44 replies to this topic

[simonlewisbooks]

Just in case any of you havn't seen this advertised, the 100th anniversary meeting at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb is being held 19th-21st August.(21st being the day of choice when most of the historic stuff is due to run)

If anyone from TNF is going along I'll get in before Ted and invite you to meet up at my book and photo stand for a change.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

If you hadn't thought about going,there's a large collection of historic circuit and hillclimb cars (and some fairly historic drivers too) are slated to appear/compete and it looks like being a fantastic weekend. It's only £12 on Saturday and £15 on Sunday and to give you an idea, here's some of the entry list..


Auto Union D Type
BRM V16
6 or 7 ERAs
Jeff Allam in a Bastos Rover Vitesse ETCC
Darren Turner in a works Aston Martin DBR9
Peter Westbury in the ex Moss Fergusson P99 (1964 Championship car)
Darracq V8 200hp LSR Car
McLaren M3A (ex Patsy Burt)
Mercedes SSK
Austin 7 Single seater twincam
Frazer Nash Le Mans
Vauxhall Coupe de l'Auto
Vauxhall TT
AC/GN Cognac 1925/28
Frazer Nash Terror III
Napier-Bentley
Delage DH V12 10.5 litre
Riley Dobbs
Alta Single seater
Bugatti T59
Lightweight Special
GN Spider
Bocar
Gordini T23S
Jaguar C Type
Lister Corvette
HWM Jaguar
Simon Taylor - HWM Chevrolet "Stovebolt"
A host of F3-type Coopers
Emeryson Special
McLaren M1B 1965/66
Chevron B19
McLaren M12C
Lola T70 Mk. 3
McLaren M18 F5000
Brabham BT30 1969/70
BRM P48
Brabham BT31
McLaren M18 F5000
Hepworth 4WD
Lotus 70 F5000
Cooper T53
Felday Daimler
Lotus 35
Maserati A6GCM
Ferrari 246 Tasman 1969

and many many more.


Simon Lewis.

[Pils1989]

A bit OT but Lotus is going to present their new track car (340R replacement) at the event too.

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by Pils1989
A bit OT but Lotus is going to present their new track car (340R replacement) at the event too.

I saw that listed and had no idea what it was!

Simon lewis

[frogeye59]

No No No Dont tell every one, I'm vertically challenged and wont be able to see........

Seriously Shelsley is special on a normal day, this should be something else, just hope the MAC have booked the weather.

Looking forward to hearing the BRM wail once more.

Cheers

David

[Mark A]

Originally posted by simonlewisbooks

I saw that listed and had no idea what it was!

Simon lewis

This is it (well a sketch of it), I'm getting very tempted to get one and had an invite to the Lotus VIP area at Shelsley but can't make it.

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by Mark A


This is it (well a sketch of it), I'm getting very tempted to get one and had an invite to the Lotus VIP area at Shelsley but can't make it.

I shall be most interested to see how close the reality comes to the sketch!

There's always a strong Lotus element at Shelsley thanks to one of the series Sponsors, Paul Matty Lotus. Last year there was a 24 an 87 and a 49 running at the August event.
Somehow the bark of the DFV in the 49 sounded even better bouncing off the trees than it does on a wide open circuit !
This year its a Lotus 70 F5000 and a 35.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[mercw125]

I'll be there on the Sunday

[oldclassiccar]

does anyone know what time the gates open to the public on Sunday??

(had a look on the shelsley site, couldn't find it)

ta
Rick

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by oldclassiccar
does anyone know what time the gates open to the public on Sunday??

(had a look on the shelsley site, couldn't find it)

ta
Rick

It's usually early, 8am or something like that. I've been at all the events this year and never arrived to find the gates shut on the day of an event, and we arrive very early as it takes 2 hours to set up our stall.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[oldclassiccar]

much obliged!

Rick

[simonlewisbooks]

The D Type Auto Unuion thats due to be appearing is quoted somewhere (can't find where exactly) as the only one of this model in private hands having been rescued from eastern europe in bits during the late 80s early 90s.
My question here is if thats the case, what happened to the D Type that Neil Corner demo'd at Shesley back in 1986?
Did it end up in the Audi museum? Or are there more D Types around.

Simon Lewis

[mark f1]

Originally Posted by simonlewisbooks

Did it end up in the Audi museum?

Went on Sunday, they only have on display a Type C/D setup as a hillclimb car, that they say was returned from Russia in IIRC, the mid 90's. I can't post any pictures at the moment but it was shown with the two rear tyres on each side. The other on display is a replica streamliner used to set speed records, not original I'm afraid.

Mark

[D-Type]

Anybody care to suggest a time to meet up on Sunday?

[RTH]

One of the very few UK venues I have never been to , can we just turn up on Sunday morning and pay at the gate ? Is there adequate car parking ? Catering ? Best place to watch from ? Is the paddock right to roam ? I expect to be there.

[mercw125]

Originally posted by D-Type
Anybody care to suggest a time to meet up on Sunday?

I always think that lunch time is a most civilised time to meet! Around 12.30?

[monoposto]

Pay at the gate, as you drive in

Adequate car parking on grass, but as it fills up tends to be on a slight slope.
Lots to see so best not to be too late. Practice in the morning.

Paddock ( rustic ) is free to roam.

Spectating - just walk up the side of the hill. Seated areas at particular corners but most people
walk - pause at various points - and walk on. Commentary is very informative. Times appear on a couple of electronic boards, along with entry speeds to corners.

Catering - Many people picnic beside there car in the (silent) lunch break though there are food and drink stalls.

For anyone who hasn't been before it is a great venue and some great cars are entered for this weekend .

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by RTH
One of the very few UK venues I have never been to , can we just turn up on Sunday morning and pay at the gate ? Is there adequate car parking ? Catering ? Best place to watch from ? Is the paddock right to roam ? I expect to be there.

Yes you can pay on the gate , yes there are big car parks and yes you can roam the paddock at will . The paddock itself is a real jem and looks like it did in the 1930s with low corrugated iron roofed stalls for the competing cars to park in (like Goodwood ) and no transporter/trailers getting in the way.

Lots of catering points in the paddock, car park and up the hill. Lots of good vantage points and lots of benches if you can bag one quick enough (the subject of some Brockbank cartoons in the 50s). The only warning is it's a steep old climb to the top !

Vantage points of choice are the Esses (lots of benches to sit on but always quite busy) or the stretch between Crossing Bend and the esses (fewer benches but we can always sell you a folding picnic chair...) This is where the first speed trap is located and gives a good view of most of the lower part of the hill, and a picturesue background of the beauitiful Teme Valley to your photos. This bit is also ferociously fast for the big engined stuff and you can see the speed and timing displays easily.

It's a great place and the quality of classic and exotic cars in the public car park alone is amazing too.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[Paul Ranson]

There should be a large TV screen in the paddock showing the action all the way up the hill, for those who don't fancy the climb.

Paul

[RTH]

Thank you gentlemen , most efficient , see you all there.

[simonlewisbooks]

Suggested meeting times -

End of practice (lunchtime)

or

End of the event (about 5.30ish)

My stall is normally at the front of the main car park, right by the hedge the edges the track into the first corner(Kennel bend). You pass it going between hill and paddock in either direction. All welcome.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books

[Toby Moody]

Answers!

Practice Friday starts 10am
entry £6
practice for both days and in random order

Saturday 20th is a round of the British Hill Climb Championship.
Starting at 0930hrs, Practice runs in the morning and then straight into the first class runs through to the end. We hope for a record....
£12 entry

Sunday starts again with a practice run, but earlier at 08.30 before two class runs.
Sunday is £15.
We have Extra car parking so please do as told even if you think you are being directed 'miles away' because you won't end up far away. Some may be parked at the top of the hill near Clifton, and therefore have a downhill walk to the action.

To reply to an earlier question, once in, you are free to roam, although if the paddock gets too busy, we may have to restrict things.

We at Shelsley Walsh have put an enormous effort in over the past four years for this meeting, aside from raising the £1m for the lease, so we hope you all enjoy it!

I am looking forward to it immensely and will hope to commentate on a record.

See you all there.

Toby Moody
M.A.C

[MCS]

Originally posted by RTH
Thank you gentlemen , most efficient , see you all there.

Richard,

You will love it.

Wish I could be there too - an absolutely wonderful place, with an atmosphere that's almost beyond description.

I will never forget seeing Jenks (sadly for the last time) there many years ago, Wish I'd had my camera with me...

Mark

[frogeye59]

Originally posted by Toby Moody


We at Shelsley Walsh have put an enormous effort in over the past four years for this meeting, aside from raising the £1m for the lease, so we hope you all enjoy it!

Toby, the efforts of all at Shelsley and the MAC in saving this wonderful venue for future motorsport use and putting on what is promising to be one of the events of the season are very much appreciated.

I'll be there Sunday, the whole entry is mouth watering, but looking forward particularly to the Auto Union ( though how hard will it be pushed ???) The Wailing BRM, the ever spectacular Martin Stretton and of course Mac Hulbert Gunning R4D for a new record.

I was at "Vintage" Shelsley and thought I'd seen Mr Hulbert break the record during practice, presumably practice doesnt count, but no one seamed to pick up on it so I must have been mistaken.

Some photos of "Vintage" Shelsley as a taster


Hulbert ERA


Delage


Alfa Romeo


Vauhall Prince Henry


Cheers

David

[Twin Window]

Indeed, it truly is a great venue. And one of far more historic significance than I'd previously appreciated; Shelsley is the oldest motorsport venue on the planet, and was the venue for the very first BBC 'outside sports broadcast' in 1932 (broadcast on the 'National' and 'Empire' sevices).

Moodster kindly acted as my host a few weeks back, and the plan was that I returned for this coming weekend's activities. But, alas, that's now unlikely. A real shame for me, as it would be thirty years to the weekend since my first visit (out of only two!)...

August 1975, and a BRM P153 blasts off the line;



I hope all who attend have a great time!

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by MCS

I will never forget seeing Jenks (sadly for the last time) there many years ago, Wish I'd had my camera with me...

Hi Mark

Toby asked me to post this on his behalf...

[RTH]

If only we could get Toby and Julian ( the best team on motor sport bar none ) to do the commentary on the Grand Prix then there might be some light at the end of the tunnel!

[MCS]

Originally posted by Twin Window
Hi Mark

Toby asked me to post this on his behalf...

Thanks Toby. Great picture

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by MCS


I will never forget seeing Jenks (sadly for the last time) there many years ago, Wish I'd had my camera with me...

Mark

Me too! I asked him to sign the program, and while he was doing so inquired if he would be at the next meeting with his motorcycle.
"No. I have to be at the French GP - unfortuately" he said with an expression of distaste at the prospect! Then he said something about Shelsley being a lot more fun!


Went over to Shelsley this morning to set up my marquee for the weekend, remarkable number of spectators already there considering it's a friday practice. The sound of an ERA on open pipes was worth going along for on it's own, as was the sight of a McLaren M1B - don't those pre-wing CanAm cars look small in real life?

Hope the weather is kind - it was glorious this morning.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[Geoff E]

Originally posted by simonlewisbooks



Hope the weather is kind - it was glorious this morning.

Forecast is pretty good. Light rain however after 15.30, during which a lady parked her Lotus(?) in a strange place near the top. I departed as the recovery vehicle clocked 14mph through the speed trap.

Earlier, Mac Hulbert did a "33" practice run in R4D.

[oldclassiccar]

What a cracking event!

Went on the Sunday, basked in fantastic weather and saw some great cars.

Thanks to all the organisers for pulling together a great lineup of cars and drivers.

Will get some photos on to my site shortly

cheers, Rick

[Toby Moody]

Thank you so much on behalf of the MAC for all who supported us over the weekend at Shelsley.

It is a privilege to pull together such an event, but the thanks must go to Roger Thomas who has worked tirelessly over the past 4 years for it to happen, and blitzed it over the past 2 months.

If you have any interesting photos that you think are a bit special, I would personally love to see them.

I am getting emails already thanking the club that I'll print out and send to the archive, and also the Board.

I have no voice left!

Toby Moody

[Toby Moody]

Photos I managed to get over the weekend.

[oldclassiccar]

A few pics I got during the day...
(low res & cropped to save bandwidth)











rgds
Rick

[oldclassiccar]

three more snippets....







Rick

[frogeye59]

Wonderful event, wonderful venue.......huge crowd was a bit of a negative (told you I was vertically challenged) but better that than struggling with no crowd.

Managed to impose myself on fellow "TNFer" Simon Lewis for a couple of minutes.

Would like to share some of my photos also.


Dean Butler's rumbling BOCAR fresh from the states.


Vauxhall Prince Henry with backdrop of buildings to be renovated to form Library, Museum and Cafe


Recreation of an early BMC transporter


Well used Healey 100M


Bottom "s"


Wasp....a little bit sideways!!


Austin Twin Cam Racer from the Wheatcroft collection


ERA with its amazing pilot Donald Day


MOTORSPORT and Classic & Sportscar Scribe Simon Taylor with Stovebolt Special


Picture of concentration and determination


Awesome 24ltr "W"12 Napier Bentley on track


Julian Bronson brought the brutal Lister Chevy


McLaren GT


"nuff said ?"


Ferguson 4wd Formula 1 car receives a final fettle


Take off sequence of the 24ltr Napier Bentley

A grand day out grommit !!!

Cheers

David

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by frogeye59
Wonderful event, wonderful venue.......huge crowd was a bit of a negative (told you I was vertically challenged) but better that than struggling with no crowd.

Managed to impose myself on fellow "TNFer" Simon Lewis for a couple of minutes.

A grand day out grommit !!!

Cheers

David

Glad to meet up with you again David, I think we agreed it was about 12 years since last time! (Also the other TNF'ers who called in to say hello. Good to put faces to names/nicknames.)

Nice photos, I didn't see too much of the action apart from a few snatched glimpses and a quick stroll in the paddock on Saturday night but at least the Auto Union was easy to see through the crowds by then.

Awesome event, enormous crowd, great sounds (I may not have seen a lot from my stall but by god I could hear it all !) and I'm not surprised Toby has no voice left after two days on the microphone.

Congrat's to all involved in the organisation and thanks to all those who brought such rare cars. A real feast for eyes and ears.

Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com

[oldclassiccar]

A few more photos of the Sunday event are now on here:

Shelsley Walsh

Rgds, Rick

[D-Type]

Sorry I couldn't make Simon's tent to meet up with anyone. We had too good a spot in front of the members' enclosure to give up.

Great weather, great field. Highlights - the Auto Union, R4D being used as she should be, and a couple of Spiders in their natural environment.

I'm glad to see that the spirit of Shelsley Specials isn't dead - I'm thinking of the Mannic/Beattie with 4WD, one engine to drive the car and another to drive the turbo! etc

Downside (1) - So much to see - so little time. I never got to the paddock or around the tents.

Downside (2) - The BRM spluttering its way up the hill. I'd been looking forward to hearing the sound!

Somebody asked after Bloody Mary. The reply was she's a non-runner at Beaulieu. Is that correct?

[Bumblyari]

Agreed - a good day out, but not without its problems.

An hour and a half to cover the last half mile after a 150 mile drive coupled with the over-powering smell of burning clutch linings from the spectator car park.

Car parking attendants telling you to " just park wherever you want to ".

Spectators with dogs.

Empty drinks bottles rolling onto the track due to overflowing litter bins.

A+ for the action, C- for the lack of professional traffic & spectator management.

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by Bumblyari
An hour and a half to cover the last half mile after a 150 mile drive coupled with the over-powering smell of burning clutch linings from the spectator car park.

Yes that was remakably strong at time. Initially we thought it was a decomposing animal carcas hidden in the undergrowth somewhere, thats what it smelt like ! Luckily it didn't last very long.

Simon Lewis

[peebo]

Fantastic day out on Sunday. The place is outstanding - I had never been before. Wanted to see my yard of tarmac.

Even better to be given a free pass by a bloke in a maroon BMW 330 I take it all back about BMW drivers. If it was one of you guys, thanks. You made a Scot very happy - "free" is one of my favourite words.

Looking forward to my next visit.

[Alan Lewis]

Just back in Northumberland from a long weekend at the family home in south Shropshire, which obviously included Sunday's festivities. Having spent many weekends of my childhood at Shelsley (did I really cycle the twelve miles in those days? I must have been fitter then) this was my first visit for about a decade, but I wasn't going to miss this particular day.

Wonderful day, with lots of memories even for a mere child of forty like me; the Auto Union brought back the 1986 vintage meeting with Neil Corner, and the Quattro with Hannu Mikkola. Nic Mann's insane creation reminded us of his oh-so-innocent looking turbocharged Morris Minor, which would make grown Porsche owners cry as it left them behind on the motorway as he drove to and from the meetings. "Spider" and "Spider II", which will be going up the hill for the two hundredth anniversary meeting. Local "fuzz" Phil Nuthall - one of my Dad's old golfing partners. Wore my Shelsley t-shirt (bought at the seventy fifth anniversary meeting in 1980) to mark the occasion.

Couldn't find the map showing which were "my" yards of the track - is it still there, or did I imagine reading there was one? Doesn't matter, of course, that's not why we all donated.

The original prototype TNF badge "a" enjoyed it as well - took about ten minutes to climb from the paddock to my "old" spot alongside the finish straight. Is this a class record?

Ah well, back to work tomorrow...

APL

[David Birchall]

Having compared the photos on this thread (I have never driven at Shelsley) with those on the Monterey Historics thread (I have driven half a dozen or so times at the Mhs) I have to conclude I would rather be at Shelsley....
David B

[TonyCotton]

The wonderfful thing about Shelsley is that it is the genuine article. Having run as continuously as outside influences permit for 100 years there is a direct "blood line" back to day one. Today's paddock and hill are recognisable from old photo's. For example, as President and Commentator John Moody said on Sunday, even the knots on the wooden barn can be compared today to photos from many years ago. Improvements have been made where necessary, but never for the sake of change in itself. Rightly or wrongly (and I would like to hear Toby Moody's comments on this) I have a feeling that the MAC committee regard themselves as stewards/guardians of the hill for forthcoming generations, with a privileged remit to use it for the present.

This authentiticity is one of the things that makes Shelsley unique, and gives it an atmosphere that any enthusiast can feel as soon as he or she steps into it.

As you may have guessed I'm still enthralled by Sunday's meeting.

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by TonyCotton
The wonderfful thing about Shelsley is that it is the genuine article. Having run as continuously as outside influences permit for 100 years there is a direct "blood line" back to day one. Today's paddock and hill are recognisable from old photo's. For example, as President and Commentator John Moody said on Sunday, even the knots on the wooden barn can be compared today to photos from many years ago.

Aboslutely - this is Higginson's Vauxhall 30/98 prototype ( a car built to his private commission specificly for Shelsley Walsh and later put into production) making best time of day way back in 1913! The scene is very little changed today, some 92 years later ; same barns, same hedgeline, same trees(a bit shorter then) ...


Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com