334 replies to this topic

[E1pix]

Been in that place too many times to count and always had a great time, although I had my 4-month-old 1981 VW Scirocco GT stolen while I was once there. This photo is inside with fellow Autosport forum mates paul b, Victor,  Jp and B², taken on Friday "Carb Day" May 25, 2018.

Sorry about the car...

If it makes you feel better, I scrapped it but really enjoyed the Blaupunkt.

[B Squared]

Sorry about the car...

If it makes you feel better, I scrapped it but really enjoyed the Blaupunkt.

The police found it nearly six months after the incident. The engine was gone, it was then further stripped and burnt. I always imagined it was some racer that stole it and the engine ended up in a Super Vee and I likely saw it on track. I'm really glad that it was you that got to enjoy it brother! 

[Vitesse2]

Surprisingly The Mason Arms, South Leigh - whose adverts were fondly recalled by both the late Pete Fenelon and the late David Beard in an old Motor Sport thread - has never been mentioned in this topic.

 

Its landlord in its heyday as a haunt of racing folk, Gerry Stonhill, died on July 6th.

[john aston]

I read the obit in The Times this morning. Judged by the Motor Sport adverts (not so fondly recalled by me ) it was a pub I'd only have chosen to enter at gunpoint . Bet there was a high pink trouser count ? 

[Rupertlt1]

Au contraire, we need this thread more than ever to remind us of good times in the past.

Back in the eighties the bar to see and be seen in Macau, at Grand Prix time, was the the Guia Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, close to the startline.

Henri's Galley, in the Avenida da Republica, was a good lunch spot.

Hotel Bela Vista, 8 RUA DO COMMENDADOR KOU HO MENG, Macau. Throwback colonial hotel with glacial service. Dinner on the balcony. Now the Portuguese Consulate.
I recall partying at the Lisboa Hotel & Casino, where Teddy Yip used to hold court. Later there were evening gigs outdoors on Taipa Island.
Club Militar, 975 Avenida da Praia Grande, excellent wine buffet.

As development exploded in the Portuguese enclave racing folk spread out to the new hotels and the social side lost focus.

For a while Oskars Bar at the Holiday Inn held sway for journos, team managers, hangers-on, barflies etc.

There was the splendid Pizzeria Toscana in the paddock at the races, later turfed as the organisers got greedy.
Old address: Edificio de Apoio do Grande Prémio de Macau, 1^o Andar — Avenida da Amizada em Frente do Novo Maritimo, Macau.

 

RGDS RLT 

 

Not everybody was happy when the Lisboa Hotel opened in 1970:

The opening of the Hotel Lisboa monstrosity

seems to have been of very doubtful benefit to the

average Macau visitor. A general rise in prices and the

loss of the best staff from other hotels seem to be

the most obvious results. To competitors there is an

additional and most "substantial" disadvantage. Statue

corner was originally bordered by sweet nothing; later

by a none too sturdy wooden fence; but now by the

Lisboa's ornate but unrelenting wall—perfectly posi-

tioned to catch the unwary.

 

There can't be many examples of a hotel being built literally trackside?

 

After a while the name Statue corner, on the Guia circuit, was lost to history, 

it became Lisboa bend. Why was it called Statue corner in the first place? 

According to Dr Philip Newsome "named after the nearby monument to the nineteenth-

century Governor Almares." Where is it I wonder? Could this be the answer?

https://equestrianst...al-ferreira-do/

 

Another hotel, the Hotel Riviera, was where much of the planning for the first event took place

and the launch press conference was held in 1954. AFAIK still there.

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 19 September 2023 - 01:21.

[Rupertlt1]

A great yarn ref John R. Brierley, landlord of the Fleece public house at Chichester, and motor racing photographer etc.

Among many other pictures he took the cover shot for Autosport, 10 May 1957: Chunky Chapman at Goodwood at the wheel of "Bourne's recalcitrant Grand Prix car."

 

https://www.pitpass....es_art_id=10439

 

Sadly you can no longer have a pint at the Fleece on East Street.

However Brierley's earlier pub, the Hare and Hounds at Stoughton needs a visit.

The Hare and Hounds featured in Sussex Pubs by Rodney L. Walkerley, published by B.T. Batsford, 1966.

At that time a Friary Meux house.

 

See also: https://forums.autos...dpost&p=9414369

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 January 2024 - 16:51.

[Rupertlt1]

A photograph recently reached me showing Jack Turner,

manufacturer of Turner sports cars, posing outside the

Dolphin & Anchor Hotel, West Street, Chichester, where

he was staying with wife Molly.

Also in the picture is the Turner-Climax, registration

671 E (Staffordshire C.C.).

The occasion was the 1960 Guild of Motoring Writers

test day at nearby Goodwood, 23 October 1960.

The Turner distributor Field's Garages was a short

distance away at 30/32 South Street, Chichester.

Also on test the Alexander Turner, 500 NKX,

(Buckinghamshire C.C.).

The digs described as "the hotel of preference

for the motorsport fraternity" — opposite the

Cathedral.

Listed in the AA Members Handbook for 1959-60

as having 40 rooms. B&B 22/6 : 27/6.

Also in the Good Beer Guide, 1975:

Charrington, Ind Coope. 

The hotel entrance, featuring an arched portico,

is now blocked off, and forms part of

Waterstones bookshop.

You can still have a drink in Wetherspoons,

in the Anchor part of the old hotel.

(With thanks to Russell Filby.)

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 January 2024 - 10:42.

[Rupertlt1]

Didn't anyone mention The Phoenix Inn, London Road, Phoenix Green, Hartley Wintney? Truly a pub for nostaglia.
It was run for years by Tim Carson, co-founder and Secretary for ages of the VSCC, and is still, I believe a watering-hole for that club and others.

 

https://library.revs...-2-litre/253530

 

RGDS RLT

[Cirrus]

Yes - The Phoenix still exists. I sometimes stop there for refreshment after a Hampshire cycle ride.

[LittleChris]

DSJ's local perhaps ?

[BRG]

DSJ's local perhaps ?

It was where he commenced his infamous Christmas Day drive in a Lotus F1 car so he probably knew it through the VSCC connection.  Not very local as he lived quite some miles away towards Odiham.

[Myhinpaa]

Jenks' association with the Phoenix Green Garage/Phegre Engineering + Phoenix Inn is described in the link below: 

 

https://www.findagra...denis-jenkinson

 

Some more about the history of the garage: https://www.prewarca...ix-green-garage + The Phoenix Inn

 

Sadly the tree on the green island in the courtyard where Jenks  had his ashes scattered is no more.

 

It can just be seen in this photo, from the article above:

 

 

The tree must have been gone a good 20 years now. (?)

 

 

[B Squared]

With owner Vic Franzese's passing, the Glen Motor Inn has new ownership, name and upgrades.

https://thehotellaurel.com/

[moffspeed]

Some 20 years or so since I last contributed to this thread so I thought about time… 

 

Well, a recent visit to Goodwood confirmed that the wonderful Duke of Cumberland at Henley-on-the-Hill has survived, albeit in a slightly more sanitised and enlarged form compared to when it was my local in the early 1980's. I suppose that this is an age thing as people say the same thing about me. Nearby, my old hospital (KE VII, Midhurst) is long gone but, admittedly, the transformation into luxury flats/apartments has been quite sympathetic.

 

Driving through Goudhurst the other day reminded me of another motor sport pub that I don't think has been mentioned so far. The Star & Eagle. It was here that the G.P. circus descended in 1966 after an eventful GP at Brands Hatch. Jean-Pierre Sarti had his philosophical moment in the garden whilst confiding in the lovely Louise. Soon he would travel to Monza and we know the rest...

 

A cruel sport indeed.

[Emery0323]

With owner Vic Franzese's passing, the Glen Motor Inn has new ownership, name and upgrades.

https://thehotellaurel.com/

Sad news about Mr. Franzese.  

 

My understanding was that the Glen Motor Inn used to have lots of racing photos, autographs, memorabilia, etc. on display in the bar/restaurant dating back to its days as the main hotel for the USGP and FIA sports car races during the 1960s-70s.  I have never been there to see it first hand, unfortunately, but it was a minor "bucket list" item I would have liked to have done.

 

Does anybody know what happened to the memorabilia?  The new owners make no mention of it, presumably it was retained or disposed of by the Franzese family?

Edited by Emery0323, 04 August 2024 - 15:41.

[B Squared]

Emery, I'll make sure I stop in and take a look the next time I am up there. I did see that Vic's daughter remains the manager. I'm curious too about the photo gallery as I had a couple pictures of Villeneuve in the rain from 79 that were hanging in there. I'm hoping they're still in place.

[Rupertlt1]

On my recent trip to Watkins Glen, NY, I stayed at the Seneca Lodge, an old fashioned motel and former hangout of the Grand Prix crowd.

An old video was playing on a loop in the bar with James Hunt and Niki Lauda partying. Evidently Hunt knew how to party! 

To old breakfast haunt Glen Mountain Coffee on Franklin Street (permanently closed), hence to Babes & Buds Coffee Lounge and Boutique on 3rd Street.

The Seneca Lodge has been in the same family for donkey's years and old racers are lurking at the bar. Walls decorated with memorabilia. I had supper with Joe Cali — much talk of Brock Yates and the Cannonball Run.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 04 August 2024 - 02:31.

[B Squared]

Since 1948, the Brubaker family has been operating the Seneca Lodge. I've had a few good times in this place also,

https://senecalodge.com/

[Emery0323]

Since 1948, the Brubaker family has been operating the Seneca Lodge. I've had a few good times in this place also,

https://senecalodge.com/

Nothing related to 1960's-70's Formula 1, but Seneca Lodge does have a web page on their bar and pictures of Boris Said and an old guest registration card from Jeff Gordon from 1992!

https://senecalodge....photo-gallary/#

[B Squared]

I sent a text to my friend Kevin Hughey in Watkins to see what the status of the old Glen Motor Inn lobby gallery is now, I'll let you know once I hear back from him.

[BRG]

Jenks' association with the Phoenix Green Garage/Phegre Engineering + Phoenix Inn is described in the link below: 

 

https://www.findagra...denis-jenkinson

 

Some more about the history of the garage: https://www.prewarca...ix-green-garage + The Phoenix Inn

 

Sadly the tree on the green island in the courtyard where Jenks  had his ashes scattered is no more.

 

It can just be seen in this photo, from the article above:

 

 

The tree must have been gone a good 20 years now. (?)

The Phoenix still has motoring connections.  It hosts a large and very informal New Year's Day classic. custom and supercar car  and bike meet. No entry or admission fee, just turn up.

 

 

Although this is based in the pub car park, it overflows onto the A30 main road outside with cars on the verges and central reservation for some distance in each direction.  There is no attempt to control it, and the police seem to ignore it, but it is all done in a good natured and easy going manner so no worries.  There is also a completely separate classic tractor run which pitches up during the day with an large assortment of rural machinery passing through en route to somewhere else (no idea where!).

 

I heard that when the pub changed hands, the new tenants were not aware of the event and were rather surprised to find themselves surrounded by petrolhead of all complexions.  They ahve got the message now and have some food stalls outside to feed the hordes.  Well worth a visit if you fancy some fresh air on NYD.

[marksixman]

The Phoenix still has motoring connections.  It hosts a large and very informal New Year's Day classic. custom and supercar car  and bike meet. No entry or admission fee, just turn up.

 

 

 

I heard that when the pub changed hands, the new tenants were not aware of the event and were rather surprised to find themselves surrounded by petrolhead of all complexions. 

 

Blimey ! That must have been a bit of a shocker - I do hope they had enough beer (and staff) to cope !

[Rupertlt1]

Since 1948, the Brubaker family has been operating the Seneca Lodge. I've had a few good times in this place also,

https://senecalodge.com/

 

Ref Seneca Lodge: "Proprietor Don Brubaker

was an Altoona, Pennsylvania, lawyer who

had been widowed with five young children.

Gravitating to Watkins Glen, he decided to

raise his family in this more rural setting and

acquired a large tract of land where he built the

first all-wood lodge in the midst of an old cabin

colony. Following a fire a year or two later, the

community rallied to his support and a new

lodge rose from the ashes. As Chairman of the

Chamber of Commerce, Don was one of Cam's

early supporters for the race."

William F. Milliken, Equations of Motion, Page 402

RGDS RLT

[Doug Nye]

Ex-Le Mans driver and long-time 'Autosport' photographer George Phillips's old pub - the George IV at Great Amwell, Ware, Herts.  It seems his tenure there as landlord was not a conspicuous success.

 

 

(From the always astounding Google Earth street view site)

 

DCN

[bradbury west]

And talking of George Phillips, has anyone discovered who holds the photo archives for Autosport’s North of England correspondent Francis  Penn’s archives? There must be some wonderful material there.

Roger Lund

[DogEarred]

"Maybe old news for many already, but the famous "Union Jacks" at Speedway, IN will be closed, if ít is not already closed."

 

Been in that place too many times to count and always had a great time, although I had my 4-month-old 1981 VW Scirocco GT stolen while I was once there. This photo is inside with fellow Autosport forum mates paul b, Victor,  Jp and B², taken on Friday "Carb Day" May 25, 2018.

 

 

 

Shot of the Union Jack taken in September.

Apparently, it closed rather suddenly a couple or more years ago.

 

There is a Union Jack pub in Broad Ripple - has a similar look but no motor racing connection, it seems.

 

[jonpollak]

I remember a soirée we had in Broad Ripple before the first (in this millennium) Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The place was called Average Joe's and indeed it was.

However, I recall seeing this familiar looking chap queing at the bar so I took him to the "express waitress" named Virginia, and got him a free one.

He seem appreciative....

 

 

After all, who would dare drink that beer unless it was free.  ???

 

 

Jp

[E1pix]

I was going to ask if Martin’s beer was warm but that’s a tired old Lucas refrigerator joke so I’m glad I didn’t do this post.

[LittleChris]

If it's not warm it's not beer, it's lager ( bleurgh )

[E1pix]

Oh No, so I *did* post that??? ;-)

[Sterzo]

Happened to find today that The Jack Fairman pub in Horley, Surrey, is still going strong. Post 156 in this thread told us that Fairman's old garage was about to be converted into a pub in 2006.

 

Back in 2008, the company I worked for told me my job was safe, but would now be in Bangalore and done by someone else. They paid me a silly amount to go away, just as I was thinking of retiring anyway. My leaving do was in The Jack Fairman which (from memory) didn't make much of the racing connection. It's a Wetherspoons, so some of the drinks taste not unlike the Benzol that Fairman would have served. Arguably, this post could be in the old sheds thread but I'll put it here.

 

https://www.jdwether...fairman-horley/

Edited by Sterzo, 21 December 2024 - 17:40.

[Geoff E]

I see that what used to be the Bugatti Inn (at Gretton near Prescott) became the Bombay Bugatti by 2016, and by 2023 had been renamed Brook House.

[marksixman]

Happened to find today that The Jack Fairman pub in Horley, Surrey, is still going strong. Post 156 in this thread told us that Fairman's old garage was about to be converted into a pub in 2006.

 

Well, well, well ! That sounds like a fine drinking place !! (See what I did there ??!!).

 

My late father knew Jack Fairman, probably from the Steering Wheel Club, but he never mentioned a pub named after him.

 

I will definitely try to go and check it out.

[LittleChris]

Happened to find today that The Jack Fairman pub in Horley, Surrey, is still going strong. Post 156 in this thread told us that Fairman's old garage was about to be converted into a pub in 2006.

 

Back in 2008, the company I worked for told me my job was safe, but would now be in Bangalore and done by someone else. They paid me a silly amount to go away, just as I was thinking of retiring anyway. My leaving do was in The Jack Fairman which (from memory) didn't make much of the racing connection. It's a Wetherspoons, so some of the drinks taste not unlike the Benzol that Fairman would have served. Arguably, this post could be in the old sheds thread but I'll put it here.

 

https://www.jdwether...fairman-horley/

 

To be fair to Wetherspoons, much as I think its founder, is a Class A p***k , the ones I've been to generally provide a decent selection of well kept locally brewed beers unlike most  gastro type pubs which limit themselves to mass produced dross like Doom Bar. My local 'Spoons' is consistently recognised in the Mid Chiltern CAMRA awards for the quality of the beers it serves and whilst a ( very ) few punters who frequent it may not be  to everyones taste, I for one find it preferable to the yah yahs with their yapping mutts that you find in most pubs these days .  

[Rupertlt1]

ERIC WINTERBOTTOM, who will be

remembered for his polished driving

of the 1,100 c.c. Emeryson Special when

it made its somewhat sensational debut

at Gransden in 1947, and who formerly

owned that popular Gransden port of

call, the Hardwicke Arms at Arrington,

has recently taken over the Albert

Hotel at Kingston-on-Thames. He re-

turns to racing this year with an H.R.D.-

engined Cooper Thousand.

Autocar, 8 April 1949, Page 337

RGDS RLT