9 replies to this topic

[nudgernog]

hello all, can anyone tell me the date of the national Birkett 6 hr relay race at silverstone in 1965.

does anyone know the results of the finishers and DNF.

i am also looking to buy a progamme from the event if anyone has a spare copy.
regards.

[Gregor Marshall]

I know it doesn't help much for 1965 but it was held on the 6th August in 1966 and I don't have the programme but I do have the Autoport and Motor Sport reports - sorry!!

[john winfield]

hello all, can anyone tell me the date of the national Birkett 6 hr relay race at silverstone in 1965.

does anyone know the results of the finishers and DNF.

i am also looking to buy a progamme from the event if anyone has a spare copy.
regards.

Hello nudgernog,

That year's relay race was on August 7th. I may have a programme for sale, although it won't be in pristine condition. I believe the race was won by the 'Western Centre 750s', from 'Team Imp', 'TVR Granturas' with 'GT Mixture' fourth. Disclaimer: race results unconfirmed....I was only 7 years old!
Fascinating entry includes Terry Sanger, Vic Elford, Ted Bunce, John Quick, Arthur Mallock, Bill Nicholson, John Sprinzel, Phil de Banks, Steve Neal, Gerry and Graham Birrell etc.

[Pete Stowe]

Results from Autosport:

1 – Western Centre 750s (S Goldthorpe, JM Cotton, IA Bates, B Clayton, NC Bennett, R Sadler, EG Vallender, C Bishop – Austin Specials) - 299 laps

2 – Hartwell Imps (AD Taylor, AR Hartwell, R Payne, RW Wickson – Hillman Imps) - 295 laps

3 – TVR Granturas (JB Wingfield, A Mallock, P Simpson, T Entwhistle – TVR Granturas; P Simpson TVR Griffith) - 293 laps

4 – Team Anglia (D Seigle-Morris, V Elford, R Mansfield, DJ Garrett, D Wynn-Williams – Ford Anglias) - 290 laps

5 - East Anglian Racing Cars (R Taylor, A Peer, M Winch, B Newton – Ford Anglias) - 290 laps

6 – Moto-Baldet Racing Team (W Nicholson, P Pollard, R Enever, JF Sach, D Bunce – MGBs; WG White – Elva Sebring Courier) - 288 laps

7 – Sporting Owner Drivers Club – 287 laps

8 – Godiva CC – 287 laps

9 – Austin-Healey Club Sprites – 287 laps

10 – Austin Healey Club Big Healeys – 285 laps

[RogerFrench]

I'd like to add an amusing footnote, if I may.
One of the winning team was George Vallender, a 750 enthusiast from Cheltenham and a friend of my father's. As it happened, George did not actually race, but delighted in the large winner's wreath!

[Giraffe]

Is there anywhere that the full results of the Birkett can be found? My old pal from the thread bearing his name, John Love competed and did well in it either a year later, or 1967 in the ex-Tommy Entwistle TVR mentioned above, but all of his trophys and results were lost in a robbery.
The Birkett is my bete noir, having been invited to join a team of hot hatches from Yorkshire on two seperate occasions only to either fall off a bike or be ill just proceeding the race and be unable to compete in what I feel is an event with great heritage and tradition. Third time lucky???

Edited by Giraffe, 25 June 2009 - 07:54.

[nudgernog]

excellent replies gents. many thanks for your help.

[Gregor Marshall]

My old pal from the thread bearing his name, John Love competed and did well in it either a year later, or 1967 in the ex-Tommy Birtwistle TVR mentioned above, but all of his trophys and results were lost in a robbery.

I assume you mean ex-Tommy Entwistle TVR? A certain GM raced that car several times in '66 before selling it - possibly to Mr L.

I'd be interested to see the '65 results on the Holland Birkett if anyone has them.

[Giraffe]

I assume you mean ex-Tommy Entwistle TVR? A certain GM raced that car several times in '66 before selling it - possibly to Mr L.

I'd be interested to see the '65 results on the Holland Birkett if anyone has them.

John Love purchased the ex-Tommy Entwistle TVR from Jimmy Goddard of Scorton Garage in Leeds, trading in his race winning Lotus Seven for it. Your dad probably sold it to Jimmy, Gregor?

Edited by Giraffe, 25 June 2009 - 08:03.

[Andy Somerton]

Hi
I also have a programme and the Autosport that covered the race and might be able to scan the pages if you would like. I also own the Lotus Elan driven in the race by Brian Sherwood under the GT Mixture team name. The car broke down .
The car was also raced in the 1966 race under the Team Minilite banner and I am trying to find out whay happened to it after 1966 when Brian sold it and bought a Piper sports race car. He then took over the Piper car business and built and entered a car for Le Mans. He was unfortunately killed in a road crash in 1969. A photograph of the car in the paddock at the 66 Birkett can be found in the forum if you search for Brian Sherwoods Elan. If anyone has any information on the Elan I would greatly appreciate hearing it

Regards

Andy

Edited by Andy Somerton, 27 June 2009 - 15:31.