31 replies to this topic

[RobMk2a]

As part of my TVR racing research I'm looking for photographs / programmes / entry lists for Rufforth between 1959 and 1963. It looks as though the meetings were run by BRSCC. I'd like further information on the following;

1959 - I've not found any details of any TVR entires yet.

1960 -
Keith Aitchison BRSCC Rufforth - April 1960 3rd place.

9th October 1960
I'd like to see a copy of of the programme / photographs for 9th October 1960, 8 TVR Granturas were entered Including Keith Aitchision, Malcolm Wayne and John Thurner all of whom had some form of factory support.

Rufforth 6 or 4 Hour relay race - any information including date of this race.

Rufforth BRSCC 26th May 1961
Race 5 Tommy Entwistle TVR Climax, Tommy third behind, 1. Pat Fergusson Turner and 2. Tony Lanfranchi Elva. What size engine was Tommy's Coventry Climax, there are unconfirmed rumours it was a Ex F2 engine.
Race 3 Brian Barr TVR Climax 3rd behind 1. Fergusson Turner and 2. C Hunt Lotus Elite.

Rufforth 9th September 1961
10 Lap scratch race - TVR's of John Thurner and WG Johnston (Entrant FT Fawington).

Rufforth BRSCC 14th September 1962 Brian Barr TVR Climax 7th 1st Waddilove Jaguar E Type, 2nd E Mitchell Jaguar E Type, 3 GM Jones Marcos Climax.

BRSCC Whit Saturday Meeting 1st June 1963 119- CJ Hirst 8762 WK - TVR, GT race unplaced.

Does anyone know how many meetings a year were held at Rufforth, it appears to be two one in Spring and in one Autumn is that correct.

Thank you for your help

Rob Pennington

Edited by RobMk2a, 03 May 2016 - 14:01.

[bradbury west]

Rob, I will look through the Rufforth sheets I have here, although I am likely to have only the sheets which refer to my own marque, but quite often there are several races on one foolscap sheet. I always understood the events were restricted  because they needed special authorisation to use the RAF site, not being allowed on until close of business on the Friday night and having to be off by nightfall on the Saturday, or some arrangement like that.

I will see what I have

Roger Lund

 

Edit

News of a 6hr relay would be interesting. I know about the 4 and 5 hour jobs at Oulton, and the AMOC 4hr at Silverstone.

RL

Edited by bradbury west, 03 May 2016 - 12:52.

[pete53]

In 1962 and 1963 ( not sure prior to then) there appears to have been 3 meetings during the season.

 

1962 - Easter Sat, April 21; Whit Sat, June 9; Sat Sept 8.

 

1963 - East Sat Apr 13th; Whit Sat June 1st; Sat Sep 14.

[DMB81]

Have you tried the BRSCC Northern Centre? I have some details of the Secretary if you would like to PM me.

Darren

[RobMk2a]

Darren, message sent. Rob

[RobMk2a]

I'm still finding very difficult to find any firm info on Rufforth.

I've been forwarded a photo (not my copyright) which I think is 30 May 1959 (or September 1959) which shows a line up / grid of Lotus 11's, Elva MkIV and possibly a Tojeiro. There is a 500 in the background with Oil drums on the main runway.

Does anyone have any programmes for Rufforth 1959-63, it looks like quite a good field and it seems odd that this part of history appears to be forgotten. One of the Sports Car events in May 1959 was won by Jim Clark in a Lister Jaguar.

Thank you for your help.

Rob Pennington

Edited by RobMk2a, 11 January 2017 - 17:09.

[bradbury west]

Rob, nothing has emerged so far. There are two or three official results sheets, 1961/62, so they may be tucked in with other stuff here. I need to keep looking in any case.
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 11 January 2017 - 23:06.

[RobMk2a]

Roger - Thank you very much for your help.

As said the races appear to have attracted a number of good classes including 500's, sports cars of less than 1.5 litre & larger capacity sports cars and a race (Sports ?) which included a number of Elva Couriers raced by Jim Hacking, Malcolm Wayne and Chris Meek.

I'll keep looking.

Regards

Rob

[DMB81]

Did you get anywhere with the BRSCC Northern centre?

I thought they would have been able to help.

 

[bradbury west]

DMB81 pls see PM
Roger Lund

[RobMk2a]

Did you get anywhere with the BRSCC Northern centre?
I thought they would have been able to help.

No reply - I'll try again.

Rob

[Rupertlt1]

Rufforth, all events organised by the BRSCC:

 

30 May 1959

 

26 July 1959

 

26 Sept 1959

 

16 April 1960

 

4 June 1960

 

10 Sept 1960

 

1 April 1961

 

20 May 1961

 

3 Sept 1961

 

21 April 1962

 

8 Sept 1962

 

1 June 1963

 

14 Sept 1963

 

28 March 1964

 

16 May 1964

 

5 Sept 1964

 

17 April 1965

 

17 July 1965

 

28 May 1966

 

18 June 1966

 

10 Sept 1966

 

RGDS RLT

[RobMk2a]

Rupert,

Thank you - I've quite a few programmes to find.

Regards

Rob

[DMB81]

From what I know, the late, Martin Hadwen of the Motor Racing Archive had some

material from the BRSCC Northern Centre. Since Martin's sad passing the archive

went to MSV and last I know was housed at Snetterton with nothing being made of it.

A real shame. This was some time ago and things may have changed now. I hope so.

Martin worked extremely hard at putting the archive together. It deserves to used.

[Rupertlt1]

What is happening at Snetterton?

 

I am afraid I shudder when I hear the word archives connected to motor racing.

(There are honourable exceptions: IMMRC in Watkins Glen, New York; Revs in Naples, Florida.)

However these initiatives sometimes achieve the very opposite of that intended.

They suck up much rare material that then becomes unavailable.

That is the shameful situation here in Canada.

 

I know there is an initiative to have a new heritage centre at Silverstone:

http://www.silversto...age-experience/

 

Let us hope this does not lead to blazered gate-keepers trying to keep out the great unwashed.

 

RGDS RLT 

[RobMk2a]

Rupert,

I visited Silverstone's exhibition of the proposed heritage centre at the Classic last year and filled in a questionnaire saying I would like to see an accessible archive of all their race meetings / programmes / results (not just F1). (They weren't that busy so hopefully they will take on board my comments).

Rob

[Rupertlt1]

I have found a report from Rufforth in Autosport, 4 May 1962.

Easter Saturday races, April 21. Report and Photography by Francis Penn. Wet.

D. Linton (Terrier Mk II) third in Event 1. Wins for Tony Lanfranchi (Elva), N. G. Ferrier (Lola Climax).

Alan Ensoll, XK120, third in Event 5. No mention of T.V.R.

Photo captions:

Anglo-Italian. Philip Barak's

Ferrari-engined Cooper Monaco com-

plete with restyled nose. This car was

originally raced in 1959 by Roy Salva-

dori, when it was Maserati-powered.

Brian Naylor swapped power units in

1960.

KEN BAILEY'S Lotus 7 leads Paul

Kelly's Elva Courier and Michael Brooks's M.G.A.

 

"Results were published in last week's issue."

Does anybody have this?

 

Can copy report to interested parties.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 May 2021 - 06:34.

[john aston]

I have arranged to meet the folk from the gliding club , who use the site now, to have a wander around Rufforth. I am writing an article about it as I was a regular at the circuit from 1969 until I moved to Lincoln in 1975. Being car less I'd take two buses , then a train from Pontefract to York and then walk the 5miles from York station . It was worth it . 

 

I may be on the cadge for some period pictures - watch this space ! 

[bradbury west]

There have been a few Rufforth programmes on e bay recently, and there is an active Rufforth circuit page on Facebook.

Roger Lund

[Derwent Motorsport]

I have a collection of Rufforth programmes that I might sell for a sensible offer:  

Rufforth Mar-64 Set-64 Sep-64 Sep-67 Jun-67 Oct-67 Oct-68 Sep-68 Jul-69 Jul-71 May-72 May-73 Seot-73 Apr-73 Apr-76 May-76 Sep-76 Jun-77 Jul-77      

[elansprint72]

Coldest circuit I ever visited, effing arctic. Also the first time I'd ever pissed into a length of guttering, routed into a cut-down 44 gallon oil drum in a hesian "shelter" No idea what the number two arrangements were. 

[bradbury west]

I think the other facility was simply behind a hooked hessian curtain with a seat over another drum,  - there might have been  two or three of them- with creosote or Elsan   chemi-kazi fluid in it. The guttering was folded galvanised channel about 9” square, so plenty at which to aim, unless the standards had slipped by the time you went. I am talking 1962 to 66. No roof, either,  so you remained al fresco. I remember the rain....    ah, memories..., but halcyon days in their own way.

Roger Lund.

Edited by bradbury west, 18 May 2021 - 00:11.

[john aston]

Coldest circuit I ever visited, effing arctic. Also the first time I'd ever pissed into a length of guttering, routed into a cut-down 44 gallon oil drum in a hesian "shelter" No idea what the number two arrangements were. 

 Luxury ...  we dreamed of being cosseted like that at High Eggborough rallycross 

[Odseybod]

I was on a gliding couse wiht a bloke whose local gliding club was Rufforth. That was about 20 years ago and he said then it was a bit basic there - so it doesn't sound as though they'd easily slide into soft southern ways involving plumbing and other such frivolities.

[cooper997]

I have found a report from Rufforth in Autosport, 4 May 1962.

Easter Saturday races, April 21. Report and Photography by Francis Penn. Wet.

D. Linton (Terrier Mk II) third in Event 1. Wins for Tony Lanfranchi (Elva), N. G. Ferrier (Lola Climax).

Alan Ensoll, XK120, third in Event 5. No mention of T.V.R.

Photo captions:

Anglo-Italian. Philip Barak's

Ferrari-engined Cooper Monaco com-

plete with restyled nose. This car was

originally raced in 1959 by Roy Salva-

dori, when it was Maserati-powered.

Brian Naylor swapped power units in

1960.

KEN BAILEY'S Lotus 7 leads Paul

Kelly's Elva Courier and Michael Brooks's M.G.A.

 

"Results were published in last week's issue."

Does anybody have this?

 

Can copy report to interested parties.

 

RGDS RLT

 

I have 27/4/62 Autosport but not the 4/5/62 issue. So here's Rupert's Rufforth results request.

 

 

 

Stephen

[ian senior]

Coldest circuit I ever visited, effing arctic. Also the first time I'd ever pissed into a length of guttering, routed into a cut-down 44 gallon oil drum in a hesian "shelter" No idea what the number two arrangements were. 

Agreed.  I'm convinced that Rufforth had its own micro-climate - only 3 types of weather there : freezing cold. heavy-duty rain or baking hot sunshine and no shade. Loved it.

[MCS]

Agreed.  I'm convinced that Rufforth had its own micro-climate - only 3 types of weather there : freezing cold. heavy-duty rain or baking hot sunshine and no shade. Loved it.

And sometimes a good combination of all those!  Upshot was often a very "healthy look" the following morning - but was that the sunshine, or in fact simply just the bruising from the rain?!

 

There was a great BRSCC Northern film link posted a while back on the preparation for a Rufforth meeting, but I can't find it.

 

Hope all is well with you, Ian.

[Rupertlt1]

There was a great BRSCC Northern film link posted a while back on the preparation for a Rufforth meeting, but I can't find it.

 

I can't find it either - can anybody help?

 

RGDS RLT

[Tim Murray]

The one in this post, possibly? It certainly features the infamous toilet facility:

Not YouTube

Some action from Rufforth and Cadwell Park (Car International 28 September 1969).

https://drive.google...12UeVYqx640Rf30

The Cadwell footage includes some famous names in the F3 event.

[Dick Dastardly]

I enjoyed that footage of both Rufforth & Cadwell.

Whilst we're on about the BRSCC Northern Centre, does anyone remember a Dennis Blacow? He was heavily involved with that club, was often dropping the flag to start races, and the chequer afterwards, at Croft, Rufforth & Cadwell.  I think that is him @ 3.00 mins into the film, standing, chatting to Frank Wright [seated]. Dennis was a family friend...he was at school with my Dad..and was my brother's godfather. I 'helped' him on quite a few occasions at Croft in 1973.....after starting a race, he'd go and have a drink before returning, I'd point out to him which car was leading etc.

I remember him taking me & my step-brother [not his godson] to Cadwell in Sept 72, the same weekend [I think, maybe the weekend after] that Emmo won the F1 WDC.I also went with him to Rufforth, but have no memories other that I'd been there !. He passed away Aug '89, a few months after a stroke 

[john aston]

Progress on my article about Rufforth - if my back stops giving me gyp I am going down to the circuit tomorrow to explore the relics . And I am on the cadge again - despite  an exhaustive search I can't find my old programmes . Can I borrow one or two ? Ideally from 1969 - 73 and if anybody had the programme for the '72 F3 meeting that would be brilliant ? 

[Rupertlt1]

Rufforth, B.R.S.C.C., Saturday 28 March 1959, 2.1 miles circuit

Event four, over 16 laps for unlimited

sports-racing cars, was, for the first 12

laps, a gift to J. Blumer, who, travelling

very fast, acquired a lead of some 24

seconds when"'bang" went a brand new

camshaft! Bang, also went C. G.

Escott's T.V.R. which finished in a cloud

of steam. Into the lead now went A.

Ensoll in the ex-Border Reivers "D"

type Jaguar and on his heels was

D. Bertram (Lotus-Climax) and P. Gor-

don, similarly mounted. Bertram

actually passed Ensoll on a couple of

occasions going into Boundary Bend but

could not hold the bigger car's speed on

the long straight. Gordon, who had

been doing well, lost his chance by two

successive spins just before Becketts.

16-lap Scratch Race for Sports Cars, unlimited

capacity:

1. A. Ensoll (Jaguar "D"), 74.67 m.p.h.:

2. D. Bertram (Lotus-Climax);

3. P. Gordon (Lotus-Climax).

Fastest lap: J. Blumer 77.62 m.p.h.

Autosport, 3 April 1959, Page 422

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 July 2021 - 08:05.