31 replies to this topic

[Dave Ware]

Tony raced F3, Formula Atlantic, and some F2 in the early to mid-seventies. Drove Brian Lewis' Boxer for a couple of years. He must have had a column in Autoweek, and must have invited would-be racers to write him, because I wrote him a long letter asking advice on getting into racing. He wrote a long, thoughtful letter back, which was damn kind of him. He had asked me to keep him updated on my progress, but since I didn't have any progress, I never wrote him. Don't know if he ever wonders about that kid from Ohio, but I occasionally wonder what became of him.

Thanks,

Dave

[Chris Townsend]

The last season Rouff did in the UK was 1978 I think. He drove Graham Eden's
Ralt RT1 and won the F2 section of the Aurora AFX Championship.
He was a very neat and tidy driver in the car, as I remember, and often scared
some of the quicker F1 cars in the series. I recall he did a few Atlantic races in
the US in '79/80 but guess he never found a decent backer.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Dave Ware
Tony raced F3, Formula Atlantic, and some F2 in the early to mid-seventies. Drove Brian Lewis' Boxer for a couple of years. He must have had a column in Autoweek, and must have invited would-be racers to write him, because I wrote him a long letter asking advice on getting into racing. He wrote a long, thoughtful letter back, which was damn kind of him. He had asked me to keep him updated on my progress, but since I didn't have any progress, I never wrote him. Don't know if he ever wonders about that kid from Ohio, but I occasionally wonder what became of him.

Thanks,

Dave

Wasn't Tony involved with some of Joe Ehrlich's projects for a while round about the same time he was in FAtlantic back here in the UK?

The Boxer was a neat little car - a definite "might-have-been" if there'd been more money and people to develop it...

pete

[Chris Townsend]

Looking at my records, rather than relying on defective memory, tells me that
it was 1977 when Rouff drove for Graham Eden's team, and therefore it was
the Shellsport G8 series rather than the Aurora, in which he was so effective.

Pete, totally agree with you about the Boxer. I've spent the best part of today
looking at the 1976 season and Brian Lewis's little car was incredibly effective
both as an F2 and F.Atlantic. Lewis had three really good drivers turn out for
him that season, Brian Henton, Rouff and Patrick Neve, [in Atlantic]. Although
his team didn't even have a Hart 420R engine but had to rely on Ford BDX's
the F2 car was as quick as anything.

One of my projects today was to find out how many Boxer's were built. I think there
were four, 001 the 1976 F2; 002 and 003 1976 F.Atlantics, 004 the 1977 F2 used
by Danny Sullivan. Any comments or leads gratefully appreciated.

[Mallory Dan]

Quiet in office today, so I'm looking back at very old posts !

I loved the Boxers in FAt in 76. IIRC it was mainly Rouff in the car in Indylantic, after a slow start they got going really well and almost beat Wentz's Lola to the title. Wasn't there a crash in the final race, meaning there were appeals and the dreaded lawyers got involved as a result ?

I'm surprised Chris says that 4 were built, I assumed only 2. Both used in Atlantic that year, Neve occasionally in the second one, Rouff most of the year. Henton used one, with the BDX fitted, in a few G8 races late on, and gave Edwards F1 RAM Brabham a very good run at the Oulton Gold Cup.

The next year, when Rouff was with Eden in G8, Henton used a Boxer in Euro F2, with a Hart I think, famously winning at Thruxton. That must go down as one of the all-time F2 upsets, good as Henton was. I think they ran out of money later on, and hired the car out that year and the next, in Aurora F2. From memory Danny Sullivan had it a few times, Norman Dickson too, then both passed to Max Harvey for hillclimbs in 79. I believe Harvey had backed Brian Lewis thru' his Netherton & Worth company from the beginning, maybe he owned the cars from day 1. from dim and distant, Harvey was then silly enough to get a 792 for climbing...

As for Rouff generally, I think he was involved with the Ehrlich in 73 perhaps, then a GRD the next year. One of the few that year able to take on Henton's March, with its sometimes 'odd' engines.

[SEdward]

I'm digging deep here, but...

Didn't he drive with Unipart colours in F3 before Needel and Taylor took over? I've also got him down as driving in the then WSC as early as 1974, the ridiculous G8 series in the UK, F2 and Formula Atlantic in the US.

Edward.

[Mallory Dan]

Edward, the Unipart F3 driver before Needell and Taylor was Tony Dron, not Tony R. Dron was (is??) a journo by profession, as well as a pretty quick driver, tho' mainly in saloons. What was 'ridiculous' about the UK G8 series ? As I remember it was pretty reasonable, and bridged the gap between the dog-end of F5000 over here, and the good first 2 years of Aurora. I think Rouff had a few goes in the Boxer in G8, with both Atlantic and F2 engines fitted, much like the Dicksons of Perth Modi, in the long-hot summer of 76. Don't remember him in Sportscars, but I wasn't into them much before about 1980.

Jeremy ...?

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
From memory Danny Sullivan had it a few times, Norman Dickson too, then both passed to Max Harvey for hillclimbs in 79. I believe Harvey had backed Brian Lewis thru' his Netherton & Worth company from the beginning, maybe he owned the cars from day 1. from dim and distant, Harvey was then silly enough to get a 792 for climbing...

As for Rouff generally, I think he was involved with the Ehrlich in 73 perhaps, then a GRD the next year. One of the few that year able to take on Henton's March, with its sometimes 'odd' engines.

Norman Dickson was a Libre stalwart in the 70s - always seemed to have a recent March or Chevron, and I think he even had a white Lotus 78 at one point. One of those great clubbie drivers who never seemed to feel the need to climb the pyramid into 'mainstream' formula racing.

Max Harvey I remember mostly for sharing a car on the hills with Martyn Griffiths in the 80s - I can't remember if it was Max or Martyn who scaled down his involvement with hillclimbing after a tragic fire at a business one of them owned (a print works, IIRC) that killed several employees. I think Max passed away about 2-3 years ago.

[Mallory Dan]

Pete, I think the print business must have been Max Harvey's as Netherton & Worth was in that line as I recall.

Re Norman D, I think he was a little better than a Northern Libre stalwart. He was backed by the family business, amongst others, and went very well in various cars from about 74 I think. Initially an updated March 712/74B, then the famous Modus M3, then a 772, then the ex-Bruno 772P, a 792 (my favourite!), and lastly the ex-Nillsson/Emilio Lotus 78. In the F2s, he was usually mid to back of the grid when he ran in the occasional Euro round, ie holding his own against the regulars. I'm not saying he was a potential superstar, but no slouch. Wasn't he related to Tommy Dickson, who I've heard of from 50s sportscars ?

[Jim Keller]

Does anyone know where Tony Rouff is today?, Contact information?

[raceannouncer2003]

Last weekend at an event at Mission, British Columbia, Canada, the ex-Tony Rouff GRD was raced for the first time in thirty years. The car was purchased in Germany a couple of years ago by Jim Keller and Ken Stone, and they have just finished restoring it. In the photo, Ken looks on while his son Mitch Stone, who has raced FF and F2000, prepares to take the car out. Jim is working at the back of the car. It ran well, although it appeared to be pushing a little oil smoke in the last race. They ran the car without the Formula 3 airbox...



As for Tony Rouff, he is in California. Jim and Ken have been in touch with him. He has sent them tons of copies of articles about racing the car, and was apparently very helpful in restoration and setup. Jim and Ken hope to reunite Tony with the car at some point. Looks like Tony is the eighth person on the following webpage:

http://www.naifaoc.o...p;orgId=naifaoc

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 25 September 2009 - 06:45.

[formulaphoto]

Last weekend at an event at Mission, British Columbia, Canada, the ex-Tony Rouff GRD was raced for the first time in thirty years. The car was purchased in Germany a couple of years ago by Jim Keller and Ken Stone, and they have just finished restoring it. In the photo, Ken looks on while his son Mitch Stone, who has raced FF and F2000, prepares to take the car out. Jim is working at the back of the car. It ran well, although it appeared to be pushing a little oil smoke in the last race. They ran the car without the Formula 3 airbox...



As for Tony Rouff, he is in California. Jim and Ken have been in touch with him. He has sent them tons of copies of articles about racing the car, and was apparently very helpful in restoration and setup. Jim and Ken hope to reunite Tony with the car at some point. Looks like Tony is the eighth person on the following webpage:

http://www.naifaoc.o...p;orgId=naifaoc

Vince H.

WOW. I don't know if this is the same car, but it would be an incredible coincidence! My father used to run Tony's cars in the UK for a year or so (AB3 Racing Developments), and I'm wondering if this is the same car? The fact that both the car and I live in BC (where the new photo was taken) is amazing. I would love to catch up with the new owners. If someone can put me in touch, I can probably add a lot of additional history to their files! Here's a photo of the AB3 car from our archives:



warwick (at) formulaphoto (dot) com

[Jim Keller]

WOW. I don't know if this is the same car, but it would be an incredible coincidence! My father used to run Tony's cars in the UK for a year or so (AB3 Racing Developments), and I'm wondering if this is the same car? The fact that both the car and I live in BC (where the new photo was taken) is amazing. I would love to catch up with the new owners. If someone can put me in touch, I can probably add a lot of additional history to their files! Here's a photo of the AB3 car from our archives:



warwick (at) formulaphoto (dot) com

Same car! I sent you a PM,

Jim Keller

[Dave Ware]

Wow...thanks for adding the info onto this thread!

[formulaphoto]

Wow...thanks for adding the info onto this thread!

For additional kicks, here's a photo of Tony on the Formula Ford grid at Thruxton in '73 (not 100% on the year) with AB3 crew on hand. I would love to know info about the other cars and people in this shot too, and even a confirmation of the date and event.


(Link to Flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.co...oto/2634144916/ )

Cheers,
Warwick
www.formulaphoto.com
www.classiccaradventures.com

[Mallory Dan]

Brilliant photo, Warwick. Is that you in teh yellow top? Mike Young next to Tony, a later Merlyn perhaps? The car on pole, with Link on it, Elden rings a bell, not Sullivan is it? 1973 is a little early for me, but the pic is a stunner. Large crowd there for a FF clubbie!

[formulaphoto]

Brilliant photo, Warwick. Is that you in teh yellow top? Mike Young next to Tony, a later Merlyn perhaps? The car on pole, with Link on it, Elden rings a bell, not Sullivan is it? 1973 is a little early for me, but the pic is a stunner. Large crowd there for a FF clubbie!

Hehe, no...I wasn't born yet! The yellow-shirt on the right is my lookalike (my Dad).

[Cirrus]

Are you sure that's Thruxton? It looks more like Snetterton to me.

[formulaphoto]

Unearthed a tonne of new images...I spent a couple of days scanning archives back in Ottawa last week. We'll be figuring out the best way to display the "AB3 Racing Archives" properly on a website soon!

'73 British Grand Prix, F3 winners




What track is this?


(Link to ever-expanding AB3 archives on Flickr)

Cheers,
Warwick

[John Ginger]

What track is this?


Cheers,
Warwick

Thanks for photos, brings back memories of the old Silverstone paddock

This looks like Brands to me

[lil'chris]

[quote name='formulaphoto' date='Nov 3 2009, 00:55' post='3975317']
For additional kicks, here's a photo of Tony on the Formula Ford grid at Thruxton in '73 (not 100% on the year) with AB3 crew on hand. I would love to know info about the other cars and people in this shot too, and even a confirmation of the date and event.


(Link to Flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.co...oto/2634144916/ )

Not '73 as there was a seperate pit lane at Thruxton by then ( if it is Thruxton in the photo )

[Mallory Dan]

Unearthed a tonne of new images...I spent a couple of days scanning archives back in Ottawa last week. We'll be figuring out the best way to display the "AB3 Racing Archives" properly on a website soon!

'73 British Grand Prix, F3 winners




What track is this?


(Link to ever-expanding AB3 archives on Flickr)

Cheers,
Warwick

The middle pic is Mallory I think, the lake is the clue. And thats Dennis Nott's 5.7 Escort Spec Saloon behind isn't it. 1973 I presume? The green and black bus/transporter in the background is familiar too.

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

The middle pic is Mallory I think, the lake is the clue. And thats Dennis Nott's 5.7 Escort Spec Saloon behind isn't it. 1973 I presume? The green and black bus/transporter in the background is familiar too.

green and black bus, henton ??

[alansart]

green and black bus, henton ??

Looks like it. He was doing F3 with a GRD at the same time.

[h4887]

For additional kicks, here's a photo of Tony on the Formula Ford grid at Thruxton in '73 (not 100% on the year) with AB3 crew on hand. I would love to know info about the other cars and people in this shot too, and even a confirmation of the date and event.


(Link to Flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.co...oto/2634144916/ )

Not '73 as there was a seperate pit lane at Thruxton by then ( if it is Thruxton in the photo )

It's Snetterton.

[roufft]

For additional kicks, here's a photo of Tony on the Formula Ford grid at Thruxton in '73 (not 100% on the year) with AB3 crew on hand. I would love to know info about the other cars and people in this shot too, and even a confirmation of the date and event.


(Link to Flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.co...oto/2634144916/ )

Cheers,
Warwick
www.formulaphoto.com
www.classiccaradventures.com

Yes Warwick, it was 1973. Thats my mechanic Roger Finnis (went on to F1) in the yellow shirt sitting on the LR tire. You can guess who the other chap in the yellow shirt is.

[roufft]

The last season Rouff did in the UK was 1978 I think. He drove Graham Eden's
Ralt RT1 and won the F2 section of the Aurora AFX Championship.
He was a very neat and tidy driver in the car, as I remember, and often scared
some of the quicker F1 cars in the series. I recall he did a few Atlantic races in
the US in '79/80 but guess he never found a decent backer.

The last year I raced in the UK was 1977.

[roufft]

Wasn't Tony involved with some of Joe Ehrlich's projects for a while round about the same time he was in FAtlantic back here in the UK?

The Boxer was a neat little car - a definite "might-have-been" if there'd been more money and people to develop it...

pete

I drove the Ehrlick (evil car) in 1975.

[roufft]

Quiet in office today, so I'm looking back at very old posts !

I loved the Boxers in FAt in 76. IIRC it was mainly Rouff in the car in Indylantic, after a slow start they got going really well and almost beat Wentz's Lola to the title. Wasn't there a crash in the final race, meaning there were appeals and the dreaded lawyers got involved as a result ?

I'm surprised Chris says that 4 were built, I assumed only 2. Both used in Atlantic that year, Neve occasionally in the second one, Rouff most of the year. Henton used one, with the BDX fitted, in a few G8 races late on, and gave Edwards F1 RAM Brabham a very good run at the Oulton Gold Cup.

The next year, when Rouff was with Eden in G8, Henton used a Boxer in Euro F2, with a Hart I think, famously winning at Thruxton. That must go down as one of the all-time F2 upsets, good as Henton was. I think they ran out of money later on, and hired the car out that year and the next, in Aurora F2. From memory Danny Sullivan had it a few times, Norman Dickson too, then both passed to Max Harvey for hillclimbs in 79. I believe Harvey had backed Brian Lewis thru' his Netherton & Worth company from the beginning, maybe he owned the cars from day 1. from dim and distant, Harvey was then silly enough to get a 792 for climbing...

As for Rouff generally, I think he was involved with the Ehrlich in 73 perhaps, then a GRD the next year. One of the few that year able to take on Henton's March, with its sometimes 'odd' engines.

Actually, I won the Thruxton race.

[LittleChris]

Welcome Tony.

Hopefully you'll stay with us on TNF and pass on some stories from the 70's / 80's including your attempts to leave Ted Wentz's London flat .

Cheers

Chris

[Allen Brown]

Welcome Tony!

[Alan Cox]

A few photos of Tony, from Mallory 1977, driving Graham Eden's Ralt