9 replies to this topic

[Snapper1]

Anyone else seen footage like this? James Hunt and Graham Hill racing at Llandow, Avon Tour of Britain 1973. The cars are really driven hard. There are some Ford Capri's, Hillman Hunters, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall, Datsun and Chevrolet. 

 

http://www.walesonli...racing-11699795

 

 

[alansart]

The Avon Tour was a fantastic event which attracted a big range of drivers from F1, Saloons and Rallying. These are from Knebworth Park.

James Hunt, Avon Tour of Britain 1973 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Vern Schuppan, Avon Tour of Britain 1973 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Howden Ganley, Avon Tour of Britain 1973 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Roger Clark, Avon Tour of Britain 1973 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Nigel Stovin-Bradford, Avon Tour of Britain 1973 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

 

Edited by alansart, 04 August 2016 - 15:31.

[Adrian Beese]

Had the day off from being a car salesman for Glanfield Lawrence the Cardiff Rootes Group dealer. Sat in an open stand along the back straight. Two things stick in my mind even today, Hunt driving the wheels off the Chevvy and Howden Ganley driving the Citroen SM on its door handles. Magic. Can't see the precious ones doing that.

[BRG]

Can't see the precious ones doing that.

No, you can't, but only because they will never be allowed the chance.  Ask the Top Gear 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' Suzuki Liana what it was like having its wheels driven off by Lewis, Seb, Jenson et al.  

 

Any of them would be pleased to do these sort of events if only a) the events still existed  b) their employers allowed them to drive other cars and c) the F1 calendar had any gaps in it.  Any current leading driver would be every bit as spectacular and committed as Hunt or whoever.  Times may change but racers don't!

[chunder27]

Would be awesome to see something blatting round Knebworth again, wonder why no-one has tried to get them into it again?  Presumably not enough room now?

[BRG]

I don't think Knebworth has been used for any motor sport for years, just for the Monsters of Rock festival.  Maybe it was a change of ownership?

[MCS]

Still owned by the same family - Knebworth Estate/House/Enterprises, etc.

 

Some of Sir Henry at Rawlinson End was filmed there, although the "Fool and Bladder" public house is now a Harvester or something equally dreadful...

[Dick Dastardly]

IIRC there was a one-off revival of this event.....the Autoglass Tour in '89 I think. But I can't recall too much about it other than it came to Liverpool [I marshalled], Nicky Grist was competing [don't know who with] or even who won... 

[BRG]

Isn't the Tour Britannia a modern day (albeit for period cars) version of the Avon Tour?

[alansart]

Isn't the Tour Britannia a modern day (albeit for period cars) version of the Avon Tour?

Good point. The Mallory Park stage in 2013 was a mixture of Rally Stage and Race.

Stuart Scott/Steven Wood, Chevrolet Camaro Z28 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Francis Stafiopilatis/Bernie Chodosh, Ford Falcon by Alan Raine, on Flickr

Jeremy Baily/Brandon James, Ford Escort RS by Alan Raine, on Flickr

 

Tim Bryan/Jim Bryan - MGB GT V8 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

 

Mike Jordan/Phillip Walker, Jaguar E Type by Alan Raine, on Flickr