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Frank Gardner biography is underway

Started by M bennett , Mar 25 2012 12:02

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77 replies to this topic

#51 Ray Bell

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Posted 06 April 2012 - 17:12

The same thought occurred to me...

These blokes must have respected each other and realised that the coming together was simply the result of them both pushing each other harder.

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#52 Lola5000

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 02:28

Both great drivers,pity Redman never spent anytime in OZ,like Bell he would have been on the pace at Bathurst early.

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#53 Amaroo Park

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 06:11

Be interesting to read bout the some of the later day times as well. when he was Team Manging the JPS BMW's etc.

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#54 Andrew Kitson

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 06:17

Off topic slightly...but I read yesterday that the outright record for Bathurst was broken by an F3 car recently. Must be fantastic around there in a single seater.

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#55 Ray Bell

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 10:34

My nephew is running there in an HQ Holden this weekend...

They're having a couple of 2-driver 1-hour races. Unfortunately he's one of the many in Australia who think that racing cars do have doors, a roof and other sundry time-wasting accessories.

If Kevin Bartlett comes to this thread, it would be nice for him to answer your suggestion by telling what it was like to set the first 100mph lap.

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#56 Doug Nye

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 13:45

Unfortunately he's one of the many in Australia who think that racing cars do have doors, a roof and other sundry time-wasting accessories.

Well said, Ray - such a demeaning waste of a great sporting nation's new young talent.

DCN

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#57 Ray Bell

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 20:24

It mortifies me, Doug...

The kid is so eager to learn, so eager to do well, has a lot of inherent talent... and he wastes it on these seriously production-based tin-tops! These cars have a 3-speed gearbox and a single-choke carby, original brakes and very little going for them.

I just know that one tryout in a Clubman or an openwheeler and he'd be hooked, but you can't convince him to even try one.

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#58 Doug Nye

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Posted 07 April 2012 - 21:07

Does he know of Matty Brabham?

DCN

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#59 Catalina Park

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Posted 08 April 2012 - 04:19

Why on earth would anyone spend $8000 a year to race a tin top when they could race a Formula Ford or a Formula 3 for $100,000 to $200,000 a season.
The lad must be crazy. It just doesn't make any sense at all.

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#60 Amaroo Park

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Posted 08 April 2012 - 08:30

My nephew is running there in an HQ Holden this weekend...

They're having a couple of 2-driver 1-hour races. Unfortunately he's one of the many in Australia who think that racing cars do have doors, a roof and other sundry time-wasting accessories.

If Kevin Bartlett comes to this thread, it would be nice for him to answer your suggestion by telling what it was like to set the first 100mph lap.

Does it really matter what he drives, fact is he is having a go and is probably one of the smart ones doing so within a budget he set himself rather than going into debt to run an open wheeler

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#61 Doug Nye

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Posted 08 April 2012 - 08:39

Aah yes - good point. I wondered who'd be first to spot that.

Still highlights a demeaning state of affairs, though, doesn't it...

DCN

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#62 Ray Bell

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Posted 08 April 2012 - 12:31

There are open cars, mostly things like Clubmans, he could race for less cost and effort than a good HQ...

And as his general direction is to race the Dodge in Appendix J he's not averse to racing in an Historic category.

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#63 Amaroo Park

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Posted 08 April 2012 - 23:56

There are open cars, mostly things like Clubmans, he could race for less cost and effort than a good HQ...

And as his general direction is to race the Dodge in Appendix J he's not averse to racing in an Historic category.

There is no way he could race clubmans for less than a HQ, including purchase of the vehicle.

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#64 ed holly

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Posted 09 April 2012 - 00:14

My nephew is running there in an HQ Holden this weekend...

They're having a couple of 2-driver 1-hour races. Unfortunately he's one of the many in Australia who think that racing cars do have doors, a roof and other sundry time-wasting accessories.

If Kevin Bartlett comes to this thread, it would be nice for him to answer your suggestion by telling what it was like to set the first 100mph lap.

Ray somehow you have to get him to try a single seater, I thought MGA's were the centre of the universe till I drove my first single seater- an Elfin FJ 1500. It was and still is a whole new world.

Also its not as bad as a lot of people think, although initial cost of Historic cars is relatively high, mostly they go up in value over time so defraying some of the cost, sometimes even paying for your all your racing with it!

Tony Caldersmith told me when I was thinking of a single seater about 12 years ago, that the cost of racing would be a lot less, and believe it or not that is exactly the case. Tell your nephew a racing car, as Tony told me, was designed to do exactly that, whereas a production car was never was. The cost to turn it into a car that can be raced , tyres, brakes etc etc are worn out at a rate 3 to 4 times on my old MGA compared to a 1960s racing car, and a HQ I imagine would be even worse. I remember a good HQ back in the late 90s was the same lap times as the quick MGAs.

I am sure Frank wouldn't mind us hijacking this thread momentarily for a good cause...

Ed

Edited by ed holly, 09 April 2012 - 00:16.

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#65 Catalina Park

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Posted 09 April 2012 - 08:06

I just found this on Youtube, 1973 Tasman Series - Chesterfield 100 - Warwick Farm. Frank Gardner on commentary with Graham Howard.

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#66 LouiseRoy

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Posted 05 June 2014 - 22:26

It would be a pity if Frank's biographer permits too many good stories to be spoiled by slavish accuracy. That's something that Francis seldom did. Striking the right balance will be the key...

DCN

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

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#67 M bennett

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Posted 11 September 2015 - 10:31

Will we see the Frank Gardner book in time for Christmas this year? I am preparing my "wants" letter to the South Pole and like to include specific details about what is available and required.

If Tony's book does not make the Christmas deadline what other 2015 published books are recommended reading?

Mike B Adelaide

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#68 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 September 2015 - 11:36

The Tasman Cup book, of course...

Or have you already got that sorted?

There are some sample pages on the thread about it.

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#69 TerryS

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Posted 24 December 2016 - 08:40

The Frank Gardner biography is underway, the collection of information, interviews and photographs has been underway for a year. However the reach of TNF needs to be harnessed to make the FG story complete and do justice to Frank, one of the great racing drivers. The message below from the author is self explanatory: " Tony Whitlock, an Australian Motoring journalist, has approval from Gloria Gardner to write the definitive Frank Gardner biography. Frank was adamant that no such book should be written while he was alive, but as one of motor racing's great characters and story tellers we now have the opportunity to do him justice. Tony is seeking input by way of anecdotes and photographs from those who can add to the FG story. In particular we are seeking to hear from people who were involved with Frank in the early years in Australia and the UK Tony Whitlock is particularly interested to talk to Jon Leighton, Jim Russell, Roy Salvadori, Jackie Oliver, Malcolm Guthrie, Mike de Udy, Brian Redman, Sam Posey & George Bolthoff. Would also be extremely interested in speaking to anyone who worked closely with Frank Gardner that he has not spoken to which could include Aston Martin in the last '50s & '60s, The Jim Russell Driving School & anyone who may have had contact with him or raced against him during the 1970s in the UK & Europe. Equally of course anyone who wishes to contribute can do so via this thread or contact Tony directly on autofax@fastmail.fm "[/b] To add to Frank's early years I have asked David Beard to post some photographs from Frank's first trip to the UK in 1959 I believe. These photos taken by Len Deaton have been provided by Rik Deaton. Regards Mike Bennett Adelaide

Mike do you or ANYONE else know what happened with this biography?

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#70 cooper997

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Posted 23 April 2017 - 00:37

Former Modern Motor editor and Leyland/JRA Australia/Jaguar America PR man, John Crawford has his driving and life blog. Recently he wrote a couple of pieces involving Frank Gardner.

The first link involves Frank being posthumously inducted to the Australian Motor Racing Hall of Fame. Something that may have gone unrecorded on TNF.

http://www.drivingandlife.com/2017/03/

http://www.drivingan...ing-driver.html

Stephen

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#71 ellrosso

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Posted 23 April 2017 - 05:07

Ray, your nephew should try a Formula Ford at Eastern Creek - 5 laps for $260 - $300. 10 laps for $380 - $440 (don't know the reasoning re the price difference). That's with the ARDC. Adrenaline does a similar deal too. At least it would give him a taste.....