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Formula Ford in the U.S.A. and Canada


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#101 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 02 October 2021 - 05:52

Going back to the 1971 Westwood FF races, as in posts 39 and 44:

 

Canadian Motorsport Bulletin article:

 

1971-Westwood-Pepsi-Pro-CM-Bulletin-p-1.

 

canadian-motorsport-bulletin-1971-01-053

 

Vince H.



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#102 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 03 October 2021 - 06:00

And going back to the 1972 Pepsi Pro FF race at Westwood, as in posts 87, 90, and 91 (I think)

 

Canadian Motorsport Bulletin article:

 

canadian-motorsport-bulletin-1972020322.

 

canadian-motorsport-bulletin-1972020323.

 

Vince H.


Edited by raceannouncer2003, 03 October 2021 - 06:00.


#103 2Bob

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Posted 04 October 2021 - 06:20

Finally got around to scan the results from Westwood Pepsi Pro 1974:

 

first page here is second page of the final results, not sure how I did this!  First page of final results comes later - I'm getting too old for this posting stuf!

 

RgUAbR.jpg

 
FIRmTa.jpg
 
6fBBIK.jpg
 
o298bm.jpg

Edited by 2Bob, 04 October 2021 - 06:29.


#104 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 05 October 2021 - 05:47

Hi Bob...thanks for this.  I also have the program from the 1974 Pepsi Pro FF at Westwood, and will post the entry list.  Anything else we should post from the program ?

 

Did you buy your Merlyn from Fred McNeill ?

 

Vince H.



#105 2Bob

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Posted 05 October 2021 - 22:32

Hi Bob...thanks for this.  I also have the program from the 1974 Pepsi Pro FF at Westwood, and will post the entry list.  Anything else we should post from the program ?

 

Did you buy your Merlyn from Fred McNeill ?

 

Vince H.

Hi Vince,

 

I don't really remember but when Fred had a Merlyn he ran number 7 and I ran number 7 too so that makes it pretty sure that was the same car!  Also your earlier post shows him advertising it for sale with trailer, new tyres and spares.  I certainly bought it with a trailer, don't remember spares and I reckon that the tyres were well used when I got it (and more so when I sold it about a year later).  I am not at all sure but I think that Jake Rempel may have bought it from me for a bargain price and then straight away buying new tyres for it!  The rain tyres I got with it were old Dunlop traditional R6 (?) pattern and VERY hard.  At Pepsi Pro i traded up to an old set of road radials with extra grooves cut in them, the joys of oily rag budget racing!  Memories are coming back... The trailer was a very heavy plywood bodied thing which my BMW 2002 tow car had trouble getting up the hill into the Westwood trailer park!  It also acted as my garage most of the time because I didn't have one living in a basement flat.  Next door neighbour let me use his garage for doing wheel alignment and corner weights though!   I have the same program, get a mention in the driver write-ups - I think my then GF, now wife, worked for some one in the PR business!  Before buying the car I pit crewed for Bill Mellnekoff who had 2 Bowin FFs.  They were the top cars in Australia at the time so I knew about them even if no one else in North America  seemed to!  Great cars with rising rate suspension which made them very tricky to set up but good when set up correctly.  My understanding is that Bill was local agent for them but fell out with Bowin over money. All the above bit OTT but whatever...


Edited by 2Bob, 05 October 2021 - 22:34.


#106 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 06 October 2021 - 02:30

Whats this Vancouver?? You are a South Aussie!



#107 2Bob

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Posted 06 October 2021 - 03:38

Whats this Vancouver?? You are a South Aussie!

 

Originally a Pom, came to Oz with family when 9.  Lived in Victoria 2 years, Orange 6, Sydney 4, Tasmania 2, Adelaide 5, Canada 18 months, UK 18 months, Adelaide 2 years Sydney 2 years and Adelaide the rest...40 years and hopefully counting.  South Aussie best place to live of course (especially when the GP was just down the road from our house, 4 min walk) although loved Vancouver too especially going skiing by flood light after work).  Very OTT, sorry.



#108 Rupertlt1

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Posted 06 October 2021 - 07:57

INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS

ASSN., ALABAMA INTERNATIONAL

MOTOR SPEEDWAY, TALLADEGA

ALABAMA

Entries For The IMSA Formula Ford Race

(100 Miles — 25 laps — Over 4-Mile Course)  

FIRST SOUTHERN IMSA RACES

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1969

OVER FOUR MILE TRACK AND ROAD COURSE

 

1. H. I. Kleinpeter, Key Biscayne, Fla. 69 Lotus 61

2. Horace Stephen Davies, Shawnee Mission, Kansas. 69 Caldwell

3. Folis Jones, Memphis, Tennessee. 68 Lotus Mk 51. EVFO—Racing, Memphis, Tn.

4. John Barrow, Henderson, Kentucky. 69 Winkelmann 

5. Donald Richardson, M.D., New Orleans, La. 69 Merlyn 

6. Skip Adrian, Fresno, Calif. 69 Winkelmann. Visalia Dodge Boys, Fresno, Calif. 

7. Fred Phillips, Boulder, Colo. 69 Titan Mk 6 

17. Vic Matthews, Jr., Mechanicsville, Va. 70 Macon 

18. Jose G. Alverez, Hammond, La. 69 Caldwell 

20. Ken Beckman, Ashtabula, Ohio. 69 Bobsy 

22. Michael Richards, Chattanooga, Tenn. 69 Merlyn Mk II 

24. Bob Gardner, Wilmington, Dela. 69 Lotus 61 

26. Den Sziarto, Atlanta, Ga. 69 Caldwell D-9 

27. Oliver Treibick, Greenwich, Conn. 69 Autodynamics. Rolt Racing, Greenwich, Conn. 

31. Nils Sanborn, Media, Pa. 69 Merlyn 11-A 

37. Dave Yoder, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 69 Lotus 61 

38. Tom Heyser, Highland, Md. 69 Lotus 61 

39. Bill Scott, McLean, Va. 69 Climax-Royale 

40. Bill McFarlan, Toledo, Ohio. 69 Lotus 61. Bob Brown, Toledo, Ohio.  

56. Bob Floeck, Greenville, Ohio. 69 Lotus 61 

63. Derek Tennant, Peterborough, Ont., Canada. 69 Lotus 61. Holiday Ford Sales, Ltd., Peterboro, Canada. 

67. Wilfred Painter, Washington, D.C. 69 Caldwell 

73. Gary Magwood, Toronto, Ont., Canada. 69 Merlyn Mk IIA. Race Equip Ltd., Scarborough, Ont., Canada 

74. Fred Opert, Paramus, N.J. 69 Titan 

87. Thomas Reddy, Bronxville, N.Y. 69 Winkelmann. Bob's Race & Rally Team, White Plains, N.Y. 

92. David Lynn Shook, Rochester, Mich. 69 Caldwell D-9

Source: Programme

 

For results see post #28. 

 

RGDS RLT


Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 October 2021 - 13:11.


#109 Rupertlt1

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Posted 09 October 2021 - 07:14

The entry list in the previous post was only the beginning. With a $10,000 prize fund there were a number of additional entries for the Talladega race which are shown in the photographs at Revs:

 

#0 Caldwell D-9, driver Jim Clarke, Garden City, Michigan

#11 Winkelmann, driver James Needham, Ridgefield, Connecticut

#13 Alexis Mk 15, driver William Smith, Riverdale, New Jersey,  

#14 Caldwell, driver Peter Quenet, Dearborn, Michigan

#19 Lotus 51, Bill Morrow, Troy, Ohio

#30 Lotus 51, Bert Gafford, Montgomery, Alabama

#46 Autodynamics, "Jim Clay Ford" on nose (Atlanta, Georgia) 'COMPETITION ENT' on engine cover, driver John King, Atlanta, Georgia

#47 Autodynamics, "Jim Clay Ford" on nose, driver Haughton Smith, Montgomery, Alabama 

#52 Lotus 51, Theodore Wright, Kenosha, Wisconsin 

#65 Caldwell D-9, driver Jim Stephens, Dearborn, Michigan

#66 Winkelmann, Jim Jenkins, Yonkers, New York 

#79 Climax-Royale, driver Kevin Glynn

#97 Climax-Royale, driver David Piper, State College, Pennsylvania

 

I am particularly keen to identify the two drivers of Autodynamics #46, #47. A beautifully-prepared two-car team from Atlanta?

Edit: Now shown above — anything more known?

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT 


Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 October 2021 - 15:23.


#110 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 12 October 2021 - 06:15

1974 Pepsi Pro FF at Westwood...

 

entry list:

 

1974-Pepsi-Pro-entry-list.jpg

 

two pages of driver bios:

 

1974-Pepsi-Pro-Formula-Ford-drivers.jpg

 

1974-Pepsi-Pro-Westwood-Formula-Ford-dri

 

Bob, tell us about your Elfin...or have you already done that?

 

Vince H.


Edited by raceannouncer2003, 12 October 2021 - 06:15.


#111 2Bob

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Posted 12 October 2021 - 22:47

Hi Vince,

 

A few mentions my Elfin Mono on this forum.  one photo here on autopics site:

 

https://autopics.com...section=product, photos of my other cars (Honda S600 owned by my then GF) plus photos of other cars I took while a teenager!

 

Basically Elfin were the largest makers of racing cars and road clubmans (think Lotus 7) in Australia and are still in existence,  The Formula C car (F3 in Australia) started out as a Formula B (F2 in Australia).  First one built in 1965, last one like mine in 68 (stand to be corrected on those years).  Mine had 1100 cc Ford engine when I got it in 1971 and had held many lap records in Australia when owned by Bob Minogue.  Rules changed during my ownership to allow 1300cc engines.  I built a 1300 crossflow Ford engine which probably made less HP than the 1100 professionally built engine!  Performance was similar to FF cars.  Lots of photos of the car now owned by Norm Falkner and races in historic races very well.  Absolutely beautiful restoration.

 

Photos from Pepsi Pro (I think numbers line up) and parked in my "garage"!  Paint work by GF with rattle cans.  Race photos show lack of nose cone which easily detached when running into the back of slower cars (when I out braked myself or, as I think of it, when they brake tested me).

 

38dv9e.jpg

2D9yd2.jpg

dX1dHH.jpg


Edited by 2Bob, 12 October 2021 - 22:51.


#112 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 13 October 2021 - 05:38

Articles and photos of the 1974 Pepsi Pro FF race at Westwood:

 

vancouver-province-19740909-westwood-mis

 

vancouver-sun-19740909-westwood.jpg

 

columbian-19740909-westwood.jpg

 

These items, and many others I have posted, have been courtesy of local historian Brian Pratt, who has the great blog/website "racin' thru the raindrops."  A wonderful variety of stuff there.  Here is the link:

 

http://befastpast.blogspot.com/

 

Brian used to post under bpratt.  I don't know the last time he posted.

 

Vince H.


Edited by raceannouncer2003, 13 October 2021 - 06:16.


#113 JacnGille

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Posted 13 October 2021 - 23:13

So many names and so many memories. Thanks!



#114 2Bob

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Posted 14 October 2021 - 00:34

One of my interesting memories of the 1974 Pepsi Pro was the sudden (to me) influx of different compound tyres (tires to you?).  In Australia I think there was a control tyre or maybe just road tyres allowed. In Canada in 1974 race tyres were allowed - I am not sure of the exact rules but I recollect (could be wrong of course) Graeme Cameron, for one, turning up with 5 different compounds to test for the Pepsi Pro. This was unheard of to me!  Can any one else comment on the evolution of tyres (tires) for FF in US/Canada and other parts of the world? 



#115 Rupertlt1

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Posted 14 October 2021 - 07:26

Tom Laster, Muskogee, Oklahoma, raced an Elfin 620 Formula Ford in the 1974 season with some success. He took a class win at Mid-America in May and followed with victory in the Salt City Grand Prix races at Hutchinson, Kansas, 26 May 1974:

Race 4 (Formula Ford, Super Vee, C)

1. Tom Laster, Muskogee, Oklahoma, FF Elfin

2. Ken Keifer, Independence, Mo., FF Crossle

3. Ron Franklin, Enid, Okla., FF Hawke.  

Two weeks later on 8 June 1974 he repeated at Hutchinson: "Saturday's was his 4th straight victory, won only after a race long duel with the Crossle of Dale Wilhite, Mason City, Iowa." The victory was marred by a crash beyond the finish line, with Laster and Halsey Hines, Topeka, in a Caldwell, colliding with "considerable damage" to both cars.

Race 4 (Formula B, Ford, Super Vee) 

1. Tom Laster, Muskogee, Oklahoma, FF Elfin

2. Dale Wilhite, Mason City, Iowa, FF Crossle

3. Zan Smith, Lakewood, Colo., FF Royale

Class winners:

FBDorsey Schroeder, Manchester, Mo., Brabham

FFTom Laster,  Muskogee, Oklahoma, FF Elfin

FSVJohn Saucier, Midwest City, Okla., Tui

 

RGDS RLT


Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 October 2021 - 06:30.


#116 raspritz

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Posted 26 May 2022 - 00:06

This is an oldish thread, but in case anybody is still reading, I want to thank you all. Based partly on info in this thread, last night I was able to find and contact Dr. Terry Meadows, who was the original owner of my 1972 Merlyn mk24 and who raced it in the 1974 Pepsi Pro. We are currently exchanging information that I hope will flesh out more of this car's history, which is a blank from 1974 to 1995. Here's a pic of me racing it last weekend. 

282688971_10225205553099374_548042868028


Edited by raspritz, 27 May 2022 - 16:31.


#117 Rupertlt1

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Posted 30 May 2022 - 06:57

This is an oldish thread, but in case anybody is still reading, I want to thank you all. Based partly on info in this thread, last night I was able to find and contact Dr. Terry Meadows, who was the original owner of my 1972 Merlyn mk24 and who raced it in the 1974 Pepsi Pro. We are currently exchanging information that I hope will flesh out more of this car's history, which is a blank from 1974 to 1995. Here's a pic of me racing it last weekend. 

282688971_10225205553099374_548042868028

 

Which one is you? Where is this? What is the other car? Car number?

 

RGDS RLT


Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 May 2022 - 07:02.


#118 lyntonh

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Posted 30 May 2022 - 13:14

Which one is you? Where is this? What is the other car? Car number?

 

RGDS RLT

Isn't the other car a Lotus 51 ?



#119 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 31 May 2022 - 05:54

Rich is in the foreground with the Merlyn.  I believe this is at High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, Colorado.  I think the other car is Greg Carpenter in a Lotus 41C.

 

Vince H.



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#120 2Bob

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Posted 21 December 2022 - 23:21

A bit late to get back to this topic but I just wanted to add that I have recently purchased a Zink Z10 1975 from Bill Vesty.  A bit unusual in Australia, only other one is the first Zink Z10 now owned by Norm Vesty - Bill's son!.  Log book identity number 031-245 owner in log book I have was Louis Saker raced at Pocono and Lime Rock in 1977-79.  Any further information would be welcomed by me.  Car should be back on the track 'soon' in historic FF class, raced by (very) historic driver - me.



#121 E1pix

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Posted 23 December 2022 - 00:12

Thank You very much for your work on this thread, Bob.

Lifetime fan of “Ford” here (as many of us called it in the States for decades) — and it’s wonderful to reminisce, and see the documents.

I’m certain a friend of mine would love to include your Zink in his registry!:
https://redroadracing.com/zinkregistry

Keep up the great work!

#122 2Bob

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Posted 23 December 2022 - 23:42

Thanks E1.  Have just sent my registry entry.  Will have the car out again 'soon' I hope.



#123 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 26 December 2022 - 01:09

One of my interesting memories of the 1974 Pepsi Pro was the sudden (to me) influx of different compound tyres (tires to you?).  In Australia I think there was a control tyre or maybe just road tyres allowed. In Canada in 1974 race tyres were allowed - I am not sure of the exact rules but I recollect (could be wrong of course) Graeme Cameron, for one, turning up with 5 different compounds to test for the Pepsi Pro. This was unheard of to me!  Can any one else comment on the evolution of tyres (tires) for FF in US/Canada and other parts of the world? 

1974 FF in Australia were on Bridgestone RD102 road tyres. Quite a good roadcar tyre for the day. I suspect quite slippery on a FF. Though the same for all.



#124 Ray Bell

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Posted 26 December 2022 - 11:04

Also in the seventies the Australian FFord competitors raced on a Goodyear rain tyre...

 

Definitely a racing tyre.



#125 MarkBisset

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Posted 27 December 2022 - 08:34

Getting off-topic but the tyres used in Australian FF are listed at the end of this piece; https://primotipo.co...ford-formative/

 

m