Sports 2000 - 1978

[PaulSands]

Whilst rummaging recently I found this...ahhhh those were the days
http://paulsands.org/hwt2.jpg

[Speedy norm]

Nice photo Oulton Park 1978? but can you name them all?

[PaulSands]

I reckon I can..Frank Sytner(19), John Webb, John Brindley(2), John Trevelyan(24), Wayne Wainwright & Chris Alford(23)mainly out of shot
The only one I'm not sure is whether it is John Webb directly behind Frank Sytner and yes I believe it is Oulton Park

[Andrew Kitson]

Paul - it is Oulton, Old Hall and correct, John Webb in 2nd place in his 'Auto Association Trade Show 78' sponsored Tiga. Others from those days, Mike Kimpton, Desire Wilson, Nick Adams, Peter Sadler, Roger Woodward, Nick Linney, John Bury, Adrian Hall, Dud Moseley, Jeremy Rossiter, John Sheldon, Rod Gretton, Ian McCullough etc.

[gfm]

I'm pleased to be able to tell you that I shook down the prototype Lola Sports 2000 (490 ?) with Mr Broadley in 76 at Snetterton, the first of the S2000s. Also the March proto in whenever it was. Both were good straight out of the box.
Had a year in the US (East Coast) with a Tiga in 86 too.

[PaulSands]

do you still race?

[Dan Rear]

The Webb Tiga pictured was one of only 2 SC77s made as I recall, the other one (ex-Brindley ?) was sold after the 77 season to Ernie Farncombe and sprinted from 78 onwards I think.

Shortly after the picture I believe Webb baled out and got a Lola, so making the grid nearly 100% Lola. Tigas came back though and were dominant in S2000 from early 79 onwards, up to the Aquila/Shrikes from 83 on. I wonder why the 77 Tiga didn't work, but the cars from 78 on were brilliant, any ideas ???

I think the March John refers to was the 81S, the year when March made cars for just about every category.

[gfm]

Hi Paul; well I enjoyed 34 seasons and made BRDC membership, but I need to concentrate on earning a living really - but I would if I would asked! Something nice in historics would be good. Someone I know is getting an F2 March BMW together which would be crisp. I have a couple of mates with super early Porsche racers; always happy to get my bum in one of those. I was at the Porsche factory the other day, drooling over the Carrera GT . . . !
Dan, you're spot on as usual on the March. The S2000 effort seemed to run out of steam rather.

[Dan Rear]

John, whats the F2 March you mention, sounds very interesting. Re the March S2000 cars, I think Rob Wilson went well in one after you tested in 81, sporadic cars came out uo to 84, I think including the Bridge brothers amongst others. They always looked well, just not quite as quick as the best Shrikes of that era.

[gfm]

Hi Dan. re the March F2, it's a basket case just now, so we'll see.
Re the March S2000, it's aerodynamics appeared to be poor, the rear deck too long and high, not slippery enough.

[mohauck]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

The Webb Tiga pictured was one of only 2 SC77s made as I recall, the other one (ex-Brindley ?) was sold after the 77 season to Ernie Farncombe and sprinted from 78 onwards I think.

Shortly after the picture I believe Webb baled out and got a Lola, so making the grid nearly 100% Lola. Tigas came back though and were dominant in S2000 from early 79 onwards, up to the Aquila/Shrikes from 83 on. I wonder why the 77 Tiga didn't work, but the cars from 78 on were brilliant, any ideas ???

I think the March John refers to was the 81S, the year when March made cars for just about every category.

I own Webb's 77 TIGA and have a letter by the constructing engineer explaining why the car was so difficult to drive. Mostly because they had no experience in sportscars and used some of the existing F2000 suspension gear. I race this car in historics and it is still very entertaining to drive if not fast.

By the way: Does anyone know something of the whereabouts of Brindley's SC77 which was sold to Ernie Farncombe who raced it in 81 with a BDA engine (must have been frightening).

My car was sold to Sweden and also fitted with more powerful engines. Does anyone have some informations about this car between 1979 and 1999? it then was painted red and then yellow and fitted with a rear wing.

I would be glad for any news.

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by mohauck

I own Webb's 77 TIGA and have a letter by the constructing engineer explaining why the car was so difficult to drive. Mostly because they had no experience in sportscars and used some of the existing F2000 suspension gear. I race this car in historics and it is still very entertaining to drive if not fast.

My car was ....... also fitted with more powerful engines.

I can't imagine that improved its driveability much!

Welcome to 10-Tenths, mohauck.

[Nordic]

Whats this?

Sports 2000 was one of my favorite classes, I have a only a few pictres of the cars but this one has troubled me, any idea what it was (is)?

If you look around the gallery there are also some pictures of Sheldon, Webb, Fulmar etc.

The pictures are all from different meetings and years, some I have id some are just a guess. If you think some are wrong let me know and it will be changed.

[Dan Rear]

Nordic, it doesn't look quite like a S2000 does it? I wonder if it was one of the very early cars that pre-dated the series in 1977. I recall a couple of F100 Royale RP4s were converted to S2000, Jack Paterson had one, and Peter Slade also I think. Wonder if its one of these?

[midgetman]

Nordic, I ran an Aquila a bit later than this. It was an 83 car (ex mike O'Brien) that I had in 85. Any pictures? We did mainly Thundersports with it.

TIA

Max

[Dan Rear]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

Nordic, it doesn't look quite like a S2000 does it? I wonder if it was one of the very early cars that pre-dated the series in 1977. I recall a couple of F100 Royale RP4s were converted to S2000, Jack Paterson had one, and Peter Slade also I think. Wonder if its one of these?

Dog-walking this am, the 'mystery' S2000 came to me. I reckon its the first Crossle, the 42S, that came out in 1980 with David Leslie I think. The no. 42 being the clue.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Nordic, I ran an Aquila a bit later than this. It was an 83 car (ex mike O'Brien) that I had in 85. Any pictures? We did mainly Thundersports with it.

TIA

Max

Sorry max I don't have any pictures of your car.

Thanks Dan for the info, I will change the title when I get a chance. The white helmet tallies with Leslie as well.

[barnytrevelyan]

Hey guys, came accross this forum whilst trying to find old photos of my dad (John Trevelyan).. Like the S2000 shot at the top of this forum, but not meaning to be greedy, any idea of places to look for more??

[MaxMotus]

Originally Posted by PaulSands

Whilst rummaging recently I found this...ahhhh those were the days
http://paulsands.org/hwt2.jpg

I'll check it out with my dad next time hes over. I'm sure he will know exactly who they are in the picture as he raced S2000 back then.

MM

[Howard Wood]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

The Webb Tiga pictured was one of only 2 SC77s made as I recall, the other one (ex-Brindley ?) was sold after the 77 season to Ernie Farncombe and sprinted from 78 onwards I think.

Shortly after the picture I believe Webb baled out and got a Lola, so making the grid nearly 100% Lola. Tigas came back though and were dominant in S2000 from early 79 onwards, up to the Aquila/Shrikes from 83 on. I wonder why the 77 Tiga didn't work, but the cars from 78 on were brilliant, any ideas ???

I worked for Howden Ganley and Tim Schenken on a one off project basis on the SC77. Briefly, the car was designed by a bloke was working in the design office at McLarens and who's name escapes me. Howden took the project on thinking it was a lot more developed and ready for production than it was and one way or another had to complete the cars already ordered.
There was no Tiga basis in the original design unlike the later and more successful cars.

[MaxMotus]

The Picture is taken at Oulton Parks Old Hall Corner.

19 Frank Sytner - Lola 492.

1 John Pancho Webb - Tiga.

2 John Brindley - Lola 492.

Behind Car 2 Wayne Wainright - Lola 492.

24 John Travelian - Lola 490 (Front radiator).

3 Chris Alford - Lola 492.

According to my father who raced in the series at the same time. I do know Chris Alford so I will check with him at somestage.

MM

[Dan Rear]

Originally Posted by Howard Wood

I worked for Howden Ganley and Tim Schenken on a one off project basis on the SC77. Briefly, the car was designed by a bloke was working in the design office at McLarens and who's name escapes me. Howden took the project on thinking it was a lot more developed and ready for production than it was and one way or another had to complete the cars already ordered.
There was no Tiga basis in the original design unlike the later and more successful cars.

Howard, I think it was a chap called Steve Webb (?) who designed the SC77, which Tiga built but did not come up with. Wonder who he was, I'd never heard of him before, or since.

[RTH]

This was me in 1981 , the car was a Tiga 78 fitted with the later '79 bodywork which was lighter and appeared to have a better drag/downforce ratio. We did all the 200mile/2hr races at the time . Lovely cars to drive with very high cornering speed capability. This was a period of Ian Taylor and James Weaver who were really in a different talent class to just about everyone else. Good fun days.
Mike (Jersey) Taylor flew in for each race from the Channel islands , from the Hotel chain his parents owned, could be quick , had a lot of crashes and I think used up several new cars during the year.

[Dan Rear]

It was Steve Harvey, not Steve Webb, who I meant a post or 2 up. I saw you Richard at the 81 Mallory Enduro S2000, with Nick Atkins and one other driver. 78 Tigas were v rare over here, so your car was a little different, tho' visually identical to the 79 and 80 cars IIRC.

[chunterer]

What an excellent thread, i'm gonna have to rate it after!

Some of the names from '78 are obviously quite well known after all the other things they did as well. I remember seeing some of the races in '84 when it was still quite a competitive series with the likes of Sean Walker, James Thomson the Hillclimb ace (who tried to do what Andy Priaulx has successfully done today) Mike O Brien, Bill Coombs and Ian Flux I think.

Slightly off topic, Somebody mentioned the Aquila from 1983 that O Brien campaigned into '84. Did this Marque become Shrike towards the end of the category's heyday or am I thinking of different people?

Back to '78 drivers, We know Fearless Frank went onto a succesful touring car career (although not initially), but two other guys mentioned also attempted to follow the BTCC route IIRC.

Mike Kimpton and Wayne Wainwright were entered in Grp 1 Capris in the early 80's, it might have been around the time that Sytner had a crack in the TWR Rover or maybe bit before that? Anyone know who they drove for?