You might remember these names from the 1970s. Both are sometimes retrospectively mistaken for racing teams, while they were in fact companies who provided drivers with a variety of services, most notably taking care of a driver's (usually of the independent/privateer type) entries and overall negociations with race organisers, but also taking care of all the other administrative work related with a venture in racing : insurance, customs, travel, accomodations, ...etc. I think Promoto also were contracted by some promoters who entrusted them with the task of gathering a field for their races, most notably for non-European series such as some of the South American Formula Ford/F2/F3 series or the sportscar races in Angola for instance.
Both Promoto and MRC had a stand at the 1973 Olympia International Racing Car Show, and the official programme gives the following information about them :
Motor Race Consultants are Europe's foremost International Race Management Company with 17 years' combined experience between directors Paul Watson, Peter Gaydon and Barry Bland. The Company represents drivers and teams in F1, F2, F3, F Atlantic and Sportscars. MRC provides a unique world-wide service to the competitor which includes : negociations of race entries and starting money; booking of hotels and travel arrangements; obtaining customs documents; press and public relations; insurance for drivers; and racing equipment financing; taxation and accountancy advice; discounts for hire cars; racewear; travel and private flying. One of the directors is usually present at all major European races to act as clients personal manager.
Why not give MRC a phone or visit us to discuss your plans for 1973. Motor Race Consultants Ltd., 40 Pall Mall, St. James's, London SW1. Tel. 01-930 9546.
Promoto is Europe's largest Promotional and Public Relations Company, that deals exclusively with motor racing. Promoto offers the driver, entrant or sponsor a complete service, which is made up of the following : Promotional and Public Relations Work; a first-class and inexpensive Entry Service; Promotional Films and Photographic Work; Sponsored Drives; a Forward Thinking Management Service; Commercial Relations with the Trade and Sponsorship Negociations. We will be pleased to discuss any matters on our Stand, where, at all times you will find a representative.
No contact information is provided for Promoto which shared its stand with Brian Martin's Martin Racing Developments, so does it mean that Brian Martin had a stake in Promoto ? Roger Heavens was often associated with Promoto, but I'm not sure if he was one of their important clients or one of the creators and/or directors of the company ?
I would also be interested in any additional information on both companies : while I am familiar with Paul Watson and Peter Gaydon, the name Barry Bland is unknown to me - anybody remembers him ? What about Promoto - who were the men behind the company ? Any idea when both companies were formed and folded ? MRC was still around in 1979, having an entry in that year's most excellent Motor Racing Directory by Mike Kettelwell, still with Bland as the man in charge, but Promoto are not listed so I guess it's safe to assume they were no longer around by then.
I have a reasonable early 1970s magazine collection but I have yet to find a feature article on either company - can any of you point me towards one ?
I would also love to have an idea of the prices they charged for their respective services, especially in 1972 and 1973... but I guess that's a long shot ?!
