Classic and Competition Car 43 April 2014

Classic and Competition CarApril 2014 Issue 43

MG action at Silverstone

Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 2

Our Team.Simon Wright - Editor.Simon has been photographing and reporting on motor races for many years. Served an engineering apprenticeship many years ago. Big fan of the Porsche 917

Pete Austin.Pete is the man for Historic racing, with an extensive archive of black and white images covering the last few decades of motorsport in Britain. Very keen on BRM.

Mick HerringMick's first love is GT racing, including Historic, especially the Lola T70. Has an extensive knowledge of all things GT.

Janet Wright.Janet has been taking photographs for many years, and is also very skilled in video. She likes Aston Martins

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Front Cover. Stuart Dean in an MG Dick Jacobs Special battles with Nick Ashman in an MG TC at Silverstone.

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Classic and Competition Car is published by simonwrightphotos.com High View Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8HT E-mail [email protected] Tel 07905 435973

Contents

Page 3 News.

Page 9 Refurbished Arrows GP car

Page 10 Mallory Park Grand Re-opening

Page 13 Shelsley Walsh Breakfast Club

Page 18 The Filling Station Drive-in

Page 22 BTCC Media day, Donington Park

Page 26 Archive gallery of the month

Page 29 Bromsgrove Car Club Sunday meet

Page 34 MSVR Media day, Brands Hatch

Page 35 458 Radical Days of Thunder

Page 38 MGCC Race meeting, Silverstone

© Simon Wright


Editorial.Spring is in the air, and the racing season has started at last. Now the problem is that there are so many great events taking place, that many of them clash. Sometimes its a choice between classic or modern, race meeting or show. The only good thing is that there are so many great vehicles out there, that whatever event you choose, you will probably be spoilt for choice on what to look at first. We have a great motoring heritage in this country, so get out there and enjoy yourself this summer, and let us know which events you attended.

BTCC Champions to the front.The first round of the British Touring Car Championship took place at Brands Hatch at the end of March. With seven former Champions now competing for this top touring car crown, the competition is going to be harder than ever.

News This did not deter current Champion Andrew Jordan in his family run Honda Civic from completely dominating the first two races from pole position. The third race with the reverse grid proved a little too much for the reigning champion whose car was heavy with success ballast. This left the way open for former champion Colin Turkington to take his first win of the year in the E-Bay BMW 125i M Sport after a tough battle with his two eBay Motors team mates Collard and Foster who all started at the front of the reverse grid in race 3.

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Hamish McNich.Historic MG racer Hamish McNich from Glastonbury in Somerset had an unfortunate accident at the opening MG Car Club race meeting, held on the Silverstone National Circuit on Saturday 29th March 2014. During the MMM Cars with MG T-Types & invited VSCC cars race, Hamish was enjoying a spirited battle in his MG C-Type Montlhery with Dutch driver Thijs de Groot in an MG PA Special. On the third lap Hamish got a puncture and raised his arm to indicate a problem. The car lost control and Hamish was thrown from the car. The race was stopped and Hamish was taken to the circuit medical centre where it was decided to airlift him to hospital via helicopter for further investigations on his back. It is reported that he has two broken vertebrae and bruised ribs, but is otherwise OK. We would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Classic and Competition Car Facebook GroupWe now have a Facebook Group - Classic and Competition Car - where you can join and keep up to date with additional Photographs, postings, and extra event photo galleries. Please feel free to add personal postings and your own photos.

Hamish battling with Thijs de Groot before his accident at Silverstone

New Strakka Dome S103 LMP2 car.The new LMP2 chassis from the Strakka Dome racing partnership is powered by the Nissan VK45 4.5 litre V8 engine. The two companies will develop, build and race and market the cars, eligible for the WEC, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in America.The Strakka team will retain its driver line up of Nick Leventis, Danny Watts and Jonny Kane to contest the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le mans 24 Hours.

Rare Lagonda heads sale.

A rare 1939 Lagonda V12 Hooper two door saloon that has only done 40,000 miles from new is being offered for sale at the Silverstone Auctions sale at the first Restoration

Show sale. It is thought that the car will sell for between £75,000 and £100,000. Held at the NEC, near Birmingham on Saturday 12th April 2014, the auction is part of the first Practical Classics Restoration show at the NEC on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April 2014.

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Crabbies enter the BTCC.Jack Clarke, 26 years old, is joining the BTCC in 2014 at the wheel of the Crabbies Ford Focus ST. Jack was born into a motor racing family and is the step son of former F1 driver Julian Bailey. His career to date has been mainly single seaters after Karting. He has raced in Formula BMW, Formula Palmer Audi, and competed in the 2009 FIA Formula 2 series taking a win at Brands Hatch. He switched to GT racing with races in the Blancpain series at the wheel of a McLaren MP4-12C, the ELMS and WEC in a Nissan powered Oreca.

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Thruxton Easter Revival making History.The HSCC will turn back time at this year’s Thruxton Easter Revival meeting when the new Super Touring Car Championship is launched, and BTCC racing legends will relive their glory days.In the late 60s and 70s, the Thruxton Easter meeting used to be a Formula 2 and Touring car spectacular, with many Grand Prix drivers of the day racing in Formula 2, competing against the new up and coming young drivers. Many of these fabulous cars will be back to race again this year. The meeting always drew large crowds to the Hampshire circuit. Now the HSCC are recreating these meetings with their second running of the Easter Revival meeting on the 19th and 20th of April 2014.The meeting will also see the first round of the new Historic Super Touring Car Championship. Back in the 90s, Super Touring Car series took place all over the World, with many manufacturers keen to show their family cars off in the racing arena. Some manufacturers even employed Grand Prix teams like Williams and McLaren to create high tech versions of their normal saloon cars to race. These cars remain some of the most advanced and fastest touring cars and they will feel right at home round the fast sweeps of the Thruxton circuit. Several former drivers are intending to take part in this series including double BTCC Champion John Cleland and legend driver Patrick Watts. Cars should include the likes of the Ford Sierra RS500, BMW 320i, Honda Accord, Nissan Primera, Vauxhall Vectra and the Williams Renault Laguna.

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Giovanardi returns.

Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi is one of the most successful touring car drivers in the World. He has won touring car titles in Italy (1992, 1998, 1999), Spain (1997) and Europe (2000,2001,2002) as well as winning the British Touring Car Championship in 2007 and 2008.

With 24 wins behind him in the BTCC, he has returned this year to race one of the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus ST in this years series along side Mat Jackson. The team is based near Brands Hatch in Kent and run by Motorbase Performance who have won 12 BTCC races since 2006.

50 Years at Croft.To celebrate its 50th birthday, the north-east’s premier circuit, Croft Autodrome has a bumper calendar of events lined up for this year. The high-light event will be the mid-summer Nostalgia weekend, where cars and stars from the circuits history will recreate the illustrious past of the venue.Croft hosted its first major event on August 3rd 1964, the Daily Mirror Trophy meeting for touring cars, GTs, sports cars, single seaters and bikes. Exactly 50 years later, the Nostalgia weekend will be held over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of August 2014, where the sights, sounds and smells of the past will entertain the crowds. Both cars and stars from the past will attend the event, both on and off the track, to remind the crowd of the important part this circuit has played in the history of motorsport in Yorkshire. As well as track action with Ford Cortina’sand Hillman Imps etc, there will be a World War 2 encampment, air shows, live music and fashion displays to recreate the past atmosphere and provide fun for all the family.2014 Calendar.21st April Easter Sprint meeting Darlington & District MC26-27th April BARC Race meeting10-11th May Darlington & District MC race meeting28-29th June Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship19-20 JulyBARC Race meeting.2-3 August Croft Nostalgia weekend6-7 September BRSCC Race meeting20-21st September BARC Race meeting18th October MSA British Rallycross championship19th October MSA Rallycross Grand Prix16th November BTRDA RallycrossTBC Roger Albert Clark Rally28th December Christmas Stages

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Croft Nostalgia weekend will have plenty of action in the air as well as on the track


MAC Classic.The Midland Automobile Club biannual Classic 100 mile run, organised by the clubs Classic and Sports section, will take place again this year on Sunday 27th April. The run will start at four different locations, the National Motorcycle museum, Cotswold airport, Halfpenny Green Vineyard and Shelsley Walsh, all ending up at Shelsley Walsh where entrants will be able to have a run up the World famous historic hill climb course. For further information see www.shelsley-walsh.co.uk

Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden unveil the new Honda Civic Tourer at the BTCC media day at Donington Park. The estate car will compete in this years British Touring Car Championship under the Yuasa Honda banner.

New Record Breaker display at Beaulieu

Four iconic Land Speed record holding cars are part of a new multi media display “For Britain or the the hell of it” at the National Motor Museum. The cars include the 350hp and 1000 hp Sunbeams, Bluebird CN7 and the Golden Arrow. They reflect the British record breakers between the 1920’s and now.

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The Peter James Insurance Bromley Pageant of Motoring.

The UK’s biggest one day classic vehicle show returns to Norman Park, Bromley on Sunday 8th June 2014. With over 3,000 vehicles on show, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors, there should be something to suit any enthusiast. There will also be a car boot sale - Classic Trunk Trading, where classic car fans can fill their boot with classic parts, spares and other classic memorable and for just an extra £5 can trade from where they park. These spaces must be booked in advance.The main arena will feature classic car parades and special guests and live music from Elle and the Pocket Belles and the ‘firestarting’ Houndogs rockabilly band. Tickets are £11 in advance or £14 per adult on the gate. Concessions for children and senior citizens. for more information go to www.bromleypageant.co.uk

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Heritage Liveried Barn find van at Restoration Show.The Classic restoration Show at the NEC near Birmingham on the 12th and 13th of April 2014 will feature this restored 1964 Austin LD van. Heritage Classic Car Insurance is sponsor of the Barn find feature at the show, so thought it appropriate to bring along their own barn find van to display.

John Surtees OBE will be the guest of honour at this years Donington Historic Festival which runs from the 3rd to the 5th May 2014. Surtees will be there on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his F1 World Championship driving for Ferrari.

The new Formula E global electric racing series headquarters is starting to take shape in the paddock at Donington Park. All teams will be based in the building when finished© Simon Wright

© Simon Wright


Refurbished Arrows Grand Prix car shines at Race Retro. By Pete Austin

Standing out from the crowd on the Bahamas Speed Week Revival stand at Race Retro was the newly refurbished Arrows A21 resplendent in its Orange Mobile sponsor livery.This particular car is chassis 06 as driven in the 2000 Grand Prix season by Dutchman Jos Verstappen and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa. After a poor 1999 campaign with the Arrows A20 this car helped Tom Walkinshaw’s team achieve 7th position in the constructor’s championship the following year.

The car was designed by Mike Coughlan with aerodynamicist Eghbal Hamidy. Quite advanced for its time it was fitted with a carbon fibre and titanium gearbox designed by John Barnard and had pull rod suspension on the front. The car proved to be quick in a straight line but power output and reliability from its Supertec V10 could never match the works engines at the front of the grid. The livery currently on the car is that used when it was a test car in 2001 and shortly after the show it was taken to Blyton Park near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire for a test run by driver Barry Walker. The aim is to display and demonstrate the car throughout Europe. Details are on facebook.com/ArrowsA21F1.

Classic and Competition car April 2014

© Pete Austin

© Pete Austin


Mallory Park Grand Re-opening. Saturday 1st March 2014. By Simon & Janet Wright with additional photos by Pete Austin.After the uncertainty of the future of Mallory Park over the last year, it was great to arrive at a very sunny Mallory Park on the 1st of March, to the Grand Re-opening of the circuit under its new management. The warm sunny weather drew in a large crowd to this special preview display, a taster for events to come this year at Mallory Park. There was plenty to interest the four wheeled enthusiasts, with confirmation of the first car race meeting confirmed for the circuit in 2014. The Classic Sports Car Club are helping to organise a race

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meeting at Mallory park on July 20th 2014 which will include races for their new Dunlop Production Cup for Porsches and existing Special Saloons and Modsport category.There was no track action at this free event, but many people were taking the opportunity to walk around the circuit, something they may not have been able to do in the past. The paddock was full of mainly motorcycle displays, as the new owners are from the motorbike racing scene, and the circuit has always been a popular motorbike racing venue. However, there was still plenty to interest 4 wheel motorsport fans on display. The high light for many car fans was the ex Keke Rosberg Grand Prix Williams FW08 parked in the paddock. Many fans took the opportunity to get up close and get a picture next to this Grand Prix car legend. There was also a line up

of classic cars under Race Control, with a perfect example of a Jaguar E-Type and a Triumph TR5 showing the beauty of the classic British sports car.

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Jaguar E-Type

Williams FW08 GP

George Shuttleworth Speed demon


At the far end of the paddock was a line up of modern and classic rally cars emphasising the wide range of motorsport that utilises the Mallory Park circuit. The 2014 Rally of the Midlands will again use Mallory Park as a special stage in their rally this year. The sight of classic Ford Escort rally cars competing against more modern Subaru Imprezza and MG Metro 6R4 rally cars round different sections of the Mallory Park circuit will bring a smile to the face of any motorsport enthusiast.The British Trial and Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) had a couple of cars on display including the Rallycross 2 litre Renault Megane of Barry Dutton from the Production class. Lets hope we might get to see it in action at Mallory Park some time in the future?

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Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 12Clive Temple’s Amilcar Barry Dutton Renault Megane

Cathy Stewart’s Sunbeam Lotus


A warmer than usual Sunday morning really drew out the cars for the monthly Shelsley Breakfast Club meeting in March. The biggest attendance yet at a Breakfast meeting saw over 350 cars descend on the famous hill climb course and over 700 people crowded around the paddock area, which was completely full of cars by 9:30am. The overspill was located in the orchard field behind the paddock and spectators were directed in to the main car parking

Shelsley Walsh Breakfast Club. 9th March 2014. By Simon and Janet Wright. © Simon Wright

Italian Stallions


field along with late arrivals in classic cars.The meeting was almost a tribute to the sports car, with the majority of vehicles on display being sports cars.There was a great display of modern supercars on show in the paddock with a McLaren MP4 12C, a pair of Lamborghini’s, 5 different types of Ferrari, a host of Porsche models and around fourteen Aston Martin supercars, plus a KTM X-Box sports car.The classic supercars were equally impressive, with a Jaguar E-Type Roadster, an E-Type Coupe, an AC Ace Bristol roadster and an AC Ace Bristol coupe, an Aston Martin DB6, a Lotus Elan, a Frazer Nash BMW, a Bristol 401 2 litre saloon and a pair of immaculate Triumph TR6 sports cars. At the lower end of the market there was a nice group line up in the field of a 1959 Triumph TR3, a 1972 MG Midget and a 1971 Austin Sprite, all budget British sports cars that introduced many young Brits to open air motoring.

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AC Ace Bristol roadster

Triumph TR3, MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite


The unusual vehicles attending included a classic Citroen utility van, a VW camper van and even an electric Renault TwizyMany of the enthusiasts that had turned up, took advantage of the traditional breakfast from the restaurant in the courtyard and then followed it up with a walk to the top of the hill climb course, which allows fantastic views across the surrounding countryside.

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A pair of Triumph TR6 Sports cars

Ford Zephyr convertible Aston Martin DB6

Alfa Romeo and Ferrari replica


Top: VW Camper, Aprillia motorcycle, Renaut Twizy electric car.middle : Morgans lined up in the over spill field. McLaren MP4 12C supercar.Bottom : TVR line up in the paddock garages. Citroen utility truck.

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1952 Bristol 401 Saloon.The 401 was built by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. between 1948 and 1953 during which 611 were built. The car was also produced in a cabriolet open top version, the 402 on which just 23 were built. The 401 was the successor to the original 400 series, which was the first car built by the British Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1947. Production on the 400 series lasted until 1950 and 487 were built in saloon form. These early Bristol cars were based on the Frazer Nash BMW which the company had built under license after the second world war. The 401 used an improved version of the 1971cc straight 6 BMW engine. The car sported a twin radiator grill very similar to the BMW

models with a very curved front end from the Carrozzeria inspired body design which featured no door handles. This gave the car an incredibly low drag coefficient of just cd 0.36 comparable with todays modern designs developed in the wind tunnel, and most impressive for a car of this period. To open the doors, there was a button located in the groove of the door.The 2 litre six cylinder BMW engine was fitted with Solex carburettors, producing 85 bhp. This gave the car a top speed of 97.3 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 15.1 seconds, resulting in a fuel consumption of just over 20 miles to the gallon.Independent front suspension consists of transverse leaf springs and wishbones, with a solid rear axle attached by torsion bars. Rack and pinion steering and drum brakes all round gave the car a comfortable handling and performance for its original list price of £3532 including taxes.


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© Simon Wright


The Filling Station Drive in Breakfast Meeting. 16th March 2014.

By Simon & Janet Wright.This Malvern Cafe hosts regular breakfast meetings on certain Sunday mornings each month, aimed at American Hot rods and classic cars, vans and bikes. The cafe is located on an industrial estate behind the main retail area in Malvern, which allows for plenty of street parking space for people to attend. The March meeting was held on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and drew a good attendance. There were several hot rods parked along the roadside, along with various American ‘muscle cars’, camper van and motorcycles. Right

outside the ‘Filling Station’ were several of the Hot Rodders favourite British vehicle, the sit up Ford Anglia, some in original layout but all immaculate. It was not just American Classic cars on display,


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1953 Pontiac Chieftain 1953 Pontiac Chieftain

Ford Anglia


there were several old Alfa Romeo models parked together, along with various Triumph and Ford of Europe cars and a most unusual former Eastern Bloc Trabbant in a lurid bright green colour.

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1940s Willys Coupe

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1953 Pontiac Chieftain

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Pontiac Firehawk

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Top left: Buick Roadmaster Estate wagon. Top Right Ford Model A pickup hotrodBottom Left : 1951 Ford Model A Pickup truck hotrod.Middle right: Ford MustangBottom right: 1972 Buick Skylark

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Humber

Classic Alfa Romeo cars Bentley

Trabant

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BTCC Media day - The return of the Magnificent Seven

Fabrizio Giovanardi (2007 & 2008), Jason Plato (2001 & 2010), Gordon Shedden (2012), Matt Neal (2005, 2006 & 2011), Colin Turkington (2009), Alain Menu (1997 & 2000) and reigning Champion Andrew Jordan (2013)

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BTCC Media day Donington Park. By Simon and Janet Wright.The annual British Touring Car Championship media day drew a large crowd to the midlands circuit on a bright Tuesday in March. After the morning press call where most of the teams and drivers were introduced to the media, the circuit gave free access to the public for the afternoon test session.This year there are 7 former BTCC Champions taking part in the series, with current champion Andrew Jordan leading the way again in his Pirtek


The field of 2014. Left to right, top row: Martin Depper, Aiden Moffat, Warren Scott, Ollie Jackson, Dan Welch, Hunter Abbott, Tom Ingram, Simon Belcher, Chris Stockton, Glynn Geddie. Middle Row: James Cole, Nick Foster, Lea Wood, Robert Collard, Jack Goff, Dave Newsham, Adam Morgan, Jack Clarke, Robb Holland, Marc Hynes. Front row: Rob Austin, Sam Tordoff, Gorden Shedden, Jason Plato, Andrew Jordan, Matt Neal, Alain Menu, Fabrizio Giovanardi, Colin Turkington and Aron Smith

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Racing Honda Civic hatchback. Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden unveiled their new Yuasa Honda Civic Tourer (Estate) cars in which they will be competing this year, while Jason Plato continues with the MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save Team driving the MG6. Colin Turkington remains with the Ebay Motors BMW team in the BMW 125i M Sport NGTC car, while the other two returning

champions are Alain Menu driving a Chrome Edition Restart Racing VW Scirocco CC and Fabrizio Giovanardi who lines up at the wheel of the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus.Their were several new teams announced at the media day along side various new drivers taking part in the 2014 series. One of the better known teams joining the BTCC this year is United Autosports from the British GT championship, fielding a pair of Toyota Avensis cars for Glynn

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Geddie and James Cole. The Anglo-American team have achieved great success in various GT Championships, including the British GT Championship, the FIA GT3 European Championship, Blancpain Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Spa, Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the Macau Grand Prix.

ITV 4 confirmed continued live coverage of the BTCC.Left: 20 years old Tom Ingram with his Toyota Avensis.Bottom left Adam Morgan showed his new Mercedes Benz A Class at Donington.Below: Fabrizio Giovanardi spits flame from his Ford Focus at Redgate during the test session.


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Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 26Classic and Competition car March 2014 Page 26© Pete Austin

With the new Historic motorsport season about to begin, this month we feature a photo gallery of 1 litre Formula 3 ‘screamers’ cars racing at Brands Hatch in 1969

Archive Photo Gallery of the month. By Pete Austin.

Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 26Roy Pike - Lotus 59


© Pete Austin

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© Pete Austin

Howden Ganley leads Roy Pike and a packed field at Paddock Bend

Yves Carbonatto - Pygmee

Tim Schenken leads Reine Wisell Ronnie Peterson - Lotus 59


© Pete Austin

The Lotus 59 of Sten Axelsson leaves the assembly area


Bromsgrove Motor Club monthly meet. Bowling Green Inn, Stoke Prior. By Simon and Janet Wright.The March meeting was another unseasonable warm and bright spring day, which brought out a large selection of classic and vintage cars which filled the pub car park and overspilled on to the field at the rear of the pub. These types of local meetings always bring out an interesting selection of vehicles, and this was no exception. In the Midlands, there always seems to be a large local influence, which is not surprising when the majority of different manufacturers used to be based around the middle of the country. The warm weather also allowed many of the convertible sports car owners the chance to go topless and enjoy the wind in their hair. There were several interesting contrasts with cars from the same manufacturer, but different generations, to show how motoring designs have changed over the years. Below you can see a 1972 Austin Mini 850 small family car next to a 1955 2.2 litre Austin Healey sports car and a 1937 MG SA saloon next to a 1974 MG B roadster.

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Various generations of Austin cars were on show including an original Austin A40 Dorset and the later Austin A40 Farina. The two door Austin A40 Dorset was built at Longbridge between 1947 and 1950, with total production reaching around 16,000. It was powered by a straight 4 1200cc engine which produced 40 bhp. It had independent coil spring front suspension and a rigid rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs on the rear. The Austin A40 Farina, designed by Pininfarina of Italy, was a much later model, built between 1958 and 1967 and badged just as the Austin A40. It was one model that was never badge engineered by BMC, it was only ever an Austin. It was also the front runner to the now popular hatchback design. Although the rear window was fixed, the boot lid dropped down flat and the rear seats could be folded down to increase the storage space behind the front seats. It was powered by the A series 948cc straight 4 engine and independent coil spring suspension on the front with a live axle and semi elliptic leaf springs on the rear. The Mark 1 saw a total of 169,612 built between 1958 and 1961 while the Mark 2 saw a further 172,550 built between 1961 and 1967.

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Austin A40 Dorset next to an Austin A40 Farina


Another impressive pair of vehicles were a couple of MG SA Saloons from the 1930s, one in two tone green and the other in red and grey. This was a fast, comfortable touring car, powered by six cylinder 2.3 litre engine with twin SU carburettors, modified with horizontal dashpots to allow for a lower bonnet line. This gave the SA a top speed of 80 mph. The four speed manual gearbox has synchromesh on the top two gears. Between 1936 and 1939 a total of 2,739 were built.


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Staying with the BMC theme, there was an immaculate 1952 Triumph Renown Limousine TDC The limousine was first introduced in 1951, based on the earlier Triumph 1800 Town & Country Saloon but with a 3 inch longer wheelbase. A glass partition was placed behind the driver to separate the front and rear. The car came equipped with a heater and radio as standard. With an overdrive gearbox, the limousine was capable of 77.5 mph and could accelerate from 0 - 60 mph in 25 seconds. It achieved 21.6 miles per gallon and the original cost was £1440. A total of 191 were built between 1951 and 1954.Ford was well represented with everything from a bright green 2011 Ford Focus through to a bright orange 1972 Ford Escort 1600 GT.

One of the more unusual cars was a 1963 Ford Consul Capri GT. Only 2002 were produced of the GT version between February 1963 and July 1964 when the entire

Consul Capri range was shelved due to it being expensive to build. The Capri was the 2 door coupe version of the Ford Classic saloon and was built by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The up market Capri GT used a 1498cc Cosworth developed engine which featured a raised compression ratio of 9:1, a modified cylinder head with larger exhaust valves and a twin choke Weber carburettor. With an added aluminium inlet manifold and four branch exhaust manifold, the engine produced 78 bhp and had a maximum speed of 95 mph.

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Austin A35

Salmson

Lotus 7

Lotus Elite

Atkinson recovery truck


MSVR Media Day and Press Conference. By Mick Herring.On Wednesday March 3rd Dr Jonathan Palmer hosted the annual press conference at Brands Hatch to introduce and showcase the championships, the thirty four race meetings and special events that will be organised under the MSV Racing banner this season, not only at the four MSV circuits but also encompassing Silverstone, Donington, Rockingham and Castle Combe.Jonathan was particularly happy and exchanged light-hearted banter with the championship co-ordinators who took the stage.

Alongside the cost-effective mix of saloon, sports and single-seater championships that have formed the core of MSV Racing since 2006 providing competitive F3 racing for 10% of the budget required at international level will be the special events and celebrations.This year there will be two Mini Festivals, Brands Hatch in May and Classic and Competition car April 2014

Jonathan Palmer with Mathias Lauda, Jerome Galpin and Paul Garner (Whelen Engineering)

Oulton Park in July, the Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival in May, the Lotus Festival in August, the Aston

New to GT Cup Mark Litherland BMW

Jonathan Palmer welcomes Nascar back with Bouchut and Mathias Lauda

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring


Martin Celebration (Brands June) and the Brands Hatch Festival of Porsche in September. The popular American SpeedFest II returns to Brands on June 8th was represented by Jerome Galpin, once again featuring the thunderous NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. These cars differ from their American brothers only in the detailed changes mandated by the FIA. Two notable full-season combatants are 1993 Le Mans winner Christophe Bouchut and the son of an F1 world champion (the clue's in the name) Mathias Lauda.Completing the "Thunder" theme will be races for CanAm cars, what's not to like about an 800bhp, 8.8 litre Chevrolet V8 in the back of short and wide sportscar? August's Lotus Festival celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first British Grand Prix to be held at Brands, won by Jim Clark and who has not seen the famous photo of Clark's 3-wheeling Lotus Cortina?The media day was a window on what promises to be another great year.

458 Radical Days of Thunder and The Son of a World Champion. By Mick Herring.

The quiet young race-suited driver wearing a "Beany hat" who sat close by in the press room gave no clues as to his identity.Jonathan Palmer's subsequent introduction of him as Mathias Lauda made many present do instant comparisons to his illustrious father.I was fortunate enough to be offered a ride in the passenger seat of the European NASCAR car he will drive throughout this season.These silhouette bodied cars cover a substantial spaceframe and powered by large capacity American V8 engines.

James Abbott Radical SR8© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring


Their live rear axles and tall Michelin slicks will always ensure a surfeit of power over grip, a lesson other formulas could learn from to ensure close racing and overtaking. The cars differ only from their American cousins in respect of the changes mandated by the FIA for racing in Europe. Even at my age I'm still supple enough to do the "Days of Thunder" climb into the cockpit through the small opening that is the window on these doorless cars.My first ride came immediately after lunch and the combination of those tall slicks being stone-cold saw us sliding even before we left Brands' sloping pit lane.What an experience it was on the first lap as the car darted in every direction under braking and acceleration, huge power slides soon putting what heat there was into the tyres. After that the handling settled down and became more predictable, the (still) low revs of the engine rose to that familiar growl we love so much, rising and falling with each change across the slow "H" pattern gearbox. The smiles induced by these incredibly basic cars is one to be savoured should you see them race or be lucky enough to ride in one.The sight and sound of the NASCARs later circulating together, the sister car driven by 1993 Le mans winner Christophe Bouchut gave sound indication of what will be expected at American SpeedFest II on Sunday 8th June forming round 2 of the 6 round/24 race series which visits most of Europe's greatest circuits including Monza, Nurburgring and Le Mans.

By way of immediate contrast I was then strapped into a Radical SR8 by Will Brown just a few minutes later.My driver, James Abbott (son of Radical boss Phil) is well used to the prodigious 430 bhp produced by the 2.7 litre motor-bike V8 engine from Radical's in-house engine builder.With so much aerodynamic grip available the car is incredibly fast in a straight line and round corners too. It is again the brakes, that are the revelation with the ability to brake so late into any corner, the middle of the track approach to Paddock Hill Bend, that gives you the turn-in point on the extreme left of the curved track allows you to carry so much speed down that virtual cliff-face and then accelerate hard up the hill to Druids.The only slow corner on the circuit is Graham Hill Bend where the braking

Classic and Competition car

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring


unsettles the aero and prompts a slide at the exit.The next corner, Surtees, on the Indy circuit requires little or no braking and consequent loss of downforce so allows much more speed to be carried into the corner. My last ride of the day was courtesy of Peter Jennings and his Ferrari 458, which runs in the GT Cup alongside his father's identical spec car. The two cars have been rebuilt over the winter and were both resplendent in their new and corresponding colour schemes of metallic grey, Peter's detailed in yellow and his father's in green.The colour scheme is apparently modelled on that of the company plane in which they fly over from Ireland in.The glorious Ferrari and its V8 are so much more hi-tech than the NASCAR and the

difference is clear to see, hear and feel.Like the Radical, the paddle gearchange responds immediately on changes in either direction and the speed carried into corners can't be that far behind the Radical either.Similar power to the Radical too but rather more weight.An interesting observation was that the Pirelli tyres that Peter had been using hard all day were now well past their best and the grip dropped off markedly all of a sudden.Thankfully they remained predictable for the remaining laps, if slower, a useful feature at the end of a long race. Peter called it a day at that and so did I, just reflecting on these three exciting experiences.

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring


MG Car Club race meeting, Silverstone national circuit. 29th March 2014. By Simon & Janet Wright.The MG car club started the club racing season for 2014 at Silverstone at the end of March. The MG Car Club was founded in 1930, based in Abingdon and is the oldest car club for owners of MGs. They drew a large entry for its first race meeting of the year using the Silverstone National circuit. With a nine race programme, the first out were the Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup field. Newcomer Ben Rushworth grabbed Pole position in his first MG Metro Cup race driving his Rover Metro, just ahead of Tom Sanderson in his Rover Metro GTi by just 0.136 of a second. Rushworth was first away from the grid but was passed by Sanderson and then got involved in battling with Mike Williams and Jack Ashton. Unfortunately after just 3 laps his Metro expired with a mechanical failure. Williams soon caught Sanderson but was unable to pass the leader and finished 6.680 seconds behind. Tony Howe finished 3rd in his MG Metro Turbo. The other class winners were Jonathan Woodcock who finished 6th in his Rover Metro GTi and Les Tyler whose MG

ZR finished 12th overall.The second race was the first Peter Best Insurance MG Cup race of the meeting. This was a small entry which saw Andrew Young get Pole in his MG C GT from the similar car of Robert Campbell. Young shot away in his yellow peril to win by 12.549 seconds after the 20 minute race. Campbell finished 2nd after an initial battle with Alan Brooke in a Rover Metro GTi who eventually finished 6th. Tom Diment took the last podium place at the wheel of his MG ZR 190. The other class winners were Paul Eales who finished 4th in his MG B GT and Niall Campbell who was in 12th place in his MG B.Third race was a non championship race for the MG Trophy which saw a small field of just 9 cars take the start. In racing, it is not the number racing, it is the quality of the race, as this race proved a very close an exciting battle for the lead. Jake Fraser-Burns took Pole position in his MG ZR 190 from the similar car of Richard Buckley.


Winner MG Metro Cup races Tom Sanderson Rover Metro GTi battles with Mike Williams Rover Metro

Peter Best Insurance MG Cup 1-2-3 Andrew Young MG C GT leads Robert Campbell MG C GT and Tom Diment MG ZR 190

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright


As the pair entered Brooklands on the first lap it was Buckley in the lead, with Fraser-Burns right behind him. They were like this for lap after lap, almost appearing as an eight wheeled MG. They swapped the lead a couple of times but Fraser-Burns waited until the last couple of laps when he got his nose in front. they crossed the line side by side with Fraser-Burns winning by just 0.006 or 6 thousandth of a second for his first race win. Richard Marsh took 3rd place in his MG ZR 170 to win his class and the other class winner was Ian Boulton in 8th place in an MG ZR 160.Next out was the MGCC Cookshoot Cup. In only his second race, Jason Simm took pole position in his MG ZS from David Coulthard in an MG F Cup car. From the start of the 20 minute race Coulthard grabbed the initial lead but Simm took the lead and led from start to finish opening out a gap of 19.665 seconds by the end of 18 laps from Coulthard. Third

April 2014 Page 39

place went to Paul Clackett in another MG ZS. The other class winners were Ian Winstanley driving an MG ZR 160, Jeremy Toes in an MG Midget, and Adam Key in an MG F WC.The fifth race was Ecurie GTS, a series for pre 1966 FIA type sports cars with smaller engines and spread across 5 classes from under 1150cc to 2700cc. The series is run by the MG Car Club as a series of seperate races, it is not a championship. Pole position for the 45 minute race went to the Turner Mk II of Mark Halstead/ Stuart McPherson from Brian Lambert in an MG B. The Turner led until its pitstop, briefly handing the lead to the Pearson/Crewdson MG B FIA Roadster for 1 lap before they also pitted. The Turner then remained in the lead until the flag, winning by just over 17 seconds. Lambert had held 2nd place for the first half the race until his pitstop which handed 2nd place to Robi Bernberg in his TVR Grantura Mk III. Lambert and Bernberg had a fantastic dice for 2nd place, often side by winner Jake Fraser-Burns (17) dives up the inside of Richard Buckley (20) in their MG ZR 190s in the

MG Trophy race

Jason Simm MG ZS leads David Coulthard MG F Cup in the Cockshoot Cup

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright


side out out of Luffield, but Lambert ran wide on to the grass and that slight slip ensured that the TVR of Bernberg took 2nd place with Lambert 3rd overall. This also gave the class win to Bernberg. while the other class winner was 7th placed John Hilbery in a Lotus Elite S2. Craig Taylor in his MG B Roadster FIA received a 3 minute penalty for taking an early pitstop, and he finished 9th overall at the end. Another driver penalised in this race was John Andon who had to take a drive through penalty after speeding in the pit lane. This dropped him to 5th place overall, a lap down on the winner.Race 6 was the MMM cars with T-Types and invited VSCC cars. John Bussey in a MG TC took Pole position from Stuart Dean in the MMM class MG Dick Jacobs Special. After just 4 laps, the race was red flagged after an accident for Hamish McNinch. As he rounded Maggots he noticed a puncture on his MG C-Type and raised his hand to indicate a problem. The car lost control and Hamish was thrown from the car. After checks at the circuit medical centre, he was airlifted by helicopter to hospital for further checks on his back. The order at the red flag was Bussey leading from Dean and Nick Ashman in another MG TC. The race was restarted as a shortened 12 minute event which saw Bussey take the victory from Dean with Jonathan Harmer 3rd in an MG TF Sports. The MMM class was won by Thijs de Groot from Holland, who finished 7th in his orange MG PA Special.Race 7 saw the second MGCC Drayton Manor Park MG Metro encounter. Tom Sanderson again was the class of the field with Mike Williams chasing hard in second place and it looked like it was going to be a repeat of race one. However with just one lap to go Sanderson hit problems and retired, leaving victory to Mike Williams in his Rover Metro, from David Javes in his MG Metro turbo with Philip Gough 3rd in his Rover 114 GTi. Woodcock and Tyler again both won their respective classes.The eighth race of the day was the second Peter Best Insurance MG Cup race, which proved to be a re-run of the first race earlier in the day. Andrew Young took another easy victory in his MG C GT

April 2014 40Winner John Bussey MG TC fights with Stuart Dean MG Dick Jacob Special

Graham Bates MG B Roadster fights with Ben Wyldes Triumph Spitfire Le Mans during the Ecurie GTS race

Robi Bernberg TVR Grantura Mk III finished 2nd in the Ecurie GTS race

© Simon Wright

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright


from the similar car of Robert Campbell, this time with a bigger winning margin of 17.867 seconds. Tom Diment took his MG ZR 190 to another podium finish in third after a very close battle with Alan Brooke in a Rover Metro GTi who was only 1.81 seconds behind Diment at the flag. Paul Eales in his MG B GT took another class win in 5th place and Niall Campbell finished last, in 12th place, to win his class again.The final race of the meeting was another showdown between Jake Fraser-Burns and Richard Buckley in the second MG Trophy non championship race. The pair had the closest finish possible in their first race, separated by just 0.006 of a second. Buckley chased hard for the first few laps, then had to pull off and retire on lap 11. This left Fraser-Burns with a massive 34.5 second lead from the battling pair of Toby Sowery, MG ZR 170 and Richard Marsh in another MG ZR 170. It was Fraser-Burns race to loose, and he nearly did as he began to slow dramatically in the closing stages, allowing Richard Marsh to close to within just 3.948 seconds by the chequered flag and take a class win in 2nd overall. Sowery finished 3rd, while Ian Boulton made it another 2 out of 2 class wins.

Tim Patchett MG TC spun off at Luffield in the MMM cars with MG T-Types race

Dutch driver Thijs De Groot won the MMM class in his MG PA

Andrew Wolf and Ian Wright battle it out in their MG Midgets

Ecurie GTS winner Halstead/McPherson Turner Mk II

Robert Campbell MG C GT fights for 2nd with Alan Brooke Rover Metro GTi

© Simon Wright

© Simon Wright

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright

© Janet Wright

Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 42Classic and Competition car April 2014 Page 42© Janet Wright

The point of impact between the MG ZR of Thomas Halliwell and the MG Midget of Andrew Speight which retired on the spot. Halliwell finished 8th in the MGCC Cockshoot Cup race.

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Classic and Competition Car 43 April 2014

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