34 replies to this topic

[Mike Lawrence]

To get this started, I want to nominate Ronnie Grant. He first came to my notice in the early 1980s when he campaigned a Ralt RT3 in the British Formula Three Championship. the car was always immaculate and Ronnie, then in his sixties was always at the back of the grid. The commentators used to pick up on the fact that he was a London cabbie.

The last time I spole to Ronnie would have been 1988 at Thruxton when he joked that next year he would be doing Formula 3000 because he would have his Old Age Pension to top up his budget. So far as I can make out, he retired from racing when he turned 65.

In Formula Three he had raced in the same events as Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle, which is a story to tell your grandchildren. He raced in the same events, but not actually against them, but Ronnie had a different agenda, he was following his doctor's orders.

Ronnie had built up a taxi business in London when he was admitted to hospital, apparently with a heart condition. His doctor told him that he was working too hard and had to find a hobby. Ronnie decided that he would go motor racing and started with a Formula Ford 1600 Lola. Since he still had a business to run, he enlisted a couple of trainee, ill-paid, engineers at Lola to prepare his car for him in their spare time. You can imagine how it worked, the taxi business is a cash business, so there'd be a wad of notes and the youngsters thought they were blessed.

The point is that one of the youngsters was named Patrick Head and the other was John Barnard.

Ronnie must have been straight in his dealings with them because he became godfather to one of John's children. In McLaren's days of dominance in the 1980s, who was almost the first person that John Barnard phoned after a race? It wasn't anyone in the media, it was a London cabbie called Ronnie Grant.

I propose Ronnie Grant as a Minor Hero, but a hero nontheless.

[Alan Cox]

Hear, hear, Mike. Your post instantly brought to mind the fact that Ronnie would be tootling around at the rear end of the field, keeping out of the fast guys' way and that the commentators would always refer to him as "London cabbie Ronnie Grant". Did he not also have a go at Supervee (or am I confusing him with someone else) before breaking into F3?

He was the sort of character that the sport would be far poorer without. Is he still around?

[MCS]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
Hear, hear, Mike. Your post instantly brought to mind the fact that Ronnie would be tootling around at the rear end of the field, keeping out of the fast guys' way and that the commentators would always refer to him as "London cabbie Ronnie Grant". Did he not also have a go at Supervee (or am I confusing him with someone else) before breaking into F3?

He was the sort of character that the sport would be far poorer without. Is he still around?

Yep, he raced SuperVee certainly... and very competitively I might add.

MCS

[RTH]

I went to his cab garage to buy a set of RT3 wheels - he actually ran a fleet of black London Taxis, - very nice chap.

[ian senior]

I'll have to nominate Roy Lane. Perhaps he isn't "minor" in that he has been a prominent leading competitor in the specialist world of hill climbs since the year dot, but given that Joe Public isn't too familiar with this branch of the sport, I think he deserves a mention.

He liked to have something out of the ordinary to use on the hills - March 6-wheeler, anyone? Some people thought he had a screw loose when he used a massive McRae GM1, thinking it would be far too big and unwieldy for the narrow confines of the hills, but it worked. And although I have largely lost touch with what goes on in grass roots motor sport these days, I gather he's still at it. Don't even bother to think how old he is! He is also, as I remember from speaking to him in my (much) younger days, a very decent guy. He was always prepared to suffer a fool such as myself gladly when I asked him silly questions about his car.

Actually, it might be worth at this point to give a plug for hillclimbing in general. There are some seriously powerful cars out there,and when you look at the width and twisty nature of some of the hills.......well, it makes you think a bit.

[Andrew Kitson]

Whan I saw the title of this thread, I immediately thought it would refer to something else 'minor'.

Ronnie Grant is a great choice but my original thought upon seeing the title is Mike Chittenden who made his blue 1650cc Morris Minor go embarrisingly quickly against the hot Blydenstein Viva, Anglias and Minis in late 60s special saloons.

[MCS]

Derek Walker - rapid Cheshire driver of the self-constructed Clubmans Class B Ladybird - up with the Mallock U2s if it rained...

...and then later 1.8BDA-engined Special Saloon Escort regularly embarassing bigger, better-funded entries especially around Oulton and Mallory.

Always reminded me of Win Percy - very similar in his manner - and always competitive seemingly irrespective of the competition.

MCS

[MCS]

Ooops! Apologies, chaps. Never managed a double-hit before...

Mark

[ian senior]

Originally posted by MCS
Ooops! Apologies, chaps. Never managed a double-hit before...

Mark

Thought you were having a Fred Elliott moment, Mark, I say I thought you were having a Fred.....

oh, never mind.

[Alan Cox]

Another nomination for "hero" I agree with, MCS; the Altrincham market gardener does have a striking physical resemblence to Win Percy.

At the time of Mike Kettlewell's book celebrating 25 years of Oulton Park, Derek had won more races at Oulton than anyone else. I wonder if his record still stands?

He also put something back into the sport by acting as a marshal/steward at many meetings after he gave up racing the Flowflex Fiat and Escort, and it was heartwarming to see him come back into historic Formula Junior racing five or six years ago with his ex-Dave Rees Terrier - still a front-runner in the front-engined class.

[Alan Cox]

About time I nominated someone, instead of simplly agreeing with those moninations made by others.

What about Bill Wilks, the chap who introduced Cooper-Bristols and the Lotus 16 into historic (VSCC) racing. A dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast who owned a number of interesting cars through the 'fifties and 'sixties and showed that he was no slouch, even though his cars would have been the class of the field at the time. He is now to be seen (he must be in his seventies) acting as observer at VSCC meetings at Silverstone and Mallory and is always keen to talk about the cars and the people he has known, and is interested to listen to your views.

This thread surely can't pass without a nomination for Barrie Williams who has been racing since Lord knows when and even won the Welsh Rally back in the 'sixties. A bit like the late-lamented Tony Lanfranchi he has driven, frequently on three wheels, just about every category of car there is and even in his seventh decade he still turns out in a phenomenal number of events and gives his all. Most endearing trait must be his undisguised enjoyment of his racing and managing to converse with enthusiasm with anyone who approaches him. A national racing treasure!

[Twin Window]

Anyone remember Gerry Amato? He was a great little bloke who always made us laugh - even though he was more often than not being totally serious! A story I always recall him telling was one where he went up to have a word with Mario on the grid somewhere or other. They were in the same race apparently, and so I guess it must have been a British non-champonship event with Gerry in an F5000?

A lovely character, who was still racing at a decent age too - certainly up to 1980 in an orange and white F3 March in the British series.

[RTH]

How about Frank Tiedeman, - who had his first race at Silverstone in 1950 in an Austin 7 Ulster, is still racing the same car this year ( and others) and was awarded 750 MC 'Driver of the year award last year for 3rd in the 'Triple' series, he has just turned 85 years of age - and is planning next seasons events in his Sebring Sprite , Lotus 22 and Ulster, - circuits and hillclimbs , - and he drives the towcar everywhere - and he started the Monoposto club - and he still has the same enthusiasm for it all as a teenager ! He puts us all to shame.

[Mallory Dan]

I know he's been mentioned on here before, or maybe at the 'other place', but surely Sir Tony Sugden is a hero to many of us.

[mctshirt]

Ken Smith has been racing in New Zealand for just shy of 50 years...everyone from Jim Clark to Scott Dixon have shared the track with Ken. World famous in New Zealand Ken was 63 when he won the NZGP for the third time! Gotta be a local hero

[ensign14]

Bumping this up...one of mine when I was reading about the sport was Harald Ertl. Seemed to me that he was struggling in F2 midfield, so he moved up to struggle at the back of the grid in F1...

Another one was Kevin Jones in British F3 because his entry in the Cellnet F3 Yearbook read:

Team manager: Kevin Jones
Chief engineer: Kevin Jones
Chief mechanic: Kevin Jones
Driver: Kevin Jones

Made Ronnie Grant, who had an engineer ("Tom") and mechanic ("S Buckle"), look like a big budget operation...

I think Kevin's main achievement was winning something in a Racing for Britain raffle. But without these people racing would be a lot more dull.

[RTH]

Ah, I know Kevin and he was a much better driver than perhaps the cold record book facts might suggest he had a two year old Ralt RT3/83 , - in the '85 F3 company this was 'stone age' his budget was literally non-existant, he did actually have some help , - moral and just a little financial to get the car in the first place from his school friend Gary Smith who runs a welding supplies company in Brixton - but this really was F3 run out of the back of the car boot. Had Kevin ever had a chance in a competitive car I feel sure he could have been right up there. This is the sort of heroic effort that has been missing for many years sadly.

[ensign14]

Heroic indeed. Glancing through the Cellnet book Kevin had a class podium at Thruxton in 1985, presumably in the same car.

And would Gary Smith's welding company have been called Tower Welding Alloys? That was the listed sponsor for Kevin Jones Racing.

Funnily enough, the only other person listed as using an RT3 in 3B in 1986 was Ronnie Grant! The rest of the class used RT30s or Reynard 853s with an Anson and Sparton for variety.

[ghinzani]

Didnt Rob Wilson score the last ever point for the RT3 in the wet somewhere that year, or was in 85 that happened?

[RTH]

Originally posted by ensign14
Heroic indeed. ...........

And would Gary Smith's welding company have been called Tower Welding Alloys? That was the listed sponsor for Kevin Jones Racing.

Yes that is Gary's business, .......and a very nice bloke too.

At one point they called themselves "Smith & Jones Racing for Brixton " !

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by ghinzani
Didnt Rob Wilson score the last ever point for the RT3 in the wet somewhere that year, or was in 85 that happened?

Yes, at Donington
Without checking I would think 85 rather than 86

[Mallory Dan]

I guess Rob Wilson may also have scored the first ever point for an RT3 too, some kind of record I guess. Unless Salazar got the first point, in 1979, Twinny ???

[Cirrus]

Ronnie Grant is a great choice but my original thought upon seeing the title is Mike Chittenden who made his blue 1650cc Morris Minor go embarrisingly quickly against the hot Blydenstein Viva, Anglias and Minis in late 60s special saloons.

Mike Chittenden is still going strong, racing his Sports 2000 Tiga in the 3 hour race at Nuerburgring last Friday, and at Hockenheim this coming weekend. He actually won the 'ring race last year.

[Mike Lawrence]

These guys are all heroes. What about Frank Lockhart who ran the unique Formula Two Rover for years? I was once called on to judge 'Driver of the Day' at a VSCC Silverstone meeting. I nominated Frank. People protested that he hadn't won a race, but I countered that he held that Rover in blood-curdling slides and was my kind of competitor. I thought he was truly in the spirit of VSCC racing, and let us not forget that the VSCC is not a bunch of Old Fogeys, but was the first club to promote the 500cc Formula Three. Frank received his prize because I dug in my heels and it turned out to be a popular choice. The same people who queried my judgement, later congratulated me for my prescience.

I have never exchanged a single word with Frank Lockhart, I have never had occasion to, but I loved watching him drive.

I used to know Brian Prebble, a mechanic who went into a car dealership to buy some spares and saw a Hillman Imp prepared for Super Saloons and bought it. Brian had never even seen a motor race at the time and he had some explaining to do to Mrs Prebble who, give her credit, supported Brian, who usually won his class.

Another minor hero for me is Brian Farminer, twice winner of the Ford Fiesta Challenge. Brian began in Renault 5 racing and he drove to work (as a draughtman in the Portsmouth Dockyard) in the only car he owned. He won races in it as well.

Gerry Amato? In his last F3 race, he loosened the air restrictor on his car and that meant he could overtake Davy Jones on the Club Straight at Silverstone and then, oops!, he retired. I saw Gerry a few weeks later at a Brabham test day at Brands Hatch. The drivers were Pierluigi Martini and Stirling Moss, but that is a tale for another day. Gerry Amato told me, with a straight face, that he was quicker than Davy Jones (run by one, Jordan, E) because he knew the Club Circuit better than anyone. He went out in style, did Gerry, and he kept a straight face.

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by Mike Lawrence

Gerry Amato told me, with a straight face, that he was quicker than Davy Jones (run by one, Jordan, E) because he knew the Club Circuit better than anyone. He went out in style, did Gerry, and he kept a straight face.

That's exactly the way I remember him - even that very tale seems familiar! Brilliant...

But Mike, when you say "he went out in style" do you mean from racing?

[Andrew Kitson]

How about Peter Baldwin?

I first saw him race at Snetterton in 1968 I think it was - in an orange Mini.
My father was mechanic on John Bond-Smith's twin-cam Anglia driven by Stan Matthews at the time, in the same special saloons Redex & Osram GEC championships.

Peter comes from Cambridge as I do. A fantastic reputation as an engine tuner, working for Marshalls in the city (Austin/Rover/BL dealer) for many years. People would bring their cars in and request that only Peter did them.

Still racing an orange Mini in Miglia events now. Does anyone know the Mini better?

[RTH]

Originally posted by Cirrus


Mike Chittenden is still going strong, racing his Sports 2000 Tiga in the 3 hour race at Nuerburgring last Friday, and at Hockenheim this coming weekend. He actually won the 'ring race last year.

I saw a race report a few weeks ago , with a 'Chittenden' with a female christian name......Mike's daughter ?

[Cirrus]

Quite likely. I think she may have been doing karting until recently.

[dmj]

To put this thread out of British Isles awhile, how about Otto Mathe? One-armed and quite successful driver-constructor, mostly on very tight budget too IIRC.
And I'm sure there must be hundreds of interesting underfinanced natural born racers in US racing too... Hopefully some of our American experts could add some stories?

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
How about Peter Baldwin?

I first saw him race at Snetterton in 1968 I think it was - in an orange Mini.
My father was mechanic on John Bond-Smith's twin-cam Anglia driven by Stan Matthews at the time, in the same special saloons Redex & Osram GEC championships.

Peter comes from Cambridge as I do. A fantastic reputation as an engine tuner, working for Marshalls in the city (Austin/Rover/BL dealer) for many years. People would bring their cars in and request that only Peter did them.

Still racing an orange Mini in Miglia events now. Does anyone know the Mini better?

Bill Sollis, maybe? - one of the ultimate Mini techies/enthusiasts too.

Tell you what, surreal racing sight of 2003 for me was seeing the Minis racing at Rockingham. Peter, Bill and the rest streaming off the banking out of Turn Four past the stands...... Magnificent!

Maybe there should be a UK sequel to "Days of Thunder" called "Days of Mini Transmission Whine"!

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

I think Mike Chittenden married Colin Vandervells sister , Mikki , I recall Mike driving an Anglia at Brands , he was good to watch ,

[RTH]

Originally posted by EDWARD FITZGERALD
I think Mike Chittenden married Colin Vandervells sister , Mikki , I recall Mike driving an Anglia at Brands , he was good to watch ,

Yes you are right Mikki Vandervell was also a racer in her own right. There were some great races at Brands with Mike's Anglia dicing with 'Run Baby Run' at the head of the field - we really do need 'anything goes' saloon car racing back !

[Andrew Kitson]

Mike's Anglia was sponsored by the Portobello Inn for a time.
As you say, great scraps with The Brode, Gerry's Viva, Zak Redjep and on occasion, Mick Hill.

[RTH]

We didn't realise at the time just what great days those were - nothing now comes even close.

[rgsuspsa]

Hello Mike: Wonderful to see you are on Atlas F1, and are bringing up terrific aspects
of motor racing by privateers, and their exploits on and off the track.

Ron Sparks