49 replies to this topic

[rdmotorsport]

I have been enjoying the thread on Atlantics and it was this catergory which gained my interest in the sport, made a pleasant deviation from rugby and prior to young ladies.
To explain being born and bred in Gods own Yorkshire apart from I learnt at school about some chap called Hawthorne had become world champion and he was born somewhere near Barnsley I assumed motor sport was only for that other country i.e. South of England I also assumed mr.Hawthorne would have also disappeared down what was then the Great North road to play racing driver!
Iwas therefore surprized to find that this frozen north was a hot bed of racing cars,teams and drivers and by some form of pure inertia I later found myself working in this industry I never had to relocate to Surrey or Oxfordshire but the furthest I traveled was Garrotts green in Birmingham or perhaps Bourne that is if you do not count Atlanta ,Johannesberg or Brussells.
Which brings me back to the Atlantics link a local garage in Brighouse had in their showroom window a Lotus F3 converted to Atlantic spec and engineered by Paul Haigh and driven by a few but mainly Pete Ormerod another local car dealer sprinted an Atlantic Royale and after seeing these and a few visits to Rufforth etc. I was smitten plus the rugby was beginning to hurt and the young ladies were becoming expensive.
Chris Meek and Malcome Wayne (both Leeds men) ran thier Atlantics out of Tate of Leeds garage plus Central Garage at Mirfield ran I beleive John lepp so perhaps it was not all a cartell from the South of England and I became aware of many great driver,car and team combinations ( my list enclosed )but obviously many I will have overlooked so please add and remind me.

David Hepworth (hillclimb champion and BRM Can Am and Interserie plus later an F5000 entrant and almost brought the BRM F1 team to West Yorkshire , later both his sons raced in various Fomulaes)
Tony Dean (again his son Richard still in the sport)Tony was one was of the bravest drivers I have watched.
Richard Simms
Tony Sugden
Toy Lanfranchi
Chris Meek
Trevor Thwaites
Brian Redman(although from that other county up here and could drive anything fast)
Guy Edwards
Innes Ireland
Bob Evans
Ian Ashley etc.etc.

in teams and cars
obviously Chevron as a manufacturer and I beleived Martin was from Wakefield
Hepworth racing had the BRM Can Am project plus a one off McLaren m25(I think) f5000
Bobby Howlings always had a small team running out of Cheshire or Manchester

anyway Mallory Dan and others bring my memory( now needing a rebuild)! up to date of a period between the late sixties,seventies and early eighties when Northern motor racing was fun and if you could afford a converted coach for a transporter you were obviously an international team and aluminium honeycomb was regarded a "space age" material, we had less in technology but somehow ,well it was better and all the drivers and teams helped each other as we begged and borrowed of each other.

Rodney Dodson.

[David McKinney]

Loads more hillclimbers, surely - Peter Lawson? Tony Bancroft?

[rdmotorsport]

Hillclimbers, then add Palmer Hewerdine

[Stephen W]

Any Northern Hillclimb Roll of Honour must include:

Allan Staniforth - aka Mr Terrapin
Jim Thomson
James Thomson
Tim Thomson
Richard Thwaites
Malcolm Dungworth
John Cussins
Peter Varley
Chippy Stross
Tony Lanfranchi
Paul Tankard
John McCartney
Peter Kaye
Mervyn Bartram
Joe Ward
Bob Prest
and
John Crowson

[rdmotorsport]

well I never, I did not know that Tony lanfrachi hillclimbed I always assosiated him with circuits.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
well I never, I did not know that Tony lanfrachi hillclimbed I always assosiated him with circuits.

16th September 1962 and Tony Lanfranchi set FTD & a hill record at Harewood in his Elva Mk6 in a time of 51.61sec. This was on the ORIGINAL tar and chipping surface. The hill was resurfaced in 1963 with "graded tarmacadam" and Peter Boshier-Jones set a new hill record at the first meeting after resurfacing with a time of 46.72sec.

[ian senior]

A few other names from "up north" - F3 and sportscar driver Peter Hanson, Maurice Starbuck and his wonderful Chrysler Specials on the hills, Tom Clapham from Keighley who made the Ta(y)dec cars, and George Silverwood from Mirfield, who drove the Central Garage cars for his employer, Derek Buller-Sinfield.

Steve - can you remind me what Peter Varley drove? I saw him many times at Harewood but the memeory is failing me.

[rdmotorsport]

I cannot remember Peter Hanson in F3 what era would this be also I can rememer Ta dec cars but not their founder and did D. Buller-Sinfield (Central garage ) continue to run Chris Meek and malcome Wayne?
Thanks for the info on Lanfranchi plus add someone called Lambert to the list he hillclimbed a Dean B24 up Harewood and Scammonden with some hugh American V8 in the rear.

[ian senior]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
I cannot remember Peter Hanson in F3 what era would this be also I can rememer Ta dec cars but not their founder and did D. Buller-Sinfield (Central garage ) continue to run Chris Meek and malcome Wayne?
Thanks for the info on Lanfranchi plus add someone called Lambert to the list he hillclimbed a Dean B24 up Harewood and Scammonden with some hugh American V8 in the rear.

Peter H ran a yellow Chevron B17 in the last year of 1-litre F3. Like so many in that fiercely competitive year, sometimes he ran near the front, sometimes much further back. I recall he won an International race in a Scandinavian country, but can't remember which one. Not sure about the Central Garage/ Meek and Wayne connection, to be honest. George Silverwood is still alive and well and he might know.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by ian senior
A few other names from "up north" - F3 and sportscar driver Peter Hanson, Maurice Starbuck and his wonderful Chrysler Specials on the hills, Tom Clapham from Keighley who made the Ta(y)dec cars, and George Silverwood from Mirfield, who drove the Central Garage cars for his employer, Derek Buller-Sinfield.

Steve - can you remind me what Peter Varley drove? I saw him many times at Harewood but the memeory is failing me.

Maurice Starbuck and one of the Chrysler Specials!

As for Peter Varley - I first saw him in 1971 driving a Ginetta G12, he then moved onto an Ensign before getting hold of a March.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
Thanks for the info on Lanfranchi plus add someone called Lambert to the list he hillclimbed a Dean B24 up Harewood and Scammonden with some hugh American V8 in the rear.

John Lambert drove a 5 litre Leda-Chevrolet LT25 in Northern Hillclimbing. He graduated to Pilbeams later in the 70s and early 80s.

[Sharman]

There was also a chap called Frank Harrison from just outside Catterick who ran an E93A engined GN blowing at 24psi. I believe he was connected with Douglas M/cycles when Freddie Dixon was team manager. He has no connection with Cuth Harrison. By the way I assume you offer the Yorkshire spelling of Hawthorn (J.M. that is)

[bradbury west]

Steve, who was it who used to hillclimb a Chapman Mercury, and someone else with a Cadillac engined thing, in the early 60s at Harewood? I have a photo of it at Prescott some time ago.

Talking of Scammonden and Baitings Dam, which we weren't, does anyone have any entries/results for 64/67 as I am struggling to find details of any activity there by Peter Vale in his Rectory Racing DRW, but I know he competed as he has told me so?

Roger Lund.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by bradbury west
Steve, who was it who used to hillclimb a Chapman Mercury, and someone else with a Cadillac engined thing, in the early 60s at Harewood? I have a photo of it at Prescott some time ago.
Roger Lund.

Roger, the driver of the Chapman-Mercury was PHIL CHAPMAN. There were various Chapman Specials, Mk 3 had a Mercury engine and was the most successful of the cars. Phil's daughter and grandson (Sandra and Oliver Tomlin) both continue the family tradition of hillclimbing with Sandra holding several Ladies Records on the Hills.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by Sharman
There was also a chap called Frank Harrison from just outside Catterick who ran an E93A engined GN blowing at 24psi. I believe he was connected with Douglas M/cycles when Freddie Dixon was team manager. He has no connection with Cuth Harrison. By the way I assume you offer the Yorkshire spelling of Hawthorn (J.M. that is)

There was a David Harrison, another Yorkshireman, who firstly put a Buick in the back of an F2/F1 Cooper in the early 1960s. He then transferred the engine to a Crossle sports racer (a C9 I believe that is currently run by John Moulds in HSCC racing).

[rdmotorsport]

Thanks to Stephen W. regarding John Lambert and his Leda/Chev I know little or nothing of this car apart from an old colleague of mine at Theodore who was something of a F5000 encyclopedia who had previously worked at Williams (as Reggazoni s mechanic) informed me the Leda was lying in the Williams workshop for some work or other and it was actually designed by Patrick Head,this chap went on to EMCO racing as Joel Gartner s engineer and although he was then offered a chance to join Ferrari as a race engineer he prefered to go and live in the states to work in historical racing and yes you guessed on F5000 cars.
But I digress Mr.Lambert still hillclimbed one of Tony Deans/Richard Simms B24 with an unusual lump in the back I have a feeling this was something like 8.2 litres which makes me think a Oldsmobile or maybe Cadillac?
Enough of this now much as I appreciate hillclimbs/sprints are a valued part of Northern racing what about more chat on circuit racing and the northern teams?

[Tim Murray]

John Lepp has had a brief mention, but I always associate him with the other Johns, Bridges and Hine, and Red Rose Racing.

John Lepp thread

John Hine thread

[rdmotorsport]

Was Red Rose Racing a division of Chevron cars although I am informed it was one of Bobby Howlings ventures which I would doubt ?

[Alan Cox]

Red Rose Motors was a garage based in Chester owned by the Bridges.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
Red Rose Motors was a garage based in Chester owned by the Bridges.

As in John Bridges who financially backed Derek Bennett?

[Sharman]

I think that's right Pete, can't remember the other brother's name but I think the enterprise went belly up, Red Rose that is, due to the cost of racing.

[rdmotorsport]

Thanks for that

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by Sharman
I think that's right Pete, can't remember the other brother's name but I think the enterprise went belly up, Red Rose that is, due to the cost of racing.

Charles, IIRC.

Roger Lund

[Sharman]

Merci mon ami Roger c'est vrai.

[Alan Cox]

Charles also used to race the Red Rose lightweight "E" - 4 WPD - when Brian Redman was otherwise engaged, and pretty competitive he was, too. I think Brian won 16 out of 17 races with it one season.

I don't recall whether Charles ever raced the T70. Anyone know?

[ian senior]

Venturing over t'other side of t'Pennines, am I right in thinking that John Lepp raced a car called the Spectre in 1969 or 1970? I believe it was designed by Les Redmond, but other than that I don't know anything about it. Was it built in the north too?

[Sharman]

If it was built by Les it was probably built in Wrexham. i don't think he moved very far.Alan Cox should know

[Allen Brown]

David Bridges as well as John and Charles. David was successful in libre racing in 1965 and raced the mighty Kincraft for a while in 1966. However, I think all three were better known for their GT and sports car racing exploits.

Allen

[rdmotorsport]

The stories of Red Rose Racing etc. all sounds very cosy but in my experience people like Brian Redman (nice chap as he is) made their profession out of motor racing therefore I assume somebody must have paid him and I also assume pretty well,drivers like John Lepp would I imagine have independant means and drove for the sport but Brian and the last time I spoke to him we was on the same flight from Manchester to New York he was still annoyed that he felt Theodore and Teddy Yip still owed him money fron some F5000 race in the States and that was years previous so anyone that keen and interested in payment would hardly drive for the love.

[Alan Cox]

I suspect that, when Brian was learning his craft driving at British club meetings, and the odd international, he wouldn't have commanded a king's ransom but would obviously have been paid the going rate for a successful young driver on the way up - promoting, as he was, the Bridges' garage business.

[rdmotorsport]

Thanks for that Alan.

although in the 70 s I know even in GP terms the pot of gold was only circa £1k per race ( I believe Bob Evans,Ian Ashley and Mike Wilds although in works drives got only 25% of this figure) Emmerson and a few others with sponsorship money etc. would get more but Brian always said go to the Americas my boy to earn the big bucks and he did!

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
The stories of Red Rose Racing etc. all sounds very cosy but in my experience people like Brian Redman (nice chap as he is) made their profession out of motor racing therefore I assume somebody must have paid him and I also assume pretty well,drivers like John Lepp would I imagine have independant means and drove for the sport but Brian and the last time I spoke to him we was on the same flight from Manchester to New York he was still annoyed that he felt Theodore and Teddy Yip still owed him money fron some F5000 race in the States and that was years previous so anyone that keen and interested in payment would hardly drive for the love.

I have no wish to offend you but I feel that your comments are a little out of place. Just because these guys were paid does not mean that they were simply mercenaries, nor that they were paid large amounts.

I shudder to think what would happen if anyone had shortchanged JYS or SCM. If you agree a deal, you pay the bill, law of contract.

I also think it wrong to intimate that these drivers were simply opportunists who had their indulgent hobby paid for by others.

Redman was a very talented driver in very cruel times when racing deaths were commonplace, which is why he was brave enough to reject Ferrari's offer, which was substantially more money than he had ever seen. Ferrari's retainer may in fact redefine the idea of blood money, since his drivers were expected to perform to the LIMIT.

Remember Redman was the first to lap Oulton at 100mph, in a T70, so no mug was he

In terms of his racing and the money he earned I must refer you most strongly to Simon Taylor's interview with Redman, Lunch With..... in this month's Motor Sport. In my view it is the best ST has done in the series. By reporting Redman's words, but with a few details added he has captured a wonderful account of Redman's career in very dangerous and stressful times, no evidenc eof a simply jolly life paid for by others. You invariably paid with your own life.

There have always been, and always will be, affluent amateurs like Altrincham jeweller John Lepp, and the sport relies on them from grass roots upwards to the likes of Foulston, Bscher, Mason, Duncan Dayton etc etc etc.

Roger Lund.

[rdmotorsport]

Sorry but I feel I am being somewhat misunderstood regarding this, I agree wholehearted that BR was a wonderful and brave talent plus many more like him but considering motor racing was his profession it appears somewhat strange to be racing sometimes in club races then in the occasion international so perhaps I am judging this on later years when at times my experience of some drivers would fit your mercenary quote?

[Sharman]

Roger
I never knew Brian but did know his cousin Tim. I suspect that their background was one of affluence, Redmans was not a small corner shop operation. As a student I had a vac job driving a grocers van for Smiths (despite 10/10 everywhere never broke an egg) who were not as big as Redmans but there was a considerable depth of wealth there until Grahame Maude dissipated it. Do you remember that red C modified 120 with Kenneth Neve in the TT Humber climbing all over it?
John

[bradbury west]

rdmotorsport

I must refer you again to the Motor Sport interview and you will understand more about BR's career and the elements which impacted on him.. Go to Smiths/Asda etc and look at it if you are not a subscriber. I still stand by my viw that if you are a paid driver the idea is that you are paid.

RL

[rdmotorsport]

Dear B W,

I will read the article when my copy arrives and do not get me wrong I beleive and agree that you get paid for your profession inasmuch if my pay cheque was not there at the end of the month neither would I have been notwithstanding that I loved the sport and quite enjoyed myself working in it.

[rdmotorsport]

and whilst chatting about BR and others does anybody out there remember a publication in newspaper form (simular to the old MRN ) entitled "Road Sport North" which was about in the early eighties?

[rdmotorsport]

Dear B W

I have now got my copy of Motor Sport and the said article which so far is very interesting,however I must say regarding BR who I always rated very highly both as a driver and a person do not get carried away he was no Schumacher or Piquet but a very brave and most adaptable driver from single seaters to sportscars,I would admit his F1 machinery was not the best in his brief period in this formulae but he was never the quickest of the Shadow drivers at this time but like other "special and adaptable" drivers Andretti and Ickx come to mind he made a great career and a very long one,people like Hunt, JYS and Watson may have had the sheer speed but BR had a much deeper set of qualities Julian Randles,Sid Taylor and Ron Bennett always sung his praises.Finally to say of the man a few years ago for the Isle of Man Millenium hillclimb when BR was a superstar F5000 driver Stateside he turned up with a John Cussens Chevron with a large chev in the back and played with the club racers once again.

Rodney Dodson

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport

Finally to say of the man a few years ago for the Isle of Man Millenium hillclimb when BR was a superstar F5000 driver Stateside he turned up with a John Cussens Chevron with a large chev in the back and played with the club racers once again.

Rodney Dodson

That would be the John CUSSINS Chevron B32 with 5 litre Chevvie installed.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Stephen W


That would be the John CUSSINS Chevron B32 with 5 litre Chevvie installed.

5.7 actually. Didn't he have a match-race against Phil Read on a Yamaha over part of the TT course?

[rdmotorsport]

thats correct if my memory serves ms right (although it seldom does)! ,backed by LEP freight forwarders they sponsored 3 cars that day and one bike Palmer Hewrdines ex Piers Courage Shelby Mustang, a F2 March (possibly a 722) but the driver name escapes me (the name Riley rings a bell) and BR plus Phil Reed which BR won this little joist.
I spoke to him in parc ferme which was actually a grass verge near somewhere called Kates cottage and he was quite pleased with his efforts considering he was Stateside then and had not done a standing start for quite a while.

Rodney Dodson

[Allen Brown]

Peter Riley's March 722?

The Chevron then belonged to Le Tissier and probably had its original 5.7 still.

Allen

[rdmotorsport]

You know Allen I think you are right it was Peter Riley I wonder what happened to him and I remember the Chevron having something on the side reading Tom Coughland racing,I thinK?

[Allen Brown]

That makes sense. Tom Coughlan ran the car for Le Tissier.

Remember this history you helped me with?

Allen

[MCS]

Originally posted by bradbury west
...There have always been, and always will be, affluent amateurs like Altrincham jeweller John Lepp...

I was in Altrincham this morning. Lepps is still there on Railway Street.

[Sharman]

John lives in the Channel Isles I believe. The firm was also involved in the diamond market as opposed to retail jewellry.

[bradbury west]

Serious dosh , then, not the traditional small shopkeeper with aspirations. Always a very competent driver IIRC, competing at a high level too, not just clubbies.

Roger

[rdmotorsport]

Dear Allen,

I do now I have followed your link, I remember Autosport printed a lovely photograph of the car (M1) at the I . o. m . hillclimb alas much to the dismay of our driver Bernie Rooney it said " Mick Hill drove the M1 for RD Motorsport", that really upset Bernie.

Rodney.

[Stephen W]

Originally posted by rdmotorsport
You know Allen I think you are right it was Peter Riley I wonder what happened to him and I remember the Chevron having something on the side reading Tom Coughland racing,I thinK?

Peter Riley is still involved in Speed Events with Longton & District Motor Club as their entries secretary.

[Rupertlt1]

Talking of Scammonden and Baitings Dam, which we weren't, does anyone have any entries/results for 64/67 as I am struggling to find details of any activity there by Peter Vale in his Rectory Racing DRW, but I know he competed as he has told me so?

Roger Lund.

 

Scammonden opened 1 October 1972. 600 yards

FTD Richard Thwaites (McLaren M10B-Chevrolet) 23.54

Source: Motoring News, 12 October 1972.

 

RGDS RLT