Truth, Tall Stories & Lies.

[Mike Harte]

To relieve Bob's obvious boredom, more tales from me.

In June 1967, Topol was performing the lead in Fiddler on the Roof on the stage in the West End of London. When hostilities started between Israel and other countries surrounding it, his immediate thought was to return to Israel and rejoin his old unit as he, along with all Israelis, remain reservists until they reach retirement age.

Immediately prior to this, I and a few other business people were asked to assist the Israeli government to vet volunteers who wished to go to Israel to temporarily take over jobs that reservists had to leave.

On the first evening of the conflict, as I was trawling through all the applications in the office space we were using in Lower Regent Street, someone from their embassy called and asked me to go over to the theatre after the show finished to speak to Topol and to convince him to remain in London as they felt he was doing more good by still going on stage.

So, when the show had finished, I picked him up from the theatre and drove him to the Hyde Park Hilton, and took him up to the roof-top bar where I persuaded him, with copious amounts of alcohol, to stay in London for the immediate future.

P.S. I believe that the Wikipedia states that he returned to Israel immediately, but this is factually incorrect.

[bauble]

A moment in history, Mike, and you centre stage (no pun etc.), my working life has been pretty mundane , but here on the Forum, are people with stories they could tell.
I suppose my greatest claim to fame in the world of commerce was inventing a machine for measuring 'tack' of sticky tapes. I worked for Sellotape at the time, and the device featured on the industries major magazine 'Adhesives Age'.
The head chemist of Evostick Adhesives, reportedly described as the most significant advance in adhesives testing. The tester was for our own use but several major international companies bought copies.

[Mike Harte]

One memorable meeting for me was in the mid 80s, when I had tea with Vera Lynn.

This came about because during the 1930s my father led a small dance band with his younger brother and few other musical friends, one of whom was the band's pianist who remained a family friend right until they passed away at the turn of this century. Anyway, sometimes when the band was asked to, they joined together with other bands for specific events. One of those other bands/orchestras bas the Joe Loss one, and their singer was Vera Lynn, and when she wasn't needed by Joe, she would sometimes sing for my father's band.

Anyway, after my father's friend's wife passed away, he moved in to a new flat, and it turned out that one of his neighbours was Vera Lynn. When they had re-established their long ago past, she invited my father and I to join her for tea one Sunday afternoon. And jolly nice it was, too.

[Mike Harte]

When I was 15 years old, one of the books I was studying for my 'O' Level English Literature was Arms and The Man by George Bernard Shaw. By good fortune, the play was being performed at the Mermaid Theatre in London, and my parents took me to see it when I was home for the holidays.

At that time the Mermaid was a pretty new, modern theatre, with a semi-circular stage facing the audience but it had no orchestra pit unlike older venues. Anyway, we had front row seats with an eye level view of all the happenings on the stage. And what happened, mid play was the strangest "meeting" I can recall.

One of the actors performing was Peter Ustinov, and in the middle of a soliloquy, he stopped almost mid-sentence and got down on his knee at the edge of the stage and started a short conversation with me, wanting to know why I wanted to see the play and whether I was enjoying it, plus other pleasantries. And then, with a wink to my father - I believe they may have been acquainted - he rose up and continued the play as if nothing had happened.

I went on to pass the 'O' Level.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

When I was 15 years old, one of the books I was studying for my 'O' Level English Literature was Arms and The Man by George Bernard Shaw. By good fortune, the play was being performed at the Mermaid Theatre in London, and my parents took me to see it when I was home for the holidays.

At that time the Mermaid was a pretty new, modern theatre, with a semi-circular stage facing the audience but it had no orchestra pit unlike older venues. Anyway, we had front row seats with an eye level view of all the happenings on the stage. And what happened, mid play was the strangest "meeting" I can recall.

One of the actors performing was Peter Ustinov, and in the middle of a soliloquy, he stopped almost mid-sentence and got down on his knee at the edge of the stage and started a short conversation with me, wanting to know why I wanted to see the play and whether I was enjoying it, plus other pleasantries. And then, with a wink to my father - I believe they may have been acquainted - he rose up and continued the play as if nothing had happened.

I went on to pass the 'O' Level.

That is a wonderful story Mike .
It is almost worth sticking to Bauble,s " I Am Famous because " idea just for someone to come up with one like that .

[bauble]

I agree, Tel, Mike certainly has some wonderful stories to relate, when I launched the thread I had in mind motorsport memories, but it is fascinating to read of 'brushes with fame' in so many different spheres.

I can 'boast' that I have conversed face to face with14 F1World Champions.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by bauble

....when I launched the thread I had in mind motorsport memories, but it is fascinating to read of 'brushes with fame' in so many different spheres.

I can 'boast' that I have conversed face to face with14 F1World Champions.

I had a (very) brief face to face with one of them ....

It was at the British GP of 1966 or the Race of Champions 1965, more likely the latter, at Brands Hatch. I had been given a special exeat weekend pass from boarding school, something only given out to those whose parents were stationed overseas but were temporarily local. Mum and Dad had arrived back in the UK from Africa on leave and I hadnt seen them for a few months. Any way, Friday night I was collected by Mum and Dad and we stayed with a local Aunt and Uncle. Bright and early Saturday morning Dad and I set off to Brands, Maybe a couple of hours away. Just Dad and I, Mum charged with looking after my then very young brother.... I had the unusual luxury of the front seat next to Dad in his hire car, a Ford Corsair.

My favourite souvenir for the day was my first autograph. This I had mischievously got from Jim Clark in a manner only a cheeky and young kid on a mission could.

Dad and I were in the Brands paddock by the fenced and roped off collection area / dummy grid to watch the cars drive off (in the days before they all spent the weekend locked away in pit garages). Back when they pre-assembled on the old paddock side of the track in a cordoned off dummy grid area...... before being released and driving under the track via the one way tunnel, down to the pit area, and then do a u-turn onto the track by the pit exit lane.

I saw Jim sat in the car nearest to us, maybe 20 metres away. Mechanics were there as the engines were being started and revved in the dummy grid area......

The marshall had undone the rope tether almost ready to wave the cars on their way to the circuit and was looking for his signal to go ahead I guess, so I just sneaked in under the radar, into the dummy grid area and straight up to Jim Clark, who was sat in the 1st car on one side (pole position?). He was all gloved helmeted and strapped in with engine running and the mechanics were clearing out of the area and moving off down to pitlane..

Jim was sat in the car staring ahead. As a c. 10/11 yr old it seemed an ideal time to get an autograph of my Dad's (and therefore, by default, my) hero. I just walked up to the car and thrust my pen and pad in his face. My Dad and the marshall were waving and shouting at me. It was loud with the engines revving.... I pretended not to hear. Jim had no choice really so he quickly scrawled his name, still gloved, while I casually waited for my pad and pen back from Jim. As he handed it back to me he pointed me to stand by the fence behind the car, which I did, 'helped' (pushed) by a mechanic who clung on to me to ensure I did nothing else silly. I gave Jim a thumbs up (because thats what the mechs all seemed to do), and I could see his eyes light up in a big smile before I (got) moved to the fence, just as he engaged 1st and moved off with all the other cars forming a line to go through the single lane tunnel. I remember feeling and smelling the exhaust as he moved away.

I guess the whole episode took maybe 30 seconds.

I just stood still by the fence in the grip of the mechanic, giving every car and driver a big thumbs up as they juddered off on their way towards the tunnel!

And then saw the look on my Dad's face which had me knowing I was about to get a very public boll**king.

It was all quickly swept aside though as we rushed to get trackside. As Dad reprimanded me I was more interested in boasting to him showing off my autograph. It ended with a dont do it again and a 'sincere'(-ish) apology from me.

I guess as an indicator of the rushed nature my autograph gain, I do remember it was not Jim Clark in full, but a hasty and abbreviated J.Clark. All that mattered to me was that Jim had written it and touched my book and pen.


As someone else might say, Happy Days!

[bauble]

had a (very) brief face to face with one of them ....

Well, EB, that certainly qualifies as a 'Brush with fame', and makes great reading. I remember the old Paddock layout you describe, and can 'see' you dodging the marshals, and can imagine Jimmy's smile as a small boy turned up at such a moment. I must admit that I to have, on occasion, become 'deaf' to OY!

[bauble]

EB, you say you gave a 'thumbs up' to each driver as they went past. Well if Jimmy was in the race it likely that you also greeted a number of other past or future Word Champions, Jack Brabham, Denny Hulme, Graham Hill, John Surtees, possibly Fittipaldi, Stewart, Rindt. Makes your moment of glory eve more significant.

[E.B]

Well, I realised when I had a think it had to, as I thought, be the 1965 ROC and not the 1966 British GP..... Had it been the British GP it would have been July and I would not have needed leave from Boarding School as I would have been on holiday. The ROC was held in mid March, a month prior to Easter that year, so during term time that would have needed an 'exeat' / leave pass.

Looking now at the race stats Clark was on pole which fits with his being nearest (first out) the exit from the dummy grid. (Clark actually crashed out in heat 2)

As for other names or Champions I would have seen all of those you mention bar Fittipaldi and Hulme who were not there. Another (two wheeled) Champion there was Hailwood plus many notables including McLaren, Gurney, Gregory, Siffert , Bonnier, etc and waving the Aussie flag were Frank Gardner and Paul Hawkins (plus JB)

[andy97]

I can’t match Mike Harte’s celebrity stories but I have played golf with Henry Cooper in a Peter Alliss organised corporate/ charity Am-am tournament.
The company I worked for was invited to attend by a Director for Arup who we did a lot of work with. The Director just happened to be the Vice Captain of Ferndown golf club, where the event was being held, that year so ensured we got the prime slot. Our Marketing Director was supposed to go but couldn’t so, as the only other golfer in the office I was asked to volunteer.
I jumped at the chance - always happy to play golf - but at that time did not know who I would be partnered with.
Henry Cooper was probably the biggest of the names there; others included Tiff Needell, Jamie Redknapp etc, and on the first tee we had a crowd of about 40 people watching us tee off, very nerve wracking. The crowd grew and we eventually had about 200 follow us round.
Henry Cooper was fantastic - a real gent and a pleasure to be with. He chatted amiably with all of us, signed autographs and had photos taken with the crowd.
After the round, I had to rescue him from the crowd to take him in to lunch as there was a queue of people wanting to talk to him.
Fortunately I played pretty well that day (for a mid handicap golfer) and really enjoyed the whole experience, but you really can’t believe the nerves of trying to play golf in front of a crowd. I guess the pros get used to it.

[Paul D]

Well, like Andy, any of my own stories pale into insignificance compared to some of those here . . .

However, Andy's mention of Tiff Needell reminds me of a small claim to fame of my own: it must have been mid-'90s, '96 possibly, and I was helping my Japanese friends on the RAC International Historic Rally with their Mk1 Cooper S.

Tiff was on Top Gear at the time, and they'd decided he should do the rally, also in a Cooper S, and film it for an episode of the show. I think Tony Mason may have been co-driver. Anyway, part way through the event, my guys rolled in Dalby forest, but did eventually get going again and made it back to the service area. As we were trying to knock the car back into some sort of shape, Tiff stopped by to see if everyone was OK, which I thought was nice of him. Of course, Tiff was well known in Japan, having raced there extensively in his early career, and could speak some Japanese.

Anyway, a little later in the event, it became clear that Tiff's Mini had some problems at one of the service areas. I went over to see if there was anything we could do to help, as we had some spares with us. I got talking with Tiff who, unlike some 'star drivers' hadn't simply buggered off back to his luxury motorhome and left his minions to it. He turned out to be a really nice, normal, down-to-earth bloke with absolutely no airs and graces. We spoke for a few minutes, during which time it became clear his car was terminally damaged (crankshaft I seem to remember).

All throughout this time, the camera crews had been filming the mechanics attempting to repair the car - but imagine my surprise when, some time later when the item was featured on an episode of Top Gear, there I am, on the telly, talking to Tiff Needell! Yeah, OK, admittedly, you had to be quick to spot me, as I was only on screen for a couple of seconds - but it didn't stop me screaming at the Telly: "Look, look, that's me, on the telly, talking to Tiff Needell!"

[bauble]

Paul, admittedly working as Media, (BBC Three Counties Radio), I had many opportunities to interview well know/famous drivers, however radio does not get on TV. I should explain that I 'worked' for the station as a freelance motor sport reporter, unpaid. I was simply an enthusiast who hit on the idea of providing a free service to get access to Media facilities, free entry, programme, and access to drivers, etc.
Back in the 80's it was much easier to get to the Grand Prix, and one year (85?) I had picture of Alain Prost driving a Renault, from the previous year, that I was keen to get Alain to sign for me. He was driving for McLaren and was in pole position, so I joined a mob of TV types all filming and asking questions, however, it was impossible to get close enough to ask for a signature. At one point, Alain started to turn around and move to the of the side of the car, but was delayed by another question, a bit of quick thinking had me move to that side, where there no reporters, so when he did move, there I was proffering my photo. Prost looked at it and smiled; "That is the race I should have won"he said as he signed it for me.
So I had hat I wanted,but as I backed into my drive that evening, my eldest daughter appeared at the front door; "Dad, we saw you on he grid talking to Allain Prost". It seems I had appeared on live TV conversing with Prost, no hint of an autograph hunter, but a man of International standing in the Formula 1 World.
The next time I went to Silverstone for a normal meeting I discovered that a number of friends had also seen my Brush with fame. Sadly I never managed to see the incident myself.

[Alan Morgan]

This will only mean something to cycling fans... On Saturday I was lucky to be given VIP tickets to the UCI track cycling league at the Olympic velodrome. Soon after we arrived I went to the loo and standing next to me in the urinals was a guy in a World Champion's jersey - it was 5-times Olympic gold medallist and 16-times World Champion Harrie Lavreysen. It didn't seem appropriate to ask for a selfie in the circumstances...

[Mike Harte]

My embarrassing brush with a well known name in motor racing happened on Saturday afternoon at Brands when I went there to run in and test my Anglia after I had finished an upgrade on my engine. I spent most of the track time just pootling around until the engine started getting a bit looser.

On one lap, as I was beginning to wind it up a little, I looked carefully in my mirror to make certain that there was nothing behind me as I approached Paddock Hill Bend, and not seeing anything, took a normal racing line. As I started the climb up to Druids, I heard a loud noise coming from the left of the car, and to my complete surprise, a F2 car appeared bouncing along the grass, Thankfully, the driver managed to return to the track, and quickly disappeared.

That must have been the last session of the afternoon, because a little later, when we were loading the Anglia back on the trailer, a little Scottish guy came over and said to me, with a smile on his face that that was an "effing stupid place to park my car"!

After I had offered my profuse apologies to him for my stupidity, Jackie Stewart, for it was he, and I spent a few minutes just chewing the fat before we went our separate ways. Needless to say I didn't ask for his autograph.

[Mike Harte]

I suppose a claim to fame might be that I actually raced against James Hunt, certainly at least once.

During his early years, before he started in F1, he would often just decide to go to a meeting that was going on around the country. I can remember that at a certain point he had a Mini van which he would drive to a circuit on the night before a meeting - back in the 60s all club type meetings took place on just one day, not spread over a weekend - and sleep in the back of the van.

In the morning, he would go around the paddock offering to spanner for a team in return for a free drive. He would also, and this is how I raced against him, persuade Mini drivers to let him drive instead of them. The most memorable of those occasions was at a Redex meeting at Oulton when he managed to crash out before we had even got more than 50 metres from the start.

[Lancsbreaker]

I think my nearest brush with the high and mighty was many years ago when my car club would go marshalling on the RAC rally. Somewhere in Wales an Escort slid off the track and got stuck in a ditch so a group of us piled in to heave it out....


We were struggling a bit but reckoned if the driver straightened the steering and revved it a bit we might succeed - so one of my mates yelled at the driver "Come on, cock, straighten it up and give it some welly!"......



And that was how Prince Michael of Kent was able to resume his progress

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

My embarrassing brush with a well known name in motor racing happened on Saturday afternoon at Brands when I went there to run in and test my Anglia after I had finished an upgrade on my engine. I spent most of the track time just pootling around until the engine started getting a bit looser.

On one lap, as I was beginning to wind it up a little, I looked carefully in my mirror to make certain that there was nothing behind me as I approached Paddock Hill Bend, and not seeing anything, took a normal racing line. As I started the climb up to Druids, I heard a loud noise coming from the left of the car, and to my complete surprise, a F2 car appeared bouncing along the grass, Thankfully, the driver managed to return to the track, and quickly disappeared.

That must have been the last session of the afternoon, because a little later, when we were loading the Anglia back on the trailer, a little Scottish guy came over and said to me, with a smile on his face that that was an "effing stupid place to park my car"!

After I had offered my profuse apologies to him for my stupidity, Jackie Stewart, for it was he, and I spent a few minutes just chewing the fat before we went our separate ways. Needless to say I didn't ask for his autograph.

Working for BCC Three Counties Radio, we got to know Jackie quite well, as Stewart Racing and Stewart GP were based in Milton Keynes, and we recorded interviews with many of the drivers and personnel over the years, so much so that if Jackie saw me at a race meeting he always acknowledge me with a hand shake. On one occasion I had taken a friend to a meeting when Jackie came into the Press Room, and ever the perfect gentleman, stopped to say hello and as always shook my hand, then immediately shook the hand of my friend. When he moved on my friend was still in shock at having shaken hands with a three times World Champion, declaring he was never going to wash his hands again.

I can say I knew him well, but I never drove him of the track, Mike.

Stories like yours are what this thread was created for, not my boasts.

[Mike Harte]

As an pointer to how different the world was back in the 60s, I and some friends used to drop in on a Saturday afternoon for a chat to a workshop that was situated between Highgate Hill and Crouch End, and that was owned by Graham Hill. He would usually be there when not racing, and would pass the time of day with us as if was just the norm.

Another place we visited from time to time was at a fabricator, who was used by many F1 teams, situated at the back of a petrol station on Fortis Green, near East Finchley. Fun fact is that the police station used as a focal point in one issue of Porridge with Ronnie Barker was just along the same road. Although that building still remains it is no longer a police station, but the garage has long gone.

[Tel 911S]

Was looking through some history to try to find the names of some of the drivers I competed against . Came up with this link . Caution , if it works , you can spend a LOT of time looking through all of them , and your name might be there .
https://www.racingyears.com/results/...sh_Touring_Car

Then click on DRIVERS , select Country and read on through the names .

[Mike Harte]

At this time of year, my thoughts turn to what we used to get up to over the Christmas period. From my mid to late teens, my parents always went away for Christmas, leaving me up to my own devices; bad mistake on their part as I always held a party for anyone who wanted to turn up. To be fair no matter how many came, the house was always left in the state it was to start.

However, on Christmas day I always volunteered to help out (unpaid) my friends' parents at the pub where I worked evenings. To explain, my friends was a chap my age who happened to be married to the publican's daughter and they worked and lived at the pub. Anyway, pubs used to have to open between 12 and 2pm on Christmas Day, so there would be 4 or 5 of us serving what would always be a very busy time.

My payment for my services would be to be invited to stay for Xmas lunch after we had cleaned up, after which the three of us would be free to do what we wanted. The parents usually went to visit their parents who had a pub a few miles away, whilst we 3 would always be invited to a party that was held by the parents of the daughter's best friend from school who lived on The Bishop's Avenue, often referred to back then as Millionaires' Row. Dad was one of, if not the top music producer who worked with all the big names from the 50s until the latish 70s.

One year we arrived in the early evening, and amongst the other guests was one of the BBC's DJs, whose name I have struggled to recall for years. What I can remember is that when we turned up, he was very much the worse for wear, and although he was permitted to stagger around he made his 6 children all sit still on a very large sofa, all lined up in age date. And I can't recall if he even allowed them to speak.

I often wondered what their life might have been like when not on parade at a party which they obviously were not enjoying.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I often wondered what their life might have been like when not on parade at a party which they obviously were not enjoying.

Maybe you should have asked to the seventh if he had good time while dancing with Snow White?

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Maybe you should have asked to the seventh if he had good time while dancing with Snow White?

And when Snow White danced with her clothes off , the seven dwarfs all came over Happy .

[Gerard C]

[Tel 911S]

Been a bit quiet on here , so I thought I would stir it up again.

I started out my motorsport in Karts . Gearbox classes , on a lot on the circuits around the country .
Found that slipstreaming was important . From about 10 yards back there was a noticeable " Funnel " effect and speed built up .You then backed off behind the one in front until the right distance from the next corner , then foot down , slingshot past and were in front .
On one circuit , Aintree , to win you had to be just behind the leader on the last lap to get to the flag first .
Then some bright spark got the idea of , if it was another driver you knew and trusted , you would come up until touching the rear bumper , then foot down hard again .
The effect was that the 2 of you were then travelling faster than was possible just by yourself . You had to back off for the corners , but doing this for a lap or 2 meant that the pair of you could overtake several others each lap until you were well up , then slipstream past him coming up to the flag .

It did work amazingly well , but eventually the MSA bought out rules stopping it . I suppose that bumper contact , pushing at 130 plus MPH was considered dangerous .