63 replies to this topic

[WHITE]

Hello,

I have just remembered a driver whom I know almost nothing about : John Lepp.
Can anyone provide some information about him ?

[Darren Galpin]

British driver who finished 5th at Mallory Park in the 1973 European F2 race (Chevron-Ford B25).

[jgm]

Wasn't he the bloke who was always referred to by the press as 'the jeweller from Altrincham'.
I recall him as being primarily a sports car driver and, in particular, a Chevron devotee.

[Rob Ryder]

Raced just about every flavour of Chevron in both British National races and Internationals !

1968 B6 & B8
1969 B8 British Sportscar Champion
1970 B8
1971 B19
1972 B19
1972 Formula Atlantic B20
1973 B23 European 2ltr Championship 5th
1973 F2 B25
1974 B26 European 2ltr Championship 5th
1975 Switch to a March 75S!!
1976 B26 British Sportscar Champion




1974 in the Chevron B26

Racing in Historic events as late as 2003 (now?) - in Chevrons

[fausto]

Originally posted by jgm
Wasn't he the bloke who was always referred to by the press as 'the jeweller from Altrincham'.
I recall him as being primarily a sports car driver and, in particular, a Chevron devotee.

Yes, the family business was in jewellery, they were sometime sponsors of John, he was one of the Chevron boys, although he raced a March 75S Hart in 1975-76: http://www.thegaffer.../autos/3328.php

[Carlos Guerra]

And IIRC we could add to Rob's list:

1966 roadgoing Elan
1967 competition Elan

I guess that John will probably attend Chevron's 40th Anniversary at the Oulton Park Gold Cup, August 28/29.

Regards

Carlos Guerra
Cascais
Portugal

[WHITE]

Originally posted by Rob Ryder

1974 in the Chevron B26

Interesting photo! Lepp is sponsored by "DOMECQ", a very important spanish destillery that produces the famous brandy "Fundador".

[Pedro 917]

....and Pedro Domecq sherry!

[SEdward]

I certainly remember the two Johns - Miles and Lepp - in the European 2-liter prototype championship in the early seventies. I think that they ran away with the race supporting the round of the European F2 Championship at Brands Hatch in the summer of 1971.

Both were in blue Chevrons methinks.

Edward

[Andrew Kitson]

Probably the dark blue DART Chevrons I think. This team also ran an F3 GRD for Alan Jones.

[2F-001]

In that period, 2-litre sportscar racing seemed to be awash with Chevron-mounted Johns: Miles, Lepp, Burton, Hine... and I think a couple of others I've forgotten.

[SEdward]

Errr.. It may well have been the Johns Miles and Hine, and not Lepp, that ran away with the race I mentioned.

Apologies.
Edward

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

I RECALL READING IN AUTOSPORT THAT JOHN LEPP HAD ALL HIS RACERS ADAPTED TO A LEFT HAND GEAR CHANGE , I THINK HE NOW RESIDES IN SPAIN .

[Udo K.]

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
Probably the dark blue DART Chevrons I think.

Entered by Red Rose Racing. Drivers were the 3 Johns: Lepp, Bridges and Hine.

Here a photo of Hine and Lepp from 1975 - 1000Km Nürburgring

[Kevin Wilkins]

Hi
John Lepp - indeed he is the jeweller from Altringham. Still around ( I think he was at Oulton Park this year for the Gold cup). Was certainly quick in his era.
As luck would have it I have just bought his old Chevron B19 from Roger Andreason (owner of Chevron until he recently did a deal with Westfield cars). Lepps' B19 has a central Gear shift rather than the traditional basis with the shift on the Right hand side (almost certainly the only one). The story goes that he drove so many different cars at any one time he insisted that the set up was always the same as he didn't have time to get used to various setups - hence the central gear shift.
Picture attached. The colour scheme is as original Red with White stripes.
The car is still on its way from Florida sans engine but hopefully we will have it ready to race in the Orwell Supersports cup next year.

I have some pictures but I am too stupid to work out how to post them.

Kevin

[GvZ]

I don't have much of his history before 1971, but here goes.

He was the "Jeweler" as mentioned earlier.

In 1971 he drove a Chevron B19 for Buller-Sinfield who owned the Central Garage (Mirfield) team. This was the famous red car with the gear shift on the left (Chassis B19-71-09).

In 1972 Central Garage (Mirfield) sold the car to John Gray. At about the same time they purchased the ex-Red Rose Racing car driven by Hine in Argentina in Jan 1972 (Chassis B19-71-29). This car had the standard right hand gear shift.

During 1972 John Lepp shared the car with George Silverwood. John raced in the European Championship and George raced in the RAC races. When the races co-incided (eg Siverstone), John borrowed his old car from John Gray.

In 1973 John raced for the Red Rose Racing team.

He had the reputation for being very fast, and if I look at the results over this time, he seemed to be quite kind to the cars.

Gerrie

[Hieronymus]

Gerrie

I presume you are the chap with the Chevron that also raced at Killarney early in Feb. Some months ago, I emailed you some info, following a request from Ken Stewart in PE. Did you ever got the email with info? At this time, I can't exactly recall what it was I sent...but it must have been something on Lepp or the Chevron.

[Mallory Dan]

Originally posted by 2F-001
In that period, 2-litre sportscar racing seemed to be awash with Chevron-mounted Johns: Miles, Lepp, Burton, Hine... and I think a couple of others I've forgotten.

Johns Bamford and Bridges too Tony.

[GvZ]

Talking about John Hine, does anybody know his current whereabouts?

Gerrie

[Kevin Wilkins]

Only just picked up the latest messages. The reference to it being raced can't be me as I haven't raced the Chevron yet but it is nearly finished it's rebuild & looks great.
I hope to give it a shake down at Brands at the end of the month. I am trying to get hold of John Lepp. If you are trying to contact Hine - I suggest you try Vin Malkie at chevron cars (their web site will give you their contact details).

[Gregor Marshall]

As an interesting aside, yes, John Lepp was a jeweller and supplied a lot of a certain watch make to a lot of drivers, Dad being one of them.

[Piston Broke]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


Johns Bamford and Bridges too Tony.

Ian Grob (albeit not a 'John', just realised the point of the post) was another Chevron favouring driver I think..... I have (in one of my yet to be unearthed boxes) some pics at Brands Hatch of him in the KVG (Ken Grob?) Brown cloured Chevron (B19 or B21 Im sure) 2Litre Sports car

Chris Anderson

[jal43]

Hi
John Leep co drove with Rafael Barrios in Chevrons Domecq in 1974


[img=http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8730/7401lrip4.th.jpg]




Joan Albert

[MCS]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Johns Bamford and Bridges too Tony.

Weren't there even more?

Calvert comes to mind, but I can't remember any others off the top of my head.

[Phil Rainford]

As a resident of Altrincham, I can confirm the Lepps The Jewellers are still trading in the town.

http://www.leppsthejewellers.com/

They might be able to help with contact details?

[simon drabble]

as a complete aside my wife was at school with presumably his sister in Malvern (of course famous for Morgans as well as several girls schools!!) - apparently they were the talk of the school as they owned a Rolls previously owned by a member of Mud - all very cool to a teenager in the mid 70's!

[Aspelund]

Does someone know his family background? Name Lepp is quite common in Estonia, so does he have any connections?

Aspelund

[Sharman]

I would certainly think so, eastern European, pre war refugee I think

[ian senior]

Originally posted by Sharman
I would certainly think so, eastern European, pre war refugee I think

Must go back a long way, the firm was established in 1905.

[Mallory Dan]

Originally posted by MCS


Weren't there even more?

Calvert comes to mind, but I can't remember any others off the top of my head.

There were 2 separate John Calverts active in 70s British Racing, Mark. But I don't recall either in Chevron 2-litre G6s. One had a G8/Libre March amongst others, the other an MN/GT Sportscar, can't recall OTOH what now! But I don't think it was a Chevron.

[Sharman]

On reflection Ian forget I ever posted that, I was not thinking straight.
John

[ian senior]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


There were 2 separate John Calverts active in 70s British Racing, Mark. But I don't recall either in Chevron 2-litre G6s. One had a G8/Libre March amongst others, the other an MN/GT Sportscar, can't recall OTOH what now! But I don't think it was a Chevron.

One of the John Calverts drove a Royale ( I think) in that stunningly wonderful Formula F100.

[Phil Rainford]

Looking through some old race reports, I came across the fact that John Lepp guested in a round of the Uniroyal Production Championship at Oulton Park in 1985 in a Mercedes 190/16

He finished fourth in Class after a race long battle with ex - Radio One DJ Mike Smith in his Escort Turbo.

I looked through my photos and as there was only one Mercedes 190/16 entered in the Race Programme, so at a guess this is the car:

[IMG]http://img231.images...1/img084en6.jpg[/IMG]

[MCS]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


There were 2 separate John Calverts active in 70s British Racing, Mark. But I don't recall either in Chevron 2-litre G6s. One had a G8/Libre March amongst others, the other an MN/GT Sportscar, can't recall OTOH what now! But I don't think it was a Chevron.

Yes there were - very confusing!
Johnny Calvert was the single-seater exponent, whilst the other one was the sportscar driver (I think). But definitely a Chevron driver at some point though, Dan.

Originally posted by ian senior


One of the John Calverts drove a Royale ( I think) in that stunningly wonderful Formula F100.

Yes, think you're right, Ian. So probably the er, sportscar chappie then?

What is it with you and F100 by the way?

[Kevin Wilkins]

I am on the trail of John Lepp via Helen Bashford (Chevron Racing). I am looking for pictures of the Red B19 in period (1971) - the car has been rebuilt & I just need to put the stickers on. I know it had 4 white stripes running along the body, it had Esso & STP stickers but I can't see what the other logo's are from the pictures I have.

I see someone was looking for !971 Autosports - I know a guy who has all of them in his attic (where i have got the pictures I have). If you have any specific requests I could ask him if he will let you have a copy of the pages.

FYI - I ran the B19 at Brands last week (24th March 2007) to try it out before going into the Orwell. The car is fantastic to drive. Alot of these cars are running in the Orwell Supersports Cup - check out their web site for lots of picutres of cars in their current state.

I f I knew how to post a picture I would!

[Kevin Wilkins]

I see there is a reference to Grob. A friend has just bought his B31 - two sets of bodywork - Lime Green with Sphere Drake advertising & Red White & blue "Lloyd's of London" Le Mans bodywork. It should be running in the Classic Endurance this year.

[MCS]

Having driven past Lepp's the Jewellers in Altrincham the other day...the Formula Atlantic Chevron B20 that John Lepp raced during 1972 in the Oulton Park paddock...

[Alan Cox]

That's just how I remember the paddock, Mark, and how I used to love it like that. Many happy days spent roaming around it in the '70s.

[MCS]

And dare I say, Alan, how I will always hope to remember it. How dearly I miss it.

[Simon Arron]

Ditto.


But at least we had the privilege of knowing it...

As far as Mr Lepp is concerned, I used to see LEP 4 and LEP 75 driving along Hale Road: I believe both were part of the Lepp dynasty. Can't remember exactly what the cars were, but I have a feeling one was a Ferrari 400.

[MCS]

Mr Lepp must have some very interesting stories.

Was anything ever written?

Didn't he hold the lap record for the Silverstone Club Circuit in an F1 Ensign at one point for his efforts in a Libre race?

I can remember being shocked in 1974 (I think) when he drove a March in 2-litre sports - for what little it was worth then - as opposed to a Chevron.

Simon...?

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by SEdward
Errr.. It may well have been the Johns Miles and Hine, and not Lepp, that ran away with the race I mentioned.Apologies. Edward

Might that have been the same John Hine who drove/was listed to drive a Moorland FJ car- pre Gemini- in 1959, along with a Wolseley saloon, entered by John Hine Motors in Woking, and IIRC or otherwise, a Marcos at Oulton in 1962/3-ish?. News of his whereabouts would be very helpful to an FJ historian a long way away.
Roger Lund.

[Alan Cox]

John Lepp 1974

[Simon Arron]

Originally posted by MCS
Didn't he hold the lap record for the Silverstone Club Circuit in an F1 Ensign at one point for his efforts in a Libre race?

I can remember being shocked in 1974 (I think) when he drove a March in 2-litre sports - for what little it was worth then - as opposed to a Chevron.

Simon...?

Mark

Affirmative on points one and, as Alan elegantly illustrates, two.

It was a March 74S and I think his team-mate was Pedro de la Mare. They contested the briefly revived RAC two-litre sports car series, although it wasn't very well supported. I think they came to Oulton in October '74 (don't have the programme). I recall feeling guilty as Rainford and I sat in the half-timbered ruins of the Old Hall grandstand, because the full circuit was due to be cropped and we really ought to have been standing at Knicker Brook for posterity's sake...

[Stephen W]

John Lepp in action:


Above: 1969 Oulton Gold Cup Meeting in the B8.


Above: April 1972 in his F.Atlantic Chevron B20 at Brands.

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Simon Arron

Mark

Affirmative on points one and, as Alan elegantly illustrates, two.

It was a March 74S and I think his team-mate was Pedro de la Mare. They contested the briefly revived RAC two-litre sports car series, although it wasn't very well supported. I think they came to Oulton in October '74 (don't have the programme). I recall feeling guilty as Rainford and I sat in the half-timbered ruins of the Old Hall grandstand, because the full circuit was due to be cropped and we really ought to have been standing at Knicker Brook for posterity's sake...

Proof we were indeed at Old Hall for the race....





...it takes a special type of talent to take a photo of such poor quality ;)

Kind regards

Phil

[Kevan]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford
Looking through some old race reports, I came across the fact that John Lepp guested in a round of the Uniroyal Production Championship at Oulton Park in 1985 in a Mercedes 190/16

He finished fourth in Class after a race long battle with ex - Radio One DJ Mike Smith in his Escort Turbo.

I looked through my photos and as there was only one Mercedes 190/16 entered in the Race Programme, so at a guess this is the car:

[IMG]http://img231.images...1/img084en6.jpg[/IMG]

Pretty sure it is- the Roger Eccles/Swinford Motors car. I think John Lepp may have appeared in the Eccles car several times around 1985/6, (possibly including the Willhire?)- He certainly shared the car with Eccles in the '86 Tourist Trophy, I've got a pic somewhere of the prodsaloon Merc being lapped by the Allan Grice Holden

I think he also had at least one outing in the unsuccessful Trident Motorsport Maserati Biturbo in the BTCC during 1988/9, the car usually being handled by Nick May or Tomas Mezera- Lepp shared the car with May in one or two of the occasional 1-hour/2-driver rounds which featured for a few years around that time-Donington '88 I think?

[Giraffe]

Has anyone managed to track John Lepp down yet? I do remember some mention of him in programme notes for a historic meeting in the last couple of seasons saying they were hopeful of him making an appearance, and that he was retired and living in Spain. I don't think he did appear though.

[Gregor Marshall]

Originally posted by Kevan


Pretty sure it is- the Roger Eccles/Swinford Motors car. I think John Lepp may have appeared in the Eccles car several times around 1985/6, (possibly including the Willhire?)- He certainly shared the car with Eccles in the '86 Tourist Trophy, I've got a pic somewhere of the prodsaloon Merc being lapped by the Allan Grice Holden

I think he also had at least one outing in the unsuccessful Trident Motorsport Maserati Biturbo in the BTCC during 1988/9, the car usually being handled by Nick May or Tomas Mezera- Lepp shared the car with May in one or two of the occasional 1-hour/2-driver rounds which featured for a few years around that time-Donington '88 I think?

Is this a different John Lepp? I know/knew a John Lepp through my late Dad and he was a jeweller (probably in his 50s now) and he did some production saloon racing in the '80s. Anyone got a face picture?

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Gregor Marshall


Is this a different John Lepp? I know/knew a John Lepp through my late Dad and he was a jeweller (probably in his 50s now) and he did some production saloon racing in the '80s. Anyone got a face picture?

Without doubt the same man and his shop is still trading in Altrincham....

Lepps Ltd
28 Railway Street
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 2RF

Kind regards

Phil