69 replies to this topic

[Bloggsworth]

I see no mention of Brian Martin and his internationally successful Martin-BMWs - 17 finishes in the top 3 in 40 races, including 6 wins, between 1969 and 74.

 

 

Photo © David Small & Gerald Swan.

Edited by Bloggsworth, 31 January 2014 - 21:04.

[foxyracer]

Well Roger, all the cars I mentioned were one-offs as they were unique.  A number of owner drivers like Jim Yardley, constructed more than one car while they were racing but they were all distinctly different.  Of course many of these one-offs have had second and even third lives with new owners but the sale of such cars would not have been a business transaction or for commercial gain.

[Stephen W]

Well Roger, all the cars I mentioned were one-offs as they were unique.  A number of owner drivers like Jim Yardley, constructed more than one car while they were racing but they were all distinctly different.  Of course many of these one-offs have had second and even third lives with new owners but the sale of such cars would not have been a business transaction or for commercial gain.

 

I suspect that in all cases the previous "one-off" would have been sold to help finance the next project. There have been lots of one-offs built for speed events some of which have gone on to be recognised as ground breaking and in some instances the one-off became the start of a line of cars or in some cases the start of a business constructing cars for hillclimbing and sprinting.

[RogerFrench]

Jim Yardley's Beagles deserve a mention in this thread.  There were 5 in all and Jim still competes in sprints and hillclimbs in Mark 5.  At least one Beagle, I think the Mark 4, was very successful in Clubmans.  The others ran in Monoposto and even F3.  In case anyone thinks the name Beagle had canine origins, Jim once told me that was not the case.  In the 1960s he was an admirer of Dan Gurney and his Eagles.  So, Jim's cars were British Eagles - Beagles!

And of course, before Beagles Jim built Complexity, and won the Goodacre Trophy with it, before Richard de la Rue bought the car and ran it successfully himself. Which in itself is slightly unusual, since many one-off specials never did quite as well with their second or subsequent owners. I'm deliberately excepting Darvis, DMCs, and the like.

[Mistron]

For those of you who haven't been following the historic research thread, I just posted the following, anyone recognise any of the cars I'm interested in, or better still, got any photos??

 

 

I came across this photo, which it turns out is from Aintree, 17th May 1980. The car in the background pointing the wrong way is interesting, as its visible features all match up with mine - the length and location of the trailing links, the relative level of the engine bay and body sides etc. Interestingly, my car was found in Cheshire / north Wales, having last raced in the early '80s, so it is possible it is the car in the photo.

Based on the programme for the day, the F1300s were out after the classic saloons, so if it is my car , it must be one of the following cars which were either wifhdrawn or failed to quaify, and possibly went out for a couple of exploratory laps before the race before?

 

26 Wally Agus Messer Mk. 2 dnp

1 Chris Kite EMU U2 Mk.20B withdrawn

34 John O'Sullivan Cub F134 withdrawn

42 Brian Wilsher F1300 withdrawn

48 Derek Simpson Rainger R2C withdrawn

 

Does anyone recognise the names of any of these drivers or cars, or at the most outside chance, have any photos from the event?

 

Am going to get in touch with Don Rawson and Keith Messer to see if any of this would tie in with my chassis, but any other suggestions are welcome.

 

In the mean time, I'm making progress

 

Al

[Garsted]

For those of you who haven't been following the historic research thread, I just posted the following, anyone recognise any of the cars I'm interested in, or better still, got any photos??

 

 

I came across this photo, which it turns out is from Aintree, 17th May 1980. The car in the background pointing the wrong way is interesting, as its visible features all match up with mine - the length and location of the trailing links, the relative level of the engine bay and body sides etc. Interestingly, my car was found in Cheshire / north Wales, having last raced in the early '80s, so it is possible it is the car in the photo.

Based on the programme for the day, the F1300s were out after the classic saloons, so if it is my car , it must be one of the following cars which were either wifhdrawn or failed to quaify, and possibly went out for a couple of exploratory laps before the race before?

 

26 Wally Agus Messer Mk. 2 dnp

1 Chris Kite EMU U2 Mk.20B withdrawn

34 John O'Sullivan Cub F134 withdrawn

42 Brian Wilsher F1300 withdrawn

48 Derek Simpson Rainger R2C withdrawn

 

Does anyone recognise the names of any of these drivers or cars, or at the most outside chance, have any photos from the event?

 

Am going to get in touch with Don Rawson and Keith Messer to see if any of this would tie in with my chassis, but any other suggestions are welcome.

 

In the mean time, I'm making progress

 

Al

Well, that didn't work! my first post since they changed things here.  That event was around the time I started in F1300, and the names are familiar.  Chris Kite went on to win the championship a few years later with a Mallock.  I think he was a solicitor.  There was a photographer who covered a lot of the 750MC events called Fred Scatley, if you can find him, or whoever has his archive, there may be some pictures of your car (although the features you describe were common to most 750 & F1300 cars of that era).  Good luck, Steve

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

FRED SCATLEY photos try Ted WALKER

[UKAde]

Jappic cycle car

[Lee Nicolle]

Maybe a little off subject but the Three Norax closed Sports Cars that were built by Brian Randall, Lance Walker and Ian Davis. I am not sure who built what each  but were quite succesfull. And Brian Randall still has his contrary to some opinion, I saw him this morning!

[TonyCotton]

A few monoposto cars here

 

http://www.startline...L12/70smono.htm

[Mistron]

Does anyone know if Angelo Farina is still alive? I understand he was something of a prolific builder of specials in the '50s - '70s and also offered facilities and assistance to others.

 

From the site linked too above:

 

Farina-Dison
Engine: Ford 1300cc
Configuration: rear engined, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Angelo Farina
Class: Formula 1300
Date taken: September 1977 at start, Croft
Angelo Farina was a long time supporter of formula 1300 and its predecessor, Formula 1200. He built his first special in the 1950s, and set up a cooperative in 1978 to help drivers build there own racing car by offering help, tools and a workshop in his home town of Swindon.

 

Al
 

Edited by Mistron, 23 August 2014 - 11:12.

[marclaus]

Here is another one , still alive: the Tavenor GT from Raymond Nash, which was racing not only in UK but also on the Continent, esp. the 1000km and later the 500km on the Nürburgring in 1968.

Originally it was a Marcos Fastback worksracer registered 850CAM, which also competed at the 500km Nürburgring already in 1963, giving Carlo Abarth a restless night and some headache, because both entered Fastback in first practice were faster than the scorpions, even with drivers, who did not know the track very good. Later Ray Nash bought the Marcos from the company  and raced himself the 1000km and 500km at the Nürburgring  in 1964 and 1965.

After a broken halfshaft with damage to the rear body, the Marcos  was converted to the Tavenor, lower and wider, but still having the old plywood monocoque under its skin.

[TIPO61]

I'm gonna make a lot of mistakes in this post...so have at me. On the grid at Elkhart Lake in 1960 was a machine identified to me by Frank Lance that was a "Tanner Special." It was piloted by its maker, Martin Tanner. Frank told me that he, Tanner, had fabricated every single piece of that lovely racecar. Every Single Piece. Steering wheel included. I personally know little of this man and his machine and if this forum can shine a light on it, I'd appreciate it. Mahalo.

[nicanary]

I'm gonna make a lot of mistakes in this post...so have at me. On the grid at Elkhart Lake in 1960 was a machine identified to me by Frank Lance that was a "Tanner Special." It was piloted by its maker, Martin Tanner. Frank told me that he, Tanner, had fabricated every single piece of that lovely racecar. Every Single Piece. Steering wheel included. I personally know little of this man and his machine and if this forum can shine a light on it, I'd appreciate it. Mahalo.

SCCA H-Mod class. This was probably his first car, which was Crosley-engined, although later cars were Saab powered. They looked a little bit like the Lola MkI.

[D28]

 

The cars of innovative Canadian builder Bill Sadler have been discussed on this forum some years previously, Most of his models were sportscars, though he did build one or more formula libre single seaters. The above image is of Peter Ryan at Watkins Glen 1960.

 

I saw Danny Shaw in a similar Sadler race at Green Acres Ont, early sixties. not sure if it was the same model as pictured. Sadler did drive his own cars on occasion, but I can't recall if he drove this one.  

Edited by D28, 25 August 2014 - 18:15.

[raceannouncer2003]

I'm gonna make a lot of mistakes in this post...so have at me. On the grid at Elkhart Lake in 1960 was a machine identified to me by Frank Lance that was a "Tanner Special." It was piloted by its maker, Martin Tanner. Frank told me that he, Tanner, had fabricated every single piece of that lovely racecar. Every Single Piece. Steering wheel included. I personally know little of this man and his machine and if this forum can shine a light on it, I'd appreciate it. Mahalo.

 

More info here:

 

http://dsr.racer.net...anner/page1.htm

 

I believe I saw the T-5 run at the Seattle Historics a few years ago.

 

Vince H.

[TIPO61]

Aloha, "raceannouncer2003" and many thanks for your link. I'd like to know more about Mr. Tanner and if you could lead me that way I'd have more than a 'Mahalo' for you.

[bradbury west]

Tipo61, there is a good two page profile of your marque in Pace and Brinkler's Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950/1970. If you pm me with your e mail I will happily scan and send it for your own use.
Roger Lund

[Rupertlt1]

"John Butt in the new Orchard Climax with Emeryson F1 rear suspension, Lotus 2 [?] front end, ZF gear box and Coventry-Climax engine from a Lotus Elite."

Football Post (Nottingham), Saturday 12 October 1963

 

RGDS RLT

[Sterzo]

Not sure if this is on topic, as the car concerned.was aimed at endurance rather than club racing, but Mark and Gabriel Konig's Nomad sports car from the late sixties was an unusual effort. I think they bult three, in succession, but each was a one-off. I encountered one in about '68 parked on the road, in the beautiful St Peter's Square in Hammersmith, West London - presumably outside their house. There may be others on here with lots of information...