1261 replies to this topic

[RTH]

I would recommend that people read the foreword Dan wrote to "Jim Clark- Life at Team Lotus". People who have the book will know what I mean.

 

Declaring interest as the Author.

If I had known how to contact you Peter i would have so liked to have you along last Saturday

[RTH]

Next meeting Sat 11th October

[DN5]

Unfortunately i am out of the country for this one.

 

 

I'll be thinking of those present on the day and look forward to getting to a future one

 

Geoff

[RTH]

Thanks Geoff.

Ernie Unger will be talking to us  about his early days working at Lotus Hornsey he was the first paid employee in 1954 before Colin Chapman gave up his day job.

Worked on Ian Walker's racing Lotus cars.

He went on to work for Rootes Group as a development engineer on the Hillman Imp.

Then in 1966 created the Unipower GT  mid engined Cooper S powered  2 seat sports car in co-operation with Universal Power Drives in Perivale body by Specialised Mouldings  chassis by Arch motor and  shaped after long discussions with Frank Costin -  he will no doubt  explain why they closed in 1970 after 75 cars  but still with a full forward order book .

Gerry Hulford is bringing his newly restored  example the actual car that attempted to qualify  for the 1969 Le Mans and ran at both test weekends.

Still some places available in Herts 11th Oct email or pm me.

[Gary C]

it's a pity I'm working that weekend, would have been good to attend.

[RTH]

That's working in broadcast television live transmission for you Gary !

[RTH]

4 weeks to go - still some places are available - email or pm me.

[RTH]

Still some places left

[fuzzi]

A great day at Albury yesterday. Thanks to Richard and all the team for another good one.

 

Ernie Unger is a great raconteur, free of hyperbole and with lots more stories to tell. I was able to look through his small photo album containing shots from his Sprinzel and Elva days.

[RTH]

Many thanks to all of you who attended yesterday Ernie Unger & Gerry Hulford were excellent guests and entertained us with stories from the 60s & 70s and the struggle of being a small car manufacturer at that time.

Gerry's exhibit the immaculate  ex Le Mans car was quite exquisite with so many people unaware of the Unipower saying just what a most attractive well proportioned design it was such a shame the company did not survive.

Thanks as always to Bill & Jane who, single handed this time, catered for us all with the customary  fine fare Christine keeps all the important things going and to time with her usual efficiency, thanks to her..

Thank to all the loyal supporters - without you we could not keep it going -hard to believe really this was actually the 17th Film show and we have been so lucky to listen to so many splendid guest speakers in the last 6 years.

[Tim Murray]

Another great day - many thanks to all involved. Like Julian I'm sure Ernie has many more good stories to tell - perhaps he might be tempted back one day? That little yellow Unipower is a lovely car, and watching it being manoeuvred  through the hall door with the odd millimetre to spare on each side was very impressive.

[glyn parham]

Thankyou Richard for the 17th show and another fascinating day where I learnt so much about a car that was never meant to race. Ernie and Gerry were excellent guests and it was great to see the car in the hall.
Thanks again to Jane and Bill for all their hard work and to Christine for keeping everything to time.
I can't wait for the January show now.

[sterling49]

I can only echo all of the above comments, a great day with old ( and new) friends. Nice to see Tim again and meet with Ralph after all of this time, trouble is, I get so waylaid talking. Great quiz by Tony Pashley, we should get the Team Muppet award, but we did try! Congratulations to Tim, Ralph, Roger and Debbie, who really were on fire, bravo ! Lovely to hear the stories of Ernie and Gerry, I am going to look through my old programmes, because I am pretty sure Piers Forrester was the guy I saw racing a Unipower in the '60s.....was it that long ago? Fabulous car ! 

 

Catering as usual top notch, well done to Team Nathan, looking forward to The Captain's rallying stories come the New Year! Thanks to Glyn for so ably performing driving duties for the day, a great one as is usual. 

Edited by sterling49, 12 October 2014 - 10:44.

[mgtd]

Echo.echo....what more is there to add?

A great day's entertainment as usual...the team are getting so professional these days...can't believe that was No.17...I too have attended them all. Highlight, probably the Cooper film I think?

As an aside, I didn't put 2 and 2 together when chatting outside by the Great White Talbot..I should have introduced myself to Julian as a fellow Talbot Owner,next time I'm sure.

 

Stephen

[arttidesco]

Ditto all of the above regarding the 17th TNF Film Show, enjoyed a fascinating talk, great company, delicious food and a nightmare quiz congrats to Roger and Tim for answering all the really difficult questions.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone again for the Captains visit in January.

[2F-001]

Well, I hadn't intended the quiz to be that difficult…! What I'd hoped for was something where most could get at least get parts of quite a few questions (either by knowledge or by clues in the wording) with a few toughies for the usual quiz big-hitters.
I found the hard part not so much thinking of the questions, but decided what is too hard, too easy, or the right mix of subject and era.

The breadth (and depth) of knowledge and first-hand experience amongst the audience is so great I often feel like a dilettante amongst masters, but of course our own 'specialist' areas may be obscure or arcane to others. The aim usually ascribed to crossword compilers is to mount a tough battle against the readers but to ultimately let them win. I'm not sure I achieved that… Comments/thoughts welcome for possible future reference...

[RTH]

Tony is too modest - he did a magnificent job as guest quizmaster and the layout pictures  of the question sheet superb  - as befits  a professional graphics designer that Tony is ... it was pitched exactly right..

Our grateful thanks -  it is a popular part of the day and since I stopped setting the questions it has gone from strength to strength under Glyn Parham's expert guidance Many thanks to both of you gentleman for your knowledge skill and  dilligence.

[glyn parham]

You are too kind Richard, and yes, Tony is too modest but we will be back in January with another quiz for you all.

 

You have been warned!

 

Glyn

[arttidesco]

I hope you'll take 'nightmare' as a compliment Tony

[richie]

Trying to find any ex Barnhill School Bromley pupil who came to TNF meeting abt yr ago. Geoff Hawkes and I were at there school in 60's but someone else attended and we don't who it was. Who are you??

[glyn parham]

Was it Richard Evans?

[RTH]

Next meeting is Sat 31st January 2015 all day in Herts

 

Guest Speakers : Brian Culcheth, Bill price and Graham Robson

 

email or pm for details

[AAGR]

.... when there will be much talk about the fabulous World Cup Rally of 1970, in which Brian Culcheth finished second overall, and Bill Price was heavily involved in the British Leyland/Triumph effort.

 

AAGR

[RTH]

Yes indeed Graham.................  ...And Graham Robson was one of the organisers  who was at more time controls than anyone and was in all the countries.

He has written a splendid large format  hardback book-  the World Cup Rally 40 years on, just about to go out of print  but you will still be able to get a copy at the show on the day.

Filling up fast 2/3rds of places gone already

Edited by RTH, 08 January 2015 - 21:56.

[AAGR]

Richard - many thanks for the mention of WORLD CUP 40. I have now secured some copies to bring along to Albury on 31 January, but Rod Grainger of Veloce warns me that he will be running out of stock in the next few weeks, and there will be no more after that ....

[RTH]

Down to just a dozen places left so contact me if you want to come on the day.

[sterling49]

Any late last minute additional guests appearing Richard?

[RTH]

Still got some fingers crossed.

Someone who is coming is John Griffiths ex Frasers/Weslake/Lola and long time design engineer at Ford Motorsport responsible for  AVO XR & RS Boreham Race & Rally cars, and I think we will have a turn out of several   forms of the TR marque.

So  pm me with your email address for details of the day 3 weeks from now.

[bradbury west]

Richard, is that Frasers as in Alan Fraser, as in Imps?

Roger Lund

[sterling49]

Glyn confirmed that yes it is Roger.

[AAGR]

....and he was Ford's' well-liked/much-respected 'homologation king' for many very successful years.

[bradbury west]

Thanks, Sterling . Now there's a little bonus out of the blue....

Roger

[RTH]

We still have some places available for the film and talk day with Rally driver Brian Culcheth, team manager Bill Price and  design engineer, comps manager,.rally organiser historian, broadcaster and author Graham Robson.   - Graham played a big role in the recent BBCTV programme on the history of the British Sportscar,  worked at Standard Triumph during the great days of TR sportscars....and has written 160 books on motor sport and motoring.

We have several TRs attending including 4 VC Ian Cornish's ex-factory  TR4 team car.

The 1970 London to Mexico rally will be featured in detail  in film and recollection of our 3 guests who were all on it.Brian Culcheth of course finished 2nd in the factory Triumph 2.5Pi manager by BL Competition manager Bill Price along with 6 other team cars on the 6 week 15000mile event , which had huge publicity at the time.

 

It is all day Sat 31st Jan 2015 lunch and afternoon tea provided 9.30-5.00pm in East Herts.

If you have not been before pm or email me via this post  - with your email address -  I will email you  more details and you can book places- just under 3 weeks to go.Lively and warm , friendly event of usually 90 people and a packed day , in these dark  winter days.

[RTH]

Another surprise guest  - legendary Ford works rally team mechanic Mick Jones will be there

[sterling49]

How are you conjuring all of these stars Rich? It is going to be a brilliant day, well done!

[sterling49]

Another great day Richard and team, thank you! Brian Culcheth, what a story and super career, I never knew about the Bohringer stuff!the guest list was long, Bill Price ex B.M.C Abingdon, Graham Robson, the legendary Ford spanner man Mick Jones and in the audience was Another Ford guy, John Griffiths. Superb account of the London Mexico Rally just the 45 years ago by the 2nd placed driver and anecdotes from Mick from Hannu's winning Ford team.

Superb catering (again) by Jane,Bill and team, and a dastardly quiz by Glyn that was easily won by by Roger,Ralph and Tim's team by quite some margin, Stephen we must try harder! Great day again, a nice way to spend a snowy Saturday!

Thank You!

Edited by sterling49, 01 February 2015 - 09:13.

[glyn parham]

I cannot thank Richard and his team enough for a super day of rally nostalgia. As Sterling says above the guests were all highly entertaining and told some fascinating tales.
Thanks again go to Jane, Christine and Bill for all their hard work which we are very grateful.
I now have the small problem of explaining the acquisition of three new rally books to SWMOB.
Glyn

[FrankB]

As Sterling has said it was yet another superb day. Any of the guests individually would have warranted attending, but as a panel they gave incredible value. The programme of films provided a perfect background to the ensuing discussions which gave fascinating insights to the workings of a rally team. Jane and her team once again provided wonderful food; as someone at our table said - lunch and afternoon tea could easily set you back £30, and we got a great day's entertainment as well!

Thanks and congratulations to all.

[Tim Murray]

Agreed absolutely - another great day in spite of the weather. As already mentioned. fascinating stories from all the guests. Any chance we could get Mick Jones back at a future event? I suspect he could tell us many more great stories in his inimitable style. Ralph and I enjoyed travelling along the M25 and up to Albury in convoy with the famous TR4 '4VC'.

The food was wonderful as usual. The winners of the quiz this time will be setting the next one - we've already had a few good thoughts, so we hope to maintain the fiendish tradition.

[sterling49]

I think that Glyn has made a grave error of Judgement passing the task of quiz masters to you two! Nobody will be able to score points !edited to add, great idea about Mick Jones, he has been in the thick of it since those great early '60s Safari Rallies, and whenever there was a TV clip, Mick was always in centre shot, up to his neck in Castrol Gear Oil !

Edited by sterling49, 01 February 2015 - 10:15.

[mgtd]

Blimey, if you lot are setting it Sterling and I haven't a chance!

Ditto x5...great day as usual, and none the worse for being totally rally-based.

The stars were stars, and the first-hand anecdotes memorable.

Richard, Jane et al...up to their usual high standards.

Thanks,

Stephen

Edited by mgtd, 01 February 2015 - 10:15.

[Odseybod]

Thanks all.  Just one grumble - no seconds on the food (from a greedy person who couldn't decide which main course to have and eventually chose one, assuming there'd be a chance to sample the other option.  But that's a very small quibble!).

[RTH]

Many thanks indeed to all of you who attended yesterday, and braved the cold weather and icy roads,  it is your continued support that keeps it going. We much appreciate so many of you travelling such long distances - our thanks for that.

 

Special thanks to all of you who so kindly stayed behind and put all the tables and chairs away - that really is a massive help and we do so appreciate you help with this task after a long day .

 

My thanks to Jane & Bill in the kitchen to Geoff Hawkes who worked so hard all weekend and  dropped on all the jobs as they occurred . To Glyn who is so very reliable in devising , preparing and  running the ever popular lunchtime quiz.

 

...and of course to our special guests Brian Culcheth  who talked so well about his 20 + years as a factory works rally driver with  such an exquisite set of photographs. To Bill Price who gave us a fascinating insight into the workings of  BMC Competitions starting with Marcus Chambers right through the BL amalgamation and  special tuning Dept right up to its demise and the semi works/private assistance in its aftermath - brilliant stuff. to Mick Jones who so kindly stepped up - Mick very much the face of Ford Motor Company Boreham Competitions dept at rally service points   for 30 plus years wonderful insight - we must hear more of his tales in the future.....and to Graham Robson such a professional  moderator - been there and done it himself at several major motor manufacturer plants in the West Midlands, also as a rally organiser and an author  of no less than 160 books on cars , motoring  and rallies and competition over a span of the last 40 years.

All 4 of them  were both a delight to meet  and a joy to listen to - our grateful thanks to them all for travelling great distances Brian & Graham right up from the West Country and so generously entertaining us with the stories of their lives in motor sport.

As Mick so rightly put it  "Those years travelling the world and being paid to do something you loved doing- they were indeed the best years of my life" Sure we can all empathise with that .

 

Thank you all again for your loyal support  - it was a joy to see you all.

 

Better start thinking about 2nd May now then it should by then be warm and sunny and we can also enjoy an outdoor barbecue.

[arttidesco]

Just like to belatedly echo all of the sentiments above, great guests, great company, great food, thought the quiz was a tad easy though   

 

... and add thanks to Steve Rockingham for trailoring his pristine TR7 along and then parking it in the snow

 

May be first prize for the next quiz should be first dibs at seconds ?

[RTH]

Thought you might like to see the cartoon Rod Waller produced for us to present a copy each to Brian Culcheth, Bill Price and graham Robson.

 

[GMiranda]

Wonderful topic, I have read some things about this year's meeting; it's a pity I had no chance to go there.

Is there any way to get in touch with some of the drivers?

[RTH]

Bill Price    Brian Culcheth   Mick Jones and Graham Robson

 

[RTH]

[RTH]

Graham Bill and Brian

 

 

[Richard Jenkins]

Richard, is May 2nds show still going ahead? I haven't heard anything yet.