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15 Mar 2006, 08:31 (Ref:1549263) | #26 | ||
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Went to every one,missed just one saturday.Have hardly been to any other british racing since as circuits are so boring compared to Birmingham!
Actually,I thought we had already discussed this,and I recall sending some of my photos to 'bigears'- or was it that other forum we are not allowed to mention? |
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15 Mar 2006, 08:47 (Ref:1549277) | #27 | ||
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I also have a sense of deja vous but its a great subject!
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15 Mar 2006, 12:20 (Ref:1549399) | #28 | ||
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Rob, yes you have already sent your collection of BSP photos last year.
Nice to see you in this forum by the way rescue dude, if you got anything what James Hunt said about the Birmingham Superprix, you can PM me? |
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15 Mar 2006, 13:14 (Ref:1549436) | #29 | ||
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I went in 86 and 88, the latter was complete chaos due to the crashes, and not much of a race as I recall. 86 was the worst weather I ever experienced at a track. The Pavesi Ralts made the rest look silly, Perez Sala I think could be another of our "he looked really good, why didn't he do better in F1...".
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15 Mar 2006, 13:19 (Ref:1549445) | #30 | ||
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But Sala made a mess of his lead when he spun into the barriers and losing his nose cover. He lost a lot of ground when Pierluigi Martini and Michel Ferte caught him up. But Sala was saved by the bell when Andrew Gilbert Scott spun into Alain Ferte's abandoned car before the chicane resulting the red flag to be brought out.
Sala won the race when the chasing duo finished about three seconds behind. |
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15 Mar 2006, 20:10 (Ref:1549764) | #31 | ||
Pit Lane Hooter
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I was there in 1990 as a newbie marshal working on Sherlock Street (I think!). We had a huge TVR Tuscan incident - he bounced off the armco on both sides (including knocking back the flag point which was up in the air on scaffolding) before landing right by us. As we helped him over the barrier the poor guy was nearly in tears - it was a new car. I don't think I impressed him by pointing out that the mirror in the middle of the track looked pretty undamaged!
There is also a tale surrounding all the NW marshals going for a Chinese - but I won't repeat it here apart from mentioning that our ex-president Pete Roberts had to carry me inside because he'd tied my shoelaces together on the minibus (unbeknown to me). And if I recall correctly, some of the delays in 1985 were as a result of local "fans" having gone round unscrewing the bolts in the armco - so they all had to be checked before anything could get going. My uncle, Derek Ongaro rip, was in charge of safety and he was not a happy chappy. Actually.....that gives me a thought for a new thread! |
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15 Mar 2006, 21:50 (Ref:1549852) | #32 | ||
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I think there is footage of the stranded car in the race racehlights of the TVR race, I believe you was located not that far from the fast left hander to Pershore Street.
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16 Mar 2006, 13:03 (Ref:1550218) | #33 | ||
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I attended every Super Prix. My memories are:
The rain the first year. Thetailend of a hurricane from the States (I think it may have been called Charlie). The noise. It wasn't too bad on certain parts but especially around the fruit market it bounced back at you. The start of practice the first year being delayed because the armco needed tightening. Russell Spence being hoist aloft in his car because he was a pratt and was trying (unfortunately he succeeded) in getting the session stopped. A race for MG Metro 6R4s The Halfords Hairpin. Great overtaking, plenty of incident, and a thin advertising banner being continuously ripped off by the cars brushing against it. A perfectly healthy tree being cut down because it impeeded the view from a grandstand. I found that a shame because with a bit of thought the grandstand could have been built a few feet away without a problem. Drivers posing for photographs around Bristol Street Motors. they all seemed so friendly and approachable (but then even F1 drivers were back then). Residents selling drinks and sandwiches from their gardens. A girl called Sue! |
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16 Mar 2006, 13:09 (Ref:1550221) | #34 | ||
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Close, it was Hurricane Charley.
I would like to know more about the delayed practice sessions because the armco wasn't tightened on properly. Which part of the circuit that was affected? How much time was the practice sessions was delayed? A member in an other forum (not sure if I am allowed to mention it but anyway...) said that he looked at Jean Alesi's tyres in the pits after qualifying in 1989. He said that the tyres sidewalls was covered in blue and red plastic pieces. It was clear that Jean Alesi was taking a tight line into the Halfords Hairpin and shredded parts of the plastic covers of the Halfords sponsors! |
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16 Mar 2006, 15:34 (Ref:1550291) | #35 | |||
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Quote:
*This means that the Armco joints should be so that (in the direction of travel) the ending section was on top of the new section. Then there would be no problem with a car 'brushin' the barrier, and digging in. Just one more thought... Could this problem have arisen because the circuit was run anti - clockwise, which is the opposite direction to most 'normal' circuits? |
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16 Mar 2006, 15:49 (Ref:1550303) | #36 | |
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What about the drivers football match on the start/finish line?
That was a hoot can't remember who won but Satoru Nakajima had a great time. After the match swapped jokes with him which was interesting because he couldn't speak English and we went through an interpreter. Weird but very funny!! |
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16 Mar 2006, 17:06 (Ref:1550359) | #37 | ||
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Ah yes, I heard about that football story! This guy posted on an other forum and he said that there was a kick about and they used trolley jacks as the goalposts!
There was a match Italy against the rest of the world as there was a large number of Italian drivers taking part of the 1986 season. So Capelli and Tarquini took part and did the typcial Italian goal celebrations like embracing the goal scorer and lifting the hands in the air to the crowd. The soaked crowd absolutely enjoyed it! |
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16 Mar 2006, 17:45 (Ref:1550387) | #38 | ||
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Quote:
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16 Mar 2006, 18:46 (Ref:1550432) | #39 | ||
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16 Mar 2006, 19:51 (Ref:1550473) | #40 | ||
Pit Lane Hooter
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I am certainly stretching the memory and can only go by what I remember being told 10+ years ago - so not sure whether or not I'm telling fibs.
T'other half did the first race and reckons they tightened up the armco bolts themselves - just to get things moving. Don't you just love different perspectives......... |
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16 Mar 2006, 20:35 (Ref:1550522) | #41 | |||
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Quote:
I was stood on top of the Flag Point when that happened - quite exciting I only went to the last one but I do remember having a brilliant time. The other abiding memory is of waiting for the Barbazza / Irvine battle to arrive into sight and seeing something flash across the end of the street, it was Barbazza proceding (quickly!) to the scene of the accident. Pity as it was his best F3000 drive. Also remember how easy it was to get away from the circuit at the end of the meeting. Fantstic. |
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16 Mar 2006, 20:38 (Ref:1550526) | #42 | |
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Robin Smith hit the barrier on the straight while passing a number af slower cars in qualifying. I was 2-300 yards further up the track when he passed us at speed and the fuel that leaked into the cockpit exploded and blew the doors open.We were understandably busy from then on and I never did walk down to the mosque to see the "offending " gate. Derek Ongaro had walked the entire circuit in the mornng and I believe that all the loose bolts were tightened before practice started.
Rumour had it at the time that vandels had undone the bolts the previous evening |
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16 Mar 2006, 22:46 (Ref:1550631) | #43 | |||
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Quote:
Continue contributing this thread, I am really enjoying this thread! If any of you got any photos then I would be very interested! |
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18 Mar 2006, 15:26 (Ref:1551861) | #44 | |||
Pit Lane Hooter
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I also remember that we used the toilets in a nearby pub - I'm sure the locals were very friendly but it wasn't the sort of place I would normally frequent. Or maybe the staring was just due to "this girl in orange overalls" having walked in - that's usually enough to get funny looks! |
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18 Mar 2006, 17:47 (Ref:1551993) | #45 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Yes, it was a dark green TVR still pointing against the armco, not sideways by the armco.
Also the pub you must be referring to is the White Swan pub, it is still there today and I am tempted to pop in one day and ask someone there if they know anything about the BSP! |
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26 Mar 2006, 01:08 (Ref:1560700) | #46 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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I am going to visit the BSP track tomorrow so is there any specific requests for photos of a certain part of the track from anyone here?
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13 Apr 2006, 22:54 (Ref:1580842) | #47 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Now I am going to start off with a lap of the Birmingham Superprix as it is now and I will add some photos to compare what it was like back from 1986-1990. So hopefully it will give you a good idea what the track is really like and why I like about it!
Bristol Street: The main straight The cramped pitlane Exit of Bristol Street into the first turn Approaching and exiting the chicane Peter Barwell Hill Halfords Hairpin [img][http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...dsHairpin6.jpg[/img] Belgrave Middleway Ferodo Corner Sherlock Street Turn 8 [img] Pershore Street Turn 9 Bromsgrove Street The final turn Approaching the start/finish line The finish! Now you know what a lap of the Birmingham Superprix is like! I have added in photos of to compare the differences between the Birmingham Superprix from 1986-1990 and present day. Enjoy! |
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17 Apr 2006, 17:39 (Ref:1586936) | #48 | ||
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Does Anyone recall Martin Hone?
Several years prior to the actual races a guy called MARTIN HONE, an ex-racer and operator of Birmingham's OPPOSITE LOCK CLUB came up with the idea of Racing Cars on the streets of Brum. He asked me if I would bring my Swish Anglia to represent the Saloon cars. I remember we started in Victoria Square, down New Street, into Corporation Street left into Bull Street and left into Colmore Row and back to Victoria Square. Thousands lined the streets, the sound was raucous, and exciting. This would be in 1973 or 74. We had all manner of racing cars, I remember Derek Bell, and Stirling Moss were there. I remember it vividly as I did the Commentary for BBC Radio BIRMINGHAM (now Radio WM) along with Steve Roper) My mechanic Dave Neal took the car round the "circuit". But Martin didn't stop there he pestered the City Council for a Birmingham Grand Prix, they said NO. He planned it all out for them, had meeting after meeting with various committee's, they said NO! He came back with plans and ideas and contacts...and backers...they said NO. Then, the next thing that Martin heard was that a Race was to take place. Martin wasn't in the equasion. I never hear anyone even mention the guys name now. Very sad indeed. He started the ball rolling, it really was his idea, his creation. He eventually left the City and went to the country. He deserved so much more from the sport he loved and the City he put on the Motor Racing map. Just thought that it was worth mentioning. I was there and I know what happened. Martin really was the Father of the Birmingham Grand Prix's. Gerry.
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17 Apr 2006, 21:06 (Ref:1587108) | #49 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Thank you for the informative post, I never knew that there was an other demostration run of racing cars before 1976 (the last time I know is that Patrick Neve in his Brabham BT45 drove a few laps around the streets near the New Street station but I never managed to find out what is the exact layout that never drove around)
It was Andrew Marriott of CSS (a motorsport marketing company) that got the rights to promote and being involved of setting up the BSP. According to a MotorSport article back in 2002. Martin Hone did a presentation to the council to convince them for the last time to allow him to set up the BSP after he got the Birmingham Road Race Bill from the Parliament and then Marriott walked in and got the deal from the Birmingham City Council after 10 minutes of his presentation! I remember in the various news snippets I have seen from Central News, I have seen John Nicol (clerk of course) being interviewed, Mike Lawrence from MotorSport and Stirling Moss was the same. There is nothing at all from Martin Hone himself. MotorSport summed up how Martin Hone felt: "The man you have to feel most sorry for is Hone, whose baby was snatched away from him at birth." Where is this Opposite Lock club? Is it based at Gas Street and is it still there? |
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20 Apr 2006, 17:31 (Ref:1589945) | #50 | |
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I'd like to add my name to this list of folk with extremely fond memories of the Birmingham races. I competed in a Thundersports Tiga with Tony Dron in the first year (when we got rained off; bitterly disppointed). Second year, raced a B Class 911 came second to Robinson.
Street races are definitely my favourite form of road racing; requires brave precision and no mistakes to win races I ended up working in the Monaco House showrooms a few years later (Evans Halshaw Ferrari). Wonderful memories. Did we not have a similar thread a year or two ago? |
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