History of motor racing film show

[RTH]

Hope you do not mind if we tell members about the next gathering. Hope some of you might like to attend.


Just less than 4 weeks to go until the next show on

Saturday 14th May 2011

When our guest speakers will be Andy Rouse and Pete Hall The morning session will trace the history of saloon car racing from the 1950s our guests will relate tales and their experiences in Touring car racing over several decades and you will get your opportunity to put your own questions to them both, with film and still from their private collections.
The usual full day of fun and we hope entertainment . An outdoor BBQ lunch is included along with morning coffee and afternoon tea and cakes , all the day's usual features in rural Hertfordshire from 9.30 - 5.00pm. By contrast in the afternoon a mixture of films from 50-80s on a variety of forms of motor racing.
Half the places are booked but you still have the chance to book seats if you would like to come by either emailing or pm me as soon as you can. (click on my initials in the top left hand corner of this post and click send a message for details)

Many thanks should be fun day 10/10thers welcome

[chunterer]

Sounds great, thanks Richard!

[RTH]

Thanks

Reminder 3 weeks to go. Location East Herts 4 miles west of the M11 and Stansted Airport

Still places available if you would like to attend send me a message for details.
A number of former BTCC drivers have also been invited and there will be an outdoor Barbecue in this (currently) glorious weather. we look forward to greeting newcomers and stalwarts alike, All are welcome should be a fun day we hope.
Click on my initials top left hand corner and send me a message.

[Gerry Taylor]

Richard, sounds really good. Unfortunately I shall be working, but wish you and your event all the very best for a good turnout.

[RTH]

Thanks for that Gerry, I well remember your swish Anglia.

We will do another one on 22nd October, put it in your diary.
If you or anyone else would like to be added to the emailing list for future event details please send me a message with your email address.

So far in 6 events our guest speakers have been Chris Craft, Hugh Chamberlain, Doug Nye. Fred Gallagher and in January of this year we were very pleased to welcome Murray Walker.

[RTH]

photo:copyright simon arron


This is one of the many superb photographs Simon Arron took on Saturday at Snetterton on the new 3 mile layout circuit.

This is Henry Mann in a 1963 Cortina MK 1 a car in very familiar colours.
I chatted to Henry in their pit garage and it seems his father Alan Mann is not too well these days and confined to a wheelchair. However he still maintains a passion for motor racing and I hear is still keen to talk about their fantastically successful days for Ford Motor Company with Falcons , F3L, Cortinas and Escorts in the 1960s when Frank Gardner won the 1968 British Saloon Car Championship with the FVA powered , big wheel arched ,red and gold Escort XOO349F. spectacular days of saloon car racing when they came in all shapes and sizes. Alan went on in to the helicopter business, with the familiar 'am' logo frequently seen on the side of a helicopter in a TV drama series.

If Alan might be well enough, he and/or Henry might be able to come along to the film show on Sat 14th May which would be a joy for all of us.

[chunterer]

Richard,

I sincerely hope the event went well and everyone enjoyed the day. I am gutted I couldn't re-schedule my commitment.

I'd loved to have seen the old touring car footage and listen to Andy Rouse's memories etc!!

[glyn parham]

Chunterer.

You missed a terrific day, Andy and Pete were in fine form, the bbq was excellent and the company superb. Book for October 22nd now and you won't be disapointed.

Glyn

[RTH]

Many thanks indeed Glyn.

Sorry you were not able to make it James.
Andy Rouse was most interesting, his record is quite remarkable and we had film from Pete's private collection which was taken specially at the time.
Not confirmed yet so I cannot say anything, but I hope we will have quite a memorable event in October.
Many thanks to all who came last week.Anyone else who would like to be put on the mailing list please send me a message.

[chunterer]

Really pleased to hear it went so wel Richard, touring cars has always been a big passion, well until the end of the last century at least and it would have been fascinating to listen to Andy and Pete et al. I hope I won't have any annoying clashes next time!!

[RTH]

After a summer break, it is 3 months to our next show here in Hertfordshire.
It is with great pleasure I can reveal that our next guest speaker on Sat 22 October 9.30-5.00pm will be Stuart Turner

As you will know Stuart was competitions manager for BMC during the 1960s when he brought a whole new professionalism and a more scientific approach to running a factory rally team and masterminded all those wins for the Minis in Monte Carlo and all over Europe and beyond.

After a spell as publicity manager at Castrol, his services were secured by Ford Motor Company in charge at both Boreham and the AVO factory, which brought them rally dominance with Escorts,RS200,Sierra and Escort Cosworths in the 70s and 80s. and as Director of Ford of Britain public affairs . Raising Ford’s profile image and reputation up to levels they maintain today with continuous competition successes.

As well as being the author of more than 20 books and countless articles, with a post retirement career in after dinner speaking.
If you have ever heard Stuart speak you will know he has a dry sense of humour with a deadpan delivery and is wonderfully witty and entertaining. I know we are in for a real treat.

Naturally we will have films illustrating Stuart’s career with footage from the 1960s BMC minis, Big Healeys, and the 70s & 80s with Escorts, Sierras etc.
Stuart knows just about everyone in motor sport since he started competing himself in the 1950s and has a wealth of stories about people places and behind the scenes events

STUART TURNER.
Champion British navigator for the first two years of the Championship and winner of the ‘Autosport Award’ as BTRDA Gold Star navigator for 3 years, still the only one to do a hat trick in that championship.
Co-drove in factory cars for Austin Healey, MG ,Triumph, Mercedes, Saab and Auto Union on many of the major events like the Monte, Alpine, Liege and Tulip rallies.

Won 1960 RAC Rally with Erik Carlsson in a Saab.

Sports Editor of ‘Motoring News’ where started the MN Rally Championship.

Competitions Manager at BMC during the successful days of the Mini Cooper and Austin Healey 3000.

Publicity Manager at Castrol where began their club support programme of quizzes etc.

Competitions Manager at Ford of Britain when the Escort was supreme. Also ran the Advanced Vehicle Operations factory making Escort Mexicos and RS2000s.

Director of Public Affairs at Ford of Britain before moving back into motorsport as Director of Motorsport for Ford of Europe where introduced the RS200, Sierra Cosworth and Escort Cosworth before retiring.

Currently Chief Executive of the Motorsport Safety Fund, a charity producing films and publications to help keep the sport safe.
Was a member of the MSA Council (the governing body of the sport in Britain) for 18 years and was awarded the Prince Michael Award of Merit in 2009 for services to motorsport.
Author of some 20 books on motorsport, business and public speaking including a recent one, Harnessing Horsepower, a biography of Pat Moss Carlsson.

Winner of a Benedictine After Dinner Speaker of the Year Award.

Our usual mix of film on a variety of motor racing subjects and eras as well of course as all the usual features, lunch , quiz, exhibits fun, rally cars in a car park grouping and a chance to catch up with friends in hopefully some autumn sunshine and a few surprises.

Only 65 places, booking opens now, email to secure your places, we are really looking forward to what will be a most memorable day.

If you have a car from the period do please bring it along for the display.
Hope to see you there on the day.

[RTH]

Such is the interest in seeing Stuart more than half the places are now taken even though it is still 11 weeks away. So if you would like to be there email or pm me.