15 replies to this topic

[Victor]

Does anybody know the story behind the Ekström GP86-01?
All I know is that there was an entry for Mauro Baldi for the 1986 San Marino GP, but apparently the car was never built.
I know this is not an easy one...

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Victor
Does anybody know the story behind the Ekström GP86-01?
All I know is that there was an entry for Mauro Baldi for the 1986 San Marino GP, but apparently the car was never built.
I know this is not an easy one...

It's been mentioned (if not discussed on detail) on the wonderful "GP Entries That Never Made It" thread.

[macoran]

Check out this thread

http://forums.autosp...ghlight=Ekstrom

Edit: I'll look up and scan the Autosport article with artist impression sketch

[Victor]

Thanks Petefenelon and Macoran, thats exactly what I wanted.
Cheers

[ghinzani]

I recall the sketch looked like a RAM 03, perhaps because the guy (Dave Kelly perhaps) had been at Ram (although the 03 was a Brunner design). Then they were going to run the Lola-Harts from late 85 with Baldi or Alliot as I recall. Previously in 85 they had run Eric "Clubber" Lang briefly in F3000 before he saw fit to take Mrs Ekstroem to court. I also believe Paul Cherry was involved in the team that was based in Switzerland. Didnt Tim Feast also work there, I believe it may have been he who left with the drawings when they failed to be paid, along with some of the mechanics. Definate wing and a prayer job, but F1 was just about possible in those days if you could find a rich driver or big sponsor (witness Onyx March in 82, or AGS/Jolly Club in 86). A team, like Black Swan RAM that always intrigued me.

[fausto]

Mrs. Ekstroem husband, George Paulin, raced briefly an Argo JM19C (sometimes called JM20) in 1992 SPWC, David Coyne co-driving

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by fausto
Mrs. Ekstroem husband, George Paulin, raced briefly an Argo JM19C (sometimes called JM20) in 1992 SPWC, David Coyne co-driving

Anything dodgy about that deal? Given the legal problems surrounding his previous team I mean.

[macoran]

I thought there was more to it than this



from Autosport, issue unknown

[kellydavidned]

Does anybody know the story behind the Ekström GP86-01?
All I know is that there was an entry for Mauro Baldi for the 1986 San Marino GP, but apparently the car was never built.
I know this is not an easy one...

Its easy for me. My name is Dave Kelly ( ex Ram, Benetton, Zackspeed ) and I was contracted by Mrs Ekstrome to design the car. I completed a design for her, including negotiating an engine contract with cosworth but when it came to the payment for the engines and my salary none was forthcoming. This was extremely disappointing as I had fronted the offices and initial deposits myself and this was money lost.
She was very convincing in our discussions, she even showed me the plans for the new factory and told me it was under construction. I flew to Switzerland to meet her on the promise of payment but you've guessed it. She never showed.
Hope this opens the door for you. I can give a more detailed story if anyone is interested.

[Tim Murray]

This sounds fascinating, Dave. I for one would love to read more.

[ghinzani]

Welcome too Dave. We would all love to know the full story. Cosworth for engines? I had always assumed Harts or Motori Moderni. Her husband was a fell called Georges Paullin wasnt he? Did he have some racing background? They had run an F3000 effort in 1985... Briefly!

Cant wait to hear more... and theres a few RAM threads on here too if you have a quick search.

[Kevan]

Welcome too Dave. We would all love to know the full story. Cosworth for engines? I had always assumed Harts or Motori Moderni. Her husband was a fell called Georges Paullin wasnt he? Did he have some racing background? They had run an F3000 effort in 1985... Briefly!

Cant wait to hear more... and theres a few RAM threads on here too if you have a quick search.

Paulin certainly did a bit of sportscar racing- apart from the Argo drive at Monza in 1992 with Dave Coyne that fausto mentioned a few posts back, there was also an abortive Le Mans entry using ex-TWR Jaguars- vague memory suggests this might have been an attempt to resurrect a failed deal for a British privateer team to take over the ex-TWR XJR12s & 14s after Jag pulled out of sportscars at the end of '91- Can anyone fill in more detail?

http://www.experienc...s/dept_145.html
(#23 at the bottom of this version of the entry list- 'Gee Pee Jaguar' Jag XJR12, Coyne/Paulin/'Stingbrace'. Presumably the XJR17 listed as #38 for Randaccio/Barberio was part of the same planned entry bearing in mind the drivers listed)

Edited by Kevan, 17 December 2009 - 14:03.

[HistoryFan]

Yes, I also want to hear more...
What happened to your design plans? Were there interests who want to buy them?

[rdmotorsport]

Its easy for me. My name is Dave Kelly ( ex Ram, Benetton, Zackspeed ) and I was contracted by Mrs Ekstrome to design the car. I completed a design for her, including negotiating an engine contract with cosworth but when it came to the payment for the engines and my salary none was forthcoming. This was extremely disappointing as I had fronted the offices and initial deposits myself and this was money lost.
She was very convincing in our discussions, she even showed me the plans for the new factory and told me it was under construction. I flew to Switzerland to meet her on the promise of payment but you've guessed it. She never showed.
Hope this opens the door for you. I can give a more detailed story if anyone is interested.

Hi Dave,

Welcome to this friendly nest of vipers!, I remember some of the Lancashire based Maurer (post Chevron) lads were supposed to be the backbone of the team I recall meeting one of these chaps who offered me a posistion but gladly (albeit tempted) I declined other than that apart from the brief foray into F3000 I never heard of Ekstroem again, I believe it was the female of the family Celia I think who seemed to run the show?

Rodney Dodson.

[Racer.Demon]

Fascinating indeed, Dave. I've added your input to our 'Grand Prix cars that never raced' page, which is mainly based on the glorious GP Entries That Never Made It thread mentioned here earlier.

[Geza Sury]

Its easy for me. My name is Dave Kelly ( ex Ram, Benetton, Zackspeed ) and I was contracted by Mrs Ekstrome to design the car. I completed a design for her, including negotiating an engine contract with cosworth but when it came to the payment for the engines and my salary none was forthcoming. This was extremely disappointing as I had fronted the offices and initial deposits myself and this was money lost.
She was very convincing in our discussions, she even showed me the plans for the new factory and told me it was under construction. I flew to Switzerland to meet her on the promise of payment but you've guessed it. She never showed.
Hope this opens the door for you. I can give a more detailed story if anyone is interested.

Hello David and welcome to the forum.
It is interesting to hear that Mrs Ekström was negotiating with Cosworth, because normally aspirated engines had been banned for the 1986 season. Could you please shed more light on the whole story?