83 replies to this topic

[MCS]

Just spent a few rather bizarre minutes elsewhere (inadvertently) reading about Ian Ashley's racing career - it was difficult to tear myself away!

In this so very boring day and age, it's difficult to comprehend that anybody has had such a varied race history, survived such big crashes and raced for so long in so much different machinery.

Let's not forget that when James Hunt was referred to as "Shunt", Ashley was known simply as "Crashley."

The last I saw of him was in the States in the early nineties racing in the Barber Saab single-seater series and frankly I was shocked that he was doing such a thing!

I can certainly remember some of his performances in F3, F5000 and F1 - and some of them were most impressive, believe me - but what can other TNFers remember of this great survivor?

MCS

[Paul Taylor]

I was lucky enough to see him race several times, in both the Lotus Elise championship and in a historic race in 2001 driving an F5000 Lola - all at Brands.

I seem to remember one of the Lotus races at Brands, he ran wide at Paddock, spun across the track, and was hit head on heavily by another car!

I did not know he had a reputation for crashing

[MCS]

Originally posted by Paul Taylor
I was lucky enough to see him race several times, in both the Lotus Elise championship and in a historic race in 2001 driving an F5000 Lola - all at Brands.

I seem to remember one of the Lotus races at Brands, he ran wide at Paddock, spun across the track, and was hit head on heavily by another car!

I did not know he had a reputation for crashing

Well, no, he didn't really have a reputation for crashing - it was more of a myth IMO.

For goodness sake, everybody who raced in F3 and the very early seventies were involved in crashes most weekends :

But thanks for the info - I really think he may have raced more "different" cars than anybody else of his genre, so to speak...

Other people's views...?

M C S

[Vitesse2]

Extraordinary indeed ....

[Paul Taylor]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Extraordinary indeed ....

Ah, yes, I remember reading that... Hope I don't sound insensitive, but I found it absolutely hilarious at the time!

[MCS]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Extraordinary indeed ....

Good God, I'd no idea that this had taken place!

It makes it even more surreal.

What exactly has been going on since the early nineties then, dare I ask?

MCS

[Twin Window]

Ian raced bikes and sidecar outfits around fifteen years ago too.

I liked him; both as a bloke and a driver. Perhaps not quite in the Pryce/Brise/Williamson mould, but not that far off at all.

[Geoff E]

He joined my school in Lincoln for the 6th form - I didn't know him as he was on the "arts side" and I did sciences. I last saw him about 5 years ago in a TVR Tuscan race at Castle Combe when he was involved in an incident and didn't reach Quarry Corner on the first lap.

[Darren Galpin]

Was racing sidecars this year. I think it was his passenger who fell off on the Isle of Man TT and was killed.

[Vicuna]

Originally posted by Twin Window
Ian raced bikes and sidecar outfits around fifteen years ago too.

I liked him; both as a bloke and a driver. Perhaps not quite in the Pryce/Brise/Williamson mould, but not that far off at all.

Tee Dub, who do you reckon was the best of the three potential GP winners that died way too young.

I know who I think - in fact I went to some effort to visit his home town once, just to satisfy myself I'd been there, but then I never saw any of them race.

[JtP]

Originally posted by MCS


Well, no, he didn't really have a reputation for crashing - it was more of a myth IMO.

For goodness sake, everybody who raced in F3 and the very early seventies were involved in crashes most weekends :

But thanks for the info - I really think he may have raced more "different" cars than anybody else of his genre, so to speak...

Other people's views...?

M C S

Ian Ashley, undeserved reputation? What reputation would you expect turning up in the paddock at Oulton park(?) wearing the plaster cast on your leg gained at the previous F3 race, climbing into the car for practice, almost immediately reducing it to its constituent parts, climbing into your road car and leaving for the day. You then return the following day and are surprised and annoyed the mechanics havn't repaired your car for the race!

[Keir]

......and we both drove the "Will-Share Sales" Red Devil F440 car in the SCCA Series.

[Mac Lark]

What colour was Ashley's crash helmet?

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by Darren Galpin
Was racing sidecars this year. I think it was his passenger who fell off on the Isle of Man TT and was killed.

is that substantiated?

[Darren Galpin]

Yes - confirmed at http://www.google.co...n TT 2004&hl=en - Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship teams collected £665 at the last round at Silverstone in aid of the late Paul Cowley’s girlfriend Teresa. Paul was passenger to Ian Ashley and lost his life during practice for the Isle of Man TT races earlier this month. The collection was arranged by Jackie Kempster of the Dodd Racing Team.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Mac Lark
What colour was Ashley's crash helmet?

Red,A maroon shade I think.

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by Vicuna


Tee Dub, who do you reckon was the best of the three potential GP winners that died way too young.

I know who I think - in fact I went to some effort to visit his home town once, just to satisfy myself I'd been there, but then I never saw any of them race.

A very difficult question to answer...

I thought all three were absolutely top drawer, but - if I can stand back and be a little less emotional and a tad more subjective - I think Brise was the more probably the more complete prospect.

All these years later, and it's still unbelievably sad to think of those three guys...

Ashley's helmet was metallic maroon, as Rob rightly said, or at least it was until he appeared in CART.

[JtP]

I have got to ask, why was Ashley carrying his mini tool kit? Does he nick aircraft signs or something and what did he get?

[Buford]

Sounds like he has had an interesting life.

[Dave Ware]

turning up in the paddock at Oulton park(?) wearing the plaster cast on your leg gained at the previous F3 race,

I REMEMBER seeing a picture of that (or possibly a second, similar incident?) - Ian Ashley in the pits at some race, driver suit on, using a hack saw to modify the cast on his foot so he could drive!

Dave

[MCS]

Originally posted by Dave Ware


I REMEMBER seeing a picture of that (or possibly a second, similar incident?) - Ian Ashley in the pits at some race, driver suit on, using a hack saw to modify the cast on his foot so he could drive!

Dave

Yes, Dave, I remember the hacksaw picture too

But I'm sure that was when he raced for Richard Oaten in F5000 - that year I think I'm right in saying he had a Lola T332 and a T400 to choose from - or was it a T330? Yes, I think it was a T330.

Whatever...as Buford remarked, he has certainly had an interesting life!

MCS

[Mallory Dan]

I may be missing something here, or haven't looked closeley enough, but why all the references to IA being a "very interesting character". Could some-one explain, or refer me where to look.

Sorry.

[David McKinney]

I presumed it was to do with the link in Post 4

[Rob29]

Hardly-that only refers to the airport incident which could happen to anyone in the current political climate.Bit stupid I supose to try to hide the stuff in ones socks! He had a long and interesting career is what is being said. From F3 back to FF in 1969 when I first met him ,to more F3,F5000,F1,several injurous accidents,airline pilot,to sidecar racing.

[Twin Window]

...and that was via US single-seaters (including CART), solo bike racing, BTCC and (I think) helicopter piloting!

[MCS]

Originally posted by Rob29
Hardly-that only refers to the airport incident which could happen to anyone in the current political climate.Bit stupid I supose to try to hide the stuff in ones socks! He had a long and interesting career is what is being said. From F3 back to FF in 1969 when I first met him ,to more F3,F5000,F1,several injurous accidents,airline pilot,to sidecar racing.

"airline pilot" Rob ???

Which "airline" - do you know?

Thanks
MCS

[Geoff E]

Originally posted by MCS


"airline pilot" Rob ???

Which "airline" - do you know?

Thanks
MCS

"chief pilot of a Learjet charter outfit"

http://8w.forix.com/ashley.html

[Buford]

Yeah the guy has done the kind of stuff young boys dream of but few can accomplish. Now if he adds stripping girls in public he has done it all!

[Twin Window]

Earlier today I found some long-lost CART & ARS pics which I took during 1987, including this one of Ashley at Miami...

[Buford]

Actually I am jealous of the guy, but thankful I am not under arrest.

[winged_racer]

Hi,
I'm looking for help in contacting Ian Ashley, ex F1 driver. I got to know him during time I spent hanging around with the Ensign team and paid him numerous visits while he recovered in Sunnybrook hospital after his horrific crash at Mosport.

Thanks! Doug

[Richard Jenkins]

Doug, check your e-mails.

[Keir]

Last time I spoke to Ian was when he worked in Teterboro airport in New Jersey, USA.

I lost touch soon after, is he still there ??

[charles r]

Does anyone have any F5000 photographs of the Richard Oaten Racing Lola?
Plus does anyone know what he is doing now, the last I heard he was sidecar racing..

[Richard Jenkins]

Can't help with photos I'm afraid, but as for what he is doing now:

http://www.oldracing...driver/watn.asp

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by charles r

Does anyone have any F5000 photographs of the Richard Oaten Racing Lola?

Was he involved with Oaten in '73 when he drove the Henley Forklift T330? I can't remember, but here are a couple I took that season plus one from '75;


International Trophy




Oulton Park Gold Cup




And here after winning round one of the 1975 championship at Brands, the day before the Race of Champions, definitely in the black Oaten Lola.

[mwphoto]

Couple of Ian from Mid-Ohio 1986.....

[roger saretzki]

does anybody how i can get in contact with ian ?
i organize an ex FORMULA 3 DRIVERS meeting in switzerland next year .
i am shure a lot of people like to see him again................

are there any F3 pjotos from ian availible ?

best regards from germany , roger

[charles r]

Thank you both. Great photographs.
He was involved with both Oaten and Henley Forklift (Doug Hardwick Racing?)I would like to get in touch if there is a contacr e-mail out there, met him at the time jen he was driving the "Flame Out" Royale and always thought he had great potential which was never quite fulfilled.

[island]

Thruxton, August 1975: Ian Ashley and the hacksaw (copyright: George Michael)[IMG]http://img48.imagesh.../4175/hsga8.jpg[/IMG]

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

Looks like Mick Hill chatting to the guy working on Ashleys car.

[rdmotorsport]

"Crashley" was a very underated driver when he was a front runner in F5000 the field around him was of a very high quality (Bell,Edwards,Pillette,Jones,Purley etc.) and in his F1 races never had the best machinery,both BIg Lou and Alan Challis rated him highly and he always drove the BRM with verve but against better machinery he even managed to squeeze speed out of his Hesketh before his big shunt in Canada.

I had lunch with Ian some years ago when I was involved in F3000 we met in a bistro on the Albert Dock in liverpool as he was then living on the Wirrell and he told me after his accident he became bored so he followed his father profession and became a pilot(albeit Ashley senior was a RAF test pilot) first with sea planes and then corporate jets but this did not quench his desire for motor racing and shortly after this he was racing a Vauxhall in touring cars.

I am not sure what he does now other than upset the airline authorities when boarding a flight but would be curious to know.

Rodney Dodson.

[HistoryFan]

Originally posted by Paul Taylor
I was lucky enough to see him race several times, in both the Lotus Elise championship and in a historic race in 2001 driving an F5000 Lola - all at Brands.

Which position took he in the historic race? Did he drive another historc races? Results?

[Mondiale M85S]

Ian Ashley instructs at various race schools/experience days at different UK circuits. He works for Everyman Motor Racing and Drivers Dream Days plus others.

[charles r]

And of course he is now racing the LDS-Alfa which has now been sorted properly over the winter. Expect him to go well in this as well as a possible drive in a Lotus 17 later in the year.

[Rob]

He was doing fairly well in the LDS when I saw him race at Donington and Brands. Looking forward to seeing the car out again.

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Mondiale M85S
Ian Ashley instructs at various race schools/experience days at different UK circuits. He works for Everyman Motor Racing and Drivers Dream Days plus others.

http://www.ffcorse.com/

And here ( Click on instructors ).....

PAR

[Phil Rainford]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MCS
[
Let's not forget that when James Hunt was referred to as "Shunt", Ashley was known simply as "Crashley."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSQbsDqhVmI

Something to do with a leopard and spots ;)

PAR

[MCS]

What is it with you and You Tube?

And what is that sandpit for, on what was once the racing line at Paddock?

No wonder Ian was er, off line...

[Paul Taylor]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Phil Rainford
[QUOTE]Originally posted by MCS
[
Let's not forget that when James Hunt was referred to as "Shunt", Ashley was known simply as "Crashley."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSQbsDqhVmI

Something to do with a leopard and spots ;)

PAR [/QUOTE]

I was there that day, was in the paddock when the car was brought back...What a mess it was!