January 2017
Issue 76
The 21st Century magazine about cars and motorsport of the past and present.
In this issue
Rockingham Stages Rally.
H&H Auction Chateau GT Cup Snetterton Impney
Rally of the Incas
Xmas Brunch, Curborough
Winter Driving Tests Report and photos from the Final VSCC event of the year.
Our Team.
Contents
Simon Wright - Editor.
Page 3
News.
Page 13
Cars in the Claydons preview 2017.
Page 15
VSCC Winter Driving Tests - Bicester Heritage.
Page 21
Rockingham Stages.
Page 27
H&H Auction Chateau Impney.
Page 35
Rally of the Incas.
Page 42
Archive photo of the month.
Page 43
Motorcycle Live show - NEC.
Page 49
Christmas Brunch meeting - Curborough.
Simon has been photographing and reporting on motor races for many years. Served an engineering apprenticeship many years ago. Big fan of the Porsche 917
Pete is the man for Historic racing, with an extensive archive of black and white images covering the last few decades of motorsport in Britain. Very keen on BRM.
Mick's first love is GT racing, including Historic, especially the Lola T70. Has an extensive knowledge of all things GT.
Lucy Owen-Moczadlo.
Syd Wall.
David Goose
Rally of the Inca - Page 35
Check out our new updated WEB site at www.classicandcompetitioncar.com regularly for additional photo galleries, wall papers and other additional content and join our Facebook Group Classic and Competition Car.
Classic and Competition Car is published by simonwrightphotos.com High View Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8HT E-mail simonwright57@hotmail.com Tel 07905 435973
Janet has been taking photographs for many years, and is also very skilled in video. She likes Aston Martins.
Our regular contributors below, are all independent freelance photographers/ journalists Pete Austin. Mick Herring.
Lucy runs Jucy Rally Photography and joins us to expand our rally coverage. She loves anything to do with Subarus and even tries her hand at a bit of Rally co-driving.
© Gerard Brown
Janet Wright. Photographer
David runs MotorsportImagery web site with Stuart and covers GT, Touring Cars and Rallying plus Classic car events.
Syd shoots for rallying website, RallyGallery and covers Rallying, Drag Racing and all things American & Historic
Stuart Yates Stuart runs motorsportimagery web site with David. Covers GT, Touring Cars and Classic car events
Front Cover. Main photo Dougal Cawley in Piglet at the VSCC Winter Driving tests © Simon Wright 2016. Smaller images: Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn Ford Fiesta R5 Rockingham Stages Rally © Motorsport-Imagery, H&H Auction © Simon Wright, Rally of the Incas © Gerard Brown, Xmas Brunch © Simon Wright All content is copyright classicandcompetitioncar.com unless otherwise As well as this magazine, you can follow us on Twitter @classcompcar stated. All photographs are copyright and cannot be used for commercial purposes unless by prior approval of the original copyright and join our Facebook Group holder. We try to ensure accurate and truthful reporting but if you spot Classic and Competition Car. an error, please contact us and will we verify and correct accordingly. To Subscribe for free and be notified when the next issue is We do not organise any events which are mentioned and we are not published please click here. To check out our web site with responsible if the event does not take place or is cancelled. Please contact the event organiser before making a long trip. additional photos please click here
January 2017
Page 2
Editorial. Well we have arrived in another new year, and 2017 looks as The works Audi team finished their WEC Le Mans Prototypes campaign exciting as 2016 has proved to with a one two victory for the Audi R18 diesel hybrid in Bahrain. This be. Unfortunately, we already clinched the 107th sports car victory for the team, with this final win have date clashes with the new going to Lucas di Grassi (BR), Loïc Duval (F) and Oliver Historic Motorsport International Jarvis (GB). The team also won both drivers show at the Excel centre London and manufacturers championships. running the same weekend as the well established and popular Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh, near Coventry. The London show is linked to the London Classic Car Show, but it will be difficult to compete with the Live action stage at Race Retro. Lets hope in future years the two events do not clash, as during the winter months, motorsport fans are keen to attend any events while there is very little Citroen unveils the C3 WRC happening. With one month until the 2017 FIA World Š Simon Wright Rally Championship starts at Rallye MonteCarlo, Citroen Racing have officially unveiled its C3 WRC in Abu Dhabi. With the introduction of a new generation of rally cars, Citroen returns as a works team. With a past record of 96 wins and eight World Titles Citroen will enter two to four cars for its crews Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, Craig Breen/Scott Martin, Stephane Lefebvre/ Gabin Moreau and Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson
Audi Quit WEC.
January 2017
News
Page 3
© Pete Austin
Record $7 million Ferrari A special one off Ferrari was auctioned in America to raise Money to help rebuild central Italy after the devastating earthquakes of 2016. Donated by the Ferrari factory, the car features two white stripes on the nose and an Italian flag,It was sold for $7 million, making it the most valuable 21st century automobile ever sold at auction.
Autosport International Oval Racing Show area. Oval racing will return to the Autosport International show in the Live Action Arena at the NEC on the 14th & 15th January 2017. Spedeworth Motorsports will present BriSCA F1, BriSCA F2 and National Hot Rods for on track action during the show as well as exhibits in Hall 10 over the weekend alongside Autograss and the British Trial and rally Drivers’ Association.
Is this the secret of Dougals’ speed? Dougal Cawley refreshes Piglet at the recent VSCC Winter Driving Tests at Bicester Heritage. January 2017
Page 4
Mercedes AMG GT Roadster and GT R
Alpine secure LMP2 World Title. Having secured the LMP2 Endurance Trophy category World title, the No 36 Signtech-Alpine finished the 6 hours of Bahrain race in 3rd position. This was the 7th podium in 9 races for Gustavo Menezes, Nicolas Lapierre and Stéphane Richelmi.
The new Mercedes AMG GT Roadster is now available for £110,145 while the AMG GT C Roadster is £139,445 and the AMG GT R is £143,245. They all feature the 4 litre biturbo V8 engine which produces 476 HP, the GT C Roadster adds another 81 hp to 557 HP which reduces the 0-62 mph to 3.7 seconds as opposed to the normal 4 seconds. The top of the range GT R produces 585 HP and does 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds but can still return 24.8 mpg. The GT R comes with a carbon fibre roof, sports bucket seats, the Panamericana grille, static rear spoiler and 19/20 inch alloy wheels.
Coates re-signs with Ciceley for 2017. Yorkshires Max Coates is the first driver to announce he will race in the 2017 Renault UK Clio Cup when he re-signed with Ciceley Motorsport for a second year. In 2016 he won his first Renault Clio Cup race at Croft and finished 3rd overall and winner of the Graduate Cup award for young drivers. January 2017
Page 5
The HRDC ‘Academy’ was the winner of the “Race Series of the year 2016” award at the International Historic Motoring Awards ceremony in London. This innovative entry level historic race series was the runaway winner, from a series which surpassed all expectations and culminated in a thrilling St Mary’s Trophy invitation race at the Goodwood Revival in September. For 2017 there is a VIP invitation feature race at the Silverstone Classic in aid of the Prostate Cancer Charity. See www.hrdc.eu for more.
Dieter Gass to become head of Audi Motorsport. The change will be effective from the 1st January 2017, when he replaces Dr Wolfgang Ullrich as head of Audi Sport. Dr Ullrich will remain in an advisory role, after his 23 years at the helm. Dieter Gass will become the new head of motorsport of Audi AG taking charge of all factory backed Audi commitments which currently include FIA Formula E and the DTM January 2017
Porsche 917 recreation. Making its first appearance at the London Classic Car Show are Icon Engineering, led by Dave Eaton. When he was a schoolboy, Eaton saw Pedro Rodriguez win the 1970 BOAC 1000 kms race at Brands Hatch in a Gulf Porsche 917. Being unable to afford to buy a real car, he has built a recreation using body moulds from a genuine 917 and a self built chassis. Powered by a six cylinder engine from a Porsche 911, he plans to use the car on the road and at various track days. He plans to build two or three replicas for like minded enthusiasts.
Page 6
NIo - World’s Fastest Electric Car.
Ford GT has strong debut WEC season. The Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team have finished in the runners up spot in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LM GTE Pro Team Championship in their first season of the World Endurance Championship. After back to back victories in Japan and China, the team had to carry an extra 20 kilos of weight and a 45 cut in power for the final race of the season in Bahrain. This left the two cars in 4th and 6th place for the final race with Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell in 4th, with Stefan MĂźcke and Olivier Pla taking 6th place.
January 2017
Electric Car company NextEV has unveiled its global brand Nio, at the Satchhi Gallery in London.. This visionary electric car brand unveiled its electric supercar, the NIO EP9 which has achieved a new lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe with a time of 7 minutes 5.12 seconds, beating the previous record and established it as the fastest electric car in the World. The car is fitted with 4 high performance inboard motors and 4 individual gearboxes which deliver 1 Megawatt of power, which is equivalent to around 1,360 bhp. The EP9 can accelerate from 0-200 kph in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 313 kph. The car is fitted with an interchangeable battery system which can be charged in 45 minutes and has a range of 427 kilometres. The carbon cockpit and chassis are designed to handle 3G cornering capabilities.
Page 7
Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Calendar announced.
Ferrari 488 Challenge. At Daytona in December, Ferrari unveiled the latest model to join the ranks of Ferrari’s prestigious International Challenge racing series for clients. The 488 Challenge is the sixth model to participate in the one make series which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017. The 488 Challenge is the first turbocharged model to race and is also the most powerful, using the 670 cv 3.9 litre V8 engine. This enabled the car to knock 1 second off the lap time round Fiorano compared to the previous 458 Challenge EVO, setting a new record of 1 minute 15.5 seconds. January 2017
The dates for the inaugural season of the Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship have been announced for 2017. Round 1 & 2 3rd & 4th June at Thruxton, Hampshire. Round 3 & 4 1st & 2nd July at Rockingham, Northamptonshire. Round 5 & 6 22nd & 23rd July at Donington Park, Leicestershire Round 7 & 8 9th & 10th September at Snetterton, Norfolk. Round 9 & 10 23rd & 24th September at Brands Hatch, Kent Round 11 & 12 14th & 15th October at Pembrey, Carmarthenshire. The races at Thruxton, Donington, Snetterton and Pembrey will be supporting the British Truck Racing Association which attract very large crowds. The UK Clio Cup Junior is for drivers aged 14 to 17, driving cars almost identical to those raced in the Renault UK Clio Cup which supports the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The only differences are minor modifications to the ECU which limits the cars to 5 gears and a top speed of 100 mph, and a switch to road tyres.
Page 8
Claire Williams to attend Autosport International Show.
Lotus Exige Sport 380. Lotus have produced another supercar killer with the announcement of the fastest Exige ever. The uprated 3.5 litre supercharged V6 engine generates 375 hp. With the reduction in weight, the Exige Sport 380 is just 1,100 kg kerb weight, which gives 352 hp per tonne. The car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 178 mph. The car is constructed from nose to tail from carbon components which gives a cut in weight that is nothing short of drastic, and the increased power from the engine makes it probably the best sports car under £100,000 with a suggested price of £67,900. January 2017
Deputy team principal of Williams Martini Racing, Claire Williams, will be attending Autosport International on Sunday 15th January 2017. She will be appearing on the main Autosport Stage to discuss the 2016 season, whats next and the future of F1. Her appearance comes as Williams celebrates its 40th anniversary with an interactive feature which will be a key attraction at the show to mark four decades of Britain’s most successful Formula One team. The team will also bring a fascinating collection of its famous cars to display at the show. These will include the FW07 which gave Williams its first victory, the FW14B 1992 Drivers’ Championship winning car of Nigel Mansell, © Simon Wright Damon Hill’s 1996 Drivers’ Championship winning FW18 and the Monaco GP winning FW25. Page 9
Legend Jacky Ickx to open Historic Motorsport International Show. One of the World’s greatest all-round drivers will officially open the new Historic Motorsport International show in London at 12 noon on the 23rd February 2017. He will also be sharing his experiences with visitors on the Friday and Saturday of the show. His greatest achievement is winning the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours race six times, twice for Gulf with both Ford and Mirage and four times for Porsche, as well as winning eight Grand Prix for Ferrari. He won the Can-Am championship in 1979 for Carl Haas Racing driving a Lola T333CS and even won the Spa 24 Hours endurance race in his native Belgium in 1966 driving a BMW 2000 Ti with Hubert Hahne. The show runs from 23rd-26th February 2017 at the Excel Centre in London.
Tony May We are sorry to report that Tony May passed away before Christmas. Tony contributed significantly to the success of the first Bromyard Speed Festival in 2016. Before that he had been an active member of the Midland Automobile Club (MAC) committee and he had initially been involved in the set up of the event now known as Race Retro. To his family and friends we offer our sincere condolences. Š Gerard Brown
Peter Thornton & David Garrett 1939 Ford Coupe 2016 Rallye of the Incas.
ERA events 2017. The season starts in England and Scotland before going all over the World. March-April The 9th Flying Scotsman, UK. May-June The Baltic Classic, starting in Copenhagen to Berlin September The Blue Train Challenge, France. October-November the 6th Classic Safari Challenge, Africa. January 2017
Page 10
The 3rd Classic Land Rover Show.
New McLaren 570S Design Editions. Five exclusive Design Editions have been announced for the McLaren 570S and chosen by McLarens own designers. ‘By McLaren’ personalisation themes use colour, trim and finish to showcase the sports cars at their stunning best.
January 2017
© Simon Wright
Returning to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon for the 3rd time, this years Classic Land Rover Show is earlier than previous years. It will take place over the weekend of 6th & 7th May 2017. The show will delve in to the history of Land Rover development as well as looking at some of its rivals. See www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk for further information
Race Retro Auction for Aston Martin Group C car. A 1989 Aston Martin AMR1/05 Group C sports racing car will head the Silverstone Auction sale to be held on the 24th February 2017 at the Race Retro show next month. One of just four works cars built, this was the lightest and fastest with an engine producing around 740 bhp from its 6.3 litre engine. It finished in 3 World Championship events in period driven by Brian Redman, David Leslie, David Sears and Stanley Dickens. it has an estimated value of between £500,000 and £550,000 Page 11
© Alex
Mitchell.
The BMW M3 of Christchurch’s Peter Sturgeon that Gianfranco Brancatelli will drive at Taupo
BRANCATELLI RE-UNITED WITH RACE-WINNING BMW FOR TAUPO HISTORIC TOURING CAR RACES Prepared by FAST COMPANY of behalf of the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association www.F5000.co.nz
Organisers of the Historic Touring Car category racing at next month’s Taupo Historic GP have pulled-off a major coup – placing 1985 European Touring Car Champion, Italian Gianfranco Brancatelli in the BMW M3 he drove for the Italian CiBiemme Sport team in the 1987 World Touring Car Championship. The now 66-year-old Piedmont native is one of Italy’s most successful touring car drivers. After a punctuated Formula One debut season in 1979, Brancatelli switched to touring cars and over the next 12 years drove in works teams from manufacturers as varied as Volvo, Rover, Ford and of course, BMW. He also drove a privatelyentered Alfa-Romeo to the 1988 Italian Touring Car Championship title and regularly competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours as a works driver for Sauber-Mercedes, Jaguar and Nissan. The BMW M3 that Brancatelli will drive at Taupo is now owned by Christchurch’s Peter Sturgeon. Himself a highly respected and talented master of the touring car art, Sturgeon is happy to sit on the side-lines on this occasion. “When Murray Sinclair, our category organiser told me that Gianfranco was interested in driving at Taupo, it was too good an opportunity to miss. I was delighted to let him loose in his old car,” said Sturgeon. Sturgeon’s M3 is the car in which Brancatelli partnered with another former Formula One driver, Johnny Cecotto, to win the 500km de Bourgogne at DijonPrenois in France in 1987. Brancatelli finished 8th in that year’s World Touring Car Championship while finishing 5th in the European Touring Car
January 2017
Championship, also for CiBiemme, winning twice at Estoril and Zolder. Brancatelli’s 1985 European Championship was won driving for the works Volvo team in their powerful but brutal 240T. While the BMW M3 that Brancatelli will drive at Taupo is 2.3 litre and normally-aspirated, it proved to be a more effective all-round package in the hey-day of big budget works touring car contests. “The M3 is a real racing car hiding under road-car bodywork” says Sturgeon. “It is smooth and a real joy to drive, especially in the wet. The Volvo by contrast was renowned as powerful but I believe that that power was delivered with the subtlety of light switch – all or nothing”. Historic Touring Car category organiser Murray Sinclair will also be driving at Taupo, in his 1996 Nissan Primera Super Tourer, one of two Nissan Super Tourers entered for the three Touring Car races over the Taupo Historic GP weekend. Built for the team owned by Keke Rosberg, the 1982 world F1 Champion and father of current World Champion Nico Rosberg, the Nissan was driven to 5th overall in the Spanish Touring Car Championship by Dutchman Eric Van de Poele. Super Touring swept away the Group A era of the BMW M3, Volvo 240T, Jaguars, Rovers and turbo-charged Ford Sierra Cosworths, bringing a 2-litre limit and technical specifications that allowed manufacturers to mix and match parts from their range as long as the engine used the same block and head and sat in the same place. Suspension had to keep the same configuration and limits on revs, tyre size and usage gave privateers a helping hand. However, the category’s phenomenal public following meant no-one foresaw the extraordinary technical sophistication that a decade of Super Touring would bring. Championship budgets north of $NZ20 million were talked about. “To call it a Primera” is unfair, says Sinclair. “The motor is barely visible with the 295 bhp straight-four pressed against the bulkhead behind the drive shaft. And the intakes face straight ahead, unlike the standard car. There’s also extra piping to the double-caliper brakes because they’re water-cooled with a little radiator underneath. Suspension mimics the original but it’s all fabricated, a nightmare for restoration. The effort that went into the special parts and hand-built shell, 1,000 man-hours, they say, beggars belief” says Sinclair.
© Alex Mitchell. Nissan Primeras heading a line-up of Super Tourers expected for the Historic Touring Car Page 12 races at January’s Taupo Historic Grand Prix.
© Pete Austin
© Pete Austin
‘Cars in the Claydons’ event expands for 2017 In early December 2016 members of the press assembled at the Claydon Estate in Buckinhamshire for the launch of ‘Cars in the Claydons’ 2017. Nicholas Verney, who manages the estate with his wife Alexandra, and James Beckett announced that following the success of last year, this years event January 2017
2nd
would be extended to run over two days on Saturday and Sunday and rd 3 September. A preview VIP evening would also take place on Friday September 1st.There will be an enhanced offering of vintage, historic, classic and modern vehicles spread throughout the grounds and private gardens of the Claydon Estate. Referring back to last years event James Beckett commented that where else would you see a Le Mans winning Audi in a kitchen garden! Competition cars and motorcycles are being invited to attend and the popular motorcycle trial for the ‘Claydon Cup’ would again feature. Nicholas and Alexandra commented that their family home makes a superb location for a car event and said that even more exciting elements Page 13
© Pete Austin
© Pete Austin
are being added for motoring enthusiasts and those looking for a fun day out. At the launch a selection of competition and classic cars and bikes had been assembled in the Courtyard of the estate and before we left, Steve Rockingham treated both Nicholas and Alexandra to runs up the drive to the estate in his rally Subaru Impreza. The smiles on their faces afterwards said it all! Further details of the event can be obtained from James Beckett at James Beckett Motorsport (BeckettJE@aol.com or tel. 07764 177125) Details of the estate can be found on www.claydonestate.co.uk
© Pete Austin
January 2017
© Pete Austin
Page 14
Š Pete Austin
VSCC Winter Driving Tests Bicester Heritage, Saturday 3rd December 2016. By Simon & Janet Wright with additional photos by Pete Austin.
Barny Creaser - MG PA Midget January 2017
Page 15
Š Simon Wright
David Biggins Dodge Roadster
With a milder than usual winter this year, there was no frost to greet the entrants for this years driving tests at the wonderful Bicester Heritage site. A former World War 2 airbase, the site is still used as an active airfield, with light aircraft and gliders taking off during the day from the grass area. The ten driving tests took place all around the site, some using former runways and taxi-ways, while others were on roads around various buildings and hangers. One test actually took place inside a former hanger, which amplified the sounds made by these wonderful vintage January 2017
George Bradshaw Austin Ulster
Š Simon Wright
cars. All the tests took place on tarmac or paved surfaces, with penalties accrued if the car ran over the surrounding grass. As usual for the last competitive event of the year for the Vintage Sports Car Club, the Winter Driving Tests attracted a maximum entry of eighty competitors, with many able to share cars due to the nature of the event. With so many tests scattered around the site, drivers started on different tests and went round the tests in a different order, so there were no long queues or delays waiting in the Andrew & Peter Summers Austin 7 Sports quite cold wind which was blowing across the airfield. The test is scored by the time taken to complete the test Š Janet Wright plus additional penalties added for hitting a bollard (10 seconds), incorrect entry or parking at a gate (10 seconds), and 10 seconds if you overran a test. If you missed a test or took the wrong route round a test you got the time of the best time in class plus 60 seconds, and several drivers managed to get some test routes wrong! At the end of the afternoon it was Charlie Martin who was declared the overall winner and 1st in Class 4 for Modified Sports Cars in his Riley Page 16
© Pete Austin
© Janet Wright
Mark Garfitt Frazer Nash BMW 319/55 Sports
Kevin Lee - Frazer Nash Falcon TT Replica
© Simon Wright
© Simon Wright
Jon Fleming Austin Ulster Trials © Pete Austin
Clare Renshaw - Austin 7
January 2017
Roger Tolson Lea-Francis P Type
Page 17
© Pete Austin
Jo Blakeney-Edwards - Frazer Nash Super Sports
Special, with an overall score of 463.3. Next up was Class 3 Standard Sports-Cars class winner Edmund Burgess driving a Bugatti T13 Brescia with an overall score of 479.5. The nimble little Austin 7 is ideal for this sort of event and George Diffey won his class in his Austin 7 with a score of 480.1 for 3rd overall, just ahead of Robert Moore in his 1929 Austin 7 who also won his class. The Austin 7 drivers were roaming the
© Janet Wright
Tests, hunting in a pack, driving in formation down one of the runways towards the next Miss Jessica & Miss Rebecca Smith Ford A Tudor Sedan test. Mark Ballard was another class winner in Class 3 Standard Sports Cars in his spectacular Frazer Nash Falcon TT Rep with an overall score of 495, well clear of David Rushton who was 2nd in class in his MG M Type with a score of 592.4. There were three class winners in Class 2 for Touring Cars. Best overall of the touring cars was Michael Brown in a 1930 Riley 9 Tourer with a score of 539.6, well ahead of class winner William Leith in his 1924 Austin 7 Chummy and his score of 552.9. The third class winner was Matthew Brown in his Riley 9 Mk V with a score of 573.8. Class 5 for Cyclecars, Oddities and LCES was © Simon Wright
January 2017
Austin 7s hunt in packs during the winter!
Page 18
© Simon Wright
Guy & Austin Lachlan Singer Junior
won by Clive Hamilton-Gould in his 1920 Citroen A Tourer with a score of 560.3 The final class winner was Tony Lees who won the Edwardian and Veteran Class in his 1913/18 Vauxhall Viper Special with a score of 756.9 beating Simon Blakeney-Edwards who was sharing the car into 3rd place after he got a couple of tests wrong. David Biggins split © Pete Austin
Edmund Burgess - Bugatti T13 Brescia
January 2017
© Janet Wright
George Stanton La Fitte Type D
the pair in his Dodge Roadster. There were quite a few women drivers taking part in different classes. The highest placed was Miss Alex Pilkington in her 1930 Alfa Romeo 8C 1750 who finished 2nd in her class in the Standard © Pete Austin Sports Cars Class 3 with an impressive score of 587.1 and could have been higher if she had not taken the wrong route on Test Four, loosing time. Gary Caroline - Morgan Super Sports Page 19
© Pete Austin
George Diffey - Austin 7
© Simon Wright
Paul Tunnicliffe Austin Chummy in the warm of the hanger test © Janet Wright
© Simon Wright
Winner Charlie Martin Riley Special
January 2017
Craig Hipkiss/Gregg Leach Ford Model A Tudor
Page 20
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Rockingham Stages 2016 Rockingham Motor Speedway 3-4th December 2016. By Lucy Owen-Moczadlo with additional photos by Stuart Yates and David Goose - Motorsport-Imagery
January 2017
Bruce Edwards and Jim smith in the Darrian T9 GTR
Page 21
© Motorsport-imagery
Mat Wheeler / Jamie Vaughan "burning rubber"
The 2016 Rockingham Stages took place over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December 2016. This was the 13th year the Rally has taken place at Rockingham Speedway. The event © Lucy Owen-Moczadlo offered a choice of the usual two day event with 12 stages totalling 97 miles including night stages or 6 stages with 28 miles on the Sunday.
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
the two days with practically a faultless run. Coming second was Bruce Edwards and Jim Smith in the Darrian T9 GTR. Alan Kitson and Ron Aspinwall – Sunbeam Imp Sport Close third was Alan Kirbalby and Cameron Fair in their Mk2 Escort. Winning class 2 in 18th overall was William Hill and Richard Crozier in a Fiesta R2 and Class 1 was won by David Coatsworth and Thomas James Bruce in their MG ZR finishing 38th overall.
On a cold but sunny weekend Rhys Yates and Tom Woodburn in their Fiesta R5 won the rally leading the event from start to finish over January 2017
Winners Rhys Yates and Tom Woodburn in their Fiesta R5
During the first few stages there were many cars sustaining damage on a tyre wall chicane some sustaining such damage which meant they had to retire from the event. Once the stages got running though, battles were sought between many Page 22
© Motorsport-imagery
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
John Griffiths / Nigel Weton Subaru Impreza
Mark Jasper and John Cope – Escort Mk 2 © Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Andrew Fenwick and Daniel May Proton S2000 © Motorsport-imagery
January 2017
Adrian Mayall and Rob Hayden – Alfa 33
Jason Kennedy / Charlie Kennedy BMW M3E30
Page 23
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
© Motorsport-imagery
engine.
competitors.
Dale Crowsley / John Vaudin Mazda MX5 GT
An Alfa 33 took part finishing in 44th and 3rd in Class 1 with Adrian Mayall and Rob Hayden having an enjoyable Bob Vardy and Caron Tomlinson – Fiesta R2 and nearly faultless drive through the two day event.Again Rockingham Stages made some great winners, battles and took some casualties on its way with this great event.
The Sunday Stages saw a very low sun blinding at the start line causing some problems for codrivers and drivers alike.
© Motorsport-imagery
First place was taken by Andrew Fenwick and Daniel May in a colourful but powerful Proton S2000, second place was Mark Jasper and John Cope in their Escort Mk 2 and in joint third place Bob Vardy and Caron Tomlinson in their Fiesta R2 and Paul Allen Pickett and Paul Minard in their 555 livery classic Subaru Impreza. An unusual contender finished second in their class and 43rd overall was Alan Kitson and Ron Aspinwall in the Sunbeam Imp Sport. Steve Blackham and Helena Mayall in their Astra Mk3 came 36th overall after a long year with several DNFs the pair finally finished Rockingham to finish their year on a high with a new January 2017
Vince Sillet / Samm Keeley Ford Escort MK2
Page 24
© Motorsport-imagery
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Mark Richard Burton / John Burton Ford XR2
Alan Kirbalby and Cameron Fair in a Mk2 Escort © Motorsport-imagery
John Clayton / Warren McKinlay Ford Sierra Cosworth V6
January 2017
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Steve Blackham and Helena Mayall - Vauxhall Astra
Page 25
© Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
Seb Perez / Ross Whittock Ford Escort © Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Roland Brown / Terry Luckings Ford Escort MK1 © Motorsport-imagery
© Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Paul Allen Pickett and Paul Minard in Subaru Impreza © Lucy Owen-Moczadlo
Martin Hodgson / Tony Jones Ford Escort MK2
January 2017
William Hill and Richard Crozier in a Fiesta R2
David Coatsworth and Thomas James Bruce in their MG ZR
Page 26
H&H Winter Auction Chateau Impney 7th December 2016 By Simon Wright 1971 Morris 1000 Traveller - Did not sell
January 2017
Page 27
1973 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible - Sold £76,160
The H and H annual Winter Auction held at Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa attracted an impressive number of Rolls Royce and Bentley luxury motor cars for their Christmas sale. The models ranged from a 2012 Bentley Mulsanne which sold for £95,760 to a 1933 Rolls Royce 20/25 Sports Saloon which sold for £44,800. Another 1933 20/25 Sedanca Coupe by Gurney Nutting with an estimated £125,000 value failed to sell. A slightly later 1935 Rolls Royce 25/30 Saloon with Division sold for £14,280. One of the more impressive models was a 1982 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible in a two tone pale yellow finish which reached well over January 2017
its estimated value of £50,000 to sell for £76,160. while a newer 2012 convertible Bentley Continental GTC sold for £101,080, again well over its estimated value. The newer models were reaching some impressive figures with a 2011 Rolls 2012 Bentley Mulsanne - Sold £95,760 Royce Ghost selling for £121,475, while a 2011 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed sold for £52,827.50 again over its estimated value of £45,000 The sale wasn’t just about luxury limousines, with a blue 1961 Austin Healey Sprite (not a frog eye) selling for just £3,700, below its estimated £4,000 1939 Rolls Royce Wraith H.J. Mulliner - Sold £52,640
Page 28
1963 Austin A40 Farina - Sold £5,376
1986 Ferrari 328 GTS - Did not sell
1952 Bentley R-Type Straight Eight - Sold £64,410
January 2017
1954 Austin Healey 100 - Sold £44,070
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1961 Austin Healey Sprite - Sold £3,700
value. Another of BMCs finest, a 1968 Morris Mini Cooper Evocation sold for £7,345, also below estimation. It appeared that a lot of the lower end of the market were selling for less than expected, with even an unusual 1969 NSU 1200 TT in what appeared to be very good condition only sold for £12,500, well below its estimated value of £14,000 to £16,000. It wasn’t just the classics that were going cheap, a state of the art, 2013 all electric Renault Twizy Technic with no reserve sold for just £4,068. The 1969 NSU 1200 TT - Sold £12,500
January 2017
luxury top end cars continued to sell well, a 2013 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic Lux in white and black, with red detailing sold for well over its estimated £23,000 at £36,725. Another of the SUV models also fetched a better than estimated price, when the silver 2005 Porsche Cayenne S sold for £14,690, 2013 Renault Twizy Technic - Sold £4,068 nearly 3 times its estimated £5,500. Continuing the up market trend a beautiful 2012 Ferrari California that also went for over its estimated value when it sold for £126,560. There were two other Ferrari sports cars in the auction that sold. The highest seller at the Auction was a white 2012 Ferrari F430 F1 Spyder sold for £142,800 while the yellow 1996 2012 Ferrari F430 F1 Spyder - Sold £142,800 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta was more of a bargain at just £64,410. However, the classic 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS failed to sell. In a similar sports Page 30
January 2017
2012 Ferrari California - Sold ÂŁ126,560
Page 31
car vein, a 2001 Porsche 911 GT2 Clubsport in silver sold for £103,960, where as a much more basic 911 turbo from 2013 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic Lux - Sold £36,725 2002 failed to sell. It was not a sale for some of the more unusual vehicles. a 1924 Dodge Brothers Roadster with an estimated value of between £15,000 and £20,000 failed to sell, as did a 1929 DeSoto Six Model K Tourer with an estimated value of £12,000. The oldest vehicle in the sale was a 1899 Phebus 2 1/4 HP Forecar with an estimated value of between £50,000 and £60,000 which also failed to sell, and finally a very unusual 1958 Vespa 400 Cabriolet car in pale yellow also failed to sell with an estimated value of £15,000. Before the cars were auctioned there was a sale of motoring memorabilia including Motor Racing posters and programmes, plus bonnet emblems and other motoring history items. January 2017
Plenty of sports cars in the sale
1929 DeSoto Six Model K Tourer - Did not sell
Page 32
1984 Leyland Mini Moke California Sold £8,120
1987 Desande Caprice - Sold £23,520
1962 Bristol 407 - Sold £30,240 1996 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta - Sold £64,410
1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super - Sold £9,800
January 2017
1961 Ford Consul Classic De Lux - Did not sell
1933 Rolls Royce 20/25 Sedanca Coupe - Did not sell
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Vespa 400 Cabriolet. This very rare car was built in France between 1957 and 1961 to an Italian Piaggio design. It is powered by a rear mounted air cooled 393 cc two stroke engine. The factory was in Fourchambault, France and it built small numbers of the Vespa between1957 and 1961. This particular car was built in 1958. The design was by the Italian Piaggio company that also produced the Vespa scooter and the car looked very similar to the Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile. The two cylinder, two stroke, air cooled engine was mated to either a three or four speed gearbox. The roll back roof reveals the yellow and white vinyl interior which is in very good condition having been completely rejuvenated in 2015 and has been imported from Italy. The car has an estimated value of between £15,000 and £20,000 and failed to sell at the auction. January 2017
Phebus 2 1/4hp Forecar. This French car takes its name from Phoebus, the Greek sun god. They were manufactured in the Parisian suburb of Suresnes between 1890 and 1903 by Noe Boyer et Cie. The company had first marketed the Aster-engine tricycle. When the four wheel Autombilette Phebus first came to Britain in 1898, F W Wellington of St George’s Square London marketed the new vehicle. Powered by a Dion engine, this vehicle is chassis number 46 with engine number 10062 and has been part of the famous Ward Brothers’ collection until 2009. It is thought to be the only remaining example and has a distinctive front seat trimmed with black leather to complement the green and black coachwork, which folds open to enable passengers to be carried in front of the steering column. The engine has been fitted with a contemporary air cooled cylinder head and new valves and valve springs. It also has a fully elliptic front suspension and C-springs on the rear giving a comfortable ride. It has also successfully completed the London to Brighton veteran car run. With an estimated price of between £50,000 and £60,000 it failed to sell in the auction.
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Š Gerard Brown
Blair and Mary Healy from Australia in their 1964 Peugeot 404 finished 9th in class
January 2017
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FANGIO CHEVY REIGNS IN RALLY OF THE INCAS AS AMERICAN DUO TAKE THE TROPHY
They were closely followed by the British Bentleys of second placed Paul Carter and Vincent Fairclough in the 1936 Derby 4¼, and the third place of Graham and Marina Goodwin in the 1925 Super Sports. © Gerard Brown
Report from Andrea Seed & Photos by Gerard Brown. A 1938 Chevrolet ‘Fangio’ Coupe reigned supreme on the Endurance Rally Association’s Rally of the Incas, an exciting 27-day adventure exploring the fantastic terrain and stunning scenery across 9,981km or 6,200 miles of South America. © Gerard Brown
2nd in Vintageant Class were Paul Carter and Vincent Fairclough in their 1936 Bentley Derby © Gerard Brown
Outright winners Chuck and Pam Lyford from America in their 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe
Chuck and Pam Lyford from America lifted the trophy for the Vintageant category after starting from Buenos Aires on Sunday 13th November, and journeying through Argentina, Chile and Peru, finishing in Lima on Friday 9 December. The winning duo are no strangers to the podium in this neck of the woods having taken the win in the ERA’s Vintage Cape Horn Rally in 2013, way down in snowy Ushuaia.
January 2017
3rd place went to Graham & Marina Goodwin in their 1925 Bentley Super sport
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© Gerard Brown
Richard Martin and Travis Cole in the 1972 Datsun 240Z took second place while Marco Halter and Claudia Engelhardt took third in the 1963 Ford Falcon Coupe. © Gerard Brown
The Classics division was won by Belgium’s Joost Van Cauwenberg and Christine De Landtsheer in the 1973 Porsche 911. For Joost, this win was more sweet after a difficult London - Cape Town in 2012, a bravura performance on the Road to Mandalay and a disappointing Peking to Paris run, he's finally got the silverware he deserves. Along with his wife Christine, Joost took an early lead in his Porsche © Gerard Brown
911, held onto it in a cool calm and gentlemanly way and was understandably delighted with his win. This was the first time he’d visited South America and he said ‘the event has been great one both in terms of the route and the competition’.
January 2017
Around 45 crews competed on the Rally of the Incas, exploring parts of the region that had never been discovered by the Endurance Rally Association before, including the Valdez
© Gerard Brown
Peninsula and the High Andes. The True Grit trophy was awarded to Ed and Janet Howle who had nursed their old 1967 VW Type 1 Beetle through thick and thin - uphill and down dale for almost a month.
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© Gerard Brown
Bentley driver Anton Gonnissen gave a moving and reflective speech about how special the Rally World is, supporting and looking after its members whatever they're going through and one that we’re all privileged to belong to. He was then asked to present the Spirit of the Rally award to his wife Inge, for coming back to the Rally World after a freak accident on the Road to Mandalay. © Gerard Brown
Serge Bethier & Jacueline Thome ep Bethier from France finidhed 31st in classics and 2nd in class in their 1973 Jensen Interceptor Series III
2017 will be an equally busy year with the Flying Scotsman, Classic safari and new Baltic Classic events all with full entry lists. The Blue Train Challenge, open to pre-war cars as well as those crews eligible for the Riviera Cup, open to sports car manufactured between 1 January 1948 and 31 December 1962, which would have graced the French Routes Nationales on their way to the Côte d’Azur. To find out more about this and other ERA events, visit www.endurorally.com © Gerard Brown
Spirt of the Rally award went to co-driver Inge Willemen from Belgium
ERA Rally Director Fred Gallagher said: “The second foray into South America for the ERA has indeed been a great one. The landscapes we've driven through and the way that the Rally has unfolded had been amazing. The competition has been amazing and the competitors have been brilliant. Well done to Joost, Christine, Chuck and Pam and we very much look forward to seeing them again very soon. The next iteration of the Rally of the Incas, is already being planned for 2019.” The Rally of the Incas marks the end of a very successful year for the ERA with five events featuring over 300 classic and vintages cars, including the epic Peking to Paris Motor Challenge.
January 2017
Stephen Partridge and Corgi La Grouw from New Zealand in their 1958 Morris Page Oxford finished 17th and 4th in class
38
© Gerard Brown
Richard & Seonaid Beningfield from South Africa driving a 1953 Bentley R Type finished 28th in the Classics © Gerard Brown
© Gerard Brown
Stan Gold and Brant Parsons (USA) finished 7th and 2nd in class in their 1965 Porsche 911 © Gerard Brown
Dennis & Kathleen Varni (USA) finished 14th in their 1961 Ford Falcon GT
January 2017
Christoph Ley from Germany and Alfred Reichhart from Austria in a 1959 Mercedes Benz Page 39 220 S Ponton finished 13th in Classics
© Gerard Brown
Results Vintageants: 1st
Chuck and Pamela Lyford
2nd
Paul Carter, Vincent Fairclough 1936 Bentley Derby 4 ¼
3rd
Graham and Marina Goodwin
1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe
1925 Bentley Super Sports
Classic: 1st
Joost Van Cauwenberg and Christine De Landtsheer 1973 Porsche
911 2nd
Richard Martin and Travis Cole
3rd
Marco Halter and Claudia Engelhardt 1963 Ford Falcon Coupe
1972 Datsun 240Z
Class 1: 1st
Nigel Dowdling and Mary Antcliff
1934 Aston Martin MkII
Class 2: 1st
Paul and Mariella Kirkham
1934 Ford 40B Tudor
2nd
Lars and Annette Rolner
1928 Bentley 4½ Le Mans
3rd
Anton Gonnissen and Inge Willeman 1929 Bentley Special Speed 8
Amin Hwaidak & Jens Jarzombek (D) 1965 Ford Mustang finished 4th, © Gerard Brown
Class 3: 1st
Mark and Colin Winkleman
1968 Porsche 912
2nd
Stan Gold and Brant Parsons
1965 Porsche 911
3rd
Blair and Mary Healy
1964 Peugeot 404
Class 4: 1st
Amin Hwaidak and Jens Jarzombek 1965 Ford Mustang
2nd
Alan and Tina Beardshaw
1965 Sunbeam Tiger
3rd
David and Jo Roberts
1968 Triumph TR250
True Grit Award:
Ed and Janet Howle, 1967 VW Type 1 Beetle
Spirit of the Rally:
Inge Willemen, 1929 Bentley Special Speed 8
January 2017
Michael Leempoel (B) and Francis Blake (GB) 1972 Peugeot 504 Coupe finished 19th in Page 40 Classics
© Gerard Brown
Paul & Mariella Kirkham (AUS) 1934 ord 40 B Tudor finished 4th in Vintageant classF © Gerard Brown
© Gerard Brown
Nicholas Pryor & Lesley Stockwell (GB) 1962 Volvo PV544 finished 24th
© Gerard Brown
David & Jo Roberts (GB) 1968 Triumph TR250 finished 8th © Gerard Brown
© Gerard Brown
Bill & Katherine Gill (AUS) 1972 Mercedes Benz 350 SLC finished 18th © Gerard Brown
Mario & Catherine Illien 1955 Citroen 11B finished 37th
January 2017
Barry Nash & Malcolm Lister (GB) 1969 Rover P5B finished 20th © Gerard Brown
Keith & Norah Ashworth (GB) 1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans finished 8th
Dominique Vananty & Daniel Spadini (CH) 1966 Citroen DS21 finished 33rd © Gerard Brown
Philip & Laurette Macwhirter (AUS) 1969 Morgan Plus 8 Page 41 finished 12th
Archive Photo of the month.
Š Pete Austin
ms a i l l By Pete Austin. Wi g was ir d e e t e c sin eerin ver, S e star urag s r o in yea Eng Howe la On iers C in 0 u 4 ix s . It's nd Pr 1977 Form for P illiam mark sh i e m Gra ed in n with abha ank W s trad 4 Brit io r i r r o form ociati g a B ws F ring h re 197 erza o M ass runnin to sh (wea k befo oro, s b o l m c io illia hat by ths ph erzar addo o Mar W M Is . hp nk on re t Fra l befo his m Arturo Hatc s run rouble s l t m we 969. T with rand Willia gine n B n in 1 ussio n the ing a ith e i c w v dis tson) x. Dri race i Ste nd Pr m the Gra ed fro r reti
January 2017
Page 42
© www.rallygallery.com
Motorcycle Live 2016, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. By David Goose & Stuart Yates - Motorsport-Imagery © Motorsport-imagery
Royal Navy Triumph Rocket. January 2017
Page 43
© Motorsport-imagery
Davidson, Victory and Indian there were bikes on show to suit riders of all ages, budgets and abilities, plus the opportunity to try out motorbikes that you could only dream of owning. © Motorsport-imagery
Ducati 1299 Panigale. The annual motorbike show at Birmingham’s NEC took place as usual during the last week of November. As much as the © Motorsport-imagery Autosport Show is everything to the 4 wheel enthusiast, Motorcycle Live is the 2 wheel riders heaven. Although there is always a selection of classic bikes at the show, the shows main focus is on the Modern generation of bikes.
Greg Hancock Speedway Bike. © Motorsport-imagery
Over 40 manufacturers attend the show which is seen as a major opportunity to present to the enthusiasts the following seasons models. From Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha to Harley Alex Lowes.
January 2017
Victory Octane.
Indian Motorcycles, part of the Polaris group that also owns Victory motorcycles, had a range of Indian Scouts on display, all customised to varying degrees by its UK dealer network for Project Scout. Although you knew that the bikes were all the same model, it was very hard to see this when looking at all of them together, interpretation and Page 44
© Motorsport-imagery
January 2017
Suzuki GSXR.
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customisation was totally unrestricted provided the base model and a selection of Indian accessories were used. © Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
Devitt Kawasaki. Several BSB teams used the opportunity to launch the 2017 race teams and riders, however at the end of the event it was reported that TAS BMW had their displayed race machines stolen from the © Motorsport-imagery NEC after the show. Racing celebrities were everywhere with James Whitham, Steve Parrish, Sam and Alex Lowes, Phil and Hector Shane Byrnes Ducati Panigale. January 2017
AMG MV Agusta.
Neil, Tommy Bridewell and Christian Iddon amongst the many to be seen. But the static displays were not the only attraction, with the Arenacross team © Motorsport-imagery displaying their freestyle skills several times per day, BMW displaying their off road skills and other various stunts around the show halls. If two wheels is your passion, Motorcycle Live must be an Harley Davidson. Page 46
© Motorsport-imagery
Honda CBR 900RR.
© Motorsport-imagery
Harley Davidson Road King.
annual pilgrimage, even for four wheel aficionados there was plenty to see and admire.
© Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
January 2017
Indian Chief Vintage.
KTM Freeride.
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© Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
2016 Norton Manx.
Guy Martin's Swedish Chopper Dirt Quake 5. © Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
Harley Davidson 1200 Cross. January 2017
Krazy Horse Bad Jessie.
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Christmas Brunch and Members afternoon meeting Curborough. December 26th 2016 By Simon Wright
Š Simon Wright
Hillman Avenger
January 2017
Page 49
high performance and sports cars on display that surprisingly were not there for the track afternoon. The low winter sun cast long shadows, but not enough to hide the elegant lines of a black Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 AMG coupe. This is a high performance version of the original Crossfire, with an intercooled supercharger that produces an additional 115 bhp from the 3.2 litre 18 valve V6 engine, taking it to 330 bhp with 310 Ib/Ft torque. This V6 engine was originally found in the Mercedes SLK32 AMG and C32 AMG models before they went V8.
Ford Mustang
Shenstone and District Car Club organised a Christmas Brunch meeting for Boxing Day at their Curborough sprint course, near Lichfield. The Brunch meeting was scheduled for 10:30am before the club members fun afternoon, where the club members got to drive the sprint course. The club holds several members meetings during the year, where card carrying members can drive round the Curborough track in their road cars. This is not a competitive event, and is not timed, just a chance for members to let their hair down, in a sensible manner, on a racing circuit. The Brunch turnout was a little poor really, with only two or three classic cars on display, and most of them were actually there for the afternoon track session. There was a 1974 Ford Mustang muscle car in a stunning red paint job, with black stripes down the centre of the vehicle, which was the best of the classics on display. However, there were several modern January 2017
Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 AMG
It wasn’t just American cars that were interesting, a couple of Italian beauties also made an appearance. Showing that the Italians can make powerful coupes as well as sports cars, the 2015 Maserati Gran Turismo Sport was inspired by the original Maserati Birdcage. The body was designed by Pininfarina as a four seater sports GT car to uphold the traditions of Maserati Page 50
Westfield
Aston Martin Vantage
Nissan 300ZX
Porsche Boxster
January 2017
Ford Escort Mk III
Mazda MX5
Page 51
styling and engineering brilliance. The sleek aerodynamic body houses an innovative 460 HP 4.7 litre V8 engine, which can propel this 4 seater GT car from 0-62 mph in just 4.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of up to 185 mph.
Fiat Abarth 124 Spider
Maserati Gran Turismo Sport
The other Italian car of interest was a brand new Fiat Abarth 124 Spider in white, with a black fabric hood, and black bonnet and boot lid. The iconic 1966 design is back in a slightly more rounded design while still maintaining the perfect weight distribution with a longitudinal front engine driving the rear wheels. The model was only unveiled at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Abarth have taken the standard 124 Spider and lowered the ride height, fitted Bilstein January 2017
Shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, steering and stability control and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The turbocharged 1.4 litre engine produces 168 bhp, goes from 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds and will reach a top speed of 144 mph, while still returning an impressive 44 mpg if driven economically. The rest of the vehicles were really there for the track afternoon with several Porsche models, and kit cars based on the Lotus 7, plus the ever popular Mazda MX5 sports car. There were several serious vehicles ready to take to the track as well, with a competition prepared Peugeot hatchback, plus a pair of Rallying Ford Escorts, a Mk1 and a Mk3. The Peugeot driver got a little carried away on his first run, spinning off the track at the first corner, but didn’t hit anything and was Peugeot spun off able to continue. The range of cars Page 52
Fiat Punto
taking part in the members track day was quite impressive, ranging from a little Fiat Punto right through to an Aston Martin Vantage. Apart from the Rally Ford Escort Mk1, the other classic cars taking part a couple of nice sports cars, a Triumph Spitfire Mk IV and a Porsche 914. The 914 was a joint venture between Volkswagen and Porsche between 1969 and 1979. VW needed a replacement for the Karmann Ghia and Porsche wanted a
Porsche 914
January 2017
replacement for the 912. At the time, the majority of VW development was handled by Porsche, and VW needed to contract out one last project to fulfil its contract with Porsche. It was originally decided to sell the Volkswagen version with a Flat 4 engine and the Porsche version with a Flat 6, but Porsche thought it might be risky for their American business if both cars were sold in America, and so they convinced VW to sell both models in America under the Porsche brand. Unfortunately the VW Chairman Heinz Nordoff died in April 1968 and his successor Kurt Lotz was not connected to Porsche and their verbal agreement collapsed. Lotz felt that they owned all the rights to the 914 if Porsche would not agree to share tooling costs. This resulted in the price of the chassis going up considerably which meant that the 914/6 was only slightly cheaper than the 911T and resulted in poor sales, while the much cheaper 914/4 became Porsche’s top selling model during its production run, easily outselling the 911 by a wide margin, with a total of 118,000 vehicles sold.
Ford Escort Mk 1
Page 53
Triumph Spitfire
With the addition of the track cross-over section at the Mole Hill, the track can now be run in several different configurations, and this option was used during the members afternoon. On the first run, the traditional original circuit layout was used. For the second runs of the afternoon, the cars headed up the main straight, turned left at the cross-over point, round the Fradley Hairpin as normal and back down the full Shenstone straight.
January 2017
Ford Puma
Mazda RX8
Page 54