68 replies to this topic

[pete53]

What's all this ?

A Formula 3 race at the Jaguar Drivers Club meeting at the Palace in July 1965 taken on my Kodak Instamatic (a 15th birthday present a few weeks earlier).



There's no # 60 entered in the programme but I'd scribbled a note about 2 extra cars from S.M.A.R.T. (which I think was Stirling Moss Automobile(s) Racing Team) but I know no more. Who was driving car 60?

For those who do not remember Crystal Palace from 45 years ago, this snapshot was taken at Anerley Ramp, the uphill section from Ramp Bend with the Sports Centre behind.

I don't think that the few yards of one layer barrier would have stopped much - the steps behind suggest it "protected" a considerable drop.

Tony

The contemporary Autosport stated that " Roberts ( Leslie Roberts SMART Merlyn) missed a cog and gave the engine a dose of too many revs and then failed to appear the next time round, having stuffed it somewhere - to the great detriment of the nose and rear suspension". No argument there about the nose taking a good tonking, so,yes, it looks like it was Roberts in the SMART car.

[taylov]

A bit OT but here's Ramp Bend in 1939.

From a 3x2 inch print of a shot taken from the spectator enclosure. Photo dated 1st July '39 which would make it Mays' ERA (I think)

What I also like about this shot are the grandstands from the old (pre WW1) Cup Final football ground which was being used in the 1930s for speedway racing. The bridge, and the old football/speedway stadium all disappeared in the early 1960s when the new Sports Stadium was built on the site.

Tony

Edited by taylov, 15 February 2010 - 11:49.

[David McKinney]

Yep - Mays in R4D

[taylov]

Yep - Mays in R4D

From the same collection - an unusual view from Ramp Bend, looking towards the start/finish line, across the old stadium being used in July 1939 as a car park. Note the football goalposts are still in situ. The pitch was being used by Corinthians FC - a former public school pupils' side.

Tony

[bradbury west]

Nice to see R4D with twin rears
Roger Lund

[RAP]

Leslie Roberts?

Results from July 1965

DC

I can confirm 60 was Leslie Roberts.

[Alan Cox]

Latest press release concerning the forthcoming sprint:

FINAL ENTRIES FOR CRYSTAL PALACE BANK HOLIDAY SPRINT
Motorsport at the Palace is now welcoming final entries for its Bank Holiday sprint event on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 May. The sprint will see vehicles compete along a newly-created parkland course, which incorporates some of the classic features of the old racing circuit, including the infamous North Tower bend.

All vehicles are welcome, although the organisers are particularly keen to celebrate the park's racing history and reunite the venue with cars which raced there during its heyday.

Martin Chinnery, Chairman of Sevenoaks and District Motor Club, who are organising the event, said: "We hope to welcome back to the Palace many of the cars which raced there in the past and made Crystal Palace such an important venue in the history of British motorsport. We'd love to see some of the old single-seaters back at the Palace, alongside the famous Minis, Escorts and other saloon cars which enthralled fans back in the 1960s and 1970s."

Modern cars are also welcome, with a focus on vehicles which have a competition pedigree. Entries from alternative-fuelled machines will race in their own class.

For more information, entry forms and regulations, please see the event website http://motorsportatthepalace.co.uk.

OR

Contact: Karen Webber, Secretary of the Meeting, Motorsport at the Palace: competitors@motorsportatthepalace.co.uk.

[VAR1016]

I have enjoyed reading this thread. I went to many of the meetings from 1962 (I recall F1 races at the time) up to the final meeting in 1972. I remember Mike Hailwood setting the ultimate lap record (though perhaps not at that final meeting), and Gerry Marshall winning the last race - in a Lister-Jaguar.

We always stood at Ramp Bend, enjoying the view along the straight and up Anerley Ramp.

Another event we always attended was the National Alvis Day held there for some years in the 1960s.

Edited by VAR1016, 23 April 2010 - 21:49.

[MCS]

Just saw this: http://www.sydenham....amp;bWp-0TuY4Sk

Some positive interest - good to see.

All goes well for about a minute...

Edited by MCS, 27 March 2011 - 19:32.

[Barry Boor]

Great to see the old place - such memories. But it does upset to think that it is no longer a race circuit.

[MCS]

But like so many other places too, regrettably, Barry.

Imagine if we had lost circuits like Rouen, Reims and Clermont Ferrand...

[BRG]

I happened to go for a stroll in Crystal Palace Park this week. It was hard to believe it could ever have been used for serious international racing - there is simply no trace of a race track left. If I hadn't attended some meetings there, I wouldn't believe it myself.

[Rupertlt1]

There was a meeting at Crystal Palace scheduled for 3 September 1960, National British, organised by B.R.S.C.C.  (source: B.A.R.C. Yearbook 1960).

Can anybody shed further light?

 

RGDS RLT

[pete53]

As far as I know this meeting never took place. I have an extensive collection of post-war Palace programmes but have never come across one for that date. I believe the reason that the meeting was cancelled was due to work starting on the Recreation Centre.

[Rupertlt1]

pete53: Thanks for that. One of the hardest things to sort out in research is that something didn't happen! RGDS RLT 

[taylov]

Re the September 1960 non-event, it doesn't appear in the list of remaining 1960 events in the programme for the BARC's Whit-Monday National Open race meeting on 6th June. Only the 2 BMCRC bike events remained to be run.

 

I imagine that the BARC yearbook was printed before the timing of the re-development was known.  I recall a visit for the September races in 1962 and the inner area around the Ramp Bend and up the Rise where the Stadium now is was still a building site even then.

 

Tony

[pete53]

Re the September 1960 non-event, it doesn't appear in the list of remaining 1960 events in the programme for the BARC's Whit-Monday National Open race meeting on 6th June. Only the 2 BMCRC bike events remained to be run.

 

I imagine that the BARC yearbook was printed before the timing of the re-development was known.  I recall a visit for the September races in 1962 and the inner area around the Ramp Bend and up the Rise where the Stadium now is was still a building site even then.

 

Tony

The two bike meetings did take place including the one on the 1st August - I have the programmes as evidence m'lud. I think I am right in saying that when racing resumed in 1961 the start/finish line had been moved to the top straight. Again this was due to the building of the sports centre.

[Rob29]

The two bike meetings did take place including the one on the 1st August - I have the programmes as evidence m'lud. I think I am right in saying that when racing resumed in 1961 the start/finish line had been moved to the top straight. Again this was due to the building of the sports centre.

I can confirm this-went to both 1961 car meetings-paddock & pits also moved to insire top straight

[john winfield]

More of Brian Dandridge's cine footage, this from the 1970 F2 meeting, practice and racing.