10 replies to this topic

[GTMRacer]

Hi all
I was going through some of my late fathers bits and bobs when I came across a press clipping from the Bristol Evening Post (Monday 14th September 1959) mentioning him (John Grist) entered into this event in 2 home built Go Karts, he always maintained that it was the first Kart built in the country, not sure if that is true as he was fond of a talk story! He or one of his fellow builders also raced it at Whitchurch at some point in 59. Anybody have any more information? He also reckoned Lofty England tried it out that day!
Here is the clipping

https://i.imgur.com/USt8r1n.jpg

[Rupertlt1]

See: http://library.revsi...d/444438/rec/14

 

Also: http://library.revsi...d/431430/rec/20

 

And: http://library.revsi...d/430051/rec/34

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 10 February 2018 - 20:53.

[GTMRacer]

That's brilliant, thanks! I think the first and last pictures are the First Kart my Father built, they later built another with smaller wheels (see below), they all had a Villiers 197cc I believe, love the trousers tucked in the socks!


https://i.imgur.com/vX6Vc0u.jpg

[Rupertlt1]

Contact Paul Gibbons, the B.O.C. archivist, who may have some further information. Always very helpful. RGDS RLT

[Sterzo]

If your father did anything to pioneer or popularise karting in this country, then I think a few thousand of us owe him some thanks...

[GTMRacer]

Thanks for your kind words, I hope he did inspire some people to take up karting, he was certainly an inspiration to me in a lot of ways.

right, well here are some more pictures, just to give some background, Father started as a 16 YO apprentice at the Bristol Bus company where his Father was workshop foreman.

After completing his apprenticeship he did 2 years NS in the RAF, looking after Vampires in Aden and Cyprus mainly.

Upon his return he started mucking about with cars with his mates and I guess happened upon some articles on Karts, he was also a member of the Bristol M&LLC and mentioned knowing Dick Caesar around this time.

 

Below are there first 2 karts (Father is seated in the kart) These they took to Prescott  

 

Is this Prescott? Its another Kart though.

 

Father competing in a later incarnation (smaller wheels) it might be Whitchurch curcuit

 

Fettling! I remember they had made a resin/plastic shield for the steering wheel, it said "Ecurie Minima" I had one as a kid.

 

Edited by GTMRacer, 13 February 2018 - 13:31.

[bradbury west]

Wonderful photographs. Thanks for sharing.
The badge on the building looks like the BRDC logo and the scaffold stands look like the permanent fixtures at Silverstone, outside Woodcote, bearing in mind where the original control room stood, photo angle dependent.
Roger Lund

Edit. I love the shawl collar pullover Father is wearing in pic 1. My mother used to knit those for me as a child.

Edited by bradbury west, 13 February 2018 - 19:16.

[GTMRacer]

Thanks Roger,Silverstone that's interesting, He never mentioned taking it there. Those shawl knit pullovers were a specialiality of my Grandmother, I had many!

[GTMRacer]

Thanks to Peter Stowe this rather marvellous film clip has emerged.

 

http://www.aparchive...959&allFilters%

 

Father is the chap spannering and the in the kart at 45 secs. I'm sure he never knew he was on Movietone news, he certainly never mentioned it!

S

Edited by GTMRacer, 23 February 2018 - 13:26.

[john winfield]

Great photos but the link gave me more information than I wanted on Kezi Silverstone and half-sister Alicia! Would this be the one?

 

http://www.aparchive...ratioFormat=All

[GTMRacer]

Correct John,

Best laid plans etc.... It worked fine in the reply box, but then the internet pixies went to work, Bah.