24 replies to this topic

[taylov]

I recently found a copy of the 1960 Racing Car Show guide. One of the featured "1959 champions" at this exhibition at the Royal Horticultural Hall, London was the 250cc Emeryson.

This front engined racer had "dominated the class in 1959 by winning 9 races...in 15 starts".

Reference is also made to "The 250cc Motor Racing Club" c/o The Hollywood Arms, London W10. 250cc racing appears to have been promoted as a low cost single seater formula - a price of £244 less engine/gearbox is quoted.

I have searched on TNF but cannot find any existing threads on the "250cc Formula" or this particular car. Can anyone please provide more information or 250cc racing in 1959 and beyond?

Tony

[bradbury west]

250MRC started in 1954 by Arthur F Budd and a few friends, to provide cheap club-type racing with real racing cars under a low-cost formula, it says here. I have a copy of an entry in a 1959 programme which I will scan later. They worked closely with the 750MC and Club Lotus from 1957, from memory, as the Trio race organisers. Another programe from Snetterton in '61 shows only 2 entries in their 250 race, alongside the 500cc racers. From 1961 they operated as the Racing car Club
Roger Lund.

[D-Type]

Was this what later became 'Formula 4' ?

[Tomas Karlsson]

I just happened to read a little article about the new racetrack, Rushmoor, in Motor Sport May 1959. The 800-yard circuit was a creation of the 250 Motor Racing Club and the entry was restricted to 250cc monopostos and 328 and 500-cc Berkeleys.
"The ususal varied selection of 250cc machinery appeared. Engines were Velocette, Rudge, Anzani or Excelsior, and chassis showed the ususal half-litre influence. Kieft, JBS and Emeryson being represented. The three departures were strikingly varied, M Bradley's Bradley having approximately 8 in. wheels with the engine and tank mounted in a frame noticeable for it's space, R.B. Pickles' Angle Iron Special had 19 in. wheels and 3-in. tyres at 12 p.s.i. giving a splendid ancient and modern light car appearence, and L. Scott-Wood's Pantlin used a rear swing-axle design of phenomenal camber and pronounced understeer."
"Paul Emery's Emery Velo proved the success of the day."

[RAP]

Originally posted by D-Type
Was this what later became 'Formula 4' ?

Not really. The original 250 formula withered away along with the 500cc F3 in the early 60s. The last 250 event was 28 July 1962 at the 750MC Silverstone when 2 cars ran as a class within one of the last UK 500cc races. The 250cc Formula 4 started in 1966 as an "import" from Italy.

The original class first ran 17 April 1955 at a semi-private meeting ar Brands Hatch when there were 7 entries but seemingly only three runners - K Harris (Smith Rudge), J M Hunt (Cooper IV Rudge) and R N Pickles (Angle Iron Special).

The 250MRC ran its own meetings at Brands in 55/56 before aligning more with the 750MC. As another post says, they held some meetings at Rushmore in 1959/60 but I have seen few reports of these.

RAP

[ex Rhodie racer]

Originally posted by RAP


Not really. The original 250 formula withered away along with the 500cc F3 in the early 60s. The last 250 event was 28 July 1962 at the 750MC Silverstone when 2 cars ran as a class within one of the last UK 500cc races. The 250cc Formula 4 started in 1966 as an "import" from Italy.

The original class first ran 17 April 1955 at a semi-private meeting ar Brands Hatch when there were 7 entries but seemingly only three runners - K Harris (Smith Rudge), J M Hunt (Cooper IV Rudge) and R N Pickles (Angle Iron Special).

The 250MRC ran its own meetings at Brands in 55/56 before aligning more with the 750MC. As another post says, they held some meetings at Rushmore in 1959/60 but I have seen few reports of these.

RAP

That must be the greatest name ever for a racing car, The Angle iron Special. Classic.

[Dutchy]

I recall something called Formula 6 being launched at Crystal Palace in 1970 or 71. The cars concerned were called "Barnard" and featured 250cc Ducati single cylinder engines. I presume it didn't take off or we would have heard more about it.

Had Formula 4 changed its criteria by then?

[RAP]

Originally posted by Dutchy
I recall something called Formula 6 being launched at Crystal Palace in 1970 or 71. The cars concerned were called "Barnard" and featured 250cc Ducati single cylinder engines. I presume it didn't take off or we would have heard more about it.

Had Formula 4 changed its criteria by then?

F4 added 650cc engines in 1967 and the 250s quickly disappeared, then for 1968 850cc car engined largely took over. In 1971 the class virtually re-invented itself to be for the 1000cc F3 cars that were now redundant.

As I recall Formula 6, wasnt this aimed at under 16s ?

RAP

[bradbury west]

250MRC details, Snetterton programme 1961

Brands grid 1959

I think that grid might have been as good as it got.
Roger Lund

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by RAP


As I recall Formula 6, wasnt this aimed at under 16s ?

RAP

I think you are right - they had tiny wheels I recall

[Dutchy]

One of the original Formula 250 cars came up for sale a couple of years ago. It was a very flimsy construction powered by a Velocette MOV engine and I recall DCPR being most concerned that it should find an appreciative home. A friend of mine considered buying it but sadly the only racing oulet for it was the FJ championship where it would be nothing more than a mobile chicane.
It would have been fun to try a VSCC hillclimb with it but they, perhaps unsurprisingly, weren't able to offer it an invitation.

[ian senior]

Formula 6 emerged in about 1968, as F4 was moving up to the Imp engined stuff. Presumably Tom Barnard saw a gap in the market. I don't think it ever really went "national"; most of the races took place in the south of England, and not on proper circuits - they were held at places like Blackbushe airfield. There were races for under-16s, but the grown-ups raced them too (not sure if they raced with the youngsters). The cars looked a bit primitive, and used kart-sized wheels, but no doubt they did the job of providing low-cost racing for the competitors. Races were organised under the auspices of the "Junior Racing Car Club", which I joined, being relatively junior at the time, but being stuck oop North at t'time I never got to see them in action.

[timf5000]

Not sure how I managed to miss this thread!! I raced Formula 6 from 1973 - 1975 ending up as 1975 Champion (35 wins from 39 starts!) and my brother later also became champion. Ian Flux was another exponent of the class. Initially the cars were Barnard and powered by Briggs and Stratton 210cc 5hp engines and altho this was the only engine we used my father started the trend to use modified kart chassis in 1974. The races were run by Rochester Motor Club at Detling aerodrome and then later at Buckmore Park The class is still going strong and run by the RMC. Two years I purchased a Barnard for my nephews and it turned out to be my brother's old one and the one I started racing in! It's now a rebuild project alongside our F5000's!!

[steve500cc]

I SEE THE ANGLE IRON SPECIAL HAS BEEN MENTIONED, ALSO KNOWN AS THE THISTLE. THIS VERY INDIVIDUAL LITTLE CAR WAS BUILT BY A MR PICKLES AND HIS SON IN 1954 AND WAS MENTIONED IN AUTOSPORT SEVERAL TIMES. ORIGINALLY WITH A PRE WAR BSA 250 ENGINE, THIS PROVED TO BE NOT COMPETATIVE AND AROUND A YEAR LATER IT WAS REPLACED WITH A VELOCETTE MOV 250 ENGINE AND GEARBOX RUNNING METHANOL WHICH IT RETAINS. IT HAS SLIDING PILLAR FRONT SUSPENSION AND A TRANSVERSE LEAF SPRING WITH TWO FRICTION DAMPERS ON THE REAR. BUILT ON A BUDGET THE CAR HAS SOME INOVATIVE FEATURES SUCH AS CHAIN DRIVE TO A LOCKED DIFF AND TWO SMALL DRIVE SHAFTS EACH WITH A UNIVERSAL JOINT. MUCH OF THE MATERIAL SEEMS TO HAVE ITS ORIGINS IN AIRCRAFT, SUCH AS THE SEAT AND FUEL AND OIL TANKS. THE CAR NOW RESIDES IN MY GARAGE WHERE IT HAS REMAINED UNTOUCHED AND IN BITS FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS, MY PLAN IS TO EVENTUALLY RESTORE IT BUT ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE ALWAYS GETS IT PUT OFF TILL A LATER DATE, IT REALLY DOES NEED TO BE PUT TOGETHER AND AIRED IN PUBLIC. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ONE OF THESE CARS? I SEEM TO REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO A TRIUMPH ENGINED 250 CAR COMING UP FOR AUCTION AND IT BEING QUITE MODERN IN LOOKS COMPARED TO MINE.

[RAP]

I SEE THE ANGLE IRON SPECIAL HAS BEEN MENTIONED, ALSO KNOWN AS THE THISTLE. THIS VERY INDIVIDUAL LITTLE CAR WAS BUILT BY A MR PICKLES AND HIS SON IN 1954 AND WAS MENTIONED IN AUTOSPORT SEVERAL TIMES. ORIGINALLY WITH A PRE WAR BSA 250 ENGINE, THIS PROVED TO BE NOT COMPETATIVE AND AROUND A YEAR LATER IT WAS REPLACED WITH A VELOCETTE MOV 250 ENGINE AND GEARBOX RUNNING METHANOL WHICH IT RETAINS. IT HAS SLIDING PILLAR FRONT SUSPENSION AND A TRANSVERSE LEAF SPRING WITH TWO FRICTION DAMPERS ON THE REAR. BUILT ON A BUDGET THE CAR HAS SOME INOVATIVE FEATURES SUCH AS CHAIN DRIVE TO A LOCKED DIFF AND TWO SMALL DRIVE SHAFTS EACH WITH A UNIVERSAL JOINT. MUCH OF THE MATERIAL SEEMS TO HAVE ITS ORIGINS IN AIRCRAFT, SUCH AS THE SEAT AND FUEL AND OIL TANKS. THE CAR NOW RESIDES IN MY GARAGE WHERE IT HAS REMAINED UNTOUCHED AND IN BITS FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS, MY PLAN IS TO EVENTUALLY RESTORE IT BUT ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE ALWAYS GETS IT PUT OFF TILL A LATER DATE, IT REALLY DOES NEED TO BE PUT TOGETHER AND AIRED IN PUBLIC. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ONE OF THESE CARS? I SEEM TO REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO A TRIUMPH ENGINED 250 CAR COMING UP FOR AUCTION AND IT BEING QUITE MODERN IN LOOKS COMPARED TO MINE.

Have sent to a PM
RAP

[HiRich]

The 250 Emeryson usurvives in America. And I believe it was driven by Peter Emery, not Paul.

[David McKinney]

The 250 Emeryson survives in America

Was there only one?

[HiRich]

Yes, unless you know better.

[David McKinney]

No. I'm probably remembering talk at the time of them building customer cars

[Dutchy]

Have you seen this ? http://www.hrscc.co.nz/emerysons4.html

[piperp2]

I have some images of 250cc racers competing at the Eelmore Training Circuit, Aldershot 1959, just trying to figure out how to post the pics!

 

 

[Doug Nye]

I believe 'Eelmore Training Circuit' and 'Rushmoor' could effectively be one and the same place, between Aldershot and Fleet on the Hampshire/Surrey border - the local governing authority being Rushmoor Borough Council - self-described as "Serving the communities of Aldershot and Farnborough".

 

There is a Rushmoor Arena buried in the woods there - and the modern-day Aldershot Speedway oval occasionally hosting speedway and stock cars - while Eelmoor Plain modern-day driving experience venue (where the Army has trained novice recruits for many years) is only 4-600 yards away.   The Plain borders onto Army training heathland, criss-crossed by sandy tracks where we used to walk our dogs...amongst spent .303 and 7.62mm cartridges, flare casings and with all manner of AFVs, personnel carriers, trucks, military quad bikes and motor-cycles rumbling out of the boonies - to say nothing of the experimental and military aircraft zooming overhead from nearby Farnborough Aerodrome, or RAF Odiham a few miles further west.

 

It was generally quite exciting.  The buzz of 250cc racers would hardly have been noticed - rather like the formula itself...

 

 

Eelmoor and Rushmoor - from the wonderful Google Earth

 

DCN

[piperp2]

A couple of pics of 250cc Single seaters racing at Eelmoor 1959

 

https://ibb.co/ngp8mq1

 

https://ibb.co/fSHXSL9

Edited by piperp2, 18 February 2021 - 14:21.

[Derwent Motorsport]

I do remember the Formula 6 cars (Barnards) being taken to our local kart track at Rowrah to do demos.        I do know where one is still stored.,

[RAP]

 

A couple of pics of 250cc Single seaters racing at Eelmoor 1959

 

https://ibb.co/ngp8mq1

 

https://ibb.co/fSHXSL9Gre

Great photos thanks for posting. Do you have the date and any identification of the cars? eg programme