Baby Bertha

garry · 16 Jul 2003, 19:16 (Ref:663182)

Gerry Marshall will be giving Baby Bertha a demostration run at the Formula Saloon's meeting at Brands on the 31st August.
The Formula Saloon Car Club's President will do 3 laps during the lunch break and then there will be an open pit lane walkabout where the Formula Saloons will be on display. Gerry will also be in the pit lane with Baby Bertha to sign autographs.
The Club is very greatful to Vauxhall and Gerry for agreeing to do this and it is hoped that there will be a good crowd to see Gerry's side ways action.
25 cars are expected for the Formula Saloons who were origionally down for just 1 race but have now been given 2 20 lap races.
If you aren't doing anything please come on down.

ern · 16 Jul 2003, 19:24 (Ref:663204)

Will there be any TV coverage of the Formula Saloons at Brands,?, I remember seeing a Fastrax edition of the Formula Saloons a couple of years ago, much better racing than some of the c*!p shown on Sky currently.

Andrew Kitson · 16 Jul 2003, 19:41 (Ref:663227)

Brilliant Garry - can't wait! That will bring back some memories. Pity he couldn't compete with it in your race?

There is no clashing BTCC or F3/GT meeting either so come on folks, let's go and say Hi and support the Formula Saloon boys. Many are regular 10/10ths posters.

A chance to see Super Tourers (many in original liveries) and big V8's on the best spectator circuit in the country.

garry · 16 Jul 2003, 19:45 (Ref:663232)

We are working on it but it normally costs between £4000-£5000 which we haven't managed to get so far.
I forgot to thank Cambridge Motorsport as well for providing labour to run Baby Bertha.

ern · 16 Jul 2003, 20:05 (Ref:663243)

Is this a BRSCC or a BARC event?, as I cannot find this race date on either of their web sites?.

Andrew Kitson · 16 Jul 2003, 20:16 (Ref:663250)

BARC

Andrew Kitson · 16 Jul 2003, 20:20 (Ref:663262)

Boss Formula was also down for the meeting but I believe they have cancelled. Garry?
Also racing: Kumho BMWs, BARC F.Renault, X Power Clubmans, Ginettas, Westfields.
Perhaps someone could post the timetable nearer the time?

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Jul 2003, 21:05 (Ref:663307)

Give Gerry my best. If you mention my name I'm sure he'll say "Who?"

Good to hear the old boy is working again though.

Steve Wood · 16 Jul 2003, 21:23 (Ref:663323)

Sounds like a good idea - think I'll go. Some of my Britcar pals are racing in the Kumho, and it's about time I caught up with Formula Saloons - haven't seen them since they were Thundersaloons.

Craner Curves · 16 Jul 2003, 23:14 (Ref:663419)

Is Dave Brodie really only 38? :confused:

G.Walker · 17 Jul 2003, 14:09 (Ref:663929)

38, was nt he racing in the 70's, he must of started bloody young!

Actually saw Baby Bertha at Shelsey Walsh the other weekend, it was not best suited to the tight twisty hill, but now its demonstrating at Brands Hatch il definatly make the journey down. The car sounds like racing cars should sound and look with a Chevy V8 under the bonnet. + a 25 car Formula Saloon race is worth watching.
Is this event just a one day meeting or is qualifying on a separate day?

tony griffiths · 17 Jul 2003, 17:29 (Ref:664138)

thought Baby Bertha had a Repco V8 .....

**Woolley** · 17 Jul 2003, 20:23 (Ref:664307)

yeah, she looked and sounded good, but was a bit out of her normal habitat, but Gerry pressed on well and it was a pleasure to get a blast from the past. Except I suddenly realised most of the marshals were too young to have seen her on track before.

Junior Senior · 17 Jul 2003, 21:26 (Ref:664386)

Somebody surely must have a piccy of Bertha in action, or better still, "Big Bertha"!!

mickj · 18 Jul 2003, 03:22 (Ref:664535)

2 awesome cars looking cars Baby Bertha and Big Bertha. Is Big Bertha still alive or was it wrecked in a crash.

G.Walker · 18 Jul 2003, 11:01 (Ref:664761)

Im sure the car now runs an ex f5000 chevy engine instead of the Repco V8, perhaps easier to maintain for its curerent owners.

I believe Vauxhall salvaged what they could of Big Bertha and put into Baby Bertha. I think they knew it wasnt going to be succesful enough with the Ventora so it was replaced by the Firenza - 40 wins from 42 races - i think they made the right decision!

Derek Johnson · 20 Jul 2003, 08:16 (Ref:666034)

Pic as requested:

Derek Johnson · 20 Jul 2003, 08:29 (Ref:666036)

Couple more pics on www.formulasaloons.com
For information: Big Bertha was destroyed after a brake failure crash at Silverstone in 1974. Baby Bertha was conceived from most of the mechanicals from Big Bertha which ran a 480bhp Holden V8. The power plant was badged as a Repco-Holden V8 5 ltr unit in Baby Bertha but I dont know if that is still original, I suspect it may be!
Dealer Team Vauxhall retired her after winning three consecutive championships for them 1975-6-7 and her final victory was in the hands of Gerry at Thruxton, 30th October 1977.
Hope that helps!

Andrew Kitson · 20 Jul 2003, 16:08 (Ref:666344)

Big Bertha - The car that was destroyed by brake failure at Silverstone in 1974.
Gerry here in typical pose at Thruxton.

Andrew Kitson · 20 Jul 2003, 16:11 (Ref:666347)

Gerry won 18 of 20 races in the 1975 Tricentrol Super Saloon Championship. He also raced the car 'for fun' such as in this Brands Formula Libre race chasing a Formula Atlantic March and leading a 2 litre sports Lola.

Derek Johnson · 20 Jul 2003, 21:36 (Ref:666576)

Well done andrew, I must confes, I didnt have any pics of Big Bertha, so nice to see one of it!

mickj · 21 Jul 2003, 05:23 (Ref:666787)

Gents thanks for the updates on Big Bertha, I was not aware of what happened to it.
Mick

bacon sandwich · 29 Jul 2003, 21:05 (Ref:674698)

Oooh errr! Big dilemma now - Brands or 750 at Lydden - big decision!

**Stephen Green** · 30 Jul 2003, 13:42 (Ref:675319)

I remember Gerry driving (and me spectating) baby Bertha at Brands Hatch. In those days he used to race against Nick Whiting (if the memory banks are working ok at my advanced years).

Did anyone notice Pete Stevens ex Bertec Carlton (Thundersaloon) on the static display at the GFOS?

Andrew Kitson · 30 Jul 2003, 14:04 (Ref:675331)

Stephen - I remember too, he had some fantastic battles with Nick, but also against Tony Strawson, Norman Abbott, Mick Hill, Colin Hawker etc etc. Not always in 'Baby Bertha' though. He also had brilliant scraps against these guys using his DTV special saloon 2.3 Firenza 'The Old Nail'. He won 63 races with that car from 1972 to '76. And yes I also saw the Carlton at Goodwood.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Run Baby Run	davemorganfan	Motorsport History	48	7 Nov 2013 10:47
[Diecast/Models] 1/43rd Baby Bertha	redshoes	Armchair Enthusiast	5	13 May 2005 15:41
Say hello to the new baby	sihorton	Rallying & Rallycross	27	3 Feb 2005 20:09