Classic and Competition Car

C

& c i s la s

Competition Car

Issue 14 November 2011

Spa Classic British GT Finals Silverstone

HSCC Championship Finals Silverstone

Page 1 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

News Page 4

Spa Classic 6 Hrs 14 Transatlantic Prototype Challenge 19

Archive Picture 21

BTCC Finals Silverstone 22

GT Cup Spa 25

Race at Spa 29

Ramblings from Rugby 31

GT Cup Snetterton 33

British GT Finals 39

HSCC Finals 42

Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge 36

Page 2 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Editorial Well the racing season is all but over and we are crowning the 2011 champions. I would like to congratulate local driver Matt Neal for winning his third Simon Wright Editor/Photographer British Touring Car Championship after a thrilling and at times fraught season.

Historic Saloon car racing gives tight, close action without contact or paint trading (On most occasions) with cars like your Dad used to drive.

Classic & Competition car is published by simonwrightphotos.com, High View Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands, England.

We now move in doors for various exhibitions and shows, the first being the Classic Motor Show at the NEC. This show seems to get bigger and better every year. After Christmas it’s time for the Autosport show also at the NEC and then it will be time for Race Retro at Stoneleigh, so plenty to look forward to during the dark winter months.

The winter is also a time for teams to prepare their cars for next season. Why not let us know your plans for 2012 if you are a competitor and we might give you a mention.

We hope you enjoy this issue and would love to hear your opinions, so why not drop us an e-mail at simonwright57@hotmail.com or say hello if you see us at a race meeting.

E-mail simonwright57@hotmail.com Tel:07905 435973 Regular Contributors Simon Wright Janet Wright Pete Austin Mick Herring All content is copyright classicandcompetitioncar.com unless otherwise stated. All photographs are copyright the original photographer and may not 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 let us know and we will correct as required.

We do not organise any events which are mentioned and are not responsible if the event is cancelled, so please contact the event organiser before making a long trip.

To subscribe for free and be notified when the next issue is published, please click here See additional photos on our web site Click here Front Cover Barry Cannell RGS Atalanta at the Spa Classic © Mick Herring.

Glynn wants championship and Westbrook's 2nd place © Mick Herring.

James Buckton spins his Elden Mk8 at Luffield during the HSCC Finals weekend © Simon Wright.

Page 3 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

News Matt Neal Champion Stourbridge born Matt Neal clinched his third British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone on the 16th October, just beating his Honda team mate Gordon Shedden by eight points after a thirty race season.

Matt is the first three time champion since Andy Rouse clinched his third title in 1984. At 45 years old, Matt also became the oldest British Touring Car Champion. His previous championship wins were in 2005 and 2006.

Ray Mallock drives fathers race car.

Chevrolet World Touring Car team Manager Ray Mallock returned to the drivers seat at the HSCC Championship Finals meeting at Silverstone, driving a car his father had built 51 years ago. The Mallock U2 Mk2 was built by Arthur Mallock in 1960 for Formula Junior racing. This car was last raced by Arthur in 1980 before being sold to American John Streets who had kept the car for thirty years. Ray brought the car back from America and rebuilt it Š Pete Austin to the original specification, including drum brakes on all wheels.

In his first race in the car, Ray finished first of the front engined Formula Junior cars in 9th place overall, winning class B2

Page 4 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Silverstone holds 2 meetings the same day

Caterhams in action at the BRSCC meeting on the International circcuit.....

At Silverstone on the 22nd of October 2011, you were spoilt for choice. On the National circuit the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) were holding their Championship Finals race meeting, while at the same time the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) were holding a race meeting on the new International circuit using the Wing pit complex. It was possible for spectators at Becketts to catch a glimpse of both meetings at the same time. Both meeting ran successfully, the only slight problem was that competitors at the BRSCC meeting caught sight of a Red flag from the HSCC meeting during practice, but a screen was set up to prevent further distractions from the other circuit marshal post. Competitors at the BRSCC meeting enjoyed the new layout of the International circuit which uses the Grand Prix circuit up to the loop from the start line, then cuts across to join the Hanger straight at the exit of Becketts..

At the same time as HSCC Roadsports action on the National circuit Page 5 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Race Retro Chosen marques.

The Race Retro show at Stoneleigh Park on the 24-26th February, will celebrate Porsche and Honda in 2012.

Porsche have a long and varied history in motorsport which will be represented with various static displays in the exhibition halls and with live action on the Rally stage. It will be thirty years since the introduction of the Group C Porsche 956 and there will be a display in Hall 2 to celebrate this phenomenal sports racing car, which along with its successor the 962 won most major sports car races in the 1980’s and 90’s.

In the motor bike world, few can match the Honda legacy. The show will celebrate thirty years of the Honda Racing Corporation in Hall 3 with a variety of displays and many Honda celebrities should be appearing over the weekend.

For further information on Race Retro visit www.raceretro.com

The inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship will impose more restricted diesel engines in LMP1 cars for 2012 to try to level the performance with the petrol powered sports cars. The FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest are aiming to reduce the power of the diesel cars by around 7%. This follows on from the changes allowed for petrol cars to loose 10 Kg of weight and increase the size of their air restrictors which were introduced before the 2011 Le Mans race.

Diesel powered cars will have a reduced diameter air restrictor and reduced pressure on the supercharger systems by up to 200 millibars. The fuel tank will also be reduced in size by 5 litres.

In an effort to reduce high speed accidents similar to those that have taken place this year, the FIA has made the shark fin design mandatory on all LMP1, LMP2 and FLM cars, along with mandatory openings above the front and Diesel powered works Audi R18 TDi rear wheels to reduce pressure and aerodynamic lift. Rear view mirrors will also increase in size except on LMP1 cars, and the vehicle must have a night mode rear viewing system.

Page 6 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Simon Wright

2012 FIA World Endurance Championship

BTCC Ace Shedden races in British GT British Touring Car Championship runner-up Gordon Shedden from Fife in Scotland tried his hand again at the British GT Championship for the final round at Silverstone on the 8th October 2011. He was deputising for Allan Simonsen, sharing a Ferrari

Š Mick Herring Shedden plays catch up after Hector's early trouble 458 Italia GT3 with Hector Lester, the pair finished in 11th place overall after early problems for Lester delayed the car.

BTCC Vauxhall Insignia debut at Silverstone John Thorne was due to debut the NGTC Vauxhall Insignia at the final round of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

Unfortunately the Thorney Motorsport prepared car was not ready in time and spent all of Saturday being worked on in the pits.

The car did do the parade lap before the first BTCC race on Š Janet Wright Sunday and looked resplendent in its Black Batman colour scheme. The Insignia is powered by the TOCA turbocharged engine, but the team hope to develop their own Vauxhall unit for 2012 based on the Insignia SRI road car engine. The team have started working on another two NGTC Insignias for 2012 which they hope to supply to customer teams either as rolling chassis or complete cars. The project has already generated a lot of interest.

Page 7 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Pete Austin

Dan Wheldon 22nd June 1978-16th October 2011

British racing driver Dan Wheldon, 33, was tragically killed in a multi car crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the 16th October 2011. Starting from the rear of the field as part of a $5 million challenge, he was one of the last cars to get involved in the accident, with no where to go as cars were spinning out of control all over the circuit.

2005 IndyCar Series champion and twice winner of the Indianapolis 500 including this year 2011, Dan’s career in America had been very successful. In his early career in England he had been a great rival to Jenson Button, but moved to America early on in 1999, as it was costing too much to compete in Europe.

He competed in various categories of American racing before moving to the Indy Car Series in 2002. In his ten year Indycar career, Dan achieved 16 wins, including the Series title in 2005 and Indy 500 victories in 2005 and 2011.

To his family and friends we offer our sincere condolences.

The following weekend Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli was killed in an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix. We would also offer our condolences to his family and friends.

Lola have begun to manufacture suspension uprights for the Lola T210, T212 and T290 to replenish spares for the many teams that are still competing with these cars in Histroic racing around the World. For more information, contact Lola direct.

Page 8 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Rare Brahma races at Silverstone At the recent HSCC Championship Finals meeting, an unusual car was spotted on track in the hands of Richard Piper. The 1966 Brahma B2 was built by John Sharrigan and engineer Paul Fitzgerald in America. They built only 2 cars, the first was a clone of the Peter Revson Lotus 23B. The second car, the B2, was purpose built to take part in the under 2 litre class of the inaugural Can-Am championship in 1966.

The design was a ladder type chassis stressed with metal panels and semi-monocoque sidepods to house the fuel tanks. With four wheel independent suspension to improve handling, the car was initially powered by a 2 litre Fiat Abarth engine and a VW transaxle, covered with a unique designed, light weight fibreglass body designed by Sikorsky design engineer Neil Chivaroli for improved aerodynamics. Fully fuelled, the car only weighed 960 lbs.

Unfortunat ely the project never got to show its full potential as © Simon Wright the series organisers decided to scrap the equal points system for the under and over 2 litre classes in the Can-Am championship after George Follmer’s amazing performances in his LotusPorsche hybrid during the 1966 season.

Brahma decided to switch to the SCCA’s B-Sport National sports car championship and reconfigured the car for the different regulations.

One of the fuel tanks went to save weight, and the engine was swapped for a Ford BDA 2 litre powerplant fitted with a Hewland transaxle. In this form the car achieved success over the next few seasons taking John Sharrigan to the 1972 SCCA National Championship B-Sport title. It had also proved to be a giant killer in that period, © Simon Wright finishing 2nd overall at Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen during the 1969 season, beating most of the over 2 litre cars in those races.

The car has been extensively restored since those days and the 2 litre engine has been replaced by a 1600cc unit. Richard Piper qualified a magnificent 4th behind Graham Dodd’s Ginetta G16 and the Chevron B8’s of © Simon Wright Nick Fleming and Steve Hodges and brought the car home in 5th place overall, winning his class.

Page 9 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Simon Wright

© Janet Wright

New Ginetta G60 unveiled at Silverstone.

Ginetta have recently launched their new G60 model, a stripped down, pure driving experience mid engined sports car. All modern driving aids have been removed. No Traction control, servo brakes, power assisted steering or ABS are fitted to the vehicle. The carbon fibre shell fitted to a stiff tubular chassis allows maximum performance to be obtained from the 310 bhp produced by the 3.7 litre engine. The kerb weight is just 1080 Kg, giving a power to weight ratio of 305.6 bhp/tonne which produces a top speed of 165 miles per hour and a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. Modern comforts for the driver have not been forgotten.

Air conditioning, heated windscreen, bluetooth and wireless connectivity, Immobiliser, and a 7” touchscreen with Satellite navigation are included in the ‘from £68,000 On The Road price’. © Simon Wright

Page 10 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Mini Britannia

By Simon Wright.

When Tour Britannia moved from its usual September date to June for 2011, it left a gap for competitors towards the end of the year. The organisers thought that it might be a good idea to stage a mini Tour Britannia in an effort to attract new competitors, with a one day event , giving a flavour of the full event. The North Wales section of last years Tour gave a wide variety of stages in a compact area and was used as a basis for Mini Tour Britannia. The Great Orme stage and the fantastic Anglesey circuit were used again, along with several new stages which drew enough interest for several top existing teams from the regular Tours to take part.

Regular Tour competitor Howard Redhouse with Philip Walker in a Porsche 911 3.0 RS took the overall honors to win from another Porsche 911 RSR of another Tour regulars Mike Smith and Ian Ashley. Third place went to the AC Cobra of Mark Freeman and Mike Ellis. The Targa class for more modern cars was won by John and Duncan Freeman in their Mazda MX5 Mk3.

The Regularity section, which run the course to set target times, was won by Steve and Tony Graham driving a Lancia Fulvia, while Tour Britannia organiser Fred Gallagher and Barry Green finished 2nd in a Porsche 356 and Michael Hanson and John Hartley took third place behind the wheel of a Porsche 928.

Š Janet Wright The dramatic end to Louise Richardson's season in the first of the Ginetta GT Supercup races at Becketts, Silverstone during the BTCC Final Page 11 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

McLaren the sports car builders.

© Mick Herring Quaife running 2nd early on in the McLaren MP4-C12 GT3 at Silverstone Blancpain race. Finished 19th overall

All photos by Mick Herring.

Mention the name McLaren and most people will think of the World Championship winning Grand Prix team with the likes of Prost, Senna, Hunt, Hakkinen, Hamilton and Button. But McLaren have also been a very successful sports car manufacturer, dominating the Can-Am championship back

© Mick Herring Menacing M8F Michiel Campagne 3rd

© Mick Herring

H Read McLaren M8C Did not start at Spa in the 1970’s and taking a Le Mans 24 Hours victory in 1995. Now they are returning to Sports car racing with the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3, which made its racing debut at the Spa round of the British © Mick Herring GT championship in early July. Priced at £310,000 for the racing version, demand has already outstripped supply and all models are now sold for racing in the 2012 season. McLaren intend to limit production, so that they can provide support for the teams racing the new car.

At the recent Spa Classic meeting in Belgium, there Glaesel-Kelleners McLaren F1GTR 1st at Spa were various McLaren sports cars racing, showing the fine heritage of this side to the McLaren racing legend.

Page 12 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring

McLaren M6 GT.

Also seen at the Spa classic was a rare McLaren M6 GT which took part in the Masters Sports Car race. Driven

by P Schleifer, the car qualified in 14th place overall but was McLaren M6 GT driven by P Schleifer in the Masters Sports Car Race at Spa unclassified as it failed to complete 75% of the race distance, though it did set the fastest lap time of its class in a time of 2 minutes 42.028 seconds at an average speed of 155.618 kilometres per hour.

The M6 GT was originally developed by Bruce McLaren as a road going sports car based on the McLaren M6 Can-Am car. It was planned to race in Group 4 GT races in 1969, but the FIA introduced a new rule saying that for homologation, 50 examples of the car had to be completed before it would de allowed to compete. McLaren were planning to sell the car as a rolling chassis, allowing owners to decide on what engine they fitted to power the vehicle. With the new 50 build rule, the project was shelved. The prototype was used as a road car by Bruce McLaren until the time of his death. The prototype was the only M6 GT built by the McLaren factory. Three others were built by Trojan-Lambretta who were contracted to build McLaren customer cars. One of these three was bought by David Prophet who raced it regularly. There are some Replica M6 GT cars available, built to the original specification and with genuine chassis plates but these can be identified because they are called M6 GTR with the R standing for Replica.

Preservationist of the Year Award

By Pete Austin Historic racing stalwart Mark Walker has won the prestigious 2011 Transport Trust Preservationist of the Year Award for the restoration of his 1905 Darracq 200hp. The presentation was made by HRH Prince Michael of Kent at an awards ceremony in Trinity House, London. © Pete Austin

Mark Walker - 1905 Darracq 200hp

Being a regular competitor in VSCC events Mark has competed in the car at venues such as Curborough (shown here), Silverstone and Prescott in addition to demonstrating it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2010.

Mark’s enthusiastic driving style is always welcomed by spectators and his cars (which also include the ‘Thunderbug’ and a Grand Prix Panhard) are invariably driven to these events on the road. A real enthusiast.

Page 13 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring

Spa Classic 6hr September 24th‫‏‬

Only 6 Hours to go.

By Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

If the Spa Classic 6hr needed a lure to attract spectators or come to that, photographers, the sight and sound of at least seven Ford GT40s howling their glorious engine note as they charge away from the La Source hairpin would be enough but then add in the sheer variety contained in the grid of more than one hundred starters, lap of 7 kilometres and you have one race that encompasses every expectation.

English cars (and drivers) are always well represented, in the shape of the Jaguar E Type, Lotus Elan, MGB, Marcos, Healey 3000, Aston Martin, Mini Cooper S, Morgan, TVR Griffith/Grantura.

Porsche 911s and a 904 took on these and the might of the Anglo-American AC Cobra, the AllAmerican Ford Mustang, Falcon and Chevrolet Corvette.

With the race starting in beautiful sunshine and finishing at 22.00(local time) it would not be without a controversial incident though, when the safety car stopped at the top of Raidillon.

Slidey Squealey Page 14 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Mick Herring

Deenik/Waaijenberg Ford Falcon 10th

With cars still at high speed as they came to the incident unsighted there were instances of stationary cars being shunted from behind, which would see several eliminated on the spot, including the leading Jaguar E Type Lightweight of Jon/Jason Minshaw/Martin

Š Mick Herring

Stretton.

When racing resumed the GT40 of Roger Wills/Joe Twyman would establish a lead and the fastest lap of the race 2minute 46.948 secs on lap 20, sadly it's race would end 15 laps later with a broken gearbox.

Philip Walker's ultra-rare GT40 Roadster would also exit the race from a strong 4th position when the gearbox external selector broke, the position that the car was pushed into precluded it from being able to rejoin and limp back for repairs.

It is interesting to see the remarkable body/chassis differences between this early prototype Roadster and what would become the "producti on" GT40.

Through the race, the GT40 of Leo Voyazides/ Simon Hadfield built a command ing lead until a long delay at Hart-Hugenholz Cobra 7th.

Page 15 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Mick Herring

Winners Glaesel-Kelleners dip under 8th place E type at La Source

the fuel station(a traditional petrol pump station in the paddock) saw them go a lap down to eventual winners Christian Glaesel/Ralf Kelleners' GT40, a deficit that Simon Hadfield would reduce significantly as the race drew to it's night time finish.

Results:1st Glaesel/Kelleners Ford GT40 2nd Voyazides/Hadfield Ford GT40 3rd Chris Scragg/Dave Coyne/Mark Wright Jaguar E Type 4th John Shipman/Mark Hales/Nigel Reuben TVR Griffith 400 5th Alexander Weavers/J-P Batenburgh/P Van Hoepen Kirkham Cobra 6th Gavin Henderson/Ted Williams/Joe Macari Ford GT40 7th David Hart/Hans Hugenholtz Shelby Cobra 8th Sandy Watson/Martin O'Connell/Andy Yool Jaguar E Type 9th John/Chris Clark/Alasdair McCaig Jaguar E Type Lightweight 10th Bart-Jan Deenik/Dirk Waaijenberg Ford Falcon Sprint 11th Keith Ahlers/Billy Bellinger/Nils Christians Morgan Plus 8 Š Mick Herring

Clark-Clark- McCaig E type 9th Page 16 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring © Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

Top to Bottom J Biekens Ferrari 156 Sharknose.

Frank Lyons McLaren M26 Chase-Gardener/Allen Alfa Romeo Giulletta ZS

© Mick Herring

Lindsay/Ivey Porsche 906 Carrera 6 Page 17 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Top to Bottom Vogele/Green Ferrari 330 GTO Voyazides/Glaesel/Williams Ford GT40

50 Hall/Blakeney-Edwards Jaguar E Type dives inside 38 Lightweight E-Type of Hall/Newall at La Source

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

TVR Griffiths Shipman/Hales/Rueben 4th, McInerney/McInerney/Griffiths 39th

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

Page 18 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Peter Schleifer Lola T310 Eau Rouge 5th

© Mick Herring

Trans-Atlantic Prototype Challenge Spa 24th September‫‏‬

By Mick Herring.

The Trans-Atlantic Prototype Challenge race at Spa brought together a varied selection of exciting sports cars from different eras, from the 60s to the 90s.

The golden age of Group C was flanked by the thundering 800+ horsepower CanAm cars from the 60s and early 70s together with World Sportscar Masters

© Mick Herring T Dozin Spice SE88C © Mick Herring Winner Glaesel/Kelleners McLaren F1 GTR leads through Eau Rouge

and the later Le Mans McLaren F1GTR. Page 19 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring

F1GTR of Christian Glaesel/Rolf Kelleners ahead of the pair of McLaren M8Fs driven by Peter Hoffman (lurid purple) and Michiel Campagne (menacing black).

W.S.M honours were upheld by Steve Tandy's Lola T70 Mk3b in fourth with Peter Schleifer's CanAm Lola T310

© Mick Herring

P Boel De Tomaso Pantera GR4

Characterised by their slabsides, huge rear wings and unequal length fuel injection trumpets atop their monster 8.3 to 8.8 litre engines, CanAm cars may lack agility but would certainly have the opportunity to flex their considerable muscles up the long Kemmel Straight literally shaking the ground in their wake.

They would all have to give best though to the newest car on the grid, the 1997 McLaren

Peter Hoffman Can-Am McLaren M8F Eau Rouge 2nd

fifth.

Roger Wills brought his 1991 Group C Courage C26S sixth.

This was an interesting race and fielded quite a few cars not seen very often including the De Tomaso Pantera and the more regularly raced Spice SE88C, Lola T292 and T212. © Mick Herring Carlos Monteverdi Lola T292 Page 20 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Mick Herring

Roger Wills Courage C26S 6th

Archive Photo

Š Pete Austin

By Pete Austin 'In the 60s and 70s one of my heroes was Ronnie Peterson and I followed his career from his F3 days through to Formula 1. This image shows Ronnie in the unloved March 721X in the 1972 Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. He was quick in whatever he drove but wasn't the best test driver, tending to drive around any problem.

The concept of the Robin Herd designed car was to place as much weight as possible between the wheelbase thus reducing the polar inertia. To this end the gear cluster was placed ahead of the rear axle line. The car only qualified 8th and finished a distant 12th in the race itself. When Niki Lauda tested the car he identified its serious shortcomings and by the 1972 French Grand Prix it had been superseded by the 721G. In this shot Peterson is shown leading Howden Ganley in his BRM P160B.

Page 21 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

BTCC Finals, Silverstone

By Simon & Janet Wright © Simon Wright Matt Neal won the first race at Silverstone in his Honda Civic and with a 2nd and 8th in the other two races, he clinched the Championship

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) arrived at Silverstone for their final three races with five drivers still mathematically in with a chance of taking the title.

Honda drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden, Chevrolet driver Jason Plato, Ford driver Mat Jackson and Vauxhall driver James Nash were all still able to take the championship. Jackson and Nash were also both fighting for the Independent Drivers Title with Nash ahead by 17 points. The Airwaves Ford Focus team of Jackson bought in James Thompson in a third car to try to help their man, while in practice the two Chevrolets of Plato and MacDowall plus the privateer Chevrolet of Paul O’Neill ran as a train with Plato at the rear, in an effort to improve their grid positions.

The battle was to be fought out over the tight 1.6 mile National circuit at Silverstone. Matt Neal in the Honda claimed Pole position by just 0.035 seconds from Mat Jackson in the Ford Focus with Gordon Shedden third and © Janet Wright James Nash fourth on the fast Former Champion James Thompson drove a third Airwaves Silverstone track that favoured Ford Focus to try and help Mat Jacksons title bid

Page 22 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

the Turbocharged cars. Jason Plato only managed seventh place for the fourth row of the grid. The start of the first race was as explosive as ever. While the front half of the grid raced off towards Copse corner, all hell broke loose at the back half of the grid.

Rob Austin in the Audi tried to squeeze between the pit wall and a Ford Focus, clipped the wall and shot diagonally across the grid, hitting the rear side of Ollie Jackson’s Vauxhall Vectra and spinning him right round in the middle of the pack. In the middle of the action, Tony Gilham tried to avoid the accident and went off at high speed in his BMW 320Si and hit the barriers hard with the side of his car. Both retired on the spot.

Neal made the most of pole and led all the way round the first lap to the Safety Car. Jackson, Shedden and Nash filled the next three places, while Tom Chilton made a good start to grab 5th after Jason Plato ran wide at Copse and had to settle for 6th after making a good start. Former double champion James Thompson was clipped by Austin as he tried to squeeze through on the start and called in the pits at the end of the first lap with a broken front damper. The race restarted on lap 5 with twenty laps to run. Neal, Jackson and Shedden © Janet Wright managed to Chevrolet tried everything to keep Plato in contention for the Title including this train open up a in Qualifying. slight gap to the rest of the field. On lap 11 Plato got a front left puncture just after passing the pit entrance and was effectively out of the race though he did make it back to the pits to continue to circulate after a tyre change. Meanwhile Jackson continued to pressure Neal at the front. Tom Chilton got a drive through for using the run off area at Copse more than 5 times, and Plato had to make another pit stop turning the first race into a test session for the other two races. With two laps to go Jackson got a puncture on his right front tyre which allowed Shedden through into second place. This put Jackson out of the championship chase. Neal and Shedden made it a Honda 1-2 in the first race with James Nash third.

© Simon Wright © Simon Wright Martin Byford powersides his VW Golf through Brooklands

Neal didn’t make a great start from Pole in the second race, getting wheel spin which allowed Shedden through into the lead with Ford Focus of Tom Onslow-Cole diving up the inside of Neal into Copse and a slight touch on the rear of Neal’s Honda by James Nash gave Neal a slight wobble through Copse running very wide off track and dropping back to third place. As the pack rounded Brooklands on the first lap, Page 23 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Simon Wright

Chilton got out of shape in the middle, sliding first one way then the other making contact with various cars as he was sideways in the middle of the pack all the way between Brooklands corner and Luffield. He Tom Chilton won the third and final race of the series in his Ford Focus damaged Frank Wrathall’s passenger door which flew open as he rounded Luffield in the Toyota Avensis. Plato started near the back of the field and was having to fight his way through traffic. On the fourth lap Onslow-Cole ran wide into Brooklands, allowing Neal back into second place behind his team mate.

On lap 14 Nick Foster had a huge accident at Woodcote where he spun coming on to the start straight and James Thompson could not avoid him, hitting the front and destroying the front end of the BMW leaving a large amount of debris on track. This brought out the Safety car while the wreckage was cleared from the circuit. The field was released with eight laps to go as the race was extended to 25 laps from the original 22 due to the Safety car period. Shedden was pressured by his team mate all the way to the flag, but Shedden won from Neal, still giving both drivers a chance of taking the championship. Plato finished 7th and was out of the running for the title.

With the top ten grid for the third race being drawn, MacDowall got Pole position from Chilton and Plato while Neal and Shedden started eighth and ninth. MacDowall made a slow start allowing Chilton into the lead with Plato diving through to second place. Neal got the © Janet Wright advantage over Shedden and as they approached Brooklands for Griffin Ford Focus leads the BMW pair of Foster and Collard the first time Neal was trying for seventh place with Shedden right behind him. The order remained static until lap 17 when Rob Austin in the Audi managed to split the two Honda’s giving Matt Neal a little breathing space until on the next lap Austin also took Neal. On the penultimate lap of the race, Austin decided to try down the inside of Onslow-Cole at Luffield, tapping the back of the Focus and pushing it a little wide allowing Austin up to sixth place.

With the sun setting over Silverstone, Chilton took the last race victory from Plato but Matt Neal clinched his third championship by finishing in eighth place, On the last lap Wrathall dived up the inside of Shedden at Luffield, snatching ninth place on the last corner but tenth place still allowed Shedden to finish runner up in the championship with Plato third.

Page 24 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

GT Cup - Spa

Š Mick Herring

By Mick Herring

Andy Ruhan puncture put him back to 5th

Like a Busman's holiday I found myself back at Spa for the two GT Cup races spread over the weekend and less than a week after the Spa Classic meeting.

And for the second week running the micro-climate of the beautiful Ardennes circuit would remain hot and sunny.

Unfortunately for Danny Winstanley, Friday would see the engine seize on the bright green TVR Sagaris.

A similar fate would befall Tom Andrew when the timing chain on his Morgan's BMW engine snapped with the inevitable valve/piston contact.

Being in with a fighting chance of taking the championship, many suggestions and Š Mick Herring attempts were made to broker deals whereby Tom could rent-a-car for the weekend.

The third deal was the one that materialised with a fantastic sporting gesture by a rival, which saw Tom borrow/hire Francis Galashan's spare Porsche.

Never having driven a Porsche before, he Barclay Dougal BMW E46 through Eau Rouge acquitted himself well with the different handling characteristics of the two cars.

Page 25 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

A last minute confirmation that the big yellow TVR Cerbera of Michael Saunders was on it's way threw the free practice form book times upside down ahead of the two 40 minute races, as opposed to © Mick Herring the usual 2 x 25 Michael Saunders TVR Cebera runs from Ruhan before tyre blow out minute UK races.

Race 1 saw a determined Andy Ruhan get away chased by Michael Saunders until Ruhan's Porsche slowed with a puncture, a pit visit would see him rejoin in a distant

© Mick Herring Race start rest of the field in attendance © Mick Herring twelfth.

Saunders had a ten second lead over Simon Blanckley's Porsche at halfway but then began to slow with the Porsche overtaking him.

Blanckley maintained the advantage and headed to the line with 5 seconds remaining on the clock, another lap (or two as it transpired) remaining.

Simon Blanckley, too many chequred flags cost victory

Page 26 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Blanckley took the chequered flag but instead of pulling off next time round, he took the chequered flag again, thus earning a thirty second penalty, handing the victory to the TVR and being classified an eventual fourth behind Saunders, David Tomlin Š Mick Herring (Ferrari 430), Francis Patrick Charlton Lotus Exige 6th Galashan (Porsche 996 GT3) with the recovering Andy Ruhan in fifth.

Sixth place overall was enough for the consistent Barclay Dougal(BMW E46) to secure the group 3 title.

Race 2 would see success ballast added to Saunders, David Tomlin And Simon Blanckley in group 1, Galashan, Andrew and Paul Cope(Venturi 400GTR) in group 2, Barclay Dougal and Robert Koenig(Porsche 996GT3) in group 3.

Despite the weight penalty, Saunders outdragged Ruhan's Porsche into La Source on lap 1 with several positions being exchanged as the race progressed.

The most remarkable of which was David Tomlin coming from last to seventh by lap 2. Š Mick Herring

Simon Blanckley 1st and 4th Page 27 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring

Saunders was under increasing pressure from Ruhan but maintained his lead as the two moved away from the rest of the field.

Whilst the front was fairly static, a five way midfield battle between Rupert Martin Ferrari 430), Barclay Dougal(BMW Tom Andrew before it broke E46), Tom Andrew(hired Porsche), Patrick Charlton(Lotus Exige) and Sean Winder(Ferrari) provided considerable entertainment.

After opening a near 4 second gap the TVR suffered a raceending blow out on the penultimate lap, leaving Andy Ruhan to coast home ahead of

© Mick Herring Unfamiliar Porsche Tom Andrew 8th

Simon Blanckley, Michael Symons(BMW E46, happy to be back in the hunt after a broken clutch in race1) third, Galashan fourth, Andrew, fifth and Patrick Charlton sixth.

With one round (two races) at Snetterton remaining there were still some positions to be consolidated.

© Mick Herring Danny Winstnley TVR engine siezure imminent

Page 28 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Race at Spa - One Hour Challenge.

Photographs by Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring Top to Bottom Graham Walden RV8 Tuscan locks up La Source Dom Mooney Sebring Sprite lifts a wheel David Tomlin Ferrari 308 GTB entering La Source Andrew Bentley Lotus Elise 111R on the old pit straight © Mick Herring Page 29 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

Top to Bottom Old pit straight Lotus 340R Andy Race TVR Rv8 Tuscan Tuscan AJP - Sprite Dom Mooney

© Mick Herring Page 30 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Ramblings from Rugby

by Pete Austin

L.C.G.M. Le Champion…………….born of another era Being a member of the local history group in my village (Clifton Upon Dunsmore near Rugby) I was interested to learn a few years ago that a Brooklands racing driver lived just around the corner from my house. Having an interest in the history of motor sport I then decided to do some research on his life with a view to producing a book.

Born in London in 1895 his full name was Loftus Claude Gerald Moller Le Champion (hereafter referred to as L.C.G.M.) although I have often seen him referred to mistakenly as ‘Le Mesurier’. His mother, Caroline, died at the young age of 21 in tragic circumstances when he was only 16 months old. His father, Loftus Charles de Launey Moller Le Champion, remarried in 1908 to Geraldine and although the marriage ended in 1915, L.C.G.M. lived for the most of the rest of his life with his stepmother.

L.C.G.M. gained his flying licence in 1916 at Hendon and although his military career was undistinguished, mainly due to ill health, he would continue his passion for flying when he stopped racing in 1926.

He started taking part in local motorbike and car trials in 1920 and first raced at Brooklands in 1922. He raced a variety of cars including Schneider, Wolseley and GN but was perhaps most well known for owning and racing a couple of the huge aero engined giants of the time. He was most successful in the ex Ernest Eldridge 20.5 litre Isotta-Maybach with which he won a number of races at Brooklands and other speed events. He then acquired, again from Eldridge, the 21.7 litre FIAT Mephistopheles although he had less success with this car. This car is still in existence and is often demonstrated by the Fiat museum albeit in its original red livery rather than the green colour that L.C.G.M. painted it. In addition to Eldridge, Le Champion’s fellow competitors at this time were the likes of the Zborowskis, Campbell etc. Photographs indicate that he wasn’t the most robust of people so it is amazing that he could handle these heavy cars so well.

Although he had finished racing by the 1930s he continued his interest in aircraft (he owned several in his lifetime) and even did a bit of writing. His book ‘Foretold – Stories of Modern Second-Sight’ was written under the pseudonym ‘Streamline’.

Page 31 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

He died at his home in Clifton Upon Dunsmore in 1938 aged only 43. Part of the cause being an addiction to morphine and cocaine. A sad end to an interesting character and a life lived to the full. He was outlived by his stepmother who passed away at the age of 89 in the same house.

I am indebted to Tony Hutchings from the Brooklands Society for permission to publish the photograph and to Clive Roberts who is researching the history of the FIAT Mephistopheles.

Le Champion with the Isotta at Brooklands - Photo courtesy Brooklands Society

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Page 32 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Final Round GT Cup Snetterton 16th October‫‏‬

© Mick Herring Darelle Wilson Marcos 10th

By Mick Herring With only the 2011 GT Cup Group 3 title having already been decided at Spa a fortnight earlier, victory in the top two groups was still to be established at a bright and warm Sunday at Snetterton.

In truth, Porsche 997 GT3 driver Andy Ruhan only needed to finish ahead of David Tomlin's Ferrari 430 to lift Group 1 and thus the overall title but like all GT Cup competitors, he came to the final round determined to make a race (or two) of it.

With his Morgan Aero 8's BMW engine repaired since Spa, Tom Andrew would secure the Group 2 title in race 1, a broken clutch would preclude starting race 2 but he had done enough to win.

The points Tom gained at Spa in the Francis Galashan's spare Porsche © Mick Herring were buffer Jordan Witt Chevron GR8 leads on lap 2 enough to deny his generous, sporting benefactor the Group 2 title.

Page 33 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Making his debut was Oliver "Oly" Mortimer, a double Mini Cooper Champion and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge winner, the Scot testing the championship as a precursor to a full challenge next year with his Porsche 997 GT3.

In spite of not having raced on the full Snetterton 300 circuit before, Race 1 was won

by Oly Mortimer by nearly 11 secs from Andy Ruhan, narrowly keeping Jordan Witt(Chevron GR8) between himself and title rival David Tomlin. Francis Galashan Š Mick Herring was fifth ahead of Tom David Tomlin Ferrari 430 4th Andrew and after their now customary battle, Rupert Martin and Sean Winder (Ferrari 430 and 360 respectively) came home seventh and eighth although these positions were traded several times.

David Witt was ninth, although never far away from the battle in front and Darelle Wilson's Marcos Mantis 10th.

With 60 kg of success ballast, Race 2 was not so easy for Mortimer, with a determined Jordan Witt out dragging the heavy Porsche and opening a good gap as the race progressed but Mortimer managed to pass the quick Chevron to win by less than 2 secs, with Witt making repeated attempts to regain the lead during the final three laps.

Š Mick Herring Andy Ruhan Porsche 997 GT3 streaks to GT Cup title with 3rd place

New champion, Andy Ruhan was a more leisurely third, nearly 12 secs behind the winner with Tomlin close in fourth.

Page 34 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Mick Herring Morgan Mended for now Tom Andrew 6th

Francis Galashan was fifth(his fourth Group 2 win in a row) with Rupert Martin, David Witt and Sean Winder spaced out behind.

© Mick Herring First time out Oly Mortimer

Rupert chases Galashan again 5th - 6th at the flag

© Mick Herring

© Mick Herring

A fitting end to a fine championship enjoyed in a friendly, relaxed but strongly competitive atmosphere for which huge thanks must go to Marc Haynes and his dedicated team.

L2R, Jordan, David, Galashan, Mortimer, Winder, Ruhan Page 35 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse Open weekend 15-16th October.

By Simon & Janet Wright

© Simon Wright

Many years ago the canal system was a major transportation network used across the industrial Midlands. The Stourbridge canal was built between 1776 and 1779, is 8 miles long, contains 20 locks and cost £38,000. It terminated almost in the centre of the town. Stourbridge, in the Black Country, was the home of major Glassworks which used the canals as a safe means of transporting their fragile goods around the country. The original warehouse was built in 1779.

© Simon Wright Local built Bean from Tipton in the Black Country

Each year there is an open day to celebrate the history of this building. As well as Narrow boats, Steam engines, Classic cars and lorries all converge on the narrow cobbled road along side the building and canal to bring a sense of history to the weekend. The large local crowd enjoy mingling

© Simon Wright Triumph Mayflower

Continued on page 38 Page 36 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

© Simon Wright

similar lifting front end on the Triumph Herald, but that was hinged at the front and was not therefore restricted by the windscreen, allowing much better access to the engine. The Jupiter model was built between 1950 to 1954 and powered by a Jowett designed flat four pushrod 1486cc engine which developed between 60 and 62 BHP. The body was made of Aluminium to help reduce weight. Only 731 Mk1 were built and a further 94 were made of the Mk1a.

© Simon Wright

© Simon Wright

One of the more unusual cars on display was a 1952 Jowett Jupiter built in Bradford.. This sports convertible was unusual in that if you wanted to access the engine, the entire front end lifted up, hinged just in front of the windscreen. This was obviously done to allow easy access to the engine for maintenance purposes, but with the bonnet and front wings all included in the hinged mass, it was heavy to lift and due to its size, only really allowed access to the front of the engine. Many years later, Triumph had a

Page 37 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

around the exhibits to remember days gone by, and marvel at locally built cars from manufacturers that have been consigned to the history books.

The Midlands was the heart of the British motor industry and at its peak could boast dozens of firms within a 50 mile radius of Stourbridge, including the Austin factory, where many locals had worked at nearby Longbridge. There were many fine examples of Austin cars on show, including an Austin A70 Hereford, an Austin 7 saloon, and an Austin A30 plus a superb Nash Metropolitan, Š Simon Wright which were built at the Austin Austin Hereford Factory at Longbridge. There were also older examples of local cars such as a Bean which was manufactured in Tipton, about 8.5 miles North East of Stourbridge, and a Clyno which was built in Wolverhampton, about 10 miles North of Stourbridge. In its heyday, Clyno was the third largest British car manufacturer after Austin and Morris. Both Bean and Clyno have long since disappeared, but thanks to the hard work of dedicated enthusiasts, examples of these vehicles remain for us to enjoy today.

Š Simon Wright 1928 Clyno Royal 12/28 Tourer, with an 1496 cc engine developing 11.9 HP

Page 38 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Mick Herring

British GT 2 hrs Finale Silverstone 8th October.

By Mick Herring

Andrew Jordan/Tom Sharp Ginetta G55

As the large grid assembled behind the safety car at Silverstone for the start of the final round of the 2011 British GT Championship, the overall victors could, still, mathematically come from several different directions at the end of the two hour race.

Several new(ish) cars would take the start, including the Ferrari 458 of Hector Lester and Gordon Shedden (deputising again for Allan Simonsen), the small team's chief, John Buchan quickly begining to understand the Š Mick Herring mechanics new car ahead After Glow Ellis-Bamford Ford GT 12th of a concerted effort next year, although Hector would get tipped into a spin early on which would see them finish 11th, the car's potential shown by Shedden matching the pace of the leaders during his stint.

Most dramatic revision was aboard the works Ginetta G55 driven by Andrew Jordan/Tom Sharp, run by Martin Short's Rollcentre team, now sporting the striking, rearward facing swan-neck rear wing supports and various new aerodynamic exits on it's bodywork. Sadly mechanical woes prompted retirement.

The diminutive Chevron GR8 of Jordan Witt/Anthony Reid was joined by the David Witt/Ray Grimes example.

Page 39 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

After a thrilling race in which a number of the mathematical scenarios would come into play, together with a twenty minute safety car period that would see several strategies unravel and leave only forty-five minutes on the clock when it pitted, the race was won by the Beechdean Aston Martin DBRS9 of Andrew Howard/Jonny Adam, their second victory of the year in © Mick Herring the ageing and now 2nd in class behind Chris Holmes-Phil Glew good Lotus was enough competition retired for GT4 championship win for Clutton-Belshaw KTM X-Bow Aston, which also started from pole position.

The opening laps saw series returnee, Joe Osborne, in the United Autosports Audi R8 LMS romp away from his pursuers to a lead of half a minute before the safety car was deployed to enable Paul Whight's Aston Martin to be removed after heavy contact with the tyre barriers at Stowe.

Joe would hand the car over to Zak Brown still in the lead but the car would still be the highest placed Audi, in 6th at the end.

With the championship still wide open, Glynn Geddie took over the CRS Ferrari 458 from his father in eighth, fought his way through the field to the required third and then © Mick Herring set about Richard Westbrook's Joe Osborne leads by half minute Zak Brown brings it Porsche(shared with David home 6th

Ashburn) in second place. After several laps of close racing and some contact between the two, Glynn backed out of it to secure the championship for himself and his father, Jim. Fourth place went to the Porsche of Gregor Fisken/Tim Bridgman and fifth to © Mick Herring Dramatic start, Joe on a charge already

Page 40 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

Š Mick Herring Oldie but goodie, Aston Martin DBRS9 of Howard/Adam wins

Godfrey/David Jones' Mercedes AMG SLS. The championship standings are:GT3 and overall. = 1st Jim/Glynn Geddie Ferrari 458 Italia 3rd David Ashburn Porsche = 4th Michael Lyons/Charles Bateman and Duncan Cameron/Matt Griffin Ferrari 458 Italia(s) =8th Andrew Howard/Jonny Adam Aston Martin DBRS9 =10th Mike Guasch/Matt Bell Audi R8LMS GT3B =1st Jon Dhillon/Aaron Scott Ferrari 430 GT Cup =1st Jordan Witt/Anthony Reid Chevron GR8.

Second in class today was enough to secure the GT4 title for Marcus Clutton/Peter

Š Mick Herring Godfrey/David Jones Mercedes AMG SLS 5th, Osbourne/ Brown Audi 6th Page 41 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

HSCC Championship Finals Race Meeting, Silverstone, 22nd October 2011

© Pete Austin

By Pete Austin Additional photos by Mick Herring, Simon & Janet Wright.

Michael Lyons - Lola T400

Bright autumn sunshine greeted the competitors for the HSCC Finals meeting held on Silverstone’s National Circuit on Saturday, 22nd October.

Ian Gray had already sewn up the Classic Racing Cars Championship in his Brabham BT16 but was given a run for his money in the afternoons opening encounter by early leader, Irishman Paul McMorran in his Crossle 12F. Ian won with Paul eventually coming in 5th after a spin at Brooklands.

Winner on the road, Paul Anderson (Porsche 928) was disqualified from the 70s Road Sports thrash for © Simon Wright being underPlant spins at Brooklands and Conway takes 2nd place, which became a win weight allowing the Morgans of Paul Conway and Richard Plant to finish 1st and 2nd following a minor clash at Brooklands.

Page 42 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

In the absence of champion Jamie Brashaw, Benn Simms won the Classic Formula 3 race in his March 803B and then capped a very successful © Janet Wright weekend by Benn Simms - Alexis Mk14 Historic Formula Ford Champion claiming the Historic Formula Ford title by coming second in his Alexis to race winner Benjamin Mitchell (Merlyn Mk20) later in the day.

The TVR Griffith of Matthew Truelove was victorious in the Historic Road Sports race while James Dodd (Ginetta G16) led home the Chevron B8s of Nick Fleming and Steve Hodges in the Guards Trophy event. An interesting car in this race was the rare Brahma B2 of Richard Piper.

© Mick Herring Matthew Truelove heads for victory in Historic Road Sports

In the Derek Bell Trophy Michael Lyons won in his Lola T400 with father Frank finishing

fourth in his Gurney Eagle.

Sandwiched in between was the March 782 of Lee Dwyer and the Lola T330/332 of Neil Glover.

The ‘ByBox’ Historic Touring Car encounter was won by Mark Jones in his Lotus Cortina following a restart after a red flag caused by Vincent Frost’s Hillman Imp parting com-

© Janet Wright Fleming Chevron B8 and Dodd Ginetta G16 ©fight the Janetfor Wright Guards Trophy race Page 43 Classic & Competition Car November 2011

pany with its rear wheel.

The final race of the day for Formula Juniors was a thriller with the Cooper T59 ofJon Milicevic just having the edge over Sam Wilson’s similar car. Added interest in this race was Ray Mallock being reunited with © Mick Herring his fathers 1960 Mike Gardiner Lotus Cortina chases Warren Briggs Mustang to finish U2. second

© Simon Wright Tim Barry driving a 1974 F5000 Trojan T102 in the Derek Bell Trophy

A sad postscript to this meeting was the sudden death of Bernard Baxter only a few days before from a sudden illness. His friend Paul McMorran described him as a ‘mechanic extraordinaire’ and he was due to bring one of Paul’s other Crossles (the 17F driven on Saturday by Ed McDonough) to the meeting.

Stephen Patton who restored the car and built its engine brought the car in his stead. Classic & Competition car extends its sympathies to Bernard’s family and friends. © Pete Austin The Crossle 12F of Paul McMorran dives inside the Crossle 17F of Ed McDonough

Page 44 Classic & Competition Car November 2011