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Mike Spence book


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#1 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 16:19

Afternoon all,

 

Just to confirm (although some of you might have seen a few postings on FB) that it is now confirmed that the second book coming from the PC at  Jenkins Towers is that of Mike Spence.

 

When I went through the names of who I'd like to look at writing about, one name stood out and I couldn't quite believe that nothing had been written about a two-time F1 winner, a winner of the Lavant Cup and of the BOAC 500, amongst other races. What's more, there's been relatively few article about him too.

 

Well, you know me, I like to write   ;) wrongs.

 

The book is due in February 2022, so plenty of time yet. Same publisher and same format. 

 

If there's anyway you can help, or anybody you can suggest or any memories or photos you can provide, then me please email me or PM me if you don't want to post it here)

 

The coronavirus situation has meant some of my WATN and a little bit of Ginther stuff is on hiatus so I'm using it to the best advantage and starting the contacts and some research now so that when I'm busier, I'm not stretching myself too much with Ginther, normal work, three children and now Spence  :cool:

 

Hopefully people will enjoy this one as much as they appear to be enjoying the Richie Ginther book.


Edited by Richard Jenkins, 28 April 2020 - 20:47.


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#2 68targa

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 17:00

Mike Spence book -  yes please :clap:



#3 Tim Murray

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 17:13

Great news, Richard. Here’s wishing you every success in your researches. Mike is very much a forgotten figure.

:clap: :clap:

#4 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 17:57

Great news, Richard. Here’s wishing you every success in your researches. Mike is very much a forgotten figure.

:clap: :clap:


Exactly and he shouldn't be. And that's what I intend to specialise in if the public demand is there.

#5 sstiel

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Posted 26 April 2020 - 18:34

Quite a unique helmet design Mike had Richard. Good luck with this as being team-mate to Jim Clark at the time was an unenviable task!

David Hobbs admired Mike. Maybe he could write the foreword?

An interesting thread here too: https://forums.autos...ce#entry8999660


Edited by sstiel, 26 April 2020 - 19:33.


#6 E1pix

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 04:19

Congratulations, Richard!

#7 sstiel

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 16:12

https://www.youtube....LJsxWSLTE&t=83s Interesting film of 1964 featuring Mike:



#8 William Hunt

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 17:50

I'm buying it for sure, underrated driver



#9 opplock

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Posted 27 April 2020 - 18:25

I finished the excellent Ginther book last week. Count on another sale here.



#10 d j fox

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Posted 28 April 2020 - 11:12

Richard

Sent you a pm about the time I spent with Mike during the Brands Hatch filming of "Grand Prix"

 

David 



#11 William Hunt

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Posted 28 April 2020 - 18:13

I finished the excellent Ginther book last week. Count on another sale here.

 

count on a sale for the Ginther book as well ;)



#12 sstiel

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 11:09

Eddie Irvine famously said being team-mate to Michael Schumacher was like being hit over the head with a cricket bat. I wonder what it was like being Jim Clark's team-mate? Being hit with something harder!


Edited by sstiel, 29 April 2020 - 11:10.


#13 john aston

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 13:19

Richard J - YHM



#14 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 14:25

Took me a few minutes to wonder what YHM meant. 

 

I'm not sure I do HM?



#15 Michael Ferner

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 14:32

you have mail?



#16 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 14:54

I hope that's what John means, if so, I don't have it (or can't see it)

 

Either that or it's 

 

You Hate Me (No, John I, don't)  :kiss:

 

Yugoslavia Has Mountains (Yes, they did)  or something else

:cool:



#17 ReWind

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 15:21

Your humble master?



#18 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 29 April 2020 - 15:51

You horrible man  :rotfl:



#19 sstiel

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Posted 16 June 2020 - 11:33

The Richie Ginther book was a great job. Mike Spence's story is in safe hands.



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#20 William Hunt

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Posted 17 June 2020 - 01:08

So excited for this Mike Spence book but on the other hand... Richard it's a bit saddistic of you to let us know that we have to wait until 2022 to purchase it :D, such a long wait but at least we have already something to look forward to for that year.
In the meantime some of us could dig up some Spence stories...



#21 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 17 June 2020 - 05:37

Best things come to those that wait and all that...

#22 sstiel

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Posted 19 June 2020 - 11:37

Best things come to those that wait and all that...

Definitely. Gathering voices is important too as sadly they pass away because of time.

 

Great thing to find out is the origin of Spence's distinctive helmet design. Achieved its purpose since we're talking about it.



#23 group7

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Posted 22 July 2020 - 14:52

Count me in for the Spence book ! I have the Ginther item.

 

About Spence's helmet, one photo in my files I have of him in the BRM at Silverstone in '67, the visor is red, white, and blue, British flag ? The scallops on the rest of

 

the helmet look a bit Von Dutch to me ?

 

Michael


Edited by group7, 22 July 2020 - 14:53.


#24 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 22 July 2020 - 17:10

Unusually, for the time, Mike appears to have had at least 5 different helmet designs in his career. I'm aware of the reasoning behind at least 3 of them now.

Thanks for the support, much appreciated.

#25 group7

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Posted 22 July 2020 - 18:23

Did Mike Spence have his own, or did he sponsor a race team ? I have a photo in my files, of three orange ? one with what look to be blue striping on the nose, cars on trailers at Snetterton, dated 1969 (might be wrong ? ) a year after his death,  labelled as a a Ginetta, Mercury, and Lotus 47 GT.

 

Michael



#26 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 22 July 2020 - 19:00

MS, personally, had no link with the racing team. It was an offshoot of the garage business in his name and somewhat of a return to racing for a few members of the CERT Formula Junior team.

#27 group7

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Posted 22 July 2020 - 19:46

Thank you Richard !



#28 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 02 September 2021 - 20:36

Just to see this through from the start of the thread in a bit of (slightly) shameless self-promotion - it is now available https://www.performancepublishing.co.uk/mike-spence-out-of-the-shadows.html 

 

I'll be at the Goodwood Revival launching the book officially.



#29 Nick Planas

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 09:20

Already pre-ordered - congratulations Richard - I'm very much looking forward to reading this. I were only a young lad but I liked MS a lot and having been brutally alerted to the dangers of the sport on 7th April '68, I was even more shocked when Mike died at Indy - a ghastly time and a torrid year for an 8-year-old to take in. 



#30 PRD

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 10:05

Just to see this through from the start of the thread in a bit of (slightly) shameless self-promotion - it is now available https://www.performancepublishing.co.uk/mike-spence-out-of-the-shadows.html 

 

I'll be at the Goodwood Revival launching the book officially.

 

Can't make Goodwood, but I've ordered a copy  :cool:



#31 Gary Davies

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 10:17

Wonderful! Onya Richard. A much required book. I have long felt that of the three team mates Jim Clark metaphorically beat over the head with a baseball bat in the FWMW period (see post#12), Mike was the one with the talent to win Grands Prix and emerge as a real star.

 

As I type, the confirming sound of my online order has come through. Can't wait!!



#32 R Peck

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 11:24

Hello Richard

 

I much enjoyed your Richie Ginther book and so want to purchase your Mike Spence one as well.

 

I’m coming to the Revival on the Saturday.  Where will I be able find the book and hopefully meet you?

 

Many thanks and best regards

 

Richard Peck


Edited by R Peck, 03 September 2021 - 11:24.


#33 sstiel

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 12:48

Many congratulations Richard. As I've said before, Mike's story is in safe hands and this book should be worth a look.



#34 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 03 September 2021 - 20:58

Thanks Nick, Gary, Simon, PRD and Richard.  :up:

 

Richard, I'm at the Revival all three days and will be floating to and fro from the Hortons Stand. I believe Chaters may have copies too but the commitments for signing will be at Hortons.

 

I've agreed with Hortons the best thing to do is to sign as many as I can so that if I'm not there physically (watching racing or hob-nobbing), people can just buy a signed copy there or they can ring me if someone wants to meet me and I'll make my way over once possible. Hopefully that allows for a bit of opportunity.



#35 R Peck

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Posted 04 September 2021 - 05:35

Many thanks for advising



#36 Sterzo

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Posted 04 September 2021 - 16:22

On the basis that a book purchase is determined by (a) the subject and (b) one's experience of the author's writing, this has to be done.



#37 68targa

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Posted 16 September 2021 - 14:05

Mike Spence - Out of the Shadows arrived with the post today. A cursory glance indicates a lot of effort has gone into this and follows on in the same style as the excellent Ritchie Ginther book.  So grateful that there are writers prepared to tackle the biographies of drivers who are too often overlooked and probably forgotten by todays enthusiast. This book will certainly ensure that Mike Spence will not be forgotten with a lot of detail including all of his race results from 1957 - 1968.   Can't wait to get stuck into it.

Congratulations to Richard, another winner I'm sure :up:

 

Excellent value too  - published by  Performance Publishing Ltd  - £27.00    https://www.performa...blishing.co.uk/



#38 Colbul1

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Posted 20 September 2021 - 09:40

I'll add that I received my copy of the book last Thursday and it looks fantastic.  I am looking forward to sitting down and reading it as the nights draw in.  Unfortunately though I missed Richard at Goodwood on Friday, I did bring my copy to be signed but sadly Richard wasn't around the Horton's stand at the time!  Hopefully I will be able to get the book signed sometime in the future!



#39 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 20 September 2021 - 11:08

I'll add that I received my copy of the book last Thursday and it looks fantastic. I am looking forward to sitting down and reading it as the nights draw in. Unfortunately though I missed Richard at Goodwood on Friday, I did bring my copy to be signed but sadly Richard wasn't around the Horton's stand at the time! Hopefully I will be able to get the book signed sometime in the future!

Sorry about this. I did leave my number with Ben to ring me if anyone did want me to sign anything and I'd walk over but we decided it wasn't worth me sitting there all day due to the disappointing location of the stand.
Maybe PM me and I'll see what I can do.

Edited by Richard Jenkins, 20 September 2021 - 11:10.


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#40 Nick Planas

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Posted 20 September 2021 - 19:43

I thought I would read this over the course of the next week, but actually I couldn't put it down, so I started it Sunday lunchtime and finished it at 2.00am this morning! Fabulous book, so well researched - congratulations Richard. I had forgotten about Mike's memorial stone in Slough Cemetery / Crematorium but when I was having a memorial erected there for my parents I came across his - very poignant.

 

If anyone doubts whether this book is worth buying I would say - go for it! Worth every penny.

 

What next then, Mr Jenkins...?  :cat:



#41 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 20 September 2021 - 20:38

I thought I would read this over the course of the next week, but actually I couldn't put it down, so I started it Sunday lunchtime and finished it at 2.00am this morning! Fabulous book, so well researched - congratulations Richard. I had forgotten about Mike's memorial stone in Slough Cemetery / Crematorium but when I was having a memorial erected there for my parents I came across his - very poignant.

 

If anyone doubts whether this book is worth buying I would say - go for it! Worth every penny.

 

What next then, Mr Jenkins...?  :cat:

 

Wow, Nick, that's dedication for you! Even I couldn't read my own book in one go  :lol:

 

So pleased you enjoyed it and please do spread the word where you can. It all helps!

 

Next? I'm working on history of the Tyrrell Racing Organisation but I'd happily take on another 'forgotten' driver as there definitely appears to be a real appetite for them; this point was made a number of times at Goodwood this weekend. 

 

For those who like to put reviews on Amazon or buy from there it should be on there by Wednesday.

 

Let's see where Tyrrell takes me and we'll see what happens after that.


Edited by Richard Jenkins, 27 August 2022 - 19:31.


#42 charles r

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Posted 21 September 2021 - 12:39

Richard, there are complimentary comments about Mike Spence in the Falconer/Nye Chaparral book by Franz Weis, from his time co-driving the 2F in 1967 with Phil Hill:

 

"Nice, very nice. Quiet person, quicker than hell. He really stood on the gas! A really first class driver. I don't think he ever really got the credit he should have got. I think he was better than the press made him out to be. The job he did for Chaparral was tremedous. The guy treated everyone equal; there wasn't anyone better than he was. That meant a lot to the mechanics.

 

The Chaparrals were based at the Spence garage for a time, during their European campaign that year.


Edited by charles r, 21 September 2021 - 12:43.


#43 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 21 September 2021 - 12:49

Richard, there are complimentary comments about Mike Spence in the Falconer/Nye Chaparral book by Franz Weis, from his time co-driving the 2F in 1967 with Phil Hill:

"Nice, very nice. Quiet person, quicker than hell. He really stood on the gas! A really first class driver. I don't think he ever really got the credit he should have got. I think he was better than the press made him out to be. The job he did for Chaparral was tremedous. The guy treated everyone equal; there wasn't anyone better than he was. That meant a lot to the mechanics.

The Chaparrals were based at the Spence garage for a time, during their European campaign that year.


Indeed, Charles. If you check the Chaparral chapter in the Spence book I've put that in.

#44 elansprint72

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Posted 21 September 2021 - 16:29

Will it include the road car business and engine building, etc?



#45 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 21 September 2021 - 16:52

Only up until his death bar a few paragraphs summarising the basics after 1968.

 

After that, it was agreed by all surviving members of Mike Spence Ltd and his widow., that it had nothing to do with Mike and had no place in his biography, so I honoured those wishes



#46 Gary Davies

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Posted 26 September 2021 - 03:15

Richard, my copy arrived safely (in South Australia) on Friday. Terrific timing and I can only conclude, therefore, that Australia Post's involvement was minimal.  :D

 

At first flip through, the book looks marvellous. Can't wait to get stuck in!



#47 Gary Davies

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Posted 17 October 2021 - 07:50

Well I got stuck in! And finished it a couple of hours ago. Congratulations, Richard, it was an absorbing book. I was in particular delighted by the numerous recollections and anecdotes you included from a most impressive cast of friends, acquaintances, colleagues and fellow drivers. And of course, from Lynne.

 

All of this, of course, tinged with sadness because one knew, as every page was turned, what was coming....

 

Thoroughly recommended to all TNF-ers.

 

Again, thank you for your splendid contribution to the history of our sport, Richard.



#48 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 17 October 2021 - 14:22

Well I got stuck in! And finished it a couple of hours ago. Congratulations, Richard, it was an absorbing book. I was in particular delighted by the numerous recollections and anecdotes you included from a most impressive cast of friends, acquaintances, colleagues and fellow drivers. And of course, from Lynne.

All of this, of course, tinged with sadness because one knew, as every page was turned, what was coming....

Thoroughly recommended to all TNF-ers.

Again, thank you for your splendid contribution to the history of our sport, Richard.

Thank you very much Gary. I am particularly humbled by your last sentence. I do my small bit and just hope it's good enough.

#49 Jon Saltinstall

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Posted 23 November 2021 - 08:42

Well done Richard - you've hit the mark again with this, your second book. Spence is one of the important drivers of the 1960s whose life and career has so far escaped reportage, but you've rectified that omission with your superb biography of this modest, quiet but gifted racer who - like so many of his generation - was lost to the world too soon.

 
The picture you have drawn is a compelling one of a talented driver-engineer whose development work in the background (hence the book's title: "Out Of The Shadows") who is sometimes overlooked but made a huge contribution to the success of the teams for whom he raced. Once again, your dedication to the project shines through, especially with the extensive first-hand accounts from not only the Spence family but also a number of people who worked with Mike and knew him closely. The result is well-balanced and totally comprehensive appreciation of Spence's career. The sheer volume of photos that have never been published previously, many from the Spence family's personal archive, serve to illustrate the atmosphere of the era in which he raced as well as to depict his life, career and those who were important to him.
 

Excellent work - you (and Performance Publishing) have produced another "must-buy" book that's a snip at under £30. It's unreservedly recommended; I'd urge people to buy it now while stocks last!.


Edited by Jon Saltinstall, 23 November 2021 - 08:42.


#50 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 23 November 2021 - 12:16

Thanks Jon for your very kind words. Very much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it!