Martin Thomas camaros

Jeff Barley · 1 Feb 2005, 20:21 (Ref:1214944)

Anyone remember the camaros that Martin drove in the UK?.. First reference I have is of Martin in a "Blue and white" camaro at Brands in late 68..Keen to find any info on that car..Any photographers out there?..

Martin seems to have driven a few camaros (including the camaro in "100 Greatest sporting moments")..Any one else seen that video?.. Crabtree in an escort and good ol Gerry in the Vauxhall..Fantastic race!..But does anyone remember who REALLY won the race by the way??

tigerbill65 · 1 Feb 2005, 22:02 (Ref:1215002)

Hi Jeff, a friend of mine was in that race in a cooper
s mini, i will ask him . name Tony yates.
Martin Berraine. i think started from the back of the pack or the pit road and made it up close to the front runners.
also i have seen results were Thomas was a second driver in Camaros , shared drive. may not be his own car. ETCC events.

QUOTE=Jeff Barley]Anyone remember the camaros that Martin drove in the UK?.. First reference I have is of Martin in a "Blue and white" camaro at Brands in late 68..Keen to find any info on that car..Any photographers out there?..

Martin seems to have driven a few camaros (including the camaro in "100 Greatest sporting moments")..Any one else seen that video?.. Crabtree in an escort and good ol Gerry in the Vauxhall..Fantastic race!..But does anyone remember who REALLY won the race by the way??[/QUOTE]

stuart05 · 2 Feb 2005, 17:50 (Ref:1215718)

Is it possible to get hold of film of that race? A friend and I have been searching for it for the last 18 months. I remember seeing it on TV far too many years ago, but I couldn't tell you who actually won.

rbs · 2 Feb 2005, 21:36 (Ref:1215929)

Martin Thomas also drove a White and Red Camaro sponsored by FlameOut
fire extinguishers.

JP · 3 Feb 2005, 00:12 (Ref:1216056)

As far as I remember that Crystal Palace race (I was there, and I too would love to get hold of the film) Martin Thomas (I think in white/orange "Ovaltine" colours, and a Group 2 regular at the time) spun into the sleepers at Ramp Bend in the closing stages, Mike Crabtree (in the Willment Group 2 Escort) won on the road but was penalised for a jump start and Gerry Marshall's Viva was the winner.

Jeff Barley · 3 Feb 2005, 08:02 (Ref:1216149)

...and JP is correct!!...awsome race!!!...photos anyone??

MarkC · 10 Feb 2008, 20:40 (Ref:2125955)

Hi All

The Crystal Palace race is on youtube.

I do have a very bad video that I copied to pc if anyone wants it.

MarkC
(Crabtree)

Al Weyman · 11 Feb 2008, 08:03 (Ref:2126267)

Post a link Mark1 please! YouTube is a big old site.

Alan Raine · 11 Feb 2008, 08:09 (Ref:2126273)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Post a link Mark1 please! YouTube is a big old site.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5zdnGvT0c

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAK4...eature=related

I was there on the day

Al Weyman · 11 Feb 2008, 10:03 (Ref:2126363)

Thanks Alan I will watch that at home tonight, good one.

ezwalk43 · 11 Feb 2008, 21:45 (Ref:2126812)

That Crystal Palace race has got to be one of the best tin top races ever - I eventually got to own the Martin Birrane Boss Mustang that finished fourth.

Al Weyman · 11 Feb 2008, 22:19 (Ref:2126828)

Nice do you still have it?

ezwalk43 · 11 Feb 2008, 22:53 (Ref:2126845)

Unfortunately late eighties divorce cost me that one and the ex Dennis Leech Boss 429 - both back in the USA. Shame they've just invented historic Group 2 racing over here.

Al Weyman · 12 Feb 2008, 08:54 (Ref:2127023)

Oh what a shame brilliant cars to have owned did the Leech car have the Aluminium engine? I have a 1976 Penske IROC spaceframe car in my garage in bits if I ever get around to finishing it although I will shortly be making a major step in that direction as I nicked the engine out of it for my Historic 71' Camaro but I am about to build a new one for that so the engine can be reunited where it belongs!

The only history my other Chevies have is being built and pedalled by me and thats not too illustrious!

Yeah thats exciting news the Group 2 racing what club is it thats putting that on? BTW welcome to the site.

BTW apart from the obvious answer of putting on wider rims, why did they flare the arches on that old camaro, I have always found plenty of room under the bodywork for all but the most massive of tyres, it looks a bit naff to me when compared with say Gerard Faber's 1st Gen camaro racing today in our CMS championship.

ezwalk43 · 12 Feb 2008, 19:24 (Ref:2127384)

Thats not the old Brian Rice IROC Camaro is it? - that was mighty quick back in the Ascar days and that crossover exhaust sounded amazing.
The Leech car had a proper Nascar Boss 429 plus almost spare engine in pieces - unfortunately had lost the fuel injection when I got it as Ascar only allowed a 4 barrel. And it had had a real hard life - when we took the strut brace off shock towers sprung apart 2"" which explains why current owner is replacing whole front end.

Al Weyman · 12 Feb 2008, 19:51 (Ref:2127403)

Yes thats the one, it was quick I remember watching it lapping half the field at Mallory in an Ascar race as I had bought a Mustang to prepare for it but never completed it. Brian bought two into this country direct from the IROC people as he did work for Tranco I have been told and I think mine is the only one still in one piece overhere (well almost and will be when I put it back together

) Andy Chester owned if for a while as well as I understand. Jeff owned the other one I think he said but I think it was cut about a bit and someone who visits here now and then (thatorangething) has whats left not 100% sure. Some one in the States was selling one on line claiming it was my car No. 11 (it was'nt) and I had to tell him where the chassis number was so he could check for himself I think he has altered it now. I must put the thing back together as I have most of the bits now including as full dry sump system, dont have the cross over exhaust unfortunately.

That ex-Leech car sounds a real piece of kit. The Mustangs don't look so stout as the Camaros with out the massive Camaro front subframe.

martin thomas · 7 Apr 2008, 19:11 (Ref:2172574)

see other site martin thomas race crew...... Silver and white stips camaro

**chunterer** · 7 Apr 2008, 19:14 (Ref:2172575)

Martin welcome to the site and this thread!!!!

(Please check your pm's (private messages) as i think your thoughts could well come in handy in a few other thread's in this section of the forum!)

I'm only in my mid 30's so I regret that I wasn't able to see the era your Camaro's raced in, few years before my time!! I did get to see some of the cars you prep'd in the 1980's however such as Rover SD1's...... (again please check pm's on that score!)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Thomas Bscher, where are you?	BSchneiderFan	Sportscar & GT Racing	34	30 Jul 2007 12:18
So where is Thomas Schechter going?	Hein	IRL Indycar Series	15	10 Feb 2006 10:41
Camaros, Firebirds and TransAm photos?	Jeff Barley	Motorsport Art & Photography	7	4 Jan 2005 18:40
BARC racing camaros	rud98ss	Historic Racing Today	7	15 Feb 2004 13:40