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Does anyone remember the Melaware Cup at Brands in about 1974?


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#1 Gary C

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Posted 03 December 2018 - 14:29

Lads, in going through my sets of negatives in preparation for my next book,  I have come across a set of negatives that are simply labelled 'Brands Hatch Melaware Cup', and 'Spiders cars'. Now, I understand John Webb was known as 'Spider' so maybe these were labelled that because it was some sort of race/championship devised by Webbie? I haven't scanned them yet, BUT...they seem to be all photos of Mk2 Ford Escorts.  Anyone?



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#2 opplock

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Posted 03 December 2018 - 14:46

I can't be certain but I'd put money on it being one of the "celebrity" races using the racing schools cars. No doubt someone with copies of MN or Autosport will be along soon to enlighten us. 



#3 Geoff E

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Posted 03 December 2018 - 15:09

1972 programme on Ebay https://www.ebay.co....2-/362364804772

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post 8 June 1970

Colin Hawker, the up-and-coming saloon car driver from Ilford, Essex, won both the saloon events at Brands Hatch on Sunday during the Melaware meeting.

Hawker won the Melaware trophy in the first race of the day and took his 3-litre Escort to a second victory when after starting from the back of the grid he shot through the field to score a brilliant win.


Edited by Geoff E, 03 December 2018 - 15:19.


#4 john winfield

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Posted 03 December 2018 - 16:37

'Melaware, light as air, break-resistant tableware.'

 

....that big hoarding on the entrance to Clearways.

 

No help to you at all Gary, but it's all good background. Possibly.  :wave:  



#5 Sterzo

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Posted 04 December 2018 - 14:12

Back in the day Brands had a bit of a "Sarf London innit" reputation. This didn't help. Oulton Park had the Gold Cup, Brands Hatch the plastic Melaware Cup...



#6 BRG

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Posted 04 December 2018 - 19:17

Please tell me that the Melaware Trophy was actually made of melamine.



#7 pete53

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Posted 06 December 2018 - 11:56

Please tell me that the Melaware Trophy was actually made of melamine.

I don't know, but let's hope so!  There is no shortage of the stuff on ebay going for a song - being a form of plactic I would imagine nearly every item made still exists somewhere, even if its in a landfill.

 

It appears there was a long standing relationship between Melaware and Brands - they were sponsoring events there as early as 1967 and still doing so in 1975. Perhaps John Webb had shares in the company. :D



#8 john winfield

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Posted 06 December 2018 - 12:21

I don't know, but let's hope so!  There is no shortage of the stuff on ebay going for a song - being a form of plactic I would imagine nearly every item made still exists somewhere, even if its in a landfill.

 

It appears there was a long standing relationship between Melaware and Brands - they were sponsoring events there as early as 1967 and still doing so in 1975. Perhaps John Webb had shares in the company. :D

Apparently, Melaware was made by Rantons Plastics in Brentford. One web page of company history shows a photo of all staff in 1949, including a 'Harry Webb'. Might be John's Dad. Or Cliff Richard!

 

It may be that Rantons chose motor racing (and Brands Hatch) for its young, exciting, outdoor image. It seems that the manufacturers of melamine tableware were trying to persuade people to ditch their ceramic crockery at home, and replace it with plastic. Failing that, Brands Hatch was full of picniccers who were perhaps more likely potential customers.



#9 BRG

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Posted 06 December 2018 - 15:46

I like melamine.  Being single, I eat my meals off a melamine tray* that my late mother gave me more than 30 years ago and it is still going strong and showing very few signs of wear.

 

 

*off a plate, which is on the tray, I should say



#10 Gary C

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Posted 26 March 2020 - 13:21

After a few months, this morning I've started to scan these negatives, here's three I've already done, do they ring any bells?

 

scan0001small.jpg

 

scan0002small.jpg

 

scan0003small.jpg

 

    Click on the pics for larger images.



#11 john winfield

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Posted 26 March 2020 - 13:34

I don't really recognise anyone here Gary but Geoff above mentions Colin Hawker. Could that be his Capri? Although it does have a novice cross on the back.

 

Re your 'Spiders Cars' comment in the first post, the sponsor of Escort #105 is Spiders Nightspot. That could be a starting point for any identification, particularly if other cars on the negs carry the same logo.

 

Capri #102 has some Janspeed sponsorship if that gives anyone a clue.



#12 MCS

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Posted 26 March 2020 - 14:23

Norman Abbott in the Escort?

 

Rantons made Melaware in Brentford as John said earlier.



#13 Gary C

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Posted 27 March 2020 - 17:57

Can now confirm that it is Norman Abbott in the Escort, indeed, as featured in my book www.shutterandspeed.com but in colour!



#14 foxyracer

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 18:52

Yes, I went to one on 3rd September 1973. I still have the programme. The meeting was headlined as The Melaware Cup Championship Car Races and the Melaware Cup Race was for Formula Ford cars.  There were different sponsors for the other races.  Apparently, Melaware was part of the Grovewood Group of companies that owned Brands, Mallory, Oulton and Snetterton at the time.  On the back of the programme is a full page advert for "Melaware: the crash-proof tableware"!!

If you PM me with your email address I will be happy to scan the programme and send it to you.. 



#15 Mallory Dan

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Posted 30 March 2020 - 09:43

That Capri, with Janspeed stickers, doesn't look like Hawker's to me. As above he had an Escort Spec Saloon in 1970-72ish, then the Capri from 73-75ish, as I recall! 



#16 Gary C

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Posted 30 March 2020 - 12:08

foxyracer--PM sent!