1980 Tourist Trophy - G2 Rover

Slowcoach · 27 Jan 2004, 10:59 (Ref:852080)

I wonder if any of you knowledgeable sages are able to help me to piece together the history of my car in it's previous lives.
Without going into mega detail and sending you all to sleep I'm just trying to piece together what it did between its appearance as the 'Great White Hope' (Autosport) in the 1980 T.T. at Silverstone - were any of you there ? and the mid 1990's when it was acquired by the former special saloon racer Tony Dickinson - from whom I purchased the car in 2000. I have a list of who I believe owned it in the interim but thats all just a few names - no info at all on if it was racing? In brief it was built by David Price Racing for Leyland, sponsored by UNIPART and driven by Jeff Allam and Tiff Needell. Qualified 7th, ran as high as 3rd but sadly the engine blew up. White with the Unipart decals and distinctive as it had the Group 4 rally type wheel arch extensions. It was the only works Group 2 Rover built.
So my list of names is as follows
Leyland, Mark Hales & John Cownall?, Barry Robinson (possible Thundersaloon), Barry Barnes, Mike Wilson.
David Price doesnt remember much and didnt keep records, Jeff Allam showed some vague recollection but lets face it he has driven so many cars.....
So did anyone see it after that race or does anyone happen to know the above people well enough to remember what they did with it ?
There is a picture on the CTCRC site of it but I will try and post a picture of how it looks when it comes back from the bodyshop next week having been restored to it's 1980 glory - or very close to it..............

**GTRMagic** · 27 Jan 2004, 11:20 (Ref:852106)

Is this car a Vitesse shape, or a model earlier than that?

Barry Robinson brought a Vitesse in Group A form, although very mild in tune, to Bathurs of all places in 1985, in the name of Flexible Hose Supplies

Jeremy Jackson · 27 Jan 2004, 11:35 (Ref:852121)

I saw Robinson race in Modified Saloons in 1985, and Mike Wilson in Thundersaloons in 1987-89.

I've got quite a few photos, so let me know if you want any. No photos from it's Group 2 days though, sorry!

Slowcoach · 27 Jan 2004, 12:58 (Ref:852197)

It was a model earlier - badged as a V8S and did not have the rear spoiler that the later Vitesses sported. I believe the Vitesse replaced the V8S, perhaps around 1983?
I would be very interested to know JJ what it looked like then - can u post a picture? When I bought the car it's arches had been replaced with Gp A type and bodykit. I only have a set of original photos from 1980 and then when I bought the car so I was wondering when it got the later bodykit?
Thanks.

KA · 27 Jan 2004, 13:10 (Ref:852206)

Quote:

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Is this car a Vitesse shape, or a model earlier than that?

Barry Robinson brought a Vitesse in Group A form, although very mild in tune, to Bathurs of all places in 1985, in the name of Flexible Hose Supplies

Pretty certain that was a different car- think Robinson's Bathurst car was ex-Andy Rouse (or at least Rouse-built) and started off as a Production Saloon racer- from memory the description in the 85 Bathurst annual is something along those lines

**Peter Mallett** · 27 Jan 2004, 14:15 (Ref:852301)

The car ran in the first season of Classic Thunder with wheel arch extensions as you describe but it was black as I recall. Dickenson fils was peddling it. He then took it to Formula saloons IIRC.

**chunterer** · 28 Jan 2004, 10:26 (Ref:853397)

Slowcoach, I think i saw it in modsaloons at Birmingham in 1987 or so.
There were three Rover SD1's in that race, battling out for the lead ahead of Dave Steathers superb unmolested beige 3 litre Capri.

Brian Chatfield ran his ex TWR-Bastos ETC car, Barry Barnes was in a yellowish car i think and i think Derek Hales was in another. My guess is that your car was Barnes' version. It looked older than the other two with wider arches and ran with black bumbers. I 've got a few pics so i'll check them out when get chance?

Look forward to seeing the car out this year?

**chunterer** · 28 Jan 2004, 10:28 (Ref:853399)

Correction! One of the Rovers was apparently pedalled by jim Mensley, not Hales! Hope this all helps trace history?

Slowcoach · 28 Jan 2004, 10:55 (Ref:853429)

Thanks Chunterer, that would be great.
Hmmm. Maybe - only managed 3 outings last year due to one thing and another - just looking at a number of options for 2004 - but whatever one I choose one thing is for sure the car will look virtually as it did in 1980.

carrera · 28 Jan 2004, 11:43 (Ref:853455)

Slowcoach, this info is on Rover/s, this may not be your Rover.

Barry Robinson partnered by Mark Hales ran a 3.5 Rover SD1 in the first Thundersaloon race (Brands Mar 17 1985)finishing fourth overall. BR also used the car in the Metro Breakers Mod Saloon race finishing second overall.
The SD1 was used at Snett on Apr 5 (2nd)- Metro Breakers.
Silverstone Apr 21 dnf 6 laps - MB.

BR then appeared in the Uniroyal Prod Saloons (Silv May 6)in a 3.5 Rover Vitesse - 5th o/a 2nd ic.

Willhire 24 hour 23rd o/a with Bill Taylor, John Lock and Paul Edwards. I have a very poor pic of this car? - dark colour poss black.

Back as a 3.5 Rover SD1 for Aug 18 at Brands 3rd o/a 2ic -MB. Another dodgy pic, car is pale sporting no.9

Suggests two different cars, yours being the SD1 variant. In 86 BR did Thundersports in a Shrike.

In 85 Barry Barnes ran an Escort, in 86 he appeared in a BMW 635 and then on July 6 he appears at Brands in a Rover Vitesse in Thundersaloons 21st o/a. July 26 Oulton Park Thundersaloons 8th o/a. Aug 3rd Brands Transnational GT c/ship 13th 0/a in a Rover SD1. Sept 7th Snett Metro Breakers 5th o/a in Rover Vitesse. Sep 14 Brands Trans GTs 8th o/a - Vitesse. Sep 28 Brands Winter Warmer 6th o/a, class win - Vitesse. 8th o/a Thundersaloons - Vitesse. Oct 5th Don Park Thunder 5th o/a - Vitesse. Nov 2 Brands WW 17th o/a - Vitesse. Nov 16 Brands WW 19th o/a - Vitesse. Nov 23 Brands WW 7th o/a 2ic - Vitesse. Nov 30 Brands WW 8th o/a.
I have a pic of BBs Rover "Vitesse" in Thundersaloons race and it is very similar to Robinson's pale car mentioned above having extended arches.

KA · 28 Jan 2004, 13:35 (Ref:853599)

Quote:

Originally posted by carrera
Slowcoach, this info is on Rover/s, this may not be your Rover.

Barry Robinson partnered by Mark Hales ran a 3.5 Rover SD1 in the first Thundersaloon race (Brands Mar 17 1985)finishing fourth overall. BR also used the car in the Metro Breakers Mod Saloon race finishing second overall.
The SD1 was used at Snett on Apr 5 (2nd)- Metro Breakers.
Silverstone Apr 21 dnf 6 laps - MB.

BR then appeared in the Uniroyal Prod Saloons (Silv May 6)in a 3.5 Rover Vitesse - 5th o/a 2nd ic.

Willhire 24 hour 23rd o/a with Bill Taylor, John Lock and Paul Edwards. I have a very poor pic of this car? - dark colour poss black.

Back as a 3.5 Rover SD1 for Aug 18 at Brands 3rd o/a 2ic -MB. Another dodgy pic, car is pale sporting no.9

Suggests two different cars, yours being the SD1 variant. In 86 BR did Thundersports in a Shrike.

Certainly suggests two different Robinson cars, as the car raced in the Silverstone Uniroyal race in May and the Willhire would have to have been production saloon spec- possibly the car that went to Bathurst that year, as posted above?

carrera · 28 Jan 2004, 14:27 (Ref:853677)

Barry Barnes' Rover in Thundersaloon event '86.

carrera · 28 Jan 2004, 14:31 (Ref:853686)

Barry Robinson with Bill Griffin '85 Metro Breakers.

big andy · 28 Jan 2004, 18:41 (Ref:854035)

slowcoach hope u will be out in classic thunder this year .has the car still got those wheel archers it had on it at rockingham last year .the Barry Barnes' Rover looks a lot like your car is it the same one?

carrera · 28 Jan 2004, 20:47 (Ref:854226)

Mike Wilson's Rover in Thundersaloons. According to the info I have, MW bought the car from Barry Barnes and the car was raced in the first Thundersaloon event back in '85, Barry Robinson had the only Rover entered in that event.

carrera · 28 Jan 2004, 20:50 (Ref:854231)

Rod Birley drove this car in Thundersaloons so he may be able to help out with additional information. He may also be in a position to contact Mike Wilson and Barry Barnes.

Slowcoach · 30 Jan 2004, 09:25 (Ref:856123)

Thks everybody for taking the time to think back - great to see the pictures Carrera - it helps me narrow down when the bodykit went on - which is now removed as it goes back to original ! If I can work out how to post a picture I will put the originals and how it looks now.

carrera · 30 Jan 2004, 19:56 (Ref:856839)

Will you be out for Silverstone?

Jeremy Jackson · 1 Feb 2004, 13:39 (Ref:858877)

Slowcoach,

Sorry for the delay in getting these out of the loft...

Pics from Mallory June 85 Metro Breakers Mod. Saloons(Barry Robinson)

and Donington October 1987 Thundersaloons (Mike Wilson)

If you want large versions, let me know your e-mail address.

Jeremy Jackson · 1 Feb 2004, 13:40 (Ref:858881)

Whoops, here the second...

Jeremy Jackson · 1 Feb 2004, 13:43 (Ref:858889)

and third...

Slowcoach · 9 Feb 2004, 14:31 (Ref:868266)

Thanks to everybody who contributed, I'm glad to hear all your memories which pretty much confirmed the list of owners that I had - what was an unexpected bonus were the excellent pictures, it was particularly interesting to see the little arch extentions added to what were the original group 4 rally arches - a little trivia for you - B.L. used Chevette HS arches for this car.....
Anyway sadly after nearly four years in my ownership I have to sell the car - it has now been entered into the H&H classic Car auction at Stoneleigh Park (Warks.) on February 21st - you can see the car's details and a picture of how it looked when I bought it and in it's original race trim - to which it has now been restored. There are a number of other interesting cars up for sale including race and works cars on www.classic-auctions.co.uk
It's Lot 40

**Peter Mallett** · 9 Feb 2004, 15:09 (Ref:868304)

Slowcoach.

I'm sorry to hear your news. It'll be a shame if you can't come out to play this year.

Slowcoach · 9 Feb 2004, 15:45 (Ref:868342)

Thanks Peter, but I have every intention of coming out to play, the plan is to sell the car for loads of money, buy another top car for next to nothing and use the difference to fund my racing for the indefinite future.....and then I woke up..... seriously though I do intend on buying a cheaper car and have first refusal on something that will see me continue in CT, however if the worst comes to the worst and I don't manage to sell I will probably just try and get out for a couple of rounds that are close to home and hope that nothing breaks.
How about you? Will you be commuting regularly from the Kazak wilderness to pilot the Malletmobile in G1 ?

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