79 replies to this topic

[Silkolene]

We use to Love watching the Modsports races in the 1970s and 80s,especially those Lotus Elans,Caterham Black Brick,Turners and many others.
Then the next race would be Special Saloons of Gerry Marshall,Nick Whiting scrapping the BMWs and Skoda,it would be great to see them racing again.

Who remembers them and where are they now,if you have you any photos put them on the site.

[sterling49]

Great memoeries from both categories, in the '60s Modsports (Prodsports?) had great drivers such as Garo Nigogosian (sp) Richard Lloyd, Johns, Chatham and Gott, Warren Pearce, Keith Holland, John Quick, all these in a mixture of Spridgets, Healeys, E-Types. Then there was the very special Honda S800 of Tetsu Ikusawa, an amazing little car! As I lived at Brands most week-ends, I also had great pleasure watching The Brode, Gerry Marshall and Nick Whiting racing (in the '70s), but the '60s there were just so many names, Doc Merfield, Terry Drury, Alan Peer, Roger Taylor, Paul Harmer, Brian Cox, Ken Costello and so on, Minis, Anglia, V-8 Cortinas, such a great mixture of cars

Richard Sandilands in a Ford engined Standard 10, Martin Maudling in a Ford Anglia, anyone remember him? Had a rather notable father......

[Alan Cox]

You'll find photos of modsports posted on various threads, e.g Personal photos of British club racing, Personal photos from the track etc.

Herer are a few of mine which have been posted previously.

[sterling49]

Great photos Alan, that is the Richard Lloyd Spitfire, is it not? Who is the driver of the number 12 Sprite on Minilites? Is that the Brodes Elan? Such great diversity then

[Ray Bell]

Here we had a similar class called Sports Sedans...

They were limited to five litres unblown (1.4:1 equivalency those days for supercharging or turbocharging), ten inch rim width and the engine having to be, generally, in the same end of the car as originally fitted.

Technically, it was very interesting and naturally enough it spawned a great variety of cars. When big money came into the class (a couple of big sponsors funded series at Calder, Oran Park and Sandown) it became less of a secondary category even though there was a National Championship prior to this.

Gradually the class changed so that the cars became less of a modified sedan and more of a racing car with a pseudo sedan body. In fact, the only original panel required from the sedan was the roof. But there are still amateur cars of great interest about.

[petestenning]

I remember gasping at Martin Mauldlings Ford Cobra engined Corsair one day at Snetterton, he was Chancellor Reginald Maudlings son.

Nice to see the pics of the Elans of messers, Jenvey, Evans, Fletcher, the Gamelle Elan rings a bell but cant place it. Richard Lloyd's Spitfire, Plastic Pearsons XK , John Absolam's Ginetta G4 ?



Pete

[Alan Cox]

Someone by the name of King in the Gamelle Elan, Pete - can't bring him to mind at present. It is Dave Brodie's Elan,and the brown Sprite belonged to Viv West, sterling.

Nice to hear of what was happening in Australia at the time, Ray. There were some fantastic modsports cars in the UK, the E Types, in particular, becoming wilder and wilder (and wider) as time went on.

[Simon Arron]

This looks like a cross between an E-type and a Range Rover...


I carelessly omitted to pack any of my old Aintree programmes in my weekend bag for Singapore, so can't remember whose Jaguar this is. Sorry.

[RTH]

Just found this colour transparency Brands paddock in 1972, was it Keith Ashby, can't be sure ?

[sterling49]

Nice photo Richard, I remember the car well, a local firm! The old pits were such a great construction, corrugated tin and SGB scaffolding I see it is being put to good use as garage to the A55 and Triumph 2000 or is that a Super Snipe?)

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
Someone by the name of King in the Gamelle Elan, Pete - can't bring him to mind at present. It is Dave Brodie's Elan,and the brown Sprite belonged to Viv West, sterling.

Nice to hear of what was happening in Australia at the time, Ray. There were some fantastic modsports cars in the UK, the E Types, in particular, becoming wilder and wilder (and wider) as time went on.

Great feedback showing all the fond memories of Modsports and Special Saloons,I cant wait to get my Historic Modsports out to play with the likes of the Jags and Lotus.
We have just joined the HMSA Historic Modsports and Saloon Association who are trying to revive all of these lovelly race cars,once they have built up they want to race.
You can go onto www.historicmodsportsandsaloons.com the organisers are real enthusiasts and all run top cars.

[RTH]

Originally posted by sterling49
Nice photo Richard, I remember the car well, a local firm! The old pits were such a great construction, corrugated tin and SGB scaffolding I see it is being put to good use as garage to the A55 and Triumph 2000 or is that a Super Snipe?)

Well Sterling going by the bonnet badge and single chrome body side moulding I would say it was a Morris Oxford either a series 5 or 6 and I too would think a Triumph 2000

[petestenning]

The last i seem to remember was the Guy Beddington V12 E Type which i believe came from the hills.

The E types of Pearce, Burbidge,Archer,trying to mix it with the likes of Ian Richardsons A C Cobra, and Harry Phillips 'JIFFY BAG' Corvette.



Pete

[RTH]

Another shot in the paddock at Brands this time 1970 with Phil Spurling's ( 3 times Mini Miglia champion) Mini 1000

[RTH]

This was Brands not modsports but GTs 1968 ?

[sterling49]

Great shot Richard, dominated by the beautiful E-Types, they look great! Daimler SP250 in red on 5th row, not very common, even then!

[RTH]

[sterling49]

....except poleman in the Tiger

[markal]

I went to Aintree and Oulton Park in 1973 just to see Brian Hough in the monster Tvr Tuscan, sadly no longer with us, never thought to take any pictures at the time, wish i could go back! regards Alan.

[frangible]

There is a move to revive them being talked about on PistonHeads and a web site...

http://www.historicm...andsaloons.com/

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by frangible
There is a move to revive them being talked about on PistonHeads and a web site...

http://www.historicm...andsaloons.com/

Now this looks really good,it seems as though this HMSA Historic Modsports and Saloon Association is intent on reviving cars to race like this grid you have shown.

We spoke to the HMSA and they indicated that if you have any photos,History,results etc to send them over to them via E Mail info@historicmodsportsandsaloons.com
www.historicmodsportsandsaloons.com and they will put them on the site.

Got some great shots of these Modsports coming through Paddock ,one in particular is John Miles in a Lotus Elan and a Chevron Ford.

Also noticed a Modsports Turner driven by Tony Broome at mallory doing well.

[Bloggsworth]

Originally posted by sterling49
Who is the driver of the number 12 Sprite on Minilites?

Bob Evans abd Mike Maule shared an MG Midget around then - did they look the same as a Sprite from the side?

[Bloggsworth]

Originally posted by RTH
This was Brands not modsports but GTs 1968 ?

Is that E Type number 3 John Dean's? The colour scheme rings a bell - I seem to recall that the Lotus 30 he subsequently bought had the same colours.

[RTH]

Historic Modsports is a really good idea, the cars were great to watch at the time and not too expensiveTNF consortium anyone !;)

http://www.historicm...andsaloons.com/

[petestenning]

The Daimler SP 250 is probably that of John Maclay seen a lot at Brands in 67/68 seasons.

Pete

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by RTH
Historic Modsports is a really good idea, the cars were great to watch at the time and not too expensiveTNF consortium anyone !;)

http://www.historicm...andsaloons.com/

Even now the Modsports would not cost an arm and a leg to get back on the tracks.

Many of them where so advanced in their day but with the need for access to engines and other components,making them easier to repair and maintain.

It seems a big cost has been for many owners of these Modsports and Special Saloons to revert them back to 1966 status enabling them to enter Goodwood.

They could be sick as Pigs if this HMSA take off,as the Modsports and Special Saloons where pinnacles of race car development in their day.So they may now realise they have shot themselves in the foot by taking these advanced Historic Race Cars back to a decade before,SLOWER.

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by RTH
Another shot in the paddock at Brands this time 1970 with Phil Spurling's ( 3 times Mini Miglia champion) Mini 1000

Years ago I went through 17 Cooper S models, mainly Rally Crossing with Dick Griffiths and Griff Griffiths also Paul Springett (Henley Motor Club),Trevor Reeves etc.
After getting dirty at Rally Crossing I went Circuit Racing.

Worth a bit of money now.

[petestenning]

Originally posted by frangible
There is a move to revive them being talked about on PistonHeads and a web site...

http://www.historicm...andsaloons.com/

John Fletcher and i believe Dave Bettinson in the Orange Lotus.?


Pete

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by sterling49
Great shot Richard, dominated by the beautiful E-Types, they look great! Daimler SP250 in red on 5th row, not very common, even then!

Now can you imagine a grid with Modsports E Types in,slicks and space frames allowed,racing other Modsports like the Lotus Elans,Cobras,BMW CSLs and many others.

If this HMSA Historic Modsports and Saloon Association can revive many of these types of Modsports and Special Saloons then we will also see the experienced drivers come out to play.

Once the owners of these great race cars realise that many spectators now wish to see these Modsports and Special Saloons compete again,it should reverse the trend to detune them to what I call Goodwood spec.

I know there is a cut off period for Goodwood,but most of these cars are from the 60s so wouldnt it be something if Goodwood slotted in an invitation race for these slick shod,space framed pre 1966 cars,even though their development went further into the 70s and 80s.

[RTH]

I think that Polar roof Elan would have been Richard Jenvey he went on to build maybe the first ever Esprit race car about 1977.

[MCS]

Originally posted by RTH
I think that Polar roof Elan would have been Richard Jenvey he went on to build maybe the first ever Esprit race car about 1977.

Absolutely correct, Richard. And that's Willenhall's John Evans in the white Arthur Hough Elan in the middle.

But who's on the outside of the front row? I have a mental block for some reason.

[RTH]

Originally posted by sterling49
...................... Who is the driver of the number 12 Sprite on Minilites?

Might it have been one of John Britten's Midgets he had one for himself and one for Gabriele Konig ?..About 1968 ?

[frangible]

Originally posted by MCS


Absolutely correct, Richard. And that's Willenhall's John Evans in the white Arthur Hough Elan in the middle.

But who's on the outside of the front row? I have a mental block for some reason.

Ian Clark...

[Silkolene]

How modified where these Elans,did many have lift off bodywork to expose the workings.

What sort of power where the Twin Cams putting out at that time.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by RTH



Might it have been one of John Britten's Midgets he had one for himself and one for Gabriele Konig ?..About 1968 ?

I do not believe is was Arkley's JB, his were either (IIRC) Yellow (Sebring fastback) or Orange in colour, with the registration number os SS 1800. His cars were always so nicely prepared (as looks the number 12 car, great on Mag wheels!)

[frangible]

Originally posted by Silkolene
How modified where these Elans,did many have lift off bodywork to expose the workings.

What sort of power where the Twin Cams putting out at that time.

I don't recall Elans with lift-off bodywork - Ian's didn't have it. Ian's motor (looked after by Mike Chittenden) was supposed to have 180bhp.

[Silkolene]

Some of the radical Modsports Elans I am sure had lift off panels exposing a space frame underneath.From what I can remember the space frame came off the centre tub,extending forwards with uprights,be nice to see it.

180 BHP out of a Lotus Twin Cam is nice and reliable,I had a Gomm Rally Escort with an All Steel 1840 TC,L1 cams and 45s achieving 200BHP.The weakness if I remember was the head gasket,nowadays with the new laminated Cometic gaskets it must help those old problems.

[RTH]

Jeff Goodliff, I think , had the most radical ultra low line Elan I remember with the power unit set well back in to the cabin and March F2 based suspension.

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by sterling49


Martin Maudling in a Ford Anglia, anyone remember him? Had a rather notable father......

Martin had two Anglias, the first he comprehensively wrote off, at Snett I think. The second, dark blue in colour was sold at the end of 1967 to John Bond-Smith of Simplex of Cambridge with a 1650 lump in it. My father was the mechanic for J B-S and I went with him to collect the Maudling car, my dad handed over £600 big ones to Reginald on behalf of John. It was then sprayed 'Simplex' green and a 1760 Lotus t/c installed for Stan Matthews to race in the Redex and Osram GEC special saloon races in '68 and part of '69. Not much success apart from a lap record at lydden for a while, pot hunting amongst the small Minis, Elf's and Imps.

[RTH]

Originally posted by sterling49


I do not believe is was Arkley's JB, his were either (IIRC) Yellow (Sebring fastback) or Orange in colour, with the registration number os SS 1800. His cars were always so nicely prepared (as looks the number 12 car, great on Mag wheels!)

You are right Sterling the cars were orange with very wide Minilites, I used to live about 5 miles from Arkley and often went down there on a Saturday afternoon to look at his highly desirable stock of sports cars for sale. John was a very quick driver and is now one of the major financial backers of the present Brands Hatch group ownership along with another computer magnate.

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by RTH


John was a very quick driver and is now one of the major financial backers of the present Brands Hatch group ownership along with another computer magnate.

Hence one of the chicanes at Oulton being recently re-named as 'Brittens'.

Super quick little car was SS1800 and great battles with the similar Gabrielle Konig car, Alan Woode's Sprite, Roger Enever and David Whelpton in Midgets, Peter Cox, Richard Lloyd and Chris Marshall in Spitfires with the hot E-types at the sharp end such as John Quick, Mike Loveday ( bright orange with sharks teeth painted around the grill ), Warren Pearce, Alistair Cowin, John Filbee, John Burbidge, etc and the Healeys of Stuart Hands, Bill Viney, John Chatham's DD300 and John Gott. Nigel Granville-Smith and Gerry Bagshaw would sometimes join in with their Cobras too.

Not forgetting the MGB of Bill Nicholson, Marcos-Volvo of Chris Boulter and TR2 of Reg Woodcock.

[drivers71]

A few of my Modsports photos from Mallory Park in the 70s.

More can be found at: http://photobucket.c...rivers71-Racing

John Gott - Healey 3000 1970


Brian Hough - TVR Tuscan 1973


Don Oxonborough - Jaguar E-Type 1973


John Pearson - Jaguar XK120 1973


Tony Claydon - Piper P2 1973

[Silkolene]

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson


Martin had two Anglias, the first he comprehensively wrote off, at Snett I think. The second, dark blue in colour was sold at the end of 1967 to John Bond-Smith of Simplex of Cambridge with a 1650 lump in it. My father was the mechanic for J B-S and I went with him to collect the Maudling car, my dad handed over £600 big ones to Reginald on behalf of John. It was then sprayed 'Simplex' green and a 1760 Lotus t/c installed for Stan Matthews to race in the Redex and Osram GEC special saloon races in '68 and part of '69. Not much success apart from a lap record at lydden for a while, pot hunting amongst the small Minis, Elf's and Imps.

I remember as a young lad in the mid 60s my Father (BARC) had just resurfaced Thruxton and I accompanied one of his friends in a remarkably quick Green Ford Anglia back to Andover from the first race meeting.
This car was raced regular and remember being in the passenger seat doing 130mph on the A303 back to Andover with my Father chasing us in his Facel Vega HK500.

Nice memory,but I cant remember who the Anglia belonged to.

[Silkolene]

I have just heard that the Ex Le Mans Twin Turbo TR8 is showing interest in joining the HMSA Historic Modsports and Saloon Association.

What a great car,if he decides to join it will add to the many awesome cars joining the HMSA www.historicmodsportsandsaloons.com

[Gregor Marshall]

Originally posted by drivers71
A few of my Modsports photos from Mallory Park in the 70s.

More can be found at: http://photobucket.c...rivers71-Racing

Tony Claydon - Piper P2 1973

Tony started off in ModSports as a "works" TVR driver, then moved on to a Piper and owns Piper Cars today.

[drivers71]

Originally posted by Gregor Marshall


Tony started off in ModSports as a "works" TVR driver, then moved on to a Piper and owns Piper Cars today.

So, between us, Gregor, we've captured one small piece of the historic jigsaw that is 'nostalgia'

[Gregor Marshall]

I think I may have posted the first picture on TNF before, but the second "wonky" scan from the 27th June 1974 edition of Autosport is quite interesting.

[Silkolene]

There where some serious quick small cars in the Modsports that would show a clean pair of heels to the larger cars.
Particular battles I liked was the Modsports Turner of Tony Broom,the Ex John Miles,Mark Hales,Lee Barton car that use to scrap the Black Brick Caterham.It was one of the only cars that could beat the Black Brick and their battles was always appreciated by the crowds of spectators.

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by sterling49
[B] Who is the driver of the number 12 Sprite on Minilites? ]

If it is '68/'69 there is every likelihood it is Garo Nigogosian's very quick Sprite device
Roger Lund

[Sharman]

Roger
I'm glad to see you use the expression "device". Long before modsports were thought of there was an indecently quick "Sprite" which used to run away from the field. John Scott-Davies lurks at the back of my mind but I have a niggling doubt about the the name. The car was space frame in part with an independent rear end, can you put the correct identity on this?
John