Classic and Competition Car 88 January 2018

January 2018

Issue 88

The 21st Century magazine about cars and motorsport of the past and present.

In this issue

VSCC Cotswold Trial

Classic Motor Show, NEC

Fun Cup decider Oulton Park

VSCC Winter Driving Tests

Rockingham Stages

Unnamed Car Meet

Our Team.

Simon Wright Editor Janet Wright.

Staff Photographer.

Contents

Independant Freelance contributors in this issue.

Pete Austin.

David Goose & Stuart Yates of MotorsportImagery

Page 3

News.

Page 11

Rockingham Stages Rally.

Page 17

Archive Photo of the Month.

Page 18

The New unnamed Classic Car Group meeting

Page 24

Champions Photo Gallery.

Page 29

Motorcycle Live 2017

Page 35

VSCC Winter Driving Tests, Bicester Heritage.

All content is copyright classicandcompetitioncar.com unless otherwise stated. All photographs are copyright and cannot be used for commercial purposes unless by prior approval of the original copyright holder.

We try to ensure accurate and truthful reporting but if you spot an error, please contact us and will we verify and correct accordingly. We do not organise any events which are mentioned and we are not responsible if the event does not take place or is cancelled. Please contact the event organiser before making a long trip.

Front Cover. Dave West & Keith Hounslow Peugeot 306 Maxi at the Rockingham Stages Rally © Motorsport-Imagery.

VSCC Winter Driving Tests © Simon Wright The New Unnnamed Classic Car Group meeting © Janet Wright

Classic and Competition Car is published by simonwrightphotos.com High View Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8HT E-mail simonwright57@hotmail.com Tel 07905 435973

As well as this magazine, you can follow us on Twitter @classcompcar and join our Facebook Group Classic and Competition Car.

Rockingham Stages - Page 11

January 2018

To Subscribe for free and be notified when the next issue is published please click here. To check out our web site with additional photos please click here Unnamed Page 18

Page 2

Editorial.

Well the New Year has arrived and we can look forward to a new season of Race, Rally and Speed event action starting shortly. In the mean time we have two major shows in the UK to keep us occupied during these dark winter months. Starting with the Autosport International Show at the NEC between the 11th-14th January, with its Live Action Stage. This is followed by Race Retro, at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry between the 23rd-25th February with its Live Action Rally Stage.

See you there. © Simon Wright

News HSCC unveils 2018 race calendar

© Simon Wright

The Historic Sports Car Club’s 2018 race programme will include major summer events on the Brands Hatch and Silverstone Grand Prix circuits.

The Club’s nine-event championship schedule starts in April with a two-day meeting at Donington Park and concludes with the two-day Finals Meeting at Silverstone in October.

In a change from recent seasons, the Silverstone International Trophy meeting and the Cadwell Park Wolds Trophy meetings will swop dates, with the Cadwell Park meeting moving forward to May and the International Trophy moving back to June. A return to the Brands Hatch Indy circuit will feature during a two-day meeting at the Kent track in September.

The provisional HSCC calendar is: 7-8th April Donington Park 21st April Snetterton (200 circuit) 19-20th May Cadwell Park (Wolds Trophy) 16-17th June Silverstone International Trophy (GP Circuit) 30th June- 1st July Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix (GP Circuit) 4-5th August Croft Nostalgia Weekend 25-27th August Oulton Park Gold Cup (International Circuit) 22-23rd September Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit) 20-21st October Silverstone Championship Finals In addition to these dates, the HSCC will be the race organising club for several other major events including the Donington Historic Festival (4-6th May), the Silverstone Classic (20-22nd July) and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone (3/4th November).

January 2018

Page 3

WEC-WINNING 488 GTE CONFIRMED FOR FERRARI FEATURE AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL The Championship-winning Ferrari 488 GTE WEC racer is the second car confirmed for the main Ferrari feature. It is the one which sealed the GT manufacturers' crown at the last WEC race in Shanghai, China. It was Ferrari’s fifth WEC constructors’ title (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and the 24th overall among the manufacturers’ championships sanctioned by the FIA. This year’s Ferrari 488 GTE is the most successful car in its class.

The Ferrari 488 GTE car made its debut in 2016 and secured that year’s WEC GT manufacturers’ title with victories at Silverstone, Spa and Nürburgring. Designed in line with the FIA’s mid-engine-friendly regulations, the Ferrari 488 GTE boasts a four-litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine capable of 500bhp and comprises an exhaust-blown diffuser, a double splitter and unique underbody vortex generator, making it one of the most powerful and aero-efficient GT race cars.

The Centrepiece will showcase the range of cars available through the Corse Clienti programme from Challenge car to GT car, to XX development cars through to F1.

Autosport International will take place at the NEC Birmingham, from 11-14 January 2018. Tickets at: autosportinternational.com January 2018

2018 Historic Formula 2 FIA International Series.

The HSCC has an impressive schedule for the 2018 Historic Formula 2 Series, with a 10-round programme taking in some of Europe’s finest tracks. Ten races at five meetings, including the Grand Prix tracks at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Zandvoort and Dijon. Starting at Hockenheim in April at the event that honours Jim Clark, close to the 50th anniversary of his death.

The series is open to cars built to period regulations for Formula 2, Formula Atlantic and Formula B, from 1967 to the end of 1978.

Four of the five tracks in 2018 hosted rounds of the inaugural European Formula 2 Championship in 1967.

Three of the five dates coincide with rounds of the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship at Brands Hatch, Zandvoort and Dijon.

The full calendar is 20/22 April Jim Clark Memorial Hockenheim (D) 26/27 May Brands Hatch (GP circuit) Masters Historic Festival 15/17 June Silverstone (GP circuit) International Trophy (GB) 31 Aug-2 Sept Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix (NL) 12/14 October Dijon Masters Cup (F) © Simon Wright

Page 4

RENAULT ZOE NAMED BEST USED GREEN CAR AT WHAT CAR? USED CAR AWARDS 2018 The all-electric Renault ZOE has been recognised by What Car? judges for the second time this year having now picked up the title of ‘Best Used Green Car’ at the What Car? Used Car Awards 2018. This new accolade comes after the ZOE was named ‘Best Electric Car’ at the What Car? New Car Awards 2017 in January.

Since its launch in the UK in 2013, Renault has almost doubled the ZOE’s range from 130 miles (NEDC) to 250 miles (NEDC) thanks to technological advancements such as an increased battery capacity and an uprated motor.

The Renault ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in a choice of three trim levels and with two battery options. Despite its affordability, the entry level Expression Nav comes with a high level of standard specification including items such as climate control and the 7-inch touch screen RLink 2 infotainment system with sat nav. In Dynamique Nav, the features include hands free keycard, automatic lights and wipers and rear parking sensors. The new top-of-the-range Signature Nav trim provides buyers with features including supple leather upholstery, a seven speaker BOSE® audio system, heated front seats and a rear parking camera.

With the new R90 motor and Z.E.40 battery, ZOE’s range is 250 miles (NEDC) – Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 186 miles in summer and 124 miles in cold winter conditions. ZOE can charge from zero to 80 per cent full in as little as 60 minutes thanks to its patented Chameleon Charger™ that allows it to make the most of the widest range of power supplies and also keep charging times to a minimum. Renault’s Range OptimiZer technology ensures ZOE is highly efficient with its heat pump, January 2018

a bi-modal braking system and Michelin ENERGY E-V tyres.

ZOE is available to purchase in two ways. Firstly, under a battery hire scheme, where ZOE pricing starts at £14,245 (OTR) after the Government Plug-in Car Grant with battery leasing from £49 per month. New for 2017 is the ‘Unlimited’ option with no mileage cap, priced at £110 per month. It is easy to purchase a used ZOE with a battery lease – the new owner simply chooses which leasing option suits their needs the best and starts monthly payments based on their lease plan. You can also buy the ZOE outright. ZOE i ‘full purchase’ models start from £18,995 (OTR) after the Government Plug-in Car Grant, giving the buyer full ownership of the car and battery and no monthly battery lease payment.

ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and more than 4,500 ZOE have been sold since launching in the UK in 2013. © Simon Wright

Page 5

© Janet Wright

HSCC unveils Super Touring calendar The Historic Sports Car Club has confirmed a first class schedule for the Super Touring Car Challenge in 2018, covering 12 races at six high-profile race meetings.

The Super Touring Car Challenge (STCC) is home to the 2-litre Super Touring Cars of the 1990s and pre-1990 Group A cars, while a new class was added this year for pre-2006 FIA S2000 and invited BTC cars.

The season will open at the Donington Historic Festival in early May and take in dates at Thruxton, Brands Hatch GP and the Oulton Park Gold Cup as well as the Silverstone Classic before concluding at Knockhill in September. All the venues visited remain central to the modern day British Touring Car Championship.

4-6 May: Donington Historic Festival 2/3 June: Thruxton 30 June/1 July: Legends of Brands Hatch Super Prix (GP circuit) 20-22 July: Silverstone Classic (GP circuit) 25-27 August: Oulton Park Gold Cup 15/16 September: Knockhill January 2018

ROBORACE TO BRING DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY TO AUTOSPORT STAGE AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL Roborace, the world’s first driverless electric racing competition, is set to take pride of place on the Autosport Stage at Autosport International 2018. Roborace will complement existing racing that uses human drivers – such as FIA Formula E. It provides an environment to develop A.I. technology for road vehicles at a faster rate than they can be developed on regular roads.

Weighing just over 1000kg, it boasts four 300kW motors – one at each wheel to allow torque vectoring – making the car capable of speeds over 200mph (320kph). Robocar’s Nvida Drive PX2 GPU “brain” is capable of up to 24 trillion A.I. operations per second. In September, reigning FIA Formula E Champion Lucas di Grassi was announced as Roborace CEO. Autosport International Show Director Kate Woodley said: “We are delighted to have Roborace join us on the Autosport Stage.

Roborace’s 200mph Robocar has turned heads from the second they launched the project and it will be very exciting for everyone visiting the show to see what is surely the pinnacle of AI driving capability.

We love racing in all its forms and Roborace is a great example of how to push the limits of this new autonomous technology and make it relevant to the track and to the road.”

Page 6

Chevron B8 race for 2018 Oulton Park Gold Cup The 50th anniversary of the Chevron B8 will be marked with a unique one-make race at the HSCC Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The Chevron B8 remains one of the most enduringly popular sports-racing car designs and was one of the most successful projects from talented designer and engineer Derek Bennett, the founder of Chevron. Now, for the first time, a dedicated race will be held for the B6s and B8s.

The cars were built in a former mill in Bolton and were regularly tested and raced at Oulton Park. Over the ensuing half century, the B8 has claimed many victories at the Cheshire track, which is the perfect setting to celebrate this classic design.

The HSCC is aiming at a grid of more than 20 cars for this race, which will be a central attraction at the annual Gold Cup weekend. The race, to be held on Bank Holiday Monday, will be open to all B8s as well as the earlier B6s. In 1967, Chevron produced around six or seven examples of the model initially called the GT. Later in 1968, the GT was re-named as the B6.

One of the most successful B6s is the car of Michael Schryver, a regular winner in the HSCC’s Guards Trophy and a four-time HSCC champion over more than 30 years.

More than 40 B8s were built during 1968 as GT or Group 4 cars, many with 2-litre BMW engines although some used Fordbased FVA or FVC engines. More B8s were produced than any other Chevron model during the decade that the company was at the forefront of UK race car production. Sadly, Bennett died after a hang-gliding accident in 1978.

The B8 made its race debut at Cadwell Park in early March 1968 in the hands of John Bridges and won its first race with Phil Silverston at Silverstone on 30 March 1968. Fifty years on, the B8 continues to be an incredibly popular car for historic racing.

January 2018

Grahame White, Chief Executive Officer of the HSCC, said: “The Chevron B8 is one of the most desirable and sought-after sports-racing cars of a generation and we thought it was very appropriate to mark the car’s 50th anniversary with a race at Oulton Park. Derek Bennett was a truly gifted race car designer and constructor but was a very unassuming character. I think he would be amazed, but quietly rather pleased, that we are going to celebrate 50 years of one his most successful designs.”

The HSCC office is keen to make contact with all those who currently own a Chevron B6 or B8 and can be contacted on office@hscc.org.uk

© Janet Wright

Page 7

KIWI F5000 GROUP HAS BIG PLANS FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR. New Zealand’s world-leading Formula 5000 Association has big plans to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic stockblock V8 single-seater category in New Zealand, across the Tasman and in the United States, in 2018.

Over the January 20-21 weekend at the second annual Historic Grand Prix meeting at Taupo’s Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, over 20 group drivers, led by four-time SAS Autoparts/MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series champion Ken Smith (Lola T332), and 2016/17 series champion Brett Willis (Lola T330) will be the first in the world to contest an F5000 category race in the category’s Golden Jubilee year.

The 50th anniversary celebrations then continue at subsequent rounds of the 17/18 SAS Autoparts MSC series here in January and February, and in March in Australia, before culminating – for at least 12 of the SAS Autoparts MSC Series regulars – at the 44th annual Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion meeting at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the United States in August.

Last year (2017) the circuit, situated near Monterey in Northern California, celebrated its 60th anniversary and this year both the 50th anniversary of the F5000 category and the 60th anniversary of Formula Junior will be marked at the prestigious Rolex meeting The link between meetings in New Zealand, Australia and the United States is particularly appropriate. The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was the first sanctioning body to accommodate cars powered by production-based 5-litre V8 engines (known as Formula A or Formula 5000) and New January 2018

Zealand was one of the first countries outside the United States to run a race for the cars.

That race, won by American Ron Grable driving a Spectre HR1 Formula 5000 car, was at Mount Maunganui's Bay Park circuit on December 28 1968 and its success prompted the Motorsport Association of New Zealand to adopt Formula 5000 as the country's national formula in 1969.

That group and Australia's Confederation of Australian MotorSport (CAMS) then adopted it for the annual Tasman Series championship in 1970 and in its heyday - between 1970 and 1977 - Formula 5000 was the premier national singleseater formula in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as one of the main domestic single-

© Fast Company/Terry Marshall.

43 years ago Graham McRae (McRae GM2) and Peter Gethin (Chevron B32) start the 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix meeting at the same circuit.

Page 8

seater categories in the UK. More recently the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association spearheaded what is now a truly global move to locate, restore and re-commission cars built for the various category series around the world in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Though the majority were built in Great Britain and sold to the United States, over 30 are now owned and regularly raced by category enthusiasts in New Zealand. Of that number at least 20 are expected on the grid at subsequent meetings here this season and as many as 15 should be at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports meeting at Laguna Seca between August 23 and 26.

After the first two rounds (at the ITM SuperSprint Supercars meeting at Pukekohe and the MG Classic at Manfeild in early November), young gun Michael Collins (McRae GM1) from Christchurch has established an early lead in the 2017/18 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ Tasman Cup Revival Series point standings with defending title holder Brett Willis (Lola T330) from Rotorua second and 2013/14 series champ Andy Higgins (Lola T332) from Auckland third.

Wills and Higgins are part of what currently is a 13-strong group of SAS Autoparts MSC Series regulars who have had their entries accepted for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion meeting.

Joining Willis, Higgins, Ken Smith and members of host US group the Formula 5000 Drivers Association on the grid at the meeting will be three-time former SAS Autoparts MSC Series champion Steve Ross (McRae GM1) from Dunedin, father and son Peter (McRae GM1) and Aaron (Talon MR1A) Burson, and Grant Martin (Talon MR1A), Glenn January 2018

Richards (Lola T400) and Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) from Auckland, David Arrowsmith (Lotus 70) from Christchurch, Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) from Napier, Tim Rush (McLaren M22) from Feilding and UK-based series regular Greg Thornton (Chevron B32).

The 2017/18 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney's Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Pacifica, Avon Tyres, Webdesign and Exide Batteries.

You can follow the 2017/18 series in Classic and Competition Car, on Facebook at F5000 New Zealand or on the NZ F5000 Association's website www.F5000.co.nz Š Fast Company/Geoff Ridder.

Class A Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) and Dave Arrowsmith (Lotus 70) battle for track and class position at Pukekohe in November.Page 9

RENAULT UK CLIO CUP JUNIOR ANNOUNCES 2018 RACE DATES The Renault UK Clio Cup Junior championship has released race dates for its six-event calendar in 2018.

The category is for drivers aged 14 to 17 years old. Significantly no races will take place in May or June allowing drivers to study for and sit exams.

Two races (rounds) will be held at each event making for a 12round calendar in total. The dates are: Sat 24//Sun 25 March, Silverstone (National), Northamptonshire Sat 14/Sun 15 April, Rockingham, Northamptonshire Sat 21/Sun 22 July, Donington Park, Leicestershire Sat 8/Sun 9, September, Snetterton, Norfolk Sat 22/Sun 23 September, Croft, North Yorkshire Sat 3/Sun 4 November, Brands Hatch, Kent

CITROËN UNVEILS ITS DRIVER LINE-UP FOR 2018 Contesting the full season next year, Kris Meeke will spearhead the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, whilst Craig Breen will drive the second Citroën C3 WRC at ten rounds of the championship and Khalid Al Qassimi will appear in a third car at a handful of rallies.

Sébastien Loeb will be making a much-anticipated return to the WRC with the brand in Mexico, Corsica and Catalonia.

Meanwhile, Stéphane Lefebvre will be tasked with driving the Citroën C3 R5 on its debut season in the WRC2.

Reaching the historic figure of one hundred World Rally Championship wins is one of the objectives that Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT has set itself in 2018. To secure the two victories required to break the record, the team will once again be putting its faith in Kris Meeke, now capable of winning on any surface, as demonstrated by his five wins with the team.

January 2018

Belfast’s Jack Young en route to the inaugural Renault UK Clio Cup Junior crown in 2017

Page 10

Rockingham Stages.

Rockingham Motor Speedway. 9th-10th December 2017

By David Goose and Stuart Yates - Motorsport Imagery

Š Motorsport-imagery

January 2018

The Escort MK2 of Nathan Marriott & Andy Wright riding the kerbs

Page 11

© Motorsport-imagery

years winners, Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn (Rockingham Stages) nor Andrew Fenwick/Daniel May (Sunday Trophy Rally) were entered for this years event. There were plenty of challengers to replace them on the trophy, with a wide range of vehicles entered to entertain the fans, with Ford, Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Subaru, BMW, Mitsubishi, MG and even Darrian all represented.

Stephen Beck & Paul Brown – third overall

The Rockingham Stages Rally took place over the weekend of 9-10 December, the fourteenth consecutive time it has been held at the venue. Jointly organised by Thame Motorsport Club and Middlesex County Automobile Club, the event utilises every inch of the venue, including access roads, tunnels, the pit lane and paddock areas as well as the in-field circuit and banked oval.This provides more than 90 miles of competitive motoring over 12 stages, six run on Saturday and a further six on Sunday. To add to the excitement, two of Saturdays stages were held in the evening, run in the dark. For crews not wishing to compete over both days, the Sunday stages can be entered as a separate event, the Sunday Trophy Rally, offering six stages over 45 miles. With more than ninety crews entered, a new winner for both events was guaranteed, as neither of last January 2018

Looking at the weather forecast throughout the week for the weekend, it did look like at some point heavy snow would hit Rockingham over the two days. Thankfully on Saturday morning it was just a hard frost, with blue skies and sun, the stages still looked very challenging. Unfortunately the snow did arrive overnight Saturday which resulted in the cancellation of all the stages on Sunday and the Sunday Trophy Rally. © Motorsport-imagery

Anthony Robinson & Phil Clarke moving a cone

Page 12

© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

Cliff Rook & Marta Kilma-Tomata waiting for the night stage to start © Motorsport-imagery

Ian Duncan & John Franklin-Pryce BMW325i Compact

January 2018

Driving an Escort the “correct” way, David Cathercole & Glyn O’Dell © Motorsport-imagery

Steve Wilks & Adam Wilks racing through the inner paddock area

Page 13

Š Motorsport-imagery

Joe Geach & Christopher Brierley BMW M3 E30

From the start it was William Hill and Richard Crozier setting the pace in their Ford Fiesta R5. At the end of the day they had set fastest time on each stage and taken overall victory.

In second place were Darryl Morris and Steve Gully in their January 2018

Escort Mk2, and in third place, Stephen Beck and Paul Brown in another Escort Mk2.

In Class 4 Paul King and Alicia Miles took first place in the Ford Escort RS, Class 3 was won by Darryl Morris and Steve Gully, Page 14

© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

Gary Mason & John Matthews cornering hard in the MK1 Escort © Motorsport-imagery

Trevor Short & Marcus Short just after sunset © Motorsport-imagery

Mick Johnson & Haley Deal Ford Escort RS Cosworth © Motorsport-imagery

all lined up ready for the off

January 2018

Fourth place finish for Paul King & Alicia Miles

© Motorsport-imagery

Darryl Morris & Steve Gully runners up in their Escort Mk2

Page 15

© Motorsport-imagery © Motorsport-imagery

2017 Winners William Hill & Richard Crozier

Class 2 by Chris Gravestock and Mark Harmer in a Citroen C2R2. Class 1 by Matt Endean and Suze Endean in their Nissan Micra and Class 0 Adam Ripper and Paul Gallagher in another Nissan Micra.

This year, the 2 night stages would start from the inner paddock and finish in the outer paddock, reverse running from previous years. Some amazing sunset skies were to be seen behind the cars as they waited at the back of the grandstand for their allocated start times. With the temperature already starting to drop it was lucky the snow kept away for the remaining stages.

This year saw a marked reduction in the number of retirements, with only 12 failing to finish compared with 28 in 2016. Maybe this was down to Sunday being cancelled but seeing the hard frost on the tarmac early Saturday morning it could have been a lot worse.

January 2018

Dale Crowsley & John Vaudin Mazda MX-5 GT © Motorsport-imagery

Dave West & Keith Hounslow with the now battle damaged Peugeot 306 Maxi

Page 16

Archive Photo of the month.

By Pete Austin.

With the recent snow and ice four wheel drive seems to be the way to go. Formula One teams thought the same in 1969 although it turned out to be a blind alley. This is the 4-w-d Lotus 63 of Jo Bonnier behind the pits before the 1969 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Perhaps of equal interest are the working conditions of the mechanics compared with the 'operating theatre' cleanliness of today. Going back to the car in the photograph, Jo Bonnier only lasted a few laps before engine trouble intervened.

Š Pete Austin

January 2018

Page 17

Š Simon Wright

The New Unnamed Classic Car Group meeting.

The Old Waggon & Horses Inn, Kidderminster.

26th November 2017. By Simon & Janet Wright January 2018

Jaguar XK8 and a pair of MG F Sports cars

Page 18

© Janet Wright

The MG line up was impressive

Holding regular meetings during the year on a field at the rear of the Old Waggon & Horses Inn, between Kidderminster and Stourbridge, the New Unnamed Classic Car Group welcome any classic vehicle to attend their free meetings. The last meeting of 2017 took place on Sunday 26th November and the bright weather attracted a good display of vehicles. Being close to the former Justin Factory and Longbridge, there was a reasonable number of former British Leyland vehicles on display, including some of the more modern classics. There were a trio of 2001 Y reg MG F sports © Simon Wright

January 2018

cars in the corner of the field next to a long line of the more modern sports cars and a saloon lined up across the back of the display field, a good turn out from the local MG owners.

The MG F is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive roadster, the first new © Simon Wright model design ed as an MG model since the MG B. The The MG F was the first designed MG Sports car since the MG B MG F was initially designed by the Rover Group during the period it was owned by British Aerospace. It did not appear in the market until the company was under BMW ownership.

They manufactured the vehicle from 1995 to 2000. Then the company was subject to a management buy-out who formed the MG Rover company. The model was updated to become the MG TF in 2002. After MG Rover entered administration in 2005, production ceased until the business was sold to Nanjing Automobile which resumed production of the MG TF in 2007. By now the model was outdated in the market and was not a sales success and production was finally stopped in 2011.

In the line up of classic cars there were more examples of the MG Rover heritage with an original MG B and MG Midget. There was also an unusual 2004 Rover Streetwise, the

Classic MG B next to Ford Model A Hot Rod

Page 19

© Janet Wright

The Rover Streetwise

Rover attempt to make an off road looking Rover hatchback, which looked like a small sized 4 wheel drive SUV. It was based on the Rover 25 and was only 2 wheel drive. Going much further back in the British Leyland heritage was a 1949 Triumph Roadster, similar to the car that appeared on the TV series Bergerac.

There were lots of other vehicle manufacturers represented, with Triumph Roadster

© Simon Wright

January 2018

quite a few Fords on show The Popular Ford Escort Mk1 and Mk3 are always well received at shows, while the more upmarket Ford Capri was every boy racers dream in the 1970s.

There was a prime example of a 1972 Mk 1 Capri Broadspeed © Simon Wright Bullit.

Broadspeed modified the basic 3 litre Capri with a V6 turbo Essex engine, a rear wing and rear window slats, plus modified Ford Capri Broadspeed Bullit suspension and brakes to make a high performance version of the popular Capri. Only 15 Bullit versions were built and it is thought that © Simon Wright only 7 have survived.

Another rare car on display was a 1987 Lada Riva 1300SL. Built by Russian car manufacturers AvtoVAZ, the model was introduced in the Soviet Union in the early 1980s. They were based on the Fiat 124 platform and used a 1.2 to 1.7 litre Lada Riva 1300 SL

Page 20

Varied line up in the winter sun, including Ford Mondeo, Ford Escorts, Westfield, Honda Civic, Nissan Figaro, Triumph Roadster, MG A, and Ford Capri © Simon Wright

Land Rover Defender

© Simon Wright © Simon Wright

© Simon Wright

Bond Equipe

Land Rover Zombie response unit

© Simon Wright

Nissan GT-R

January 2018

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright

Ford Consul 315

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© Simon Wright

Mercury Commuter Station Wagon

front mounted engine, driving the rear wheels. This model followed the original Lada 1200. There are very few Lada saloons left in the UK, and this was a very good example.

Local vehicle manufacturer Morgan from nearby Malvern, has built many desirable cars with both 3 and 4 wheels. There were a couple of older 3 wheelers at the show, one fitted with the Matchless V engine and supersport aerodynamic bodywork One of the largest © Simon Wright vehicles on the field was Morgan 3 wheeler

January 2018

a 1957 5.2 litre American Mercury Commuter Station Wagon. As well as the long length, it had an eye catching two tone paint scheme of pink and white.

The Group hold regular meetings during the year and have a Facebook page ‘The New Unnamed Classic Car Group’.

© Janet Wright

Morgan Supersport with Matchless engine © Janet Wright

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© Janet Wright

© Simon Wright

Lotus Eclat Excel © Simon Wright

Volkswagen Beach Buggy © Simon Wright

MG ZT 190+

January 2018

Jaguar XK

Page 23

Champions Photo Gallery.

Here we celebrate some of the motor racing champions of 2017

Š Simon Wright

January 2018

FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Champions - Porsche

Page 24

© Janet Wright

© Simon Wright

WEC FIA World Endurance Drivers Championship.

1st Brendon Hartley (NZ) Earl Bamber (NZ) Timo Bernhard (D). © Simon Wright

FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Drivers 1st Bruno Senna (Bz) Julien Canal (F) FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams 1st Vaillante Rebellion.

January 2018

FIA Endurance Trophy for GT AM Drivers 1st Mathias Lauda (A) Paul Dalla Lana (Cdn) Pedro Lamy (P) FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE AM Teams - Aston Martin Racing. © Janet Wright

GT FIA World Endurance Drivers Championship 1st Alessandro Pier Guidi (I) James Calado GT FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Championship - Ferrari FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Pro Teams - AF Corse (I)

Page 25

© Janet Wright

British Touring Car Champion Ashley Sutton Adrian Flux Subaru Racing Subaru Levorg

© Simon Wright

Independent Drivers ChampionTom Ingram Toyota Avensis Independent Team Champion Speedworks Motorsport © Simon Wright

January 2018

BTCC Manufacturers - Constructors Champion Team BMW/West Surrey Racing

© Janet Wright

Jack Sears Trophy winner: Senna Proctor Vauxhall Astra

Page 26

© Janet Wright

© Simon Wright © Janet Wright

John Davison Lotus Elan 26R HSCC Guards Trophy Champion © Simon Wright

Dick Coffey Turner Mk 1 Joint HSCC Historic Roadsports Champions Will Plant Morgan Plus 8

© Janet Wright

January 2018

Mike Bletsoe-Brown Chevron B27 Derek Bell Trophy Champion © Simon Wright

Steve Platts Singer Chamois HSCC Historic Touring Cars Champion © Simon Wright

Jon Milicevic Brabham BT21B HSCC Historic Formula 3

Charles Barter Datsun 240Z 70s Roadsports Champion © Simon Wright

Gaius Ghinn Ralt RT3 HSCC Classic F3 Champion © Simon Wright

Robert Simac March 712M HSCC Historic Formula 2 Champion

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© Janet Wright

Mark Charteris Mallock Mk20/21 Joint HSCC Classic Clubmans Champions Clive Wood Mallock Mk20B

© Simon Wright

Andrew Park Reynard SF81 HSCC Historic FF2000 Champion © Janet Wright

© Simon Wright

Richard Tarling Jamun T2 HSCC Historic Formula Ford Champion

January 2018

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Š Motorsport-imagery

Motorcycle Live 2017 NEC, Birmingham.

By David Goose and Stuart Yates of Motorsport Imagery.

Honda CBR Fireblade

January 2018

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© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

show also features race bikes, custom and classic machines as well as motorbike related activities and a live interactive stage.

Suzuki GSX-R celebration display.

Bike Heaven November saw the 37th running of the annual Motorcycle Live exhibition held at the NEC in Birmingham. Although © Motorsport-imagery dominated by modern motorbikes and equipment, the event acting as a showcase to launch their 2018 ranges to the British public. The Custom Suzuki.

January 2018

Launched in 1981 as the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, it was renamed Motorcycle Live in 2010 and goes from strength to strength with PBM Moto GP Aprilia V4. over 107,000 visitors during the nine day show. Over 40 motorbike manufacturers exhibited at the show including all the big names, with plenty of new shiny motorbikes to cater for everybody’s needs.

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© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

Norton Custom Bike. © Motorsport-imagery

Ian Hutchinson signing his autobiography.

January 2018

Brough Superior Pendine Sand Racer.

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© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

Highlights included the new Ducati Panegale V4, 25 years of the Honda Fireblade, 20 years of the Yamaha YZF and a full restoration of Kevin Schwantz’s Suzuki RGV500.

A live stage provided entertainment throughout the show, with celebrity hosts James Whitham and Steve Parish providing a wide assortment of quizzes, BMW S1000RR Road Bike. competitions and star interviews and discussions. Guests included stars from the world of Motorcycle racing including Leon Haslam and Moto GP’s Johann Zarco. The exhibition itself provided many opportunities for the autograph and selfie hunters including John McGuiness, Ian Hutchinson, Michael Dunlop, Neil Hodgson and Niall McKenzie.

January 2018

Honda Racing Display.

Overall a great show for the two wheel fans, but also plenty of interest for the four wheel car fans. © Motorsport-imagery

Tyco TAS Racing BMW S1000RR.

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© Motorsport-imagery

Steve Parrish being interviewed on the Indian stand.

© Motorsport-imagery

Michael Dunlop's Isle of Man Senior TT Suzuki GSX-R.

© Motorsport-imagery

Harley Davidson Superglide with Watsonian GP700 Sidecar.

January 2018

© Motorsport-imagery

Ducati's new Panigale V4 Speciale.

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© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

TAS Racings Philip Neill checks out the new Honda HP4 Race Bike.

© Motorsport-imagery

Red Bull KTM. © Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

Neil Hogson.

Satans Slaves .

© Motorsport-imagery

Strange place to keep your MAC.

January 2018

© Motorsport-imagery

Suzuki GSX-R.

Ariel Ace.

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VSCC Winter Driving Tests Bicester Heritage. Saturday 2nd December 2017.

By Simon & Janet Wright with additional photos by David Goose and Stuart Yates of Motorsport Imagery and Pete Austin.

Š Simon Wright

January 2018

Overall winner Charlie Martin Riley Special

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© Pete Austin

Class winner Clive Hamilton-Gould - Ford Phaeton

The final event of the year for the Vintage Sports Car Club was the annual Winter Driving tests held at Bicester Heritage. Unlike previous years when there has been a hard frost, this years event was held in fairly mild and damp conditions with drizzle at various points during the morning. The layout of this years tests were fairly different to last year to maintain the appeal of the event. Most of the tests were on tarmac, but at least one test was January 2018

© Janet Wright

on a gravel surface and as in previous years, one test was held inside one of the old aircraft hangers.

As usual for this event there was a good and varied entry, though the most popular type of car for these events seems to be the little Austin 7. The aim of the Driving tests is to follow the correct course around the bollards, not to hit any of the bollards and not to run wide and off the track, Hughie Walker Austin VAT 69 while competing against the clock. If you hit a bollard you gain 10 points, miss a gate gains another 10 points, over the course is an additional 10 points and if you missed a test or took the wrong route round a test you got the best scores in your © Motorsport-imagery class for that test plus 60 points.

This years overall winner was Charlie Martin in his 1931/35 Riley Special with a score of just 519 points. He also won Class 4 for Modified Sports Cars. Edmund Burgess in a 1924 Bugatti T13 Brescia won Class 3 for Standard Sports cars with a score of 555.8 points. Third overall was Class 2 Touring Cars winner Harry Hoskins driving a 1929 Morris Cowley with 589.3 points. He shared the car

A smokey Andrew Baker Austin Ulster

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© Motorsport-imagery

© Motorsport-imagery

© Simon Wright

Resplendent on site catering.

Mark Garfitt Frazer Nash BMW 319/55 Sports © Janet Wright

© Pete Austin

Roger Tolsen Lea Francis P Type with the old control tower in the background

Nicholas Lees - Riley Sprite © Simon Wright

Bicester College Ford Model A Tudor driven by Max Ellison and Matthew Gamble

January 2018

© Simon Wright

Daniel Hunter MG F1

Stuart and Camilla Pringle Amilcar CGSS © Janet Wright

Rebeca and Alison Smith Ford A Tudor Sedan

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© Janet Wright

© Motorsport-imagery

Harry and Paul Hoskins Morris Cowley

with Paul Hoskins who finished second in class 2 with 609.7 points. They were split by Richard Marsh in a 1930 Austin 7 who scored 589.9 points to finish 2nd in Class 4.

Ms Chloe Walker won Class 1, the Edwardian and Veteran Class in a 1912 Hispano Suiza Alfonso. Suprisingly for the Edwardian cars, the Hispano Suiza Alfonso was the only car entered in the class, also being driven by Tom Walker.

Clive Hamilton-Gould was a class winner in Class 2 for Touring cars at the wheel of a

1929 Ford Phaeton.

Class 5 was for Cyclecars , Oddities and LCES and Tony Stephens won the Peter Glover Alvis 12/50 SD 3 Str Sports class with a score of 1520.9 points in a 1925 Trojan Utility. The only other car in this class was a 1910 AC Sociable driven by Paul Spense who unfortunately only completed the first test. He set the best score on the first test, so the combination had the potentail to have challenged for the class win if they can improve reliability. The final class winner was for Class 6, Bicester College, and it was Max Ellison who was victorious in a 1930 Ford Model A Tudor with 1618.6 points.

A special mention must go to Hugh Walker driving Austin VAT 69 who was pushing on in his typical fashion and nearly managed to overturn the car on one of the tests. Unfortunately in his haste, he managed to take the wrong route round several of the

Gary Caroline Morgan Supersports 3 wheeler

January 2018

© Simon Wright

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© Motorsport-imagery

Neil Thorpe Singer 9 Sports Coupe

© Simon Wright

tests and clip bollards on others which resulted in a score of 934.3 points overall.

You can see our video from the event on our You Tube channel here https://youtu.be/ q80EcE101r4 © Pete Austin

Jonathan Garton Riley 12/4 Special

© Janet Wright

Alex Pilkington - Alfa Romeo 6C 1750

January 2018

Richard Gatley Frazer Nash BMW 319 Type 45 Saloon

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© Pete Austin

Class winner Chloe Walker - Hispano Suiza Alfonso © Simon Wright

© Motorsport-imagery

Tim Kneller Riley 9 Plus Series © Simon Wright

Michael Power Sunbeam 25HP

January 2018

Edmund Burgess Bugatti T13 Brescia 2nd overall and class winner

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