Where to race?

[eclectic]

I have just started the rebuild of an Irish post war special, the S.A.M. This stands for Self Assembled Motorcar or more politely Special Austin Mercury.

It is a sort of home made Allard, ie a special based around an Austin Devon Chassis and a Mercury Flathead. Even its creator would never have called it beautiful, the most flattering description that I can come up with is purposeful.

It was suprisingly effective in its heyday (1952) in Ireland and entered some International races and hence is eligible for FIA papers and International Historic events today.

Where should/could I exercise it?

So far I have considered;

(1) The Pom. (It won't be ready in time but should be a little later in 2005).
(2) The VSCC invitation race at Donington next September.
(3) HGPCA Drum braked series.

I would like a chance to feel my way around what is a new area of racing for me as hitherto I have always stuck to pre-war stuff and I think this Historic racing is a whole new ballgame. I feel a little intimidated.

Any other suggestions?

[josvandeperre]

Sounds like the sort of machine that invitation events might appreciate eg Goodwood and especially Angouleme

[David McKinney]

Did it race in sportscar events in period?

[Fred Gallagher]

Keep an eye on the English Tour Auto thread started by John Ruston. More news after the 26th......

[Peter Mallett]

As you know I've sort of followed this over the months. I was waiting for you to bring it up again.

The fact is that you appear to be trying to pigeonhole the car whereas the invited classes at many events would be ideal for you.

[eclectic]

Sports car racing? Yes, for example it raced at the Curragh with the Hwm's and C types.

Angouleme is my nearest event so I will see if I can play there, invitation events sound good but I need to keep my eyes and ears open to see where it might be most fun.

It weighs a bit over 17 cwt, and the 4,250cc motor should mean a good power to weight.....

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by eclectic
Sports car racing? Yes, for example it raced at the Curragh with the Hwm's and C types.

My recollection of the SAM is that it only ever contested libre events - as did the HWMs and C-types at, for example, the Curragh

[eclectic]

Originally posted by David McKinney
My recollection of the SAM is that it only ever contested libre events - as did the HWMs and C-types at, for example, the Curragh

Yes, in my ignorance I was confusing sports cars racing in libre events with Sports Car Racing I suppose there is a distinction and it is relevant in so far as what I can use it for today? All very confusing to a VSCC man where if a car is eligible I can use it in anything the Club organises.

However here is a the list of events it was entered for I believe he started in them all;

16 May '53 Ulster International Trophy Handicap Race, Dundrod.
Retired

30 May '53 Syonfin Hill Climb

6 June '53 Phoenix Park

11 July '53 Leinster Trophy.
Quote from Autocar, "Joe Quinn..... with a lap allowance on handicap kept his V8 engined S.A.M. among the faster cars for a suprising lenght of time....."
(nb It was wet and so he was probably leading on handicap, not bad for a home built special playing with the works C types.)

10? Aug '53, Craigantlet Hillclimb
Third place after Ken Wharton in his Cooper and J D Titterington in his Allard J2.

12 Sept '53 Curragh

11 June '54 Syonfin Hillclimb
Ist Equal FTD with Syd Durbridge (Maserati Griffen)

10 July '54 Leinster Trophy International Car Race,

28 Aug '54 Curragh,
Fatal Crash killing himself, a marshal another spectator and injuring others.

I am going to be in GB for the next ten days and may be off line until I get back, but your advice and especially encouragement, is most appreciated.

[Andrew Gunnell]

What about competing in a VSCC hillclimb?

[simon drabble]

You could try BRDC Historic Sportscars but I fear you will be running very much at the back, in which case HGPA is probably better suited. You could run it in Julius' Cloth Cap and do the French rounds (this year that would have been Chimay, dijon and Monthlery)
Do you have it up and running? It sounds liek something that is quick in a straightline with super tanker cornering ability!

[eclectic]

It should be up and running in about six months, in time to try it out here and there next season, it is a bit ugly, brutal and unsubtle, but I hope it will be a lot of fun.

Loads of torque to accelerate out of corners, but perhaps cornering will be entertaining(?).

It has Austin Devon ifs assisted by coils shocks at the front and cart spring type semi eliptics at the rear.

[Peter Mallett]

[Off Topic]I recall you were looking at a Fiat 124 Coupe as an alternative car. It happens that in the November "Ding Dong" (Top Hat Magazine) they quote the entry list for a touring car race at Chimay in 1973. Lo and behold there was a Fiat 124 (it doesn't specify coupe or saloon). I saw it and thought of you. Sad git aren't I? [/Off Topic].

[eclectic]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
[Off Topic]I recall you were looking at a Fiat 124 Coupe as an alternative car. It happens that in the November "Ding Dong" (Top Hat Magazine) they quote the entry list for a touring car race at Chimay in 1973. Lo and behold there was a Fiat 124 (it doesn't specify coupe or saloon). I saw it and thought of you. Sad git aren't I? [/Off Topic].

I decided to follow the S.A.M. route insted for much the same money! At least it is a genuine Historic Racer.


I managed to shoehorn myself into it this week, it is a fairly tight fit for a 6'3" fattie like me, maybe we can alter the pedals 'cos if I make the cockpit any bigger my elbow will be ground away by the tyre!

I also had a DVD of it in action in 1953, sent to me, a bit blurred, but quite recognisable.

There is a 6 litre Allard that competes in the same class in the HGPCA series, it will run away from me no doubt along with the Jaguars, but it should be fun trying.

[josvandeperre]

See thread 'New Event in Ireland'

[Peter Mallett]

This one?

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=62612

[eclectic]

Originally posted by josvandeperre
See thread 'New Event in Ireland'

Many thanks.