22 replies to this topic

[Morris S]

Coming up this weekend is the Classic Nostalgia meeting at Shelsley Walsh, anyone popping along ?

http://www.shelsley-...n...s=21&ei=177

I'm reuniting Jeff Goodliff with his championship winning British Vita Minisprint on Sunday, it's taken some doing I can assure you but fingers crossed we'll get there.

Pete

Edited by Morris S, 22 July 2013 - 09:48.

[Alan Cox]

I'm reuniting Jeff Goodliff with his championship winning British Vita Minisprint on Sunday,

Hoping to see you there on Sunday, Pete. Here is the only (apologies for its poor quality) snap I have of the legendary Mr Goodliff and the Minisprint - Barbon 1969

[Sharman]

Coming up this weekend is the Classic Nostalgia meeting at Shelsley Walsh, anyone popping along ?

http://www.shelsley-...n...s=21&ei=177

I'm reuniting Jeff Goodliff with his championship winning British Vita Minisprint on Sunday, it's taken some doing I can assure you but fingers crossed we'll get there.

Pete

I know that Harry has left us, I'm not sure whether it is a physical departure yet but tell Jeff that the old days are still fondly remembered

Edited by Sharman, 22 July 2013 - 12:43.

[bradbury west]

John, I have been aware of Harry's condition for a long time, but have not heard of his demise, as your opening 7 words would be some of the saddest I could hear..... I suspect there are quite a lot of us who remember "those times" with that level of affection. Harry was such a brilliant guy in his time.
Time perhaps to put a link to the British Vita website.
http://www.mountgreen.co.uk/home.html
Roger

[cdrewett]

Coming up this weekend is the Classic Nostalgia meeting at Shelsley Walsh, anyone popping along ?

http://www.shelsley-...n...s=21&ei=177

I'm reuniting Jeff Goodliff with his championship winning British Vita Minisprint on Sunday, it's taken some doing I can assure you but fingers crossed we'll get there.

Pete

I will be sharing Vox Villa with John Moody and looking forward to a great weekend. Please give us lots of information on Jeff and his win so that we get it right. Sir Stirling will be there, and if anyone wants to enter their car in the Concours on Sunday just tell the people on the gate and the first 100 applicants will be directed to the Concours car park; judging to be done by Simon Taylor.
TNFers can make appropriate gestures from opposite Vox.
Chris

[Morris S]

I still see Harry from time to time though as has been suggested conversation is now very difficult. Myself and friend Paul (who runs the website linked above) are constantly researching Harry Ratcliffe's racing exploits and it's amazing the photos that still turn up. In fact only recently I found a photo of the Buick Mini at a drag race we'd not seen before. Brian Redman told me recently that they used to take the Buick over to Aintree on a Tuesday night for testing and was thankful he escaped in one piece ! He did say that Harry got it to handle after a fashion in the end. Some great characters surrounded BRT in those days, Bob Smith, Mike Caulton, Rev Rupert Jones, Geoff Wood, Allan Staniforth, the list goes on. In fact Allan's son is building a rally Cooper S at the moment.

Someone else connected to BVRT is Whizzo and it'll be nice to see him whizz his Cooper S up the hill on Sunday also, a car he bought from Yeomans Garage just up the road some 50 years ago.

[Morris S]

Paddy Hopkirk now also driving :

http://www.shelsley-...tent.asp?ni=330

I've also managed to bag the 1968 European Touring Car Championship winning British Vita Cooper S to display alongside the Vita Minisprint, neither of which have been seen in this country for forty years or more.

Chris I'll send you lots of info about these cars shortly.

Pete

[Alan Cox]

Marvellous day in the Worcestershire countryside - where better to be when the sun shines than Shelsley Walsh

Morris S (Pete Flanagan) had worked wonders to get Jeff Goodliff's BVRT Minisprint to the meeting, all the way from Strasbourg. Very sad that Jeff was not well enough to attend

Looking just as it did when I last saw it at Barbon in 1969

"Never raced or rallied" - George Tatham's McLaren M12

[Slurp1955]

[quote name='Alan Cox' date='Jul 28 2013, 22:47' post='6373714']
Marvellous day in the Worcestershire countryside - where better to be when the sun shines than Shelsley Walsh

You know that's going to get a thumbs-up from me Alan JohnP - thanks for the pics.

[Alan Cox]

Sir Stirling is given the low-down on Basil Davenport's GN Spider by custodian David Leigh, while Paddy Hopkirk is shown a report from 1958 about his exploits with an A35

Whizzo chats with TV antiques pundit and local auctioneer Philip Serrell, while wife Briony looks on

Some more of the wonderfully original signwriting on the Vita-Min

Peter Cox's ex-Briggs/Robinson Chevron B42 with Rover V8 power

A few TNFers evident in various roles, e.g. Simon Taylor interviewing Sir Stirling and judging the concours, Simon Lewis purveying fine literature, Chris Drewett in Vox Villa and Morris S organising the Mini Cooper display. Fine work, chaps.

PS Regarding some recent comment on food and drink prices/rip-offs at events, I couldn't complain about Shelsley's catering - £3 for a pint of draught ale and £3 for an excellent bacon/sausage sandwich

[Derwent Motorsport]

Interesting that a good few "names" chose to be there rather than at Silverstone. You could read something into that! Mind you it was a pity both were on the same days.

[cdrewett]

Interesting that a good few "names" chose to be there rather than at Silverstone. You could read something into that! Mind you it was a pity both were on the same days.

Whizzo raced at Silverstone and then rushed over to Shelsley. Clearly his heart is in the right place. Super photos and comments Alan. Simon goes in for hip replacement today, I am sure all TNFers wish him well and hope to see the rebuilt version at the Revival
Chris

[Alan Cox]

Simon goes in for hip replacement today, I am sure all TNFers wish him well and hope to see the rebuilt version at the Revival
Chris

Hear, hear!

[David Lawson]

Whizzo chats with TV antiques pundit and local auctioneer Philip Serrell, while wife Briony looks on

Alan

As I'm retired sadly I do watch the lunchtime Bargain Hunt TV programme and from that have gleaned Philip Serrell's liking for Aston Martins, I think he owns several. Was he spectating or did he have a car entered?

David

[arttidesco]

Looking just as it did when I last saw it at Barbon in 1969

Top photo's Alan, out of familial curiosity would this car have had the legend "Colmar" written on the roof 40 years ago ?

[Alan Cox]

As I'm retired sadly I do watch the lunchtime Bargain Hunt TV programme and from that have gleaned Philip Serrell's liking for Aston Martins, I think he owns several. Was he spectating or did he have a car entered?

He was supporting his wife, Briony, who was competing in her Lotus 51A. They are very enthusiastic and both took part in the Cholmondeley Pageant this year, Briony with a rather fine DB2/4 and Philip in his V8 Vantage

Top photo's Alan, out of familial curiosity would this car have had the legend "Colmar" written on the roof 40 years ago ?

I think it had Jeff Goodliff's name there originally, Ralph. I think Colmar is where the car currently resides http://mk1-performan...uk/vita_min.htm

[Morris S]

I think it had Jeff Goodliff's name there originally, Ralph. I think Colmar is where the car currently resides http://mk1-performan...uk/vita_min.htm

Yes that is where Jean Burgy the owner resides. He spent many many hours bringing the car back to life just for the event (no mean feat with that engine !) and many hours with his good friend Errol Monard bringing it over just for the event. Such a shame Goodliff couldn't be there due to ill health but his son and grandson did make it (grandson brought this own Corgi model of the car). My highlight amongst many was discussing Rob Walker Minisprints ( ) with Sir Stirling Moss, I showed him photos of himself driving one at Mallory and pictures of the restored car now located in California which he was very surprised and pleased to see.

Low point : getting myself in a perfect spot behind the barriers, camera in hand , at the start line waiting for the Goodliff car to come past on the parade only for Jean to bury his right foot and leave me with a frame full of empty tarmac. Great noise though !!

Pete

[Morris S]

Morris S organising the Mini Cooper display

After competing at the Classic last year I suggested to the MAC that maybe we (Mini Cooper Register) could celebrate 50 years of the Cooper S this year and I'm so grateful that MAC welcomed us with open arms. I also peddled my little Wolseley Hornet up the hill in some very good company. Bloody steep isn't it ??

[raceannouncer2003]

Simon goes in for hip replacement today, I am sure all TNFers wish him well and hope to see the rebuilt version at the Revival

Which Simon?

Vince H.

[Roy C]

Regarding some recent comment on food and drink prices/rip-offs at events, I couldn't complain about Shelsley's catering - £3 for a pint of draught ale and £3 for an excellent bacon/sausage sandwich

I must agree. Great Bacon "sarnies" and quality beer too. Certain other venues charge twice as much for rubbish.

Great to see all the Minis charging up the hill.

Video from Sunday

[cdrewett]

Which Simon?

Vince H.

Taylor

[Alan Cox]

Video from Sunday

Thanks for posting that, Roy - nicely captioned. too. Watch out for 'Morris S' at about 3.00 flashing through the shot with his Wolseley Hornet

[Alan Cox]

A final couple from the event - First, the immaculate Elite of Peter Joy

And secondly, Morris S hustles up the hill in his equally immaculate Hornet