FISCAR FLIERS - 1950s 1100cc Racing & 1500cc Production Sports Racing Series

[John Turner]

So why is it in bits then? Sorry couldn't help myself there, Bob.

[John Turner]

Only 3 months away now for our first FLIERS race, so here are a few examples of the types of cars we're after:-

1) Rod Begbie's Elva Mk IV
2) Chris Guest's Cooper T21
3) Brian Arculus Lotus Mk IX (photo by Pat Arculus)
4) David Lee's Tojeiro- JAP
5) Alex Quattlebaum's MG LECo 2
6) George Cooper's Cooper Sports

[John Turner]

Ok, it's an advert but not mine to sell but I have a real interest in seeing this sold to a good home since it is absolutely the sort of car we are looking for for the FLIERS. I realise it is not likely that it could be completed for our first race in Autumn but I have an eye on the longer term. So here we go - a car with provenance and currently in the custody of someone (Roger Dunbar) who knows and appreciates Elvas and their histories:-

The ELVA Mk.1B is dated 1957; built for the '57 Autosport Championship series, driven initially by Pat Fergusson and campaigned regularly by next owner G. Donald Hill (many entries listed) as shown page 79 of the Elva book. Chassis ID #32; road registration # 796 DRB; have old logbook etc etc. Originally powered by ELVA IOE converted Ford 100E and Elva conversion comes with the car as does the rare Wooler remote for the Ford gearbox. Much work undertaken but just too many Elva projects taking up time. Car completely dismantled; and chassis checked and repainted in correct Elva period colour; then aluminium panels replaced (under tray, footwells etc.) by the craftsman who undertook the work back in 1957! Has the original Ashley Laminates (Falcon) body shell which has been prepared and repainted in a nice racing green. History file and umpteen pictures so absolutely ideal for the 1950's race series. Can provide much more info if needed. This historic car needs to be out racing again and so very reluctantly offered to another good home. Price to be negotiated. Contact roger@elva.com or call on 07976234470.

I have Roger's agreement to post this.

[Peter Mallett]

Hope you don't mind, I've posted this on Facebook in the Historic Racing Group.

[John Turner]

That's great, thanks, Peter.

[John Turner]

Entries for all the races at the Castle Combe Autumn Classic are now open.

[p261brm]

Hope I have this right, the suggestion is for a race series similar to Stirling Moss, but limiting engine capacity to 1500cc, what a great idea, and the majority of events in the UK? as the Stirling Moss series have only 2 or 3 so those with no time to spare for 'touring' the continent find their racing season rather curtailed,as it seems no other events exsist.

[John Turner]

Well it wasn't the Moss races which triggered this but in effect I guess that is how it will pan out but the 1500cc limit for the cars is of production units like the XPAG but only 1100cc for racing units, so no FWE or FWBs. Am trying to attact cars that either have been driven away by the later engined and/or bigger cars or those which haven't seen the light of day for awhile. There are a lot of cars out there but many are not anywhere near race ready so I think we are likely to be in for the long haul on this which may mean augmenting the grid early days with up to 1500cc road sports cars from the same period and earlier but again nothing with FWE.

Many of the cars in this year's Madgwick Cup at the Goodwood Revival are eligible for the FLIERS. Take a look at the FLIERS section of our website at www.fiscar.org

[p261brm]

I hope it comes to fruition John, and not only because as it may prevent an associate from considering disposal of a suitable car, simply because there are not enough events in the UK, and as we are all aware mothballed cars suffer, and at a time when the market is 'slow' to say the least.
The 'clubby' atmosphere is also attractive, and a move in the right direction, as a personal friend remarked recently, discussing the 'classic' Historic motor sport is only one step behind behind F1 in the cost of being involved with particular emphasis on entry costs.

[John Turner]

Many thanks; even if the Castle Combe race is short on entries, I intend to pursue this because I do have a lot of interest from owners who simply, as you say, have mothballed cars that are no longer race ready. Perhaps you could put your associate in touch with me? I really believe this has legs but it's hard work!

[p261brm]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Many thanks; even if the Castle Combe race is short on entries, I intend to pursue this because I do have a lot of interest from owners who simply, as you say, have mothballed cars that are no longer race ready. Perhaps you could put your associate in touch with me? I really believe this has legs but it's hard work!

Done, have passed on details

[John Turner]

Unsurprisingly and for a whole bunch of the usual reasons we are struggling to get a good sized grid for this first race. I have turned away three cars that were period correct but with later and/or non compliant engines on the basis that creating a precedent always comes back to haunt you later, and we intend to start as we mean to carry on. There are, in fact, a lot of suitable cars out there, many with really fabulous histories but most have remained dormant for many years and are not race ready. Long term, I am excited about the prospect for these cars, but the first race is clearly going to be difficult. This is a list, not necessarily exhaustive, of the sort cars and engines, that are eligible:-

FLIERS – Eligible Cars

Attila - Climax
Buckler – Mk5, 6, 90, DD1 & most DD2s
Cisitalia
Connaught – ALSR
Cooper – T10, T13, T14, T21, T39
Dellow -
Elva – Mk 1,,3, 4, 5
Gilby - Climax
Keift - Climax
Lola – Mk 1
Lotus – 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 17
MG XPAG Specials – Dargue, Leco, Lester, DJS, Parson, Playford
OSCA – MT4, FS372
Porsche – 550/550A
Tojeiro – MG

Engines – JAP, Ford 1172, Ford 1508 (Consul), MG XPAG, Lea Francis, Coventry Climax (FWA ONLY)

Even if you don't have a car on that list but is period correct and maybe suitable, please pm me. I am also prepared to create a separate class to accept any roadsports cars from the late 30's to end of 50's (but no Elites as they run the FWE and should be in our Inter-Marque race, anyway!) up to 1500cc if not too tweaked if anyone wants a last outing of the season.

[Stan Hibberd]

Nice to see Bucklers in the elegibility list for thr FISCAR Fliers race. One small error in the Buckler types there is no type 60 I think that should be Mark 6. I think Mike and Andrew Hibberd are entering my Buckler Mark 6 in the Castle Combe race. This is a pleasant surprise to me that I never thought likely to happen when I put the case for including Buckler cars in the FISCAR list several months ago. Best wishes for the opening race.
Stan Hibberd

[John Turner]

Yes, indeed, a slip of the finger; thanks Stan.

[John Turner]

Should probably have included the Maserati 150S on that list. We could but hope for such a presence!

[John Turner]

My race report, here:-

http://fiscar.org/castle-combe-50s-fliers/

[John Turner]

I've now added a page for FLIERS for sale!

http://fiscar.org/fliers-for-sale/

[John Turner]

Since the FLIERS had their second race at the weekend (as part of the MGCCs Iconic50s race), I thought it time to dredge this thread up. I've updated the cars for sale:-

http://fiscar.org/fliers-for-sale-1/

and also increased the number of cars in the FLIERs gallery here:-

http://fiscar.org/fliers-cars/

Interestingly, the Bonhams sale at Goodwood at the weekend has two eminently suitable cars - the rebodied Tojeiro MG and that fabulous HRG.