Nigel Stovin-Bradford

[renron]

I was a tech with Nigel in the early 70's with a Hillman Avenger in the Group One racing series amongst others, does anyone know what happened to Nigel?

[rogerwills]

From the interweb, this article pops up.....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/...forebuy102.xml

"Nigel Stovin-Bradford runs Vamos A Ver estate agency in the historic town of Cuevas de Almanzora, in Almeria, south-eastern Spain. Last year, he launched the website www.trybeforeyoubuyinspain.com, with vendors and developers offering free stays in properties ranging from old townhouses to show flats on off-plan golf developments."

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by renron

I was a tech with Nigel in the early 70's with a Hillman Avenger in the Group One racing series amongst others, does anyone know what happened to Nigel?

I don't know what happened to him, but you might be able to give an answer to this. Taken on the Avon Tour of Britain at Knebworth Park. Why is there a third person in the car

[John Turner]

Welcome renron. I've moved this to the history forum.

[GBRM]

Nigel Stovin-Backwards is alive and well in Spain, just turned 60 and spends a lot of time with another ex-racer (in the loosest sense) Brian "Slim" Atthews.

I get regular updates from their great friend Denis "Bex" Bissell, another ex-racer in the loosest sense of the term!!

[GORDON STREETER]

Cuevas is just inland from me, and the old town is very pretty in places. "cuevas " means caves and there are loads of old cave houses in the hills behind the town. Some of them have been updated in recent years with all the mod cons and fetch quite a bit of money. Although I don't know Nigel personally I know why he likes this area. Unfortunately like most of the Costa's, over development is ruining it and I have seen all of it since 1972. I'll slip in and see him sometime (maybe he reads 10/10ths )

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Cuevas is just inland from me, and the old town is very pretty in places. "cuevas " means caves and there are loads of old cave houses in the hills behind the town. Some of them have been updated in recent years with all the mod cons and fetch quite a bit of money. Although I don't know Nigel personally I know why he likes this area. Unfortunately like most of the Costa's, over development is ruining it and I have seen all of it since 1972. I'll slip in and see him sometime (maybe he reads 10/10ths )

Gordon - Nigel did have a restaraunt and bar in Cuevas but he sold/closed it a few months ago I think; I'll ask Bex for an update. Unfortunately neither Nigel or Slim use 10/10ths, would be great if they did as they'd both have loads of stories from racing and Slim from his Lotus/Alan Foster days.

[renron]

Thanks for the information and photos, does anyone have anymore photos particulary of the Avenger and hunter?
No idea who is the third person on board though!

[GBRM]

I know Peter McFadyen has got loads of Nigel in the Camaro; I got some of Nigel, Slim and Denis in their Magnum and Dad in the Austin Marina from him a month or two ago. If you call him or drop him an e-mail I'm sure he can help.

This is a link to his website http://www.petermcfadyen.co.uk/ or if that gets removed just type Peter McFayden into a well-known search engine!! also, he doesn't have all his photos on his website, so best ask him.

[zutijar]

Well, blimey! I never thought that anyone would remember me! I suddenly received an email out of the blue from Ronnie, one of my old Avenger mechs. Those were the days - while everyone else did sensible things with workshops in their vans we converted an ancient Commer WalkThru with metal and plywood into 6 bunks, room for a full-sized pram, and stuffed tool kits wherever! One of the mechs' girlfriends, Sue, was ace at knocking up hamburgers and we brought great fun to racing while having great fun ourselves.
To answer the question about Knebworth on the Tour of Britain - this was the first such event, and as anyone will tell you my personal knowledge was more about wrecking cars rather than fixing them (!), and so I took my nextdoor neighbour, Robin Richardson, who was one of those daft rallying people who used to go out enjoying their motorsport on tracks in the dark when the pubs were open - there was however little in the way of rallying on that first event. The poor guy hanging on in the back was Lenny Smith who ran Specialist Cars in Liverpool, and was a well-respected performance car technician - I didn't dare let him out of my sight in case I broke something. Lasting memory of that event was Graham Hill in the reception afterwards in Bath chatting to our little group (I'd actually beaten him at Silverstone) and being rather more interested in any half-exposed bosoms to whom he talked at length!
The Camaro years followed, and I well remember Gregor's Dad Gerry when I won my first race at Brands in the bar afterwards "Must have been the St Dunstan's Trophy - the blind leading the blind!"
I'm now a parasitical Estate Agent in Cuevas del Almanzora, Spain after a bout of ill health forced me to rent out the hotel, bar and restaurant I had opened with new wife Janet. You'll find us on www.trybeforeyoubuyinspain.com

[GBRM]

Great to see you posting Nigel; Denis said he’s tried to get Slim on the internet (other than adult sites!!) but to no avail. Thanks for confirming about the hotel/bar, Denis mentioned it and I couldn’t remember the exact deal.

Did Denis mention the picture I gave to him of you in the Camaro? It’s a great shot, if you want I could e-mail you a copy, got a few more, including a backwards into the gravel shot at Brands which I think was in Autosport. As for the win, at least you won and didn't fall off and heavily damage his car on the slowing down lap like a certain person we know!!

Good luck with the property and I hope the leg is getting better and you're recovered from Slim's 60th (pleased Denis sorted out the surprise guest) and hopefully I'll get a chance this year to come out and annoy you and Slim.

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by zutijar

To answer the question about Knebworth on the Tour of Britain - this was the first such event, and as anyone will tell you my personal knowledge was more about wrecking cars rather than fixing them (!), and so I took my nextdoor neighbour, Robin Richardson, who was one of those daft rallying people who used to go out enjoying their motorsport on tracks in the dark when the pubs were open - there was however little in the way of rallying on that first event. The poor guy hanging on in the back was Lenny Smith who ran Specialist Cars in Liverpool, and was a well-respected performance car technician - I didn't dare let him out of my sight in case I broke something.

Welcome to the madhouse!

And I thought the days of the riding mechanic went out in the 20's

Thanks for the answer. The racing scene in the 70's seemed one long laugh!

[zutijar]

A bit more about that first Tour of Britain - apart from travelling 3 up we hired a Commer motor caravan in Bath for Rita and the boys, and two more "mechanics" and they followed us round, one was a hippy lecturer from Warrington Tech who drifted in and out of consciousness the way that all hippies did (!), and the other was a mad Liverpool Chinaman who just did anything on engines, but couldn't start his day without his cleaver, a bread board, and roast suckling pig, washed down with bottles and bottles of Tizer. When he'd finished work and had a jar or ten it was unwise to call him 'Scouse chink' or worse as the cleaver would come out again, but boy could he tune twin Webers! The motor caravan was returned somewhat the worse for wear and we lost our deposit! Good to hear from you Greg - tell Denis to try Slim on the same start to his email address, but @yahoo.co.uk. Yes please to photos.

[renron]

Well, well, well Nigel, I seem to have started something here!.

Be good to see some more photos.

[GBRM]

Nigel - I've just sent you an e-mail with the photos.

[zutijar]

Safely received thanks - the cars are beginning to look as antiquated as me but, boy, did we have fun!

[zutijar]

For anyone heading to Le Mans or for that matter anywhere from Cherbourg or Caen ports, Nigel Stovin-Bradford is now running a B&B in Normandy about an hour from either port. It is pleasantly located 15 minutes from the coast at Le Mesnil Aubert, south of the cathedral city of Coutances. The only neighbours are cows from the valley below and the B&B has its own lounge with English TV. Ideal for a weekend booze cruise, the Normandy beaches or just to chill. Bookings via orangesatsea@hotmail.com