20 replies to this topic

[Auroraf1]

I have had given to me a copy of a page from Autosport dated 6th March 1959.

It reports on a car called the Mayfield Ford Special, entered by a J.L. Hosker of Manchester and raced at Oulton Park.

The suname being fairly unusual and the connection to Oulton, the chap who found it made a natural assumption that there was some connection to myself.

However as far as I know the Hosker name's connection with motor racing started with myself and my brother.

I am intrigued to find out more about both the car and my possible motor racing ancestor.

This forum is always the best place to start, so any help or pictures out there?

Does the car still exist?
Does the driver or any of his relations still have connections in the sport?

[bradbury west]

Phil, perhaps some of the older Northern racers like Derek Walker or Ted Worswick might have some recollection. maybe Derek Lawson knows someone among his old Oulton contacts. Any idea of a Christian name?
Roger Lund

[Ray Bell]

If it's an 1172cc Ford, perhaps the 1172 Register (they have one of those, don't they?) might know something?

[David McKinney]

It was an 1172. The Autosport piece says that after being raced in 1958 it was to updated to full 1172 Formula spec for 1959. The accompanying photo shows it very much like other clubmen's cars of the period or a little later. Puts me in mind of the Yimkin

[bradbury west]

If it's an 1172cc Ford, perhaps the 1172 Register (they have one of those, don't they?) might know something?

750 Motor Club in that case. Their records and members' memories are fantastic. A letter requesting info via their Bulletin will probably elicit a worthwhile response.
Roger Lund

[Auroraf1]

Thanks Chaps

I will persue said lines of enquiry.

If anyone else can add anything then please feel free to chip in!

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by bradbury west
750 Motor Club in that case.....

Yes, I should have remembered that the 1172s came under the 750 MC...

I recall from reading Motor Racing in the sixties that they were very strong and a very independent lot, undoubtedly well informed on each other's cars.

[Sharman]

If my somewhat dodgy memory is correct the name derives from Mayfield Garage which was, again if memory serves, in the Chorlton-cum-Hardy area of Manchester. Beyond that no memory>

[bradbury west]

I cannot trace anything about Mayfield garage in the old phone book archive on Ancestry etc, nor birth, marriage or death for J L Hosker, but can find Leslie J Hosker born 1927 in Manchester area, so 32 when racing which sounds a possibility, married Norma in 54, with Electoral Roll for 5 years ago showing an address in Stockport. Perhaps he preferred his second name and reversed it, or not. Maybe someone different altogether. JL is in the phone books in Cheadle in the early 60s then JL and LJ are in Scunthorpe, Nottm, et al and back to Manchester by 80s. Maybe wrong chaps altogether........
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 15 September 2010 - 09:29.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

If my somewhat dodgy memory is correct the name derives from Mayfield Garage which was, again if memory serves, in the Chorlton-cum-Hardy area of Manchester. Beyond that no memory>

Hmmn Thats got me thinkin' I think I know where Mayfield garage is, I may be able to take a photo on Friday.

[Sharman]

I cannot trace anything about Mayfield garage in the old phone book archive on Ancestry etc, nor birth, marriage or death for J L Hosker, but can find Leslie J Hosker born 1927 in Manchester area, so 32 when racing which sounds a possibility, married Norma in 54, with Electoral Roll for 5 years ago showing an address in Stockport. Perhaps he preferred his second name and reversed it, or not. Maybe someone different altogether. JL is in the phone books in Cheadle in the early 60s then JL and LJ are in Scunthorpe, Nottm, et al and back to Manchester by 80s. Maybe wrong chaps altogether........
Roger Lund

Roger
You could be right about Stockport, I did plead memory to start with. Jim, whom I mentioned in my last email to you, knew the back street Stockport garages very well. I'll try to get an answer from him.
John

[Mistron]

I have all of the championship listings and results for the 1172 / F1200 championships for this period, but might have packed them away in preparation for a house move that seems set to never happen.....

I'll have a rummage, but might not find them 'till I get back from the revival. I leave first thing and haven't even started to get ready yet!

Why am I on the computer?

[Bloggsworth]

I have all of the championship listings and results for the 1172 / F1200 championships for this period, but might have packed them away in preparation for a house move that seems set to never happen.....

I'll have a rummage, but might not find them 'till I get back from the revival. I leave first thing and haven't even started to get ready yet!

Why am I on the computer?

Forum Addiction...

[Bloggsworth]

Is it me, or is my failing memory leading me astray? Was the YIMKIN designed by Don Sim of Diva fame? If so I drove one in 1965, it was the Clubmans version owned by Richard Groombridge, it was a December Saturday afternoon; I could have done with studded tyres that day.

[David McKinney]

Same bloke

They also did an FJ version



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

(Posted by Barry Boor 2006)

[Bloggsworth]

Same bloke

They also did an FJ version



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

(Posted by Barry Boor 2006)

I have a feeling that they are one and the same in design, Richard's Clubmans version had a full with cockpit opening, an "A" Series engine, and was painted maroon. Richard and I both worked for Don Sim's other company, Diva Cars, behind John Bloomfield's garage in the Walworth Road. Don Sim could have had a third career as an Anthony Newley look-alike...

Edited by Bloggsworth, 15 September 2010 - 21:30.

[bradbury west]

I have all of the championship listings and results for the 1172 / F1200 championships for this period, ....

My sheets are lacking the records for 1959 for some reason, but the '58 sheet shows Mr Hosker scoring 3 times in the Chapman Cup 1172 series ending up 13th. in an 11 race series, although Oulton ans Silverstone would be his most accessible tracks.
Oulton 7.6.58 Lancs & Chesh. 9 points so must have been 2nd
Silverstone 6.9.58 SUNBAC 4 points so 7th
Oulton 11.10.58 Lancs and Chesh. 1 point so 10th.
I can see nothing in the 56 or 57 sheets listing his name, nor have I looked through period Autosports for race reports etc. which might indicate his Christian name so tracing would be easier. Perhaps if he sold it after '59 it may be in the ads at the back.
Roger Lund

[Auroraf1]

A big thanks fellas for all your work. The Yimkin does resemble the Mayfield, but then I think a lot of cars of that formula looked alike.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

I'm sorry about the delay getting back guys, I couldn't get to Chorlton cum Hardy til' today.
Anyway what I thought was Mayfield garage isnt it's the Bridge garage
I suppose thats another senior moment

[Sharman]

At a SUNBAC Silverstone meeting 6th Sept 1958 the Mayfield was entered with a choice of two drivers, J.L.Hosker and R.J.Bloor, sadly Rod died not too long ago so we can't ask him. However, at Oulton in October 1958 Mayfield Garage entered J.L.Hosker in the Mayfield AND Alan Osbiston in an Elva MG. Is Alan still with us?. I have also, being a native Mancunian, done a bit more exploring regarding the location. Mayfield Rd is in Whalley Range which is spitting distance from Chorlton-cum-Hardy, perhaps Paul might like to have a nosey around there.

[bradbury west]

John, I have an Alan G in Chelmsford and a Frederick Alan in Wigan in 2005.
Roger

edit
With Fredk A born in N Manchester in 1st quarter of 1936 and Alan G in Middx in 1955 so it looks as if Frederick Alan is your best bet. I will send address details.
RL

Edited by bradbury west, 18 November 2010 - 11:08.