38 replies to this topic

[Sniffer]

As Brian Redman is a 'local' hero of mine, does anyone know of any good books about his varied career ?

I've done a search of the forum and whilst finding some great photos don't appear to have found anything more concrete .....

Any pointers from anyone ?

I'm a newcomer to the forum (obviously !!) and can't believe the level of information here...fantastic !!

[Jerry Entin]

Welcome to the Forum Sniffer. In 1971 Sid Taylor and I helped Brian Redman in the CanAm at Monterey in the BRM P 167. He did a fine job of driving and finished 4th. We also helped Brian Redman run his Chevron Formula 5000 car in 1972 in the U.S. Formula 5000 series. He was the class of the field but due to weak rear uprigths had several dnf's. He was leading at Watkins Glen and had his battery fail. He was leading at Elkhart Lake and had the rear upright hub fail. Brian was leading at Atlanta and we called him in to switch to rain tires. We were told the race wasn't going to be stopped. While we were in the pits they stopped the race declaring us second. Finally at the last race of the 1972 Formula 5000 series at Riverside. Chevron sent over Paul Owens their head mechanic with stronger rear uprights. And Brian won that race. Brian also raced sports cars such as Porsche's and Ferrari's in other type races. He also won the US Formula 5000 series in 74-75-76 driving Lola Cars for the Haas/Hall Team. He also raced in Formula One and the CanAm series.

The photo above is Brian Redman at the recent CanAm Reunion at Elkhart Lake in 2006. In the picture are Brian Redman and Brian's daughter and granddaughter myself and our mutual friend Mil Ovan. Brian now devotes his attention to teaching race car driving and putting on Vintage events. Of which he does a great job on both. I am sure people are going to put great pictures of Brian Redman in his various cars on this site and hope you enjoy what is coming. Brian is a great guy and deserves to have his cars shown here.
photo by Mil Ovan Jr.

[cstlhn]

I could write a book filled with great experiences with Brian. He is someone I hold in very high regard. I was a very small part of the Aston Martin team when they last ran at LeMans. Brian drove for us. Just prior to his last stint and the end of the race Brian told me that of all the times he had raced at LeMans he had never finished let alone been at the wheel when the car crossed the finish line!
Although it was an eleventh place finish we all had a small tear in our eyes watching this man who I thought had done everything imaginable in the racing world finish at LeMans.

Here is one of many photos I have of Brian;



David

[jph]

If ever there was a driver whose biography (preferably autobiography) needs to be written, it must be Brian Redman. It seems as though anyone who has worked with him speaks unreservedly and genuinely highly of him - as an individual as well as of his driving skills.

Seems like an obvious one for David Bull Publishing, to complement their recent John Horsman and Vic Elford books!

[hipperson]

Chatting to Brian..last year FOS..............
Lovely fellow...............read about hin in Michael Cotton's fantastic book 'Blue & Orange'.....Gulf Oil in Motorsport

[hipperson]

With Gerard Larrouse FOS 2005.............I believe he is speaking next month to his old motor club in Lancs

[ReWind]

I think David's photo in post # 3 was taken at Le Mans in 1969.
I'm not sure about the driver 3rd from left and the lady (2nd from right).
The others are (from L to R)
Brian Redman (32), Ferry Porsche (59), Udo Schütz (32), Rolf Stommelen (25)

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by jph
If ever there was a driver whose biography (preferably autobiography) needs to be written, it must be Brian Redman. It seems as though anyone who has worked with him speaks unreservedly and genuinely highly of him - as an individual as well as of his driving skills.

Seems like an obvious one for David Bull Publishing, to complement their recent John Horsman and Vic Elford books!

It would be a cracker wouldn't it? -- wonder if Brian's still reading TNF?;)

There's a fair bit about Brian in David Gordon's history of Chevron, too.

[cstlhn]

Originally posted by ReWind
I think David's photo in post # 3 was taken at Le Mans in 1969.
I'm not sure about the driver 3rd from left and the lady (2nd from right).
The others are (from L to R)
Brian Redman (32), Ferry Porsche (59), Udo Schütz (32), Rolf Stommelen (25)

The photo was taken at the Targa Florio in 1969. Do you know which car Brian drove that year?

David

[starlet]

A works Porsche 908/02 with Richard Attwood, 33th.

[Alan Cox]

The Targa photo is of Dickie Attwood, Brian Redman, Ferry Porsche, Hans Hermann, Udo Schütz, Frau Schütz and Rolf Stommelen. In the car is Gerhard Mitter.

[cstlhn]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
The Targa photo is of Dickie Attwood, Brian Redman, Ferry Porsche, Hans Hermann, Udo Schütz, Frau Schütz and Rolf Stommelen. In the car is Gerhard Mitter.

Good job! I wanted to ask the car #?

[Alan Cox]

It was the winning car, No. 266, with Udo Schütz.

Late edit: Sorry, misuderstood your query. I have given the no. of the car in shot in the group photo.....

[starlet]

Originally posted by cstlhn
I wanted to ask the car #?

Ha, ok then, it was #268, but it's Richard Attwood on your pic.
And for #274, it's Rolf Stommelen at the wheel (with team mate Hans Herrmann).

[cstlhn]

The winner?

[Frank S]

Standing in for the indisposed Sir Stirling, Monterey Historics, 2004. The Sebring-winning OSCA.



My favorite (and perhaps the first) of his racing vehicles appeared here some time ago: A Morris Minor Traveller.

--
Frank S

[Jerry Entin]

Brian in the Porsche Turbo 917-30K CanAm car.


Brian in 1976 his Surfer period.
photos lent site by Rob Neuzel copyright 2006 Rob Neuzel. www.yesterdaysneuz.com

Chevron B24 Formula 5000 car in 1972.
above photo lent site by Tom Schultz. copyright 2006 Tom Schultz.

[Jerry Entin]

Brian in Lola T330 Formula 5000 1973



Brian in Formula 5000 Lola T 332 in 1975



Formula 5000 Lola in 1976
photos lent site by Rob Neuzel. copyright 2006 Rob Neuzel www.yesterdaysneuz.com

[Sniffer]

Wow - phenomenal response !!!

I'm looking for information with regard to his very early years as I'm from the Lancashire town he was born in and apparently my late father (who also worked at Brian's family grocery firm) was either involved or was about to be involved as a mechanic with Brian but for some reason didn't......

I'm not sure how much of all this is/was true (as I didn't get chance to ask my father much about it) but I would love to find out........my father went on to stay with the Redman's grocery firm for some years as their chief mechanic - although not quite as glamorous as working with sportscars !!!

Does anyone know when/where Brian will be visiting when he comes back to Lancs next month?

[Robert Bailey]

This is one driver that would have walked into a Bathurst race with no problems as did Bell and Ickx.

[Twin Window]

This is the only 'decent' pic I managed to take of Brian;



As for reading material, perhaps he should take a lead from Mr Elford...

[cstlhn]

Watkins Glen 1973

[Twin Window]

That's Ickx in the car, although he did share with Redman IIRC.

[Neuz]

I contacted Micheal Keyser who is in the process of writing a book about Brian Redman.

Here is his email to me. He would be interested in any photos anyone might have of Brian. He's a great guy so feel free to contact him. Make sure to let him know that you got his email address from this forum.
His email address is autosportsltd@comcast.net


"Rob,
If you want to tell people that Brian and I are working on a book together, through Atlas, have at it.

As I said, I've conducted one interview, about three hours, and we didn't really get out of his childhood. People always want to know when the book will be ready. I guess, when its ready....Hopefully by next Fall.

I just finished a book I've been working on for 3 1/2 years with Bernard Cahier. We expect to have it out in February.

http://autosportsltd.com/cahier2.php

As I said, we're looking for any and all photos of Brian. People can contact me at my e-mail address, then I'll arrange to get the originals from them, scan them and return the originals immediately. I can't promise payment, but a photo credit and copy of the book for sure."

Thanks for your help!

Michael Keyser
P.O. Box 134
Butler, Maryland 21023
USA
(410) 785-2639
(410) 785-1969
autosportsltd@comcast.net
http://www.autosportsltd.com

[Alan Cox]

Good news about the forthcoming book.

Here is one of the few head 'n shoulders shots I have of Brian, taken at Coys Festival 1993, being interviewed by an illustrious TNF member. I seem to recall that he was being asked about the front suspension on your Cooper failing, while at speed.

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Great news about the book! (His remembrances of his teammate Jo Siffert will be of particular interest to me)

btw Brian recently started a column in Vintage Motorsports called "Catch My Drift". Just the last two or three issues. [Edit] Make that more like 5 or 6 issues.

And finally, Brian has posted on TNF as "Mozart "

[Jerry Entin]

Brian under better weather conditions in the Sunoco Porsche 917-30K Turbo


Brian in the 917-30K Turbo.


Brian in Formula 5000 Lola Boraxo car.
photos lent to site by Rob Neuzel. copyright 2006 Rob Nuezel.www.yesterdaysneuz.com

[David M. Kane]

Michael Keyser is the perfect guy to write about Brian. There is a lot mutual respect there. If anyone can pull a story out of Brian it is Michael. Brian strength is also his weakness, he is so grounded and so modest...he just doesn't take himself so seriously as some of the other "famous" drivers do. He just a regular guy who God gave a lot of talent to. His parents must have been very special, I know his wife is.

[cstlhn]

In October of 1985 the SVRA had its' annual gathering at Road Atlanta. At the year's end banquet were Brian Redman, John Wyer, Roy Salvadori, and Carroll Shelby. Each one spoke to the membership. Professional comedians could not have been funnier. I have never laughed so hard in my life.
Brian of course more than held his own. He has a fabulous sense of humor and comic timing. One of my fondest memories.

[Alan Cox]

Brian exercising his filming skills at Christies' Festival 1991.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by David M. Kane
Michael Keyser is the perfect guy to write about Brian. There is a lot mutual respect there. If anyone can pull a story out of Brian it is Michael. Brian strength is also his weakness, he is so grounded and so modest...he just doesn't take himself so seriously as some of the other "famous" drivers do. He just a regular guy who God gave a lot of talent to. His parents must have been very special, I know his wife is.

Agreed, Michael Keyser has the talent and insight, and lived through so much of that wonderful era of sports car racing; he's brilliantly placed to write a book with Brian.

Norbert Singer, Vic Elford, John Horsman, now Brian Redman... we're hitting a vintage season for sports car racing biographies!

(I think it's about time someone got Henri Pescarolo to tell all his stories.... although it'd be nice to wait until he cracks Le Mans as a constructor!)

[cstlhn]

Found this one today. I think it is great!



Monza.

[JB Miltonian]

Redman's Cooper crashed into a parked car at Spa in 1968, leaving him with a broken arm.

Photo credit unknown to me.

[Huw Jadvantich]

One of the Duke Videos on sports car racing has a fairly lengthy bit showing Brian Redman at home with his family, some here will know which video it is. If you could find that you may be able to pick some clues as to his locale at the time.

Note: Was the PA Cresta boiling before the accident - they usually were

[red stick]

Originally posted by Huw Jadvantich
One of the Duke Videos on sports car racing has a fairly lengthy bit showing Brian Redman at home with his family, some here will know which video it is. If you could find that you may be able to pick some clues as to his locale at the time.

I seem to recall such a scene with Redman in The Speed Merchants , which mostly follows Mario Andretti and Vic Elford.

[Rob Ryder]

Originally posted by red stick

I seem to recall such a scene with Redman in The Speed Merchants , which mostly follows Mario Andretti and Vic Elford.

Yes, it's on the The Speed Merchants (highly recommended) video/DVD.
The Sutton archives have a sequence of Brians trip to the car park in 1968.
Rob

[David M. Kane]

The Speed Merchants was done by Michael Keyser, the author of his biography.

[Huw Jadvantich]

Thats it....Good film wasn't it?

[Alan Cox]

At Jerry's request, here is Brian in the Red Rose Lola T70 at Croft Wills Trophy, 1966

Photo by Roger Ellis