20 replies to this topic

[O Volante]

Just found on the Primotipo site the story of New Zealand driver Angus Hyslop's 1961 FJ season in Europe, wonderfully illustrated with Bill Hanna's pictures.

 

Have a look yourself here: https://primotipo.co...nas-lens-part-2

 

No bad record! Being quite interested in NZ racing (not only) of that time, however, I started to think about Angus' car, accordingly a Lotus 20, with a Martin tuned Ford engine - type 105E, I would think. While the article mentions that NZIGP driver-to-Europe award winner Hyslop brought his F2 Cooper to Britain (of which only the documentation and the chassis plate on a different, new car returned to NZ) there is not a single word on the orgin and fate of the FJ Lotus!

 

A look in the Vercoe books and precious David McKinney notes suggests that this Lotus-Ford 20 has no further New Zealand connection. Anybody who knows more about it? Where did it come from, where did it go after the 1961 season? A new car build at Lotus or supplied as a kit? Is there a known chassis number?

Edited by O Volante, 28 January 2025 - 14:04.

[cooper997]

I can't currently offer a response to the questions raised and not privvy to the McKinney notes on what he states.

 

But to add something Angus related, what follows involves two 1963 mini- bios on him.

 

First one published in issue 318 11/4/63 Motoring News by Eoin Young

 

 

Second piece over 3 pages is from NZ's The Motorman - 8/63 issue by David Manton..

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[O Volante]

Many, many thanks, Stephen, that's very kind!

 

Nothing secretive about the McKinney notes. When the Vercoe books on NZ cars and later on NZ racing were published, David was not very happy with a lot of the presented information and interpretation. So in our correspondence, back in the 1990s still on paper, he provided sometimes extensive comments, corrections and additions on various topics ... Updated much of the content appeared later in print (not the least his 250F book) or in the net (see his contributions to Old Racing Cars, 10/10s, Roaring Season or on this site).

 

On Angus Ninian Hyslop David wrote, he hadn't impressed him with the Jaguar C-Type at first, but perhaps he had expected too much given the now ageing car. All changed with the switch to the Cooper-Climax single seater. Notably Angus' drive to third place in an ultra wet 1961 Lady Wigram Trophy (behind Brabham and Moss, but in front of McLaren and Hulme), David judged, had been simply outstanding! Nevertheless the NZIGP driver-to-Europe award was a surprise. Favorites had been Tony Shelly and Jim Palmer, but apparently for business reasons both could not go, and so the award went to Hyslop - at 32 a rather old up-and-coming driver, as duly noted by the NZ contemporaries. Of course, David also mentioned the tax cheat behind the export / import of Angus' Cooper-Climax - but not a word on the Lotus-Ford Formula Junior!

 

Perhaps David would know. Still much missed, the man!

 

Thanks again, Stephen

[opplock]

. Of course, David also mentioned the tax cheat behind the export / import of Angus' Cooper-Climax - but not a word on the Lotus-Ford Formula Junior!

 

 

 

This sort of dodge kept motorsport in NZ going. A number of motorcross riders (including two of my cousins) were questioned several years later over a scheme for importing MX motorcycles. Clapped out British bikes would be crated up and send to Australia for repair. By magic when the crates returned to NZ these bikes would have been transformed into CZs, Jawas and the like. The fun ended after a Customs official dealing with vehicle imports attended a meeting and went away scratching his head as he'd never heard of some of the competing bikes. Needless to say none had ever been imported. 

 

It still amazes me that no-one in authority questioned the need to ship bikes overseas for repair. No-one was ever prosecuted presumably due to lack of evidence or may'be the realisation that a kiwi jury was likely to think the perpetrators deserved a medal. 

[Ray Bell]

Apart from the underhanded activity, there was another means of reducing sums which might otherwise be payable...

 

The Scuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM was one such. It was 'sold' to Andy Buchanan and then 'repurchased' a season or so later. From memory it had already crossed the Tasman once without leaving Scuderia Veloce's possession.

 

The purpose of all of this was to use up opportunities for 'temporary residences', deferring the actual payment of the import duties until it could be shown that the vehicle was 'wearing out' and therefore losing some of its value with each such movement. The despatch of the Ferrari to New Zealand the first time, if I have the story straight, was to conform with the time limitation involved, not so it could be seen by the Kiwis.

 

Of course I'm sure that David McKay was covering costs to some extent by asking for good appearance money from NZ promoters.

[opplock]

 The despatch of the Ferrari to New Zealand the first time, if I have the story straight, was to conform with the time limitation involved, not so it could be seen by the Kiwis.

 

 

 

I for one am very thankful that it was shipped over. To my 10 year old self the sight of the 250LM in the paddock at Levin was probably akin to someone seeing Concorde fly over Biggin Hill - in 1960. Even better seeing and hearing it on circuit. I'd seen Loti and Coopers but a Ferrari was until then something seen only in books.  

[MarkBisset]

Mr Volante,

 

Try here, I'm not saying its in there, I haven't looked: https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=111947

 

 

 

William John Hanna, Angus Hyslop and Ross Neils Pedersen (Hawkes Bay Digital Archives Trust)

 

Pre-trip gig, doubtless the Kiwis can tell us more...

 

m

Edited by MarkBisset, 02 February 2025 - 03:28.

[cooper997]

This is about as much as the 1962 NZ GP programme could muster on Angus within this DTE feature.

 

 

 

O V...

As for the Lotus 20, there's no shortage in the classifieds of Autosport during September 1961 issues. Listed under 'Formula Junior'; 'Lotus' and 'Racing Cars'.

 

I've noted your reference of the Martin-tuned engine, but this 29/9/61 advert makes me a little curious...

 

1961 Lotus 20, Cosworth 997cc engine, in first class condition. Ready to Race - 16 Acre Road, Kingston. Kingston 6423.

 

Going by a quick google of the address suggests a bedsit for an up and coming racing driver to rest his weary head. But who?.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Mr Volante,

 

Try here, I'm saying its in there, I haven't looked: https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=111947

 

 

 

William John Hanna, Angus Hyslop and Ross Neils Pedersen (Hawkes Bay Digital Archives Trust)

 

Pre-trip gig, doubtless the Kiwis can tell us more...

 

m

 

Mark, the Air-India presence makes me think it's more a post 1961 DTE gig associated to the 1962 NZ Internationals. They ran a couple of adverts in the 1962 NZ GP programme and one quotes an office at 11 Commerce St Auckland

 

Ron Flockhart had organised an arrangement with them for flights. Having Air-India signage on his Lotus 18 and Cooper Mini as often as he could at the 1962 races and more often than not tried in Australia where the officials usually made him cover sponsor logos.

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

 

Hyslop aboard the Tourist Motors of Hawkes Bay Cooper T53 Climax 2.5 at Ardmore during the January 2, 1962 NZ GP weekend. Seventh in the race won by Moss' Walker Lotus 21 Climax. (Bay of Plenty Times via Bryan Miller)

 

 

 

Cheers Stephen,

 

Enjoyed the articles posted, I’d forgotten I had a crack at him a few years ago: https://primotipo.co...d-angus-hyslop/

 

He and John Youl are somewhat similar in that both achieved a lot in slightly out of date - but not much - Coopers that were very well prepared and driven! Both inherited the ‘Family Seat’ and when duty called off they went to do just that. Hyslop was born in 1928, and Youl 1962, so neither were youngsters by todays standards in 1962.

 

m

 

 

 

On the way to sixth in the January 20, 1962 Lady Wigram Trophy. Moss up front again: Moss, Brabham, Surtees, McLaren, Salvadori, Hyslop, not bad!

 

(Peter Basire)

Edited by MarkBisset, 01 February 2025 - 06:44.

[cooper997]

Here's what ESY has to say about his fellow kiwis racing in Italy. There must be a mistake with reference to the meeting being held July 16, because there's also a reference to FJ racing being held at Solitude at the same time. That German meeting was on the 23rd, unless I've mucked it up.

 

 

3/8/61 Motoring News

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[MarkBisset]

Stevo,

 

You haven't mucked it up MN has.

The F2 Register has the race date as July 23: two heats and a final won by Bandini Lotus 20 Ford, Davis Lola Mk3 Ford and Hyslop's Lotus 20

 

m

[cooper997]

A couple of May 1961 Goodwood Whit Monday meeting entry lists with Angus included.

 

 

 

 

and a part of Patrick Benjafield's 26/5/61 Autosport report.

 

 

 

Stephen

[O Volante]

Many, many thanks again for all the comments and additional original materials! The more you learn about a topic, it seems, the more you want know ...

 

Mr. Opplock & Ray: a special thread on tax-fiddling in racing seems a very reasonable purpose. The memory of Reg Parnell and the Scuderia Ambrosiana Maseratis is immediately flashing up!

 

Mark: as I said, reading your ANF articels triggered of this request. However, nothing additional at 10/10th.

 

Stephen: working through contemporary adverts is hard, but sometimes rewarding work! Without access to the relevant magazines unfortunately not option for me ...

 

Keep on! A piece read here long time ago, an almost forgotten note there ...   

[cooper997]

Here's the August 1961 Brands Hatch entry list and filled out grid lineup.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

Note Bill Pinckney from Balsall Common. Friend of David Hobbs.

Presumably DNS.

See also: https://forums.autos...c/#entry8974791

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 05 February 2025 - 10:13.

[GazChed]

According to the Fastlane/Formula 2 .net website Bill Pinckney was a did not arrive. Twenty six cars qualified with Dizzy Addicott a non starter. The results show the first twelve finishers with Angus Hyslop in twelfth, eight non finishers and the other five unknown. Don't rely too much on that grid as it was often difficult to hear the commentator with over twenty Formula Juniors revving on the grid. Much easier to copy them off TSL these days when you get home. Yes I still do it !

[Doug Nye]

So impressive to see seven future Formula 1 drivers on that individual FJ grid.  Happy days...just perishing perilous, that's all.

 

DCN

[Ray Bell]

As evidenced by the eight non-finishers?

[GazChed]

Of the eight non-finishers five have reasons for their retirement of which four are accidents. Incidentally Doug I must have found another couple of future Grand Prix drivers as I make it nine. They are Trevor Taylor, Peter Arundell, Frank Gardner, Bob Anderson, Tony Maggs, Denny Hulme, John Love, Mike Parkes and Mike Spence.

[cooper997]

Here's the September 1961 Crystal Palace national (British) race meeting entry liists with Angus involved

 

 

 

 

Stephen