70's club racers - Page 3

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 11:17 (Ref:2390978)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

This looks like The Town Hall steps, Victoria Square, Birmingham. Was this taken on the RACE AROUND THE CITY STREETS in about 1971/2?

Just looked at this photograph again, and guess what...that's me far left in the bright yellow SWISH team jacket! It is the Town Hall in Birmingham, and the cars were racing around Colmore Row/Corporation Street/New Street, and back up Colmore Row passing the Town Hall steps again. I was working for BBC Radio Birmingham (as was, now Radio WM) and the guy next to me is Stuart Roper the Presenter.
Happy days.
Gerry.

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 11:21 (Ref:2390981)

Great to see such lovely photographs, thanks everyone.
Here's another from the 1970's. Brands Hatch 1973.
(hope its uploaded). Yes, it has, great. The car was looking a little season battle scarred at this stage, so I apologise for that.

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 11:26 (Ref:2390982)

Here's a photograph of a racer I used to come up against quite regularly, NICK BIRCH, I believe he was from the Stoke area? Anyway, here's Nick in his 1. litre Imp. Circa 1972/3.
Gerry.
As you can see the photograph is copyright of Mike Hayward, and if this contravines any law, then the guys in charge can take it off. I apologise if this is so. If it doesn't, then thank you Mike.

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 11:34 (Ref:2390984)

Here's a photograph I hope brings back a memory or two.
SILVERSTONE 1972.

davyboy · 8 Feb 2009, 11:58 (Ref:2391002)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

Atlantics at Brands 1974 (ish).

Fantastic pictures Alan. The Atlantics have gotta be the greatest racing series that ever graced the British Isles - sorely missed for sure.

Alan Raine · 8 Feb 2009, 12:41 (Ref:2391022)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

Fantastic pictures Alan. The Atlantics have gotta be the greatest racing series that ever graced the British Isles - sorely missed for sure.

Agreed. The early 70's Atlantics were fabulous. It's a pity it all went pear shaped!

Edit: My pics were 1973 not 74.

Alan Raine · 8 Feb 2009, 13:15 (Ref:2391042)

A few saloons from Brands.

Group 1 at the old Paddock

Special Saloons were always fun.

Although things didn't always go to plan as Terry Croker found out

mc1aren · 8 Feb 2009, 14:52 (Ref:2391093)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

This looks like The Town Hall steps, Victoria Square, Birmingham. Was this taken on the RACE AROUND THE CITY STREETS in about 1971/2?

It is Brum - 'on the streets' around 1974/6 I think- . I was actually sat on the floor in the passenger footwell as my dad drove round!

thebullet · 8 Feb 2009, 16:13 (Ref:2391130)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

Here's a photograph I hope brings back a memory or two.
SILVERSTONE 1972.

Brilliant Picture Gerry

Thats a mini in the back ground too hard to tell. My dad seems to think it looks like his.

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 21:15 (Ref:2391289)

That is a mini behind the Jag, and I'm told it could well have been Keith Barrington.
Here's some more. Richard Long chases me out of Shaws Hairpin at Mallory Park. Cica 1973.

Gerry Taylor · 8 Feb 2009, 21:19 (Ref:2391293)

Mmmm, no photograph...lets try again. Ah, thats better. Here's Richard Long chasing me out of Shaws Hairpin at Mallory Park, Circa 1973.

thebullet · 8 Feb 2009, 22:28 (Ref:2391334)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

That is a mini behind the Jag, and I'm told it could well have been Keith Barrington.
Here's some more. Richard Long chases me out of Shaws Hairpin at Mallory Park. Cica 1973.

Edit, Just seen you last post. If you did not Know Gerry, its Matthew here.

Rob29 · 9 Feb 2009, 08:55 (Ref:2391509)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

Just looked at this photograph again, and guess what...that's me far left in the bright yellow SWISH team jacket! It is the Town Hall in Birmingham, and the cars were racing around Colmore Row/Corporation Street/New Street, and back up Colmore Row passing the Town Hall steps again. I was working for BBC Radio Birmingham (as was, now Radio WM) and the guy next to me is Stuart Roper the Presenter.
Happy days.
Gerry.

Just a demo not racing I'm sure

Rob29 · 9 Feb 2009, 09:01 (Ref:2391512)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc1aren

It is Brum - 'on the streets' around 1974/6 I think- . I was actually sat on the floor in the passenger footwell as my dad drove round!

Was 1985 I think-I was there-must dig out photos.About a year before the actual Birmingham Superprix started.Was there an earlier demo,c1972 when this was first proposed? Also remember going to a demo in Coventry about the same time 1986.

Gerry Taylor · 9 Feb 2009, 14:45 (Ref:2391745)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

Was 1985 I think-I was there-must dig out photos.About a year before the actual Birmingham Superprix started.Was there an earlier demo,c1972 when this was first proposed? Also remember going to a demo in Coventry about the same time 1986.

No, it was definately late seventies, as I retired from the game in '76, and my Anglia was in the "race" round the city centre, driven by my mechanic Dave Neale.

Gerry Taylor · 9 Feb 2009, 15:15 (Ref:2391753)

It was tiny, it was an innovation, a brand new racing circuit. LONGRIDGE Near Preston. Here is a photograph taken of the very first Special Saloon Car Race ever held there, in which my solitary Anglia saw off the multi Mini challenges to set the first lap record. Not long after, it was all over, finished and gone. I doubt many will recall it today.
This picture was taken at the first meeting in 1974.

Steve Wilkinson · 9 Feb 2009, 15:29 (Ref:2391760)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

It was tiny, it was an innovation, a brand new racing circuit. LONGRIDGE Near Preston.

Not long after, it was all over, finished and gone. I doubt many will recall it today.

This picture was taken at the first meeting in 1974.

Remember it well!

Taken in 1977.

Dan Rear · 9 Feb 2009, 15:34 (Ref:2391764)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

No, it was definately late seventies, as I retired from the game in '76, and my Anglia was in the "race" round the city centre, driven by my mechanic Dave Neale.

I'm fairly sure the late 70s Brum demonstration was 1978, I recall the John Cooper Hesketh 308Es from that years Aurora being involved, Wasn't it timed to coincide with the 1st ever Brum Motor Show, in October that year?

Gerry Taylor · 9 Feb 2009, 18:00 (Ref:2391851)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

Just a demo not racing I'm sure

Er......You had to be there!

We were all told to not actually race, but to not "Hang about" (?) So...we didn't race...........

Gerry Taylor · 9 Feb 2009, 18:03 (Ref:2391852)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

I'm fairly sure the late 70s Brum demonstration was 1978, I recall the John Cooper Hesketh 308Es from that years Aurora being involved, Wasn't it timed to coincide with the 1st ever Brum Motor Show, in October that year?

Dan, the one who knows all about this is Martin Hone, and unfortunately he is not available at present. My car had been long sold by 1978, so it really was around 1974/5 0r 6. But, then I am not 100% positive. I shall look up the advert that I still have and post it here.
GT

Gerry Taylor · 10 Feb 2009, 23:46 (Ref:2394216)

Hi, Mathew!

mc1aren · 10 Feb 2009, 23:48 (Ref:2394217)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

No, it was definately late seventies, as I retired from the game in '76, and my Anglia was in the "race" round the city centre, driven by my mechanic Dave Neale.

Hopefully this will settle this finally. I believe the 'on the streets' pic was part of the 1975 Duckhams Motoring Festival in Birmingham. It was no later as my dad had sold the Stingray and was driving a Mclaren in 1976. I have only found one other photo of the event so far - but will see if I can get hold of some more (searching various lofts will be required!).

I have also found another forum link here which would confirm this:
http://forums.autosport.com/showthre...postid=2962904

and there is always http://8w.forix.com/bsp.html giving a little more pre-superprix history.

Gerry Taylor · 11 Feb 2009, 17:51 (Ref:2395575)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc1aren

Hopefully this will settle this finally. I believe the 'on the streets' pic was part of the 1975 Duckhams Motoring Festival in Birmingham. It was no later as my dad had sold the Stingray and was driving a Mclaren in 1976. I have only found one other photo of the event so far - but will see if I can get hold of some more (searching various lofts will be required!).

I have also found another forum link here which would confirm this:
http://forums.autosport.com/showthre...postid=2962904

and there is always http://8w.forix.com/bsp.html giving a little more pre-superprix history.

Decisive! 1975. Thanks.
Gerry.

Gerry Taylor · 11 Feb 2009, 17:58 (Ref:2395582)

I was looking at my scrap book earlier and found this interesting picture. It's the Pit Area at Longridge. That's yours truly dropping the bonnet down on the Anglia, next to me my dear friend Chris, who later died along with his wife Sue and David Prophet in the helicopter crash at Silverstone. Behind us is the Rolls Royce of Chris Meek, who turned up with the back seat full of wheels and tyres for his Princess Ita Escort. Note the public high up on the quarry edge. Oh, and look at the guy left of picture "Flares or what!"

Happy days.

Steve Wilkinson · 11 Feb 2009, 18:19 (Ref:2395587)

Start of the Up to 1 litre Special Saloon car race at Longridge in August 1974 with Pit area on the left.

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