Run Baby Run

[driftwood]

Bernie Took The Car Many Times To The Tracks But I Dont Recall Seing It On Them!!!!!!

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by driftwood

Bernie Took The Car Many Times To The Tracks But I Dont Recall Seing It On Them!!!!!!

Sounds familiar.....................

[GBRM]

He we go, a few names and cars from the past.





Top left is Brode's Capri, not sure why it wasn't included in the big group photo.



I can post the rest of the article with the driver and car profiles if people are interested??

[rallycrosscraig]

yes put the rest of it up!

[GBRM]

[gojo]

Gregor,
the last man in the line up but not mentioned in the article, is my father in law Trevor Clapton top bloke and damn good engine builder.

J.G.

[Speedy norm]

Great, thnks for this Gregor, I had this mag but was thrown out after one of my dear late mothers "clear out your room" threats was actually carried out. Said magazine went along with other cherished mags Hot car, Motor Sport and something called Fiesta...which despite its title had very little to do with Fords finest hatchback...

Am I imagening or was there a race at the Nurburgring? It is just that Dennis Knott (featured in the article) got the nickname "Dennis ring king Knott" quite where this comes from I don't know any one have any recall of this?

[JAO]

Tha black Capri was built by Chas Beattie.Is this the Peter Mallet that I knew in the 70'S?Does the name Bill Sydenham ring a bell?

[M Greenslade]

Gregor

That is fantastic, remember it all to well particularly GM!!!

Bladders

[boyzee]

Originally Posted by davemorganfan

Dave Brodie's famous racing Escort from the early 70s. Can anyone remind me what engine was in that car - an FVA, or was it just a humble Twin Cam?

He also gave that monicker to his Modsports Elan at about the same time. I remember that car well - it was the ex-Jeff Goodliffe hillclimber, and remarkable for the fact that it had the standard Elan interior, with full carpets and walnut dashboard. I think it also had front suspension lifted from an F3 car, or am I dreaming?

The escort at brands.

[Gerry Taylor]

I remember it well, and dare I say it...It STILL looks prettier than todays cars!

[Al Weyman]

You may Gerry, I think the Mk 1 was an iconic shape and probably the most streamlined of the lot including the Mk 5. Heres an idea for Ford, we have had the recreation VW Beetle, then the Mini, from the US we have the Mustang, the Dodge Charger and recently released the retro Camaro so come on Ford a nice retro Mk 1 Escort RS with a late model Durutec unit and RWD you will sell millions!

[morninggents]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Didn't someone's car sport a 'Run faster baby' logo on the back at one time? (Presumably after befeating The Brode somewhere)

Could have been Norman Abbott on the back of his pink Escort. I think there was something of a 'situation' between Dave and Norman but not sure of the reason. I believe Norman built the Brode's first 2.1 twink.

Do either of them visit this site? Would be good to have some first hand accounts from them both as they were amongst the very top saloon drivers of the early 70s.

[morninggents]

.......... and I should add that Norman Abbott was a brilliant engineer.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by morninggents

Do either of them visit this site? Would be good to have some first hand accounts from them both as they were amongst the very top saloon drivers of the early 70s.

Pete, Dave does sometimes post on here.

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Pete, Dave does sometimes post on here.

The Brode only posts when I post that Dad was sixty-eight times better than him!!

[Mike Bell]

Great thread, guys. Keep the info coming! Have been a big Mk1 fan since buying my first Mexico in 1973, and it is cars like Run Baby Run which inspired me to build the gp2 car I spent most of my retirement fund on last year......

[morninggents]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Pete, Dave does sometimes post on here.

I think Norman lives in Spain, Gordon. He might be a neighbour.

[Alan Brown]

Has the engine type been fully resolved? It first raced in September 1969 at Silverstone with a Norman Abbott 2105 cc Twin Cam. The bootlid bore the inscription “2.1-litre Boss Ford Lotus Twin-Cam”. It was claimed to have only 170 bhp but a great deal of torque. In 1971 it seems that a BDA was used for most if not all the season. MN 15-4-71 has a picture of the Escort with the legend on the boot “2 LITRE BDA”.

According to MN (25-2-71) the car was on show in Dusseldorf and then went to Ford Germany’s competition dept at Cologne where it was fitted with a new ZF gearbox and 2-litre Charles Lucas-built BDA, “about 225 bhp and bags of torque (Brodie), then tested at Zolder; and to be raced with Racing Services engine (“capacity a close-guarded secret” MN 8-4-71 – often quoted as 2150).

At the end of 1971 there were two Escorts for sale, the original club specification car minus engine and gearbox for £1100 ( possibly went to John Bloomfield) and a (new?) rolling chassis at £1400 which was expected to go to Ireland but did not. There was also another car that Brodie had run in Gp 2 form with a 2-litre BDA (Racing Services 1986 BDA) for the support race at the British GP at Silverstone in July 1971.

Of course, the veracity of reports can be doubted. There is also the possibility of "wind ups".

[Alan Brown]

Jeff Goodliffe (BVRT) built the Elan from a new body and chassis over the winter of 1969-70 for hill-climbing. Chevron B15 front suspension was mated to the Elan backbone by means of a tubular frame to provide the mounting points for the wide angle wishbones. After it became a race car with Dave Brodie, Chas Beattie tweaked the front and rear suspension and braking system. The bored twin-cam engine was assembled by Racing Services with a Gordon Allen crank to give 1974 cc. The original 12.5:1 BVRT head was retained. [178 bhp at 6800 rpm] JW in a track test in MN (18-11-71) commented that not only was it one of the most interesting and controllable machines it was also very comfortable thanks to a production interior complete with heater and electric windows, though Richard Lloyd and Dave Brodie were both “disappointed that the chronometric rev counter had to displace a radio”.

[stroller]

Originally Posted by morninggents

Could have been Norman Abbott on the back of his pink Escort. I think there was something of a 'situation' between Dave and Norman but not sure of the reason. I believe Norman built the Brode's first 2.1 twink.

.

Not sure of anything between Abbott and Brodie, but didn’t Abbott have some sort of altercation with Gerry Marshal at Brands, where Gerry spent the entire race “nibbling” at the rear end of Normans car – leaving it somewhat worse for wear at the end of proceedings?

Seem to remember the Pink Escort being displayed at the ”Showboat” exhibition (how many remember that!) complete with said “nibbled” back end.

[RTH]

Originally Posted by stroller

Not sure of anything between Abbott and Brodie, but didn’t Abbott have some sort of altercation with Gerry Marshal at Brands, where Gerry spent the entire race “nibbling” at the rear end of Normans car – leaving it somewhat worse for wear at the end of proceedings?

Seem to remember the Pink Escort being displayed at the ”Showboat” exhibition (how many remember that!) complete with said “nibbled” back end.

Yes I was there, remember it well.

[driftwood]

Interesting how some folk show their age !

I remember the DFVW crashing on top straight at Brands circa 75/6 i was just into long trousers

[Graham Clayton]

Originally Posted by RTH

Yes I was there, remember it well.

Boxing Day, 1971 to be exact. Marshall ran into the back of Abbott's car and smashed the rear bodywork, which caused Abbott to be black-flagged. Marshall won the race from Mick Hill, only to be disqualified shortly afterwards.