54 replies to this topic

[ian senior]

Something of a hero of mine, this chap. Raced anything and everything. But did he ever make any appearances in a Formula 1 race? I do seem to recall him being entered in a BRM by Bernard White (whoever he was) in something like the Oulton Park Gold Cup, but I couldn't swear to it. Can anyone help - no doubt I could find the answer by trawling through old magazines and various websites, but basically I'm lazy.

[Vitesse2]

Well, if you can call the 1969 Madrid GP an F1 race ....

http://www.atlasf1.c...&threadid=11952

[Ralliart]

Tony Dean's most famous race would have to be the '68 Can Am win, I think at Road Atlanta, when he beat the all-powerful McLaren team in the rain.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Ralliart
Tony Dean's most famous race would have to be the '68 Can Am win, I think at Road Atlanta, when he beat the all-powerful McLaren team in the rain.

1970

[MPea3]

1970, road atlanta, but not in the rain. elford was on pole in the chapparal 2J, followed by the macs. it was a race of attrition, and when the macs and the chapparal fell out (as well as many others), he was left the winner. it was a dry day, i was there.

[WGD706]

Tell me more about Bobby Brown......my brother and I worked at his family's Chevrolet dealership in Hicksville, Long Island for a number of years, went through his Can-Am years with him, etc, but never caught wind of this story. Please fill me in!
Warren

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by MPea3
1970, road atlanta, but not in the rain. elford was on pole in the chapparal 2J, followed by the macs. it was a race of attrition, and when the macs and the chapparal fell out (as well as many others), he was left the winner. it was a dry day, i was there.

Tony won because he went fast enough to win, and slow enough not to break anything. He made his won luck and really drove a smart race. I kept a lap chart of that race for years and years. As the leaders dropped by the wayside, my lap chart was the only way most in the Turn Five & Six area seemed to have a clue who was running at the front. Even I had problems believing the Porsche was in first at the time.

It was a wild & wooly debut for the Flowery Branch circuit.

[JacnGille]

That makes three of us as witness of Dean's Road Atlanta win. That was my first road race after attending drag races during my teen years. And I was converted on the spot!

[MPea3]

by the way, one little tidbit of road atlanta trivia. it is often reported that the 1970 canam race at RA was that track's first race. not so. atlanta region SCCA supplied corner and safety workers for RA, and there had been a non-spectator SCCA race a few weeks before the canam race.

[MWiklund]

I too was there on that dusty red day. I returned for many of the Can-Am and F5000 races that brought so many of the name drivers to Road Atlanta. As a college freshman at Cornell I got to attend the USGP at the Glen in '66 and see Clark win with the H-16. Many folks my age remember 1968 for all of the political turmoil and deaths. I first remember it for that dreadful day in April when my innocence died in Germany.

[JacnGille]

Originally posted by MWiklund
I too was there on that dusty red day. I returned for many of the Can-Am and F5000 races that brought so many of the name drivers to Road Atlanta. As a college freshman at Cornell I got to attend the USGP at the Glen in '66 and see Clark win with the H-16. Many folks my age remember 1968 for all of the political turmoil and deaths. I first remember it for that dreadful day in April when my innocence died in Germany.

From '72 until '90 Road Atlanta was my second home. I was a SCCA Tech Inspector from '72 'til '84, I worked coners at the motorcycle cars many times and I crewed for several friends with B Sedans, F Fords, and even IMSA Kelly Girls series cars. I also have a good number of laps in a SSC Honda. I hated the revision leading up to the Bridge but understand the reasons.

[Ralliart]

I was thinking of John Cannon's Can Am win in the rain. So I had the right circuit but the wrong year and conditions. Batted .333.

[WGD706]

David
Thanks for the info.
Warren

[WGD706]

David
It WAS interesting, though!
Brown had to bring his cars into the body shop at the Chevrolet dealership almost on a weekly basis to get various dings and dents repaired as he was driving on the back roads of Long Island as if they were his own personal race track. Alot of these roads were tree-lined and in the wet fall weather, very slick.
Warren

[Dave Ware]

Bernard White ran Bob Bondurant's F1 car in 1967. Or '66. The foggy memory thing. It was a two-liter, and I think the engine in that case was a BRM. According to Bondurant's driving manual/autobiography, the team was underfunded and lax about preparation. Bondurant quit the team at Monza when he found several loose bolts on the car. That is however all I know about Bernard White.

Dave

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Dave Ware
Bernard White ran Bob Bondurant's F1 car in 1967. Or '66. The foggy memory thing. It was a two-liter, and I think the engine in that case was a BRM. According to Bondurant's driving manual/autobiography, the team was underfunded and lax about preparation. Bondurant quit the team at Monza when he found several loose bolts on the car. That is however all I know about Bernard White.

Dave

Quoting from http://www.birmingha...donnington.html

BRM P.261/5
Paul Alexander’s 1964 BRM was Graham Hill’s works chassis for the 1964 World Championship and the spare car in 1965. It was later run by Bernard White’s Team Chamaco Collect and later by Tony Dean. The car is kindly provided by and will be driven by Paul whose efforts have been responsible for the upsurge in growth in races for 1961/65 rear engined grand prix cars amongst which Paul and this car are serious contenders. The car will be racing on May 19/20.

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by Doug Nye
Bira/Don - I'm with Barry and Allen - otherwise heads up!!! Incoming!!!!

DCN

Done. Sorry that it took longer then it should have.

[Lotus23]

Don, re Incoming!!!!

Glad that was written, rather than verbal. Otherwise, I'd be on the deck now!

On one occasion in '68, we had Serious Incoming (130mm) which caught us completely unprepared out in the open. As I lay flat on the ground, the only two things going through my head --simultaneously-- were a) the Lord's Prayer and b) the old Bill Mauldin cartoon in which Willie and Joe are caught in the same situation and W says to J: "I'd get lower, but me buttons are in the way!"

[Bjorn Kjer]

Did Dean race a 904 before his 906 ? I think I read it at one time !

[charles r]

Originally posted by WGD706
Tell me more about Bobby Brown......my brother and I worked at his family's Chevrolet dealership in Hicksville, Long Island for a number of years, went through his Can-Am years with him, etc, but never caught wind of this story. Please fill me in!
Warren

Would like to know more about what happened to him too.

[r.atlos]

Originally posted by Bjørn Kjer
Did Dean race a 904 before his 906 ? I think I read it at one time !

Not that I am aware of.

In 1965, he raced a Lotus 23 and a 30, progressed to a Brabham BT8 for 1966 and the ex-Dieter Spoerry 906-131 for 1967. He also raced a Crosslé 9S-BMW in 1967 and has possibly done so already in 1966.

[Phigr7]

FYI, somme pics of Road Atlanta Can-Am at http://www.racingspo...9-13-photo.html
Cannon won on a rainy day, but it was at Laguna Seca in 1968 ;)

If some of you have Can-Am photos, I'm interested, to say the lesat

[rdmotorsport]

cigar anyone?

[lil'chris]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
cigar anyone?

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
cigar anyone?

OUCH !!!

[Jack-the-Lad]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
cigar anyone?

Smoke if ya gottem......(make mine an A. Fuente Don Carlos Doble Robusto, please).

Did Dean do time? I never did know the facts of that case. Was the conviction for not paying duties on the cigars?

Jack

[TIPO61]

Originally posted by MPea3
1970, road atlanta, but not in the rain. elford was on pole in the chapparal 2J, followed by the macs. it was a race of attrition, and when the macs and the chapparal fell out (as well as many others), he was left the winner. it was a dry day, i was there.

With Jim Hall's birthday coming up next week it couldn't hurt to correct the spelling to; chaparral. Couldn't hurt.

[Catalina Park]

Originally posted by TIPO61


With Jim Hall's birthday coming up next week it couldn't hurt to correct the spelling to; chaparral. Couldn't hurt.

Or even Chaparral.

[Allen Brown]

Originally posted by Jack-the-Lad
Did Dean do time? I never did know the facts of that case. Was the conviction for not paying duties on the cigars?

Jack

He may have done. He was arrested in August 1975 and was subsequently absent from all forms of racing that I cover from September 1975 to September 1978. He may have been racing saloons or clubmans or something else during that time but he may also have been "unavailable".

[sterling49]

I saw Tony race on many occassions at Brands, it got me to thinking just how many different and great cars did I see him race......can the collective minds of TNF complete the comprehensive list, if I commence with:

1.Porsche 906
2.ex Works Lotus Cortina (with Brian Robinson Mk 1 and 2)
3.Lola T140?


..........I know I have seen many more, but then I hade complete brain fade


Sterling

[TIPO61]

Originally posted by Catalina Park
Or even Chaparral.

Noted, and fair.

[Allen Brown]

Originally posted by sterling49
I saw Tony race on many occassions at Brands, it got me to thinking just how many different and great cars did I see him race......can the collective minds of TNF complete the comprehensive list, if I commence with:

1.Porsche 906
2.ex Works Lotus Cortina (with Brian Robinson Mk 1 and 2)
3.Lola T140?


..........I know I have seen many more, but then I hade complete brain fade


Sterling

You just missed one or two.

1965 F3 Brabham BT15
1966 F1 BRP-Godiva
1966 F3 Lotus 41
1967 F3 Brabham BT15
1967 libre McLaren M2A-Shelby
1969 F1 BRM P261-V12
1969-70 F2 Brabham BT23C
1970 F3 Brabham BT21B
1971 F5000 McLaren M7A-Chev
1972 Can-Am McLaren M8D
1972 F5000 McLaren M14A-Chev
1972 libre Porsche 908/02
1972 libre Brabham BT30/36-FVC
1973-75 F5000 Chevron B24
1975 F5000 Chevron B28
1978-80 F2 Chevron B42

Did he drive a Lola T140?

Allen

[David McKinney]

Plus the F3 Cooper he raced in 1964, and the Brabham BT8 sportscar of 1966

[Allen Brown]

Good point, I forgot the sports car and saloon races:

1966 sports Brabham BT8
1967 Porsche 906
1967-69 BTCC Lotus Cortina
1968 sports Ferrari 206S
1969 sports Porsche 910
1969-72 Can-Am & Interserie Porsche 908/02
1971 Can-Am McLaren M8D

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Allen Brown
You just missed one or two.

1965 F3 Brabham BT15
1966 F1 BRP-Godiva
1966 F3 Lotus 41
1967 F3 Brabham BT15
1967 libre McLaren M2A-Shelby
1969 F1 BRM P261-V12
1969-70 F2 Brabham BT23C
1970 F3 Brabham BT21B
1971 F5000 McLaren M7A-Chev
1972 Can-Am McLaren M8D
1972 F5000 McLaren M14A-Chev
1972 libre Porsche 908/02
1972 libre Brabham BT30/36-FVC
1973-75 F5000 Chevron B24
1975 F5000 Chevron B28
1978-80 F2 Chevron B42

Did he drive a Lola T140?

Allen

I saw Tony in a lot of these cars, I think I got the Lola mixed up with the M7A

Makes me realise that I was just 12 years old when I 1st saw Tony race, up at the crack of dawn to get my paper round completed before the cycle ride to Brands.........moving around early this morning, makes me realise just how similar things are, but how much they have changed, same scenery, but more traffic, especially Chelsea Tractors..........I saw the BRP, but have no recollection at all, anyone have any pictures? He had great taste in cars.........

Sterling

[sterling49]

I forgot the Dino 206 as well, what a beautiful car, and the BT8, a car that I will always associate with Denny Hulme, real childhood memories! What was Tony's line of business? Was he a garage owner? Maybe purveyor of fine cigars?


Sterling

[Bjorn Kjer]

A.G.Dean Limited, Bridge Garage, Methley Road , Castleford , Yorkshire (1966).

[john aston]

I grew up near Castleford and Tony's garage was a sort of 'Under The Arches ' sort of site selling Ford Consuls and Vauxhall Victors etc.Always wondered how he afforded to race the cars he did - unless the cigar deal was longstanding.I remember - at least I think I do- seeing him in a black 911 Targa which Porsche had given him as a reward for his privateering efforts .Always surprised that Motor Sport has not done a piece on him - the CanAm victory for a West Riding lad was big news.
And yes , the 206 S was just bloody dropdead gorgeous and I want one.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by john aston
...............a sort of 'Under The Arches ' sort of site selling Ford Consuls and Vauxhall Victors etc.Always wondered how he afforded to race the cars he did - unless the cigar deal was longstanding.
And yes , the 206 S was just bloody dropdead gorgeous and I want one.

....it seems like cars from a different planet...Ford Consul, Vauxhall Victor, 3 on a tree

I think just getting around the country to attend the meetings must have cost a fortune, let alone entry fees, running the car and ....buying the car Especially said Dino!

Mind you our local (ex) Ford Dealer principal has an entry in Ronnie Spain's Ford GT book, as he purchased one and didn't BCE used to sell cars in Chislehurst?........

Conclusion? I am in the wrong job!!!

[ian senior]

In the 70s, Tony was also selling (or at least advertising for sale) American cars such as Thunderbirds and Mustangs at his Castleford premises. Presumably he acquired them on his trips to the States. Nice big cars, lots of room for cigars....

Actually, that's a bit mean of me to say that. I prefer to think of him as the good racing driver that he was, a man who enlivened many a Libre race at Rufforth or Croft when he wasn't doing the serious stuff at a higher level. And in particular that day when he had a real good go at a sodden Rufforth in his Brabham, when everyone else was driving much more cautiously.

[sterling49]

Tony was always having a "go" whenever I saw him race, have great memories of Tony and Brian Robinson in the ex-works Lotus Cortinas, he always had a wheel dangling high in the air at South Bank, just like the maestro!

[Buford]

The British girls that were with his team at Road America around 1966 or so were the first girls I ever saw who weren't wearing bras. I always remember the important stuff and I recall spending a lot of time hanging around his paddock area checking out the equipment.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Buford
The British girls that were with his team at Road America around 1966 or so were the first girls I ever saw who weren't wearing bras. I always remember the important stuff

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by ian senior
I prefer to think of him as the good racing driver that he was, a man who enlivened many a Libre race at Rufforth or Croft when he wasn't doing the serious stuff at a higher level. And in particular that day when he had a real good go at a sodden Rufforth in his Brabham, when everyone else was driving much more cautiously.

Or Aintree when he smashed the allcomers lap record in the B24... Ah that was a day ;)

[Alan Cox]

Originally posted by petefenelon
Or Aintree when he smashed the allcomers lap record in the B24... Ah that was a day

Yes, indeed.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Buford
The British girls that were with his team at Road America around 1966 or so were the first girls I ever saw who weren't wearing bras. I always remember the important stuff and I recall spending a lot of time hanging around his paddock area checking out the equipment.

Great oaks from little acorns grow ....;)

[d j fox]

I actually meet Tony Dean twice in one day - the first time was somewhat alarming!

Brands Hatch - Monday 27th December 1965 for the traditional “Boxing Day” (although in this case the day after….). I was marshalling at the entry to Paddock Bend on a beautiful bright and sunny but very frosty morning.
In those days we marshals were protected by a concrete block about 4-5 foot high by some 12 foot wide and about 4 foot deep.This particular marshal post was on the inside of the track, more or less at the braking point for Paddock, facing the track at a 45degree angle. At the front of the post was a stack of very frozen hay bails attached to which, nearest the track ,was a large yellow and blue wooden Lucas sign.
Practice as under way for the Guards sports car race—everyone treating the frosty track , still icy in places, somewhat gingerly. The usual gaggle of Lotus 23s were out, plus the new Felday (Mac Daghorne?) with 4wd, ideal for these conditions. Tony Dean was having a first outing in what was said to be the ex Ben Moore/Vic Wilson Lotus 30.

My attention was drawn to a spinner coming out of Bottom Bend away to me my left down the hill. Then a fellow marshal shouted something; someone nudged me and I looked up to see the green Lotus 30 heading very rapidly sideways towards our post, but facing the wrong way. Dean had lost control , or something broke, spun around on braking and swapped ends and now hurtled towards us. I remember he looking over his left shoulder staring at the oncoming Lucas board.
I turned to run-somehow I’d thought the thing was actually going to roll over the top of the post…I took about three steps when there was an enormous crashing sound. The air was full of flying frozen straw and bits of advertising hoarding. Then, inches from my right foot , something hit the ground with a loud thump. It was the spare wheel! It had been ejected through the front “bonnet” and hurtled through the air.
It all went quiet and then we all jumped around and rushed to help Dean.
The car was write-off. It was embedded in the straw and concrete and the entire passenger left hand side of the car was crushed up almost to the centre. Tony was so lucky , if he’d have gone in on his side I shudder to think what would have happened.
Dean was shocked but OK—one marshall, unlike all the others, hadn’t ducked quickly enough and had some slight cuts on his forehead , but we were essentially all OK—if a little shaken!
Nick Syrett came around later with a large brandy for each of us—this time it was medicinal!
Much later in the day we were very pleased when Tony himself came up to us and said “Sorry lads but I bet I gave you all a bit of a fright this morning!”

[Bjorn Kjer]

Scaring , but great story on both you and Dean and the circumstances in those good days !

[rdmotorsport]

Now I have a little time on my hands using the hotels tinternet system whilst on an overnight in Koblenz and slowly finding out German keyboards differ to the UK s bloody typical!, anyway regards the Dean, Tony always knew how to make a quid or two plus most of the race money came from the promoters(it was like that in the good old days) plus a little sposorship here and there including Mr.Strigfellow(good Yorkshire buddies) and his 2nd hand car empire both in Castleford and Kieghley plus beleive or not he sold used helecopters from time to time,ök and the occasional cigars!,but trust me never a poor man and such a quick and brave competitor when men were men and women grateful etc.
Later his son Richard took the reins and still involved with driving sportscars and runningJL Racing perhaps we should start another thread who was the better father or son.

Rodney Dodson.

[Steve O'Brien]

I remember being with my father (Harry O'Brien) he new Tony Dean well, we were at Brighouse motor auctions it must have been late 70's maybe early 80's he was telling my father he had a limousine business in Fort Lauderdale USA, Im sure he was trying to talk my dad into going out there too