44 replies to this topic

[Darren Galpin]

I've received an e-mail request which states "Please could you send me any information you have on Mike Walker Formula 5000 1969-1971". What do people have on this driver?

Ta muchly.

[Allen Brown]

Darren

All his 1969-1971 F5000 results are on http://www.oldracingcars.com/f5000/.

I should put in a driver search facility, shouldn't I?

Allen

Edited by Allen Brown, 16 January 2010 - 18:50.

[Stefan Ornerdal]

OK then, his 1971 Formula 3 results here:
http://user.tninet.s...71_Index_GB.htm

Stefan

[Cirrus]

I think maybe you're thinking of Dave Walker, Stefan. From what I remember about Mike Walker, he was a frontrunner in F5000, and narrowly missed out on the title in 1969 after being involved in an accident with a backmarker at Brands. My memory is notoriously unreliable though.

[Rob29]

I think he did some F3 in an Ensign in '71,without serching through Stefan's site or fetching my files from the storeroon. If you want Mike Walker's F3 results 1966-68 I will dig out what I have.

[Stefan Ornerdal]

No, I am thinking of Mike Walker. Quite succesful in some F3-races with Ensign.

Stefan

[Cirrus]

It looks as though my memory did play tricks on me. The driver who had the accident at Brands was Trevor Taylor, who crashed, along with Peter Gethin after an incident with a backmarker. Mike Walker, although competitive, was not in contention for the title. He finished fourth (I think) in the Guards Championship, winning at Silverstone and Oulton in his Alan McKechnie Lola T142. As a result of his performances he won the premier Grovewood Award in 1969.

[Chris Townsend]

Mike Walker's last race season was 1972, when he drove a Lola T300 for Alan McKechnie.
I think he retired after that.
He was a Grovewood Award winner earlier in his career, and at one point was seen as something of a coming
man. His F3 included racing a Brabham BT18 in '66 and '67, a singularly unsuccessful season of F3 in 1968, using a McLaren M4A in a team run by
The Chequered Flag. By '72 he'd been around for a while without ever quite breaking through. And he did do a few
races for Ensign in F3. I think that he thought he'd get more attention there, even though he had a full time
paid F5000 drive.

[Milan Fistonic]

This is from the Motoring News announcement of the 1969 Grovewood Awards.

This year’s [Grovewood Award] winner, Mike Walker, is 23 years old, hails from Worcestershire and started his competition career in a Keift 500 at the tender age of 18. He took to the race tracks in 1965 with a Cooper Formule Libre car and started to make a considerable impression on the scene in 1966 with a Brabham F3 sponsored by his father. In 1967 he continued in F3, again with a Brabham, under the Frank Manning Racing banner, and the following year was recruited by Graham Warner to drive Chequered Flag Formula 3 and later F2 Mclarens. Despite a rather unsuccessful season with a few high spots he joined Alan McKechnie’s racing team to drive a Formula 5000 Lola T142 and their own F3 Puma. The Puma has never been raced, but Walker had a good season with the Lola, scoring two F5000 Guards round wins. Next season he will again drive for Mckechnie in a McLaren F5000 and hopes for a big sports and GT drive, having had his appetite whetted this season with a drive in Max Wilson’s Lola-BRM T70.

[Jeremy Jackson]

Mike Walker's last race season was 1972, when he drove a Lola T300 for Alan McKechnie

Chris, Mike Walker drove McKechnie's T192 in 1971. Alan Rollinson drove the T300 in '72.

However, his 1972 Ensign drives appear to be his last

[Chris Townsend]

Jeremy
You're absolutely right. The grey stuff is starting to play tricks on me.

Any one know what Walker does these days?

[Allen Brown]

OK, I made a F5000 driver search facility:

Mike Walker's 46 F5000 races (excluding any UK races after the end of 1971 as I don't have those yet).

This is just a quick-and-dirty web page. I'll link it into the site some other time.

Allen

[Alan Cox]

Reference Cirrus' comment over his confusion with regard to the Gethin/Taylor Brands finale accident, the 'backmarker' referred to whom they fell over whilst lapping was none other than Chris Warwick-Drake driving an uncompetitive Cooper, and who is still active in vintage and historic racing, and now known simply as Chris Drake.

I remember meeting Mike Walker at an Oulton Park HSCC meeting about 5 or 6 years ago when he had come to watch a race featuring F5000 cars and he hinted that he wouldn't mind having a go at historic racing, but haven't heard of him since. He seemed a really amiable bloke, and still looked pretty youthful and fit.

[Vitesse2]

Alan, surely the word "uncompetitive" is totally superfluous when describing any F5000 Cooper?

Incidentally, I'm pretty sure Mike Walker has come up in threads before, but I can't check as Search is being reindexed again.

[Chris Townsend]

What about Peter Rehl's Cooper T90? That won an SCCA round in 1969 and ran pretty well elsewhere.
[If not in quite the same league as Gethin, it was streets more competitive than the cars run by Drake, Hawtin
and others in Britain.]

[Darren Galpin]

Further e-mail, can anyone help?

------
The email request you recieved about Mike Walker was from my younger brother, and Mike Walker is actually my god-father and I'm desperate to get in touch with him. My dad was a very close friend of Mike's but as time passed unfortunately they lost touch (as happens with time). We bumped into him at Donnington Park about 10 years ago, and at the time he was living in Chaddersley Corbett near Kidderminster, but other than this we know absolutely nothing about what he's doing now, and we would love to get in touch with him. We've been amazed at the response to my brothers email, and thank you so much for setting up this forum, but what we're really after (although its fascinating to hear what people remember so keep it coming!) is any information that may help us to get in contact with him. (I tried posting this on the site but for some reason it wouldn't let me)

Thanks a lot

Bryan Scott

[Ted Walker]

Mike Walker is very much alive and kicking,he still keeps his hand in by doing circuit days with a couple of his mates in a modern F3 car,and he lives in the Midlands.

[bryscott89]

Does anyone know where in the midlands? I'm pleasantly suprised to hear Mike's keeping his hand in, and I'm also very impressed by (and grateful to) all of you who have posted on this thread! You're help is much appreciated!

Bryan

[MCS]

I can remember Mike Walker in Formula Three with the von Opel funded Ensign works team.

As far as I know he was coerced into joining by Mo Nunn so that he could help Rikki von Opel get acclimatised to F3.

von Opel tested everywhere throughout the season, with Walker's help and guidance at least initially. As a result he became increasingly competitive in what was, after all, a decent F3 package.

I even heard that von Opel had two different cars for his testing programme.

But I've always been curious as to whether Walker was held back towards the end of the season as von Opel went for the Lombard series...

Who knows...?

One thing is for certain though , Rikki certainly funded Mo Nunn's move into F1 the following year and by the time he finished in F3 he was very quick...

[David Force]

Mike Walker is indeed alive and well and only last week attended a party to celebrate another F5000 driver's 60th birthday, that was Alan Rollinson. Others included Robin Darlington. That seems like a great opportunity to start a thread on Robin too ?

[Allen Brown]

Do you have a full entry list

[ian senior]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MCS
[B]I can remember Mike Walker in Formula Three with the von Opel funded Ensign works team.

As far as I know he was coerced into joining by Mo Nunn so that he could help Rikki von Opel get acclimatised to F3.

I heard another angle on this story. Mike had been faffing around in F5000 for a few seasons and it became clear to him that F1 team owners were not looking at F5000 as a source of new talent. He decided to do a season of F3 again as that would put him in the limelight again. Sadly, it didn't work. A pity.

[Ted Walker]

Darren. If you want to send me an E Mail I can provide you with what you want.

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138 at 2011-05-23

By giraffe138 at 2011-05-23


Mike Walker in his Alan McKechnie Racing McLaren M10B at Oulton Park, March 27th, 1970.

Edited by Giraffe, 23 May 2011 - 15:50.

[Bloggsworth]

I remember seeing Mike Walker racing a Cooper T59 with a 1500cc Ford engine and, IIRC, a Hewland gearbox. At this time Mike Budge held the F3 lap record in a T59 with a BMC engine, this was solely owing to local knowledge as Mike was an instructor at the Brands racing school.

[petestenning]

The Walker/Von Opel Ensign team was entered as Iberia Team Ensign IIRC, the cars being mainly white the Ensign had those 2 part wings at the back if i remember rightly.


Pete

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by petestenning
The Walker/Von Opel Ensign team was entered as Iberia Team Ensign IIRC, the cars being mainly white the Ensign had those 2 part wings at the back if i remember rightly.

Pete

Looks like Pete's memory was right! Mike Walker at Mallory in 1972

[drivers71]

Mike, seen here sitting on the front tyre of his Lola T192 at Mallory Park, 31 May 1971.

http://i271.photobuc...531MP22-13a.jpg

A genuinely nice guy, who was always willing to answer the questions of this young lad. Sadly, he appeared to be under-funded compared to the top echelon of F5000 at the time, but always wrung the best out of his machinery.

[charles r]

http://img129.images...ett81071iy2.jpg

Walker at Snetterton with the original Ensign

[Giraffe]

I have chatted to Mike at several different venues over the last couple of years, and we have plans to meet up for lunch soon as we both live in the midlands. I spoke to him a week or so ago at the HSCC Silverstone and I updated him with details of Frank Sytner's accident at Donington. Prompted by his companions he told me that he had suffered the same fate, ie a heart attack or failure (seeingly in a F5000 car) an incident which he was exceedingly fortunate to survive. I was taken aback by this as I was quite unaware of such an occurrence, and didn't have time to query Mike any further at Silverstone. Can anyone please bring me upto speed regarding this?

Edited by Giraffe, 22 May 2011 - 18:00.

[Giraffe]

Here's an interesting picture that I unearthed from the Sid Taylor collection featuring Mike. It appears to have been taken at a dog track and features Sid Taylor and Mike's McLaren M10Bs but I don't recognise the liveries particularily. Peter Gethin, Julian Randles and Ron Bennett are standing around Sid in the car, but I don't know who is in Mike's car or anyone else at what seems to be a Guards promotion.


By giraffe138 at 2011-05-23

[Simon Hadfield]

Sid in his much loved - yeah, right - M18 surely?

[Giraffe]

Sid in his much loved - yeah, right - M18 surely?

It could well be the M18 Simon, the car Sid's dad set on fire in Ireland as he lit his pipe! Mechanic Richie Bray nearly lost his trousers in that one!

[MCS]

It could well be the M18 Simon, the car Sid's dad set on fire in Ireland as he lit his pipe! Mechanic Richie Bray nearly lost his trousers in that one!

Howden Ganley's M10B on the right?

[Giraffe]

Howden Ganley's M10B on the right?

By the time Sid had his M18 in 1971, Howden had one also. Looks like pre-season so they might have dragged out Howden's old car as it was works assisted like Sid's & he ran as #12 in 1970.

PS Incidentally, neither Sid nor Ron & Julian have any recollection of this evening at all so it must have been a good night. I've yet to show Mike this photo.

Edited by Giraffe, 23 May 2011 - 16:52.

[Alan Cox]

Interesting to speculate as to when the photo was taken. Howden Ganley raced his M10B in the 1970 Guards championship while the M18 only appeared in 1971 (when Guards had ceased to sponsor the series). It looks as though the M18 is pretty new, as it isn't in Sid's Sid Taylor's Team Castrol livery of that year - it still has McLaren Cars signwriting on the side (as well numbering designed to confuse the timekeepers!). Looks to me, therefore, that it would be early '71, but what the Guards connection is, I couldn't guess.

[Simon Hadfield]

With the A/5000 nomenclature on the side of the M18 has it just come from the Racing Car Show? Or it could be on the way there of course.

[layabout]

Interesting to speculate as to when the photo was taken. Howden Ganley raced his M10B in the 1970 Guards championship while the M18 only appeared in 1971 (when Guards had ceased to sponsor the series). It looks as though the M18 is pretty new, as it isn't in Sid's Sid Taylor's Team Castrol livery of that year - it still has McLaren Cars signwriting on the side (as well numbering designed to confuse the timekeepers!). Looks to me, therefore, that it would be early '71, but what the Guards connection is, I couldn't guess.

It was taken at Walthamstow Stadium the evening of the Guards European F5000 Championship prize giving.

[layabout]

Here's an interesting picture that I unearthed from the Sid Taylor collection featuring Mike. It appears to have been taken at a dog track and features Sid Taylor and Mike's McLaren M10Bs but I don't recognise the liveries particularily. Peter Gethin, Julian Randles and Ron Bennett are standing around Sid in the car, but I don't know who is in Mike's car or anyone else at what seems to be a Guards promotion.


By giraffe138 at 2011-05-23

FYI, I am a PA for retired, reclusive industrialist who has had a lifelong interest in racing. This from his notes:

From L-R the people in the photo are Peter Gethin, Julian Randles , Sid Taylor, Peter Agg, Ron Bennett , unknown
photographer, John Bennett of Trojan, Mike Walker , Bob Evans next to sponsor Barry Newman (in car) and chief mechanic Bob Daily.

[Alan Cox]

Than you, layabout, for clearing up the details.

[Jerry Entin]

Tony: Howden Ganley will now explain the picture better:
" The car Sid is in was the prototype M18 - it was ' demonstrated ' by me that day at Walthamstow Stadium. Quite icy in the morning . Lots of big sideways sliding . Peter Agg was worried I was going to shunt his new car .

In the evening there was a mock ' race ' between Peter Gethin and I - he in the M18 and me in our M10B. Probably all a bit dangerous but good fun !

Then there was also a slow ' race ' between the two entrants - Sid in the M18 and Barry Newman in out M10B ( #12 ). That is when the photo was taken."

Edited by Jerry Entin, 25 May 2011 - 17:05.

[layabout]

Than you, layabout, for clearing up the details.

My apologies to Mike Walker. I flip-flopped two names. Mike Walker is next to Barry Newman & Bob Evans is at the rear wing. Bob Evans, not to be confused with the driver Bob Evans, ran an E-type for Jenny Tudor-Owen.

Again, my apologies.

[Giraffe]

Yes, thankyou layabout. It's such a quirky picture! Ron Bennett said to me the other day that Sid would never have fitted into a F5000, and then we turned over to this photo!

[Giraffe]

Tony: Howden Ganley will now explain the picture better:
" The car Sid is in was the prototype M18 - it was ' demonstrated ' by me that day at Walthamstow Stadium. Quite icy in the morning . Lots of big sideways sliding . Peter Agg was worried I was going to shunt his new car .

In the evening there was a mock ' race ' between Peter Gethin and I - he in the M18 and me in our M10B. Probably all a bit dangerous but good fun !

Then there was also a slow ' race ' between the two entrants - Sid in the M18 and Barry Newman in out M10B ( #12 ). That is when the photo was taken."

I missed a message from Howden, and Jerry helpfully kept the ball rolling.

However, here is the comprehensive e-mail from him.....

Hi Tony,
I was just refered to the Mike Walker thread on TNF.

I know I should probably stay out of these things BUT I can see that we are going off down
a cul de sac so best to set the record straight.

The photo was taken at Walthamstow Stadium ( late 1970 or Jan 71 ? ) I have never seen
that photo before but I certainly remember the event . .

Trojan had just announced the new M18 . I drove it for quite a number of laps around the
track to ' demonstrate ' it .. Lots of fun. It was quite icy early in the day , so big slides and
plenty of opposite lock.
In the evening there was the prize giving for the Guards European F5000 Championship.
As a bit of added promotion they had Peter Gethin and I stage a ' race ; - he in the M18
and me in the M10B for about 10 laps . I don't know why Sid's M10B was not there . They
wanted both the works cars to be there , but Trojan brought the M18 prototype .
They also staged a ' race ' between the two works car entrants - Sid Taylor and Barry Newman,
so I guess this photo was taken just befire they did that.

In the pic , from L to R : Peter Gethin , Julian Randles , Sid ( in the M18 ) Peter Agg ( chairman
of Trojan Group ) Ron Bennett , a photographer ?? , John Bennett ,( MD of Trojan ), Mike Walker ,
Barry Newman ( in the M10B ) , Bob Evans , Bob Daily .
Ron Bennett was chief mechanic on Peter's car and Bob Daily was chief mechanic on mine.

I hope that tidies things up !!

Howden

[Giraffe]

Did a "Lunch with" on Friday with Mike & my old friend, sports agent & sponsor broker Mike Godfrey.....



Six hours of pure nostalgia covering everything from Mike's "fatal" accident at Crystal Palace in the F3 Brabham (his heart stopped) to the Chequered Flag McLarens & his victory in the McLaren M10B at Monza! Top man, whose two uncles flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain!