bills from Mercedes for the repairs made them sensibly think again and not loan the car for a brief run round the track just in case anything went wrong.
At that particular meeting I had two amusing incidents which I tell against myself. As the track starts at one level then climbs up a hill side, along the top and then down again I went up to the top, took some pictures and returned to the paddock. One of my Malaysian journalist friends asked where I had taken the pictures and I pointed up to the top of the hill. He remarked that it was a hell of a long way to walk back round the track to get back to the paddock. I remarked that it was no problem as their was a little path through the bushes straight from the top to the Paddock. He recoiled in horror and said don't take that path the whole hillside if full of cobras!
The following day was truly hot with over 100F degrees and high humidity. I walked from the paddock towards the esses between races and noticed a bunch of Indians in turbans standing under a tree behind the barrier. They were gesturing to me and shouting so I went over to see them. They asked me what I was doing out in the hot sun and why didn't I stand under a tree like them ? I explained I was going to the Esses to take pictures. One of the Indians then turned and said to me " Who are you ? Mr Bean !" Aha the power of television.

[kaydee]

I was fortunate enough to attend the April '73 Malaysian Grand Prix meeting with the Globe Escort (courtesy of Ford Australia) and still have a copy of the Competitor's Program.

So, seeing that a "picture" is worth a thousand words, I've scanned several of the relevant pages -

Firstly, as requested by HF, a map of the circuit -

(This will also help to better illustrate Graham's story!)

Results of meetings prior to "73 -

(Interesting to note that they seem to alternate calling the main race Malaysia and then Selangor Grand Prix)

Entry list for the '73 Malaysia Grand Prix

[Terry Walker]

Looks like the former circuit is being turned into either a suburb or commercial estate.

[Chris Townsend]

Originally posted by kaydee

(Interesting to note that they seem to alternate calling the main race Malaysia and then Selangor Grand Prix)

I think that Shah Alam hosted two or three races a year. One of these was the Malaysian GP, then there would be a Shah Alam or Penang GP and finally the Selangor GP

In 1979 Ken Smith, March 78B, won Malaysian GP [1st May]

In 1980 Malaysian GP is 26 May, won by Steve Millen, Ralt RT1, Penang is also won by Millen. I don't have date.

In 1981 Malaysian GP is 24 May, won Graeme Lawrence; Shah Alam is 18 October, two races, the first won by Bruce Allison, the other by Andrew Meidecke, then Selangor is 29 November, after Macau

In 1982 the Malaysian GP is 30 May, won by Lawrence again, then there is a Penang GP 5 June, also won by Lawrence. No Selangor GP that year I think

Don't have actual dates for 1983 but Rob Handford won Malaysian GP in a Ralt RT4 and Geoff Nicol in another RT4 won Penang GP

[HistoryFan]

Sonny Rajah March 73B 4 laps [perhaps 712M-7]

The Indonesian is one of the most intersting driver in my mind. A blame that he never got a real chance to drive in Europe...


Thank you for all posters!

[ybee02]

http://www.oldracing...p?CategoryID=OP

Is this any help, it sounds quite an interesting story, I love to hear of lower formula "Grand Prixs" it is so great to find results.

Keep up the good work!

[sat]

1 Roberto Moreno Ralt R4/81 [265]-BDA 50 laps STILL NEED RACE TIMES
2 Graeme Lawrence March 80A [2]-BDA 50 laps

1:11:46,4 141,252 km/h
1:13:08,7

[HistoryFan]

Originally posted by ybee02
http://www.oldracing...p?CategoryID=OP

Is this any help, it sounds quite an interesting story, I love to hear of lower formula "Grand Prixs" it is so great to find results.

Keep up the good work!

Yes, I know this great side!

I like this GPs too
Don't know how or where oldracingcars.com could find this infos!!!

[sat]

Entry list for the '73 Malaysia Grand Prix

My magnyfing lense is not strong enough...

[Chris Townsend]

Originally posted by HistoryFan


Don't know how or where oldracingcars.com could find this infos!!!

Years of dedicated research and enthusiasm, especially on Allen Brown's part! Much of the info on races in South East Asian races has come through David McKinney and the NZ magazine that he edited in the late 70s and early 80s.
We couldn't do it without the fundamental contribution of people who were there at the time and made the right sort of notes, or kept programmes, or competed and kept results sheets, grid times etc. [So thanks Sat for those times, just the extra detail we need]
And you wouldn't believe how useful some South African and Canadian local newspapers are for Atlantic races in the 70s. Right now I'm spending most of my time trying to buy Autoweek from 69 to 1974 and again for the late 70s, and I urgently need Japanese magazines with coverage of their F.Pacific series.

So, if you have this kind of stuff in the attic or the garage - where ever you are in the world, whether you ran a race team or were just a dedicated spectator or fan - talk to us, we can make use of it and make the archive even better. [Maybe not the newspapers just yet...I can use the UK national archive for those, until I start needing reports on SCCA races at Lake Afton...]

Chris

[HistoryFan]

I only can say: You make a very good job! Such sites like oldracingcars.com are wonderful sites for every hobby motorsport historian! Thanks for that!

[giffo]

Here's an ultra cool dood!



Image taken in 1981 in KL & is of Sonny Rajah.
(supplied to me several years ago by Sonny)

[HistoryFan]

1983 [27 November]

2 Kookie Ramirez Marlo 01-Toyota [this was a mixture of the Ramirez family's March 723-12 and Lola T460]

Any picture of that car?
Who built that car?
More details about the car?
Were there more Marlo cars than only the 01?

[Jesper O. Hansen]

In 1985 the track hosted the final round of the Group C WC - said to be the first such counter in tropical climate. Because of the short twisty track and humidity the usual 1000 km distance was shortened to 800. 1988ish the Swedish F3 field were in negotiation about a late season series of races at Selangor (perhaps other tracks), but don't know if anything ever happened of this. Didn't realise the track no longer exists, what a bummer!

I have a more or less defunct thread on another forum searching for Group A touring car racing in South-East Asia, but little has turned up so far, so I trust that years of search will pay off eventually.

Jesper

[Angus Lamont]

This may help sort out the confusion regarding the Selangor GP. Highly confusing but here it is!
Selangor GP dates:

17 April 1966.

3 September 1967. 50 laps. Winner: Rodney Seow. Merlyn Ford.

7 April 1968. 50 laps. Winner: Albert Poon. Brabham Alfa. 2/ Jan Bussell. Brabham BT14 / TC. 3/ Allan Grice. Brabham Climax.

13 April 1969. 50 laps. Winner: Graeme Lawrence. Mclaren M4A / FVA. 2/ Roly Levis. Brabham BT23C / FVA. 3/ Tony Maw. Elfin 600.

5 April 1970. 50 laps. Winner: Graeme Lawrence. Ferrari Dino 2.4. 2/ John Macdonald BT10 / FVA. 3/ Albert Poon. Brabham BT30 / FVA.

18 April 1971. 40 laps. Winner: Graeme Lawrence. Brabham BT29. 2/ John Walker. Elfin 600SA. 3/ Bob Muir. Mildren Waggot 1598.

9 April 1972. 50 laps. Winner: Sonny Rajah. March 712 / Hart T/C. 2/ Ken Smith. Lotus 69. 3/ Vern Schuppan. March 722.

9 September 1973. 50 laps. Winner: Sonny Rajah. March 712 / Hart T/C (?). 2/ Graeme Lawrence. Surtees TS15. 3/ Percy Chan. March 732.

8 September 1974. 50 laps. Winner: John Macdonald. Brabham BT40 / Camlex T/C. 2/ Jan Bussell. March 723. 3/ Percy Chan. March 723.

7 September 1975. 50 laps. Winner: John Macdonald. Ralt RT-1/Camlex T/C. 2/ Steve Millen. Chevron B20. 3/ Albert Poon. Chevron B29.

15 August 1976. 50 laps. Winner: John Macdonald. Ralt RT-1 / FVA. 2/ Graeme Lawrence. March 76B. 3/ Albert Poon. Chevron B29.

1978. 1/ Steve Millen. Chevron B42.

23 September 1979. 1/ Andrew Meidecke. March 76B. 2/ Ken Smith. March 76B. 3/ Albert Poon. Chevron B40.