If Only

delta · 19 Dec 2008, 20:32 (Ref:2358466)

Been meaning to start a new thread for the Christmas period so hear goes.I was prompted following on from HSCC finals where Dan and Myself mentioned Alan Morgan,Delta's historian,and good freind of Compte de Graves driving a Ring F3 car in a test at Zolder. The car was new as was the team and poor old Alan had a miserable time as the car never got going with lots of probs and the CV joints breaking.So maybe this was Alan's "if only" ,the car might of been fantastic and Alan would of gone on and been EuroF3 champ in 1980.Mine was also in 1979 when Ian Briggs works Penistone team told me i was driving the works Delta in the last two F4 races. Some b-----d came along with apot of gold a bought the car. Ah If Only

Anyway this is just a bit of fun for Christmas so your "If only stories please" Cant wait for Gordons.

GORDON STREETER · 19 Dec 2008, 23:37 (Ref:2358597)

I'll get my "ghost writer" on it over the next few days regarding my try out in a FF, but I'll leave out the bit about me having to escape by climbing over several garden fences in the nude! oooops I hope that the other person involved isn't on the Internet !

terence · 20 Dec 2008, 08:33 (Ref:2358692)

Are'nt they the saddest words in Motorsport?
Like "If only" I had fitted the passenger side wiper at Snett one very wet day,turning into Corum I saw what I thought was a Yellow so backed off letting two cars past,turned out to be a spectator with a yellow brolley! I settled for third

delta · 20 Dec 2008, 08:49 (Ref:2358700)

I had a feeling Gordons "if only " was going to be interesting.

Eddy V · 20 Dec 2008, 09:37 (Ref:2358720)

If only I had never discovered UK club motorsport and Historic racing.
I would have much quiter weekends and maybe have some money for a change.

But then again I would never have met so many nice guys and girls and some real good friends now.
Thanks guys, great lot you are.

Merry Christmas to all.

terence · 20 Dec 2008, 09:40 (Ref:2358723)

Kind words Eddy,I'm sure I would not be alone in returning those compliments.

[What do you mean that I am not included]

simon drabble · 20 Dec 2008, 09:56 (Ref:2358728)

not being a natural pot hunter (except karting against my son but now he beats me I have a bad back!) I only have two if only's
1. First Goodwood invite and having let nerves get the better of me in practice so I qualified miserably - on the race day I was in an altogether better space and loking forward to running up the field to my rightful place (still nearer the back than the squirty end!) but my then spanner had an obsession with trick fuel systems and finishing races with only a thimble of fuel. On the green flag lap I had fuel starvation and not realizing why pulled over - I virtually wept! This year I didn't have the car in gear at the start - if I am lucky enough to get a third invite maybe I will do well!!
2. 2005 Six Hour race. I took my Merlyn down to the Six Hour Race with two mates co driving with me, James Shead and Brendan Roberts. As the race progressed we realized that we were looking good for a podium finish which for the first attempt was very exciting. Brendan came in handed over to James for teh last stint and then the race was red flagged. When it restatrted they kept James in teh pitlane for 2 laps and we came a close 4th we were delighted to finish but looked up at the podium thinking .... if only the marshals had allowed us out when they should have

Eddy V · 20 Dec 2008, 09:58 (Ref:2358731)

If only Terry was included.

Joke, honestly Terry.

delta · 20 Dec 2008, 10:05 (Ref:2358733)

Thanks Simon ,I have an "if only i had not run out of fuel". Tell you all later still waiting for Gordons story.

compte deGraves · 21 Dec 2008, 08:28 (Ref:2359148)

If only I had not met Delta.................I would not have won so many cups in the Elite (when he co-drives)

AND here is one for you Iain; If only I had not met Patrizia Sbardolini.....

delta · 21 Dec 2008, 09:33 (Ref:2359162)

Do you meen "if only Patrizia had her own drivers changing room" all of the FJ drivers who are starved of their other passion would not be jibbering wrecks before they leave to go out on track.As fellow Italian Strictley judge Bruno would say Hot Hot Hot.

midgetman · 23 Dec 2008, 15:03 (Ref:2360219)

If only my parents had been richer............

Actually, if only I had worked harder with the S2000 Aquila. A good opportunity wasted, I had a great car but preferred drinking to testing. Silly b*gg*r.

terence · 23 Dec 2008, 15:19 (Ref:2360224)

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetman

If only my parents had been richer............

Actually, if only I had worked harder with the S2000 Aquila. A good opportunity wasted, I had a great car but preferred drinking to testing. Silly b*gg*r.

Yeah,but just think how good you are at drinking now.

FISCracer · 30 Dec 2008, 04:11 (Ref:2362541)

[quote=midgetman]If only my parents had been richer............

quote]

If only I could afford to race with:

Wills/Jenkinson/Shipman/Bryant/Minshaw etc etc

Nothing personal chaps but a T70 or Chevron would be nice

compte deGraves · 30 Dec 2008, 07:55 (Ref:2362573)

Be careful what you wish for FISCracer. My experience or my fellow competitors tends to be the tighter the budget the more friendly, helpful and gentlemanly the racer

midgetman · 30 Dec 2008, 15:33 (Ref:2362799)

Quote:

Originally Posted by compte deGraves

Be careful what you wish for FISCracer. My experience or my fellow competitors tends to be the tighter the budget the more friendly, helpful and gentlemanly the racer

Then I must be the most friendly, helpful and gentlemanly person you could ever wish to find

If only.....my Barclaycard was bigger

**Tim Falce** · 30 Dec 2008, 13:59 (Ref:2362731)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISCracer

If only I could afford to race with:

Wills/Jenkinson/Shipman/Bryant/Minshaw etc etc

Nothing personal chaps but a T70 or Chevron would be nice

If only I could afford to race with:

Evans/Knight/Watters/Smith/Bowers etc etc

Nothing personal chaps but a bigger garage to put a couple more cars in would be nice

jerryk · 30 Dec 2008, 14:39 (Ref:2362764)

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcemob

If only I could afford to race with:

Evans/Knight/Watters/Smith/Bowers etc etc

Nothing personal chaps but a bigger garage to put a couple more cars in would be nice

if only I had a house in the suburbs, a small holding in the country for the horses and a really nice Uncle who would let me drive his race car whenever i wanted , oh what luxury that would be !

**Tim Falce** · 30 Dec 2008, 14:43 (Ref:2362767)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryk

if only I had a house in the suburbs, a small holding in the country for the horses and a really nice Uncle who would let me drive his race car whenever i wanted , oh what luxury that would be !

If only I could get into my motorhome and bugger off across Europe when I feel like it

Al Weyman · 23 Dec 2008, 15:11 (Ref:2360221)

If only I had bought that Lola T70 from Paul Hawkins in the 60's!

delta · 5 Jan 2009, 12:57 (Ref:2365589)

Started working in 73 ?

terence · 5 Jan 2009, 13:22 (Ref:2365611)

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta

Started working in 73 ?

For him yes,I have had a hard life!