Classic and Competition Car February 2012 by Simon Wright

& c i s s Cla Competition Car Issue 17

February 2012

Autosport International Show

VSCC New Years Day meeting Page 12

Archive Photo Page 16

Tasman Rd3 Page 17

First Run Page 22

Autosport International Page 25

Pistonheads The Performance Car Show Page 38

HRCR Open day Page 41

News Page 4

CONTENTS

SIMON WRIGHT EDITOR.

The Autosport show was a great success and provided a welcome break in the off season. Next we have Race retro for all Historic motorsport fans which is always exciting with its live action rally stage. These events are good to find out about plans for the coming year as well as seeing some great and unusual vehicles. If you haven’t been to one, make the effort and go, you will enjoy it. There were several important announcements made at the Autosport show, but from a technical point of view, the Lola Drayson B12/69EV electric racer could be one of the most significant for the future of our sport. A low carbon or zero emissions future will impact on our sport, but we are already taking steps to adapt. Exciting times ahead. To Subscribe for free and be notified when the next issue is published please click here. To check out our web site with additional photos please click here All content is copyright classicandcompetitioncar.com unless otherwise stated. All photographs are copyright the original photographer and may not be used for commercial purposes unless by prior approval of the original copyright holder. We try to ensure accurate and truthful reporting but if you spot an error, please contact us and we verify and correct accordingly. We do not organise any events which are mentioned and we are not responsible if the event does not take place or is cancelled. Please contact the event organiser before making a long trip.

Calendar February 24-26th Race Retro Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, England February 25th VSCC Pomeroy Trophy Silverstone, Near Northampton, England We do not organise any events and are not responsible for the events listed above. Before visiting an event, check with the organisers to ensure the event is still taking place. We cannot be held responsible for any events which are cancelled or wrongly listed.

Contributors PETE AUSTIN Pete is the man for Historic racing, with an extensive archive of black and white images covering the last few decades of motor racing in Britain. MICK HERRING Mick’s first love is GT racing, though Historic GT, especially Lola T70’s are a particular favourite. JANET WRIGHT Janet has been taking photos for many years but her real speciality is video work.

Front Cover Niki Lauda Ferrari T3 at the Autosport International Show (c) Simon Wright 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

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NEWS

Peugeot Quit Endurance racing

The World Endurance championship is reeling after the shock withdrawl of Peugeot with immediate effect. The announcement on the 18th January stated that with the backdrop of the challenging economic environment in Europe, Peugeot, Europe’s 2nd largest car manufacturer, wants to concentrate its 2012 resources on its commercial performance. The announcement even took the racing team by surprise as they were in Florida, testing at Sebring. Peugeot has also stated that it will not run its cars through private teams, not one 908 will leave the factory. This leaves several top drivers without a seat for the season, including ex Grand Prix driver Anthony Davidson. It also leaves Audi as the only major manufacturer set to compete in the full championship.

Frank Lyons has taken the family on a trip half way round the world to compete in the Tasman Revival series in New Zealand. Frank, his wife Judy and son Michael all compete regularly in the HSCC Derek Bell Trophy in Formula 5000 single seaters. Frank drives an immaculate Gurney Eagle, Michael drives a Lola T400, and Judy is driving a Lola T330. Now they have shipped all three cars out to New Zealand to compete in three rounds of the Tasman Revival series. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

BBC GP TV Coverage. With F1 TV coverage being split in the UK between the BBC and Sky, the BBC have announced that Ben Edwards will replace Martin Brundle as their lead commentator for the 2012 season. He will partner with David Coulthard. Brundle has joined Sky to commentate on all the races live. The BBC will only be showing 10 races live.

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Frank Lyons heads down under.

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To reflect the popularity of touring car racing, the Silverstone classic has announced two more races to its programme. The aim is to recreate the battles from the European, British and German Touring car championships from between 1975 and 1999. This will allow a mixture of group 2, Group A, Super Touring and DTM cars which should include things like BMW CSLs, Jaguar XJ-Cs, Ford Sierra Cosworths and Rover SD1s competing alongside more modern Ford Mondeos and Nissan Primera. This will be the first time that such a wide range of saloons will have raced together. More than 30 cars have already entered this double header, and a capacity 50 car field is expected. There will also be a celebration for the Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. When launched in 1987 it provided super car levels of performance at not much money than a standard Sierra. for more information see www.SilverstoneClassic.com

Tour Britannia goes modern In a move which brings in more in line with its predecessor the Tour of Britain, which was run for current Production saloons, Tour Britannia have announced that in 2012 Targa Britannia will run in conjunction with Tour Britannia. Tour Britannia will remain for pre ’75 cars, but the new Targa Britannia is open for post 75 road legal cars, including Sports, GT and Saloons. There will be three classes, up to 1600cc, 1600cc-2000cc and over 3000cc. The field will be limited to 35 cars for 2012, so that they can all run in a single race. The main Targa award will be based on an index of performance to allow the less powerful cars the chance to compete on equal terms. Tour Britannia and Targa Britannia will run together between the 7th and 9th of June 2012 and will be based at Harrogate. Races will include Croft, Cadwell Park and Mallory Park and stages will include the fantastic Olivers Mount at Scarborough and the Harewood hill climb course. For more information see www.tourbritannia.com Mike Smith/Ian Ashley Caterham R500 invitation Targa class in 2011. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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HISTORIC RACE OF CHAMPIONS

As a tribute to the Race of Champions which used to be run for Formula 1 cars in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a Historic race of Champions is being organised to run at Brands Hatch during the Masters Historic festival over the weekend of the 26th and 27th May 2012. The race is designed to give the owners of early 3 litre Grand Prix cars the chance to race without competing with later winged and ground effect cars. To achieve this, the race will be limited to 3 litre Grand prix cars from 1966 to 1971. The race will be just 2 weeks after the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, so it is hoped that many of the competitors will stay on in Europe and compete at Brands Hatch. The race is being promoted by historic racers Andrew Smith, Joe Twyman and Roger Wills together with Masters Historic Racing. Also in honour of the original race, there will be an award of 100 bottles of champagne for Pole Position. There will be two races over the weekend and it is hoped that 20 or more cars will be entered. Andrew Smith and Roger Wills are both entering March 701s, Smith having the ex-Jackie Stewart Tyrrell March that won the Race of Champions in 1970 while Wills has the ex-Chris Amon March that won the International Trophy race at Silverstone in 1970. If the race proves popular with competitors, then a series may be organised. The race will run to Masters regulations, with DFV engined cars restricted to 10,000 rpm and tyres will be cut slicks.

Croft circuit have launched a new web site to deliver details of their exciting season in a faster and more efficient manner. Croft Circuit Manager Tracey Morley commented: “Everything but the address has changed. The new croftcircuit.co.uk website is stronger in every department – it’s faster, punchier, more colourful, more vibrant, more informative and far more energetic. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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Gianpiero Moretti (20th

March 1940 – 14th January 2012)

Gianpiero was born in to a wealthy family in Milan, Italy. In the 1960’s he founded Momo a company specialising in the production of steering wheels for motor sports. The name came from MOretti and MOnza where the wheels were manufactured. Momo became linked with Ferrari when Enzo wanted steering wheels made from leather for the Ferrari 158 in 1964. He began his racing career in 1961, hill climbing in Italy driving a Bizzarrini. His first International success came in 1969 when he finished 10th on the Targo Florio sharing a Porsche 911T with Everado Ostini. He then managed a 4th in a Porsche 907 with Corrado Manfredini at the 6 hour race from Vila Real. In 1970 he bought a Ferrari 512S to compete in the Sports Car World Championship with his friend Corrado Manfredini. They had very little success in the World Championship, but did manage a couple of wins, one in the Italian Sports Car championship and another at the Fuji 200 mile race in Japan. He did very little racing during the early 1970’s but with the launch of his company in America decided to enter the IMSA GT series with a Porsche 935. He teamed up with American Hurley Haywood. In 1982 Ferrari 512S similar to the car that Gianpiero used in 1970 he switched to the IMSA GTP series with a March 82G in America, while using the Porsche in Europe. He contested the German Racing Championship and also certain Classic endurance races such as the Spa 1000Kms race, the 1000kms of Mugello and the 9 hour race at Kyalami. In 1983 he came 2nd in the 500 mile race at Pocono with Sarel van der Merwe. In the early 90’s he persuaded Piero Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo and Jean Todt to build a Ferrari prototype for the Le mans 24 hours race. The Ferrari 333SP made its debut in 1995 and Moretti had his best result at Le Mans in the car in 1997 finishing 6th. His greatest success was winning the 1998 Daytona 24 hour race in a Ferrari 333SP with Arie Luyendyk, Mauro Baldi and Didier Theys. He also won the 12 hours of Sebring and the 6 hours at Watkins Glen in the same car with Baldi and Theys. He passed away on the 14th January 2012. We offer his family and friends our sincere condolences.

Raikkonen will make quick return. Grand Prix winner John Watson (left) said at the Autosport show that Kimi Raikkonen will probably make a quicker return to being competitive than Michael Schumacher did on his return. Kimi has not been away as long as Michael was, but it will be interesting to see how he copes with the big changes to aerodynamics, the different tyres and the lack of testing, which will all limit his progress. Watson also warned that Raikkonen should not expect an easy ride as the landscape has changed quite a bit and the competitiveness at the top has risen. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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The Cheltenham Street race 2013.

There is a sustainable Expo planned for this year in Cheltenham which will bring together the Motor Sport, Motor manufacturing and transport industries and the context of sustainability and the low carbon future. The dates have been confirmed as the 8th and 9th of September 2012 and it will be held on the Promenade in the heart of Cheltenham. For more information see the website at www.cheltenhammotorsport.com Lord Paul Drayson (right) has lent his support to this event.

Exciting news that there are plans to run a two day motor event on the streets of Cheltenham in 2013. The event is to highlight the rapid advances being made in low carbon transport. All vehicles competing will be low carbon and will take part in a series of street races or time trials. A number of scientifically based criteria will determine the winner in a number of categories. Included in the weekends events will be a Karting series as well as time trial racing. The proposed circuit is based in the centre of Cheltenham and should incorporate the Promenade, Town Hall, Royal Well Road and Imperial Square.

MG return to BTCC BTCC Series Director Alan Gow has warmly welcomed the return of MG to the British Touring Car Championship. MG last officially competed in the series in 2003 before the company was bought by its current owners the Nanjing Automobile Group in 2005. MG Motor UK is going to race the MG6 GT model under the next generation Touring Car regulations allowing for turbocharged engines. MG have announced a top driver pairing to compete in their first season. Former champion Jason Plato will be joined by rising star Andy Neate to drive the Tesco Fuels sponsored MG6 GT built and prepared by renown team Triple Eight Race Engineering, one of the most successful teams in the history of the BTCC. Additional sponsorship is being provided by energy drink maker KX Gow commented on the return “MG is one of motoring’s truly evocative names so its BTCC campaign will, I’m sure, really capture the public’s imagination. This high profile return to the forefront of competition in the BTCC is also certain to prove highly effective in terms of marketing for MG and all its partners, as well as delivering some great results for them on the track” Artists impression of the MG6 GT CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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JAY KAY BRINGS 914-6 PORSCHE TO RACE RETRO FOR RALLY REUNION WITH LEGEND BJORN

ÂŠ Simon Wright

Race retro, the Historic Motorsport show returns to Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire from the 24th to the 26th of February 2012. The show will have the usual mix of static exhibitions in the show halls and the live rally stage running over Saturday and Sunday to bring live action for the fans. Several anniversaries are being celebrated at the show: 50 years of the MGB will have a tribute in the entrance foyer with a couple of ex-works race cars on display. The prototype Porsche 956 Group C Le Mans car will be on static display, along with the BRM P57 1.5 litre V8 Grand Prix car used by Graham Hill to win the 1962 World Championship. There will also be a celebration of 30 years of Rallying which will include some of the Group B Rally supercars competing on the live rally stage over the weekend. On the rally stage will be a special reunion. Pop star Jay Kay from Jamiroquai is bringing his Porsche 914-6 to the show to reunite it with former driver Bjorn Waldegard. Both drivers will put the car through its paces on the live rally stage. Bjorn first dove the car in the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally as one of a three car strong works team. the other two cars were driven by Ake Andersson and Gerard Larrousse. They were expected to do well in the event, but heavy snow falls and mechanicl problems caused Andersson and Larrouse to retire with gearbox problems. Waldegard pressed on to finish in 3rd place but this marked the end of factory support for the 914 model, even though it had won its class the year before in the Le Mans 24 hours. For more information on Race Retro, see www.raceretro.com

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Esterer flies in spare car for Tasman Revival.

vember. Esterer seen here leading defending MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival series champion Ken Smith. "Both front corners were knocked off, all four wheels were wrecked and the tub was smashed in and twisted," he confirmed earlier this week. "It was a mess!" The car Esterer is replacing it with is another McRae GM1, one which he has owned for just over a year, though one he had not intended on pressing into service so soon. "It's number 10, an ex Quicksilver Racing team car raced by a gentleman called Rodney Green in 1975 then stored in his garage until 2006 when it was sold to Paul Hoey then James Stengel who I bought it off." Though Stengel raced the car in the US in 2008 Esterer has only had time to strip and re-assemble it, then break it down again to fit into the two air freight boxes he used to fly his damaged GM1 back to Canada late last year. "It'll be completely untested, " he said before leaving his home in Edmonton on Wednesday. "That's why I don't want to make too many predictions about this weekend. I'll collect the boxes from the air freight depot when I get to Auckland on Wednesday then spend Thursday and Friday putting it back together at the track. After that we'll just have to see."Prepared by FAST COMPANY of behalf of the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell

Forty eight year old Canadian driver Jay Esterer (seen here with local crew chief, ex McLaren team mechanic Wally Willmott) has flown out a second McRae GM1 for this weekend's New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing meeting celebrating BMW Motorsport at Hampton Downs. The car replaces the similar one (pictured) damaged in a start line accident at the second round of the 2011/ 12 series at Manfeild in No-

GT3 Shopping List. If you had a big enough cheque book at the Autosport International show, you could take your pick of all these different GT3 cars available for the 2012 season. With other options also available, it looks as though GT racing is as popular as ever.

Chevron GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Porsche 911 GT3

Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT3

Ginetta G55 V8 GT3 CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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ÂŠ Janet Wright

VSCC NEW YEARS DAY GATHERING, HEREFORDSHIRE

What better way to start the New Year than to get together with a mouthwatering selection of priceless vintage cars. The annual New Years day meet for the Vintage Sports Car Club in Herefordshire drew a huge turnout this year. The weather remained dry but a bit overcast, but it did not deter dozens of owners arriving in their vintage pride and joy. Even TV star Richard Hammond from the BBC program Top Gear arrived in a vintage Sunbeam saloon to enjoy the meeting. All the great marques were represented, Austin, Bentley, Bugatti, Delage, Morgan, Rolls Royce, Sunbeam plus many more. There were also some fine examples of more unusual cars, such as the Terraplane convertible. The Terraplane was built by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit between 1932 and 1938 as a lower priced alternative to other mass produced cars. They were produced in various body styles and were powered by a 212 cubic inch LÂŠ Simon Wright head six cylinder engine and a 3 speed manual gearbox with the option of a column mounted electric gear pre-selector and electro-mechanical automatic shifting system manufactured by the Bendix Corporation. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR

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This unusual Riley is a typical example of the beautiful design of these cars and the standards to which they are presented.

Early style bucket seats on the Singer Le Mans and the polished wooden dashboard are typical features on pre-war sports cars of the 1930’s. The Le Mans model followed on from the success of the Singer Nine Sports at the Le Mans 24 hours race. The 34 HP engine propelled the car to a top speed of over 70 mph and cost £215.

Many of the cars proudly displayed original badges for various organisations such as this early Royal Automobile Club (RAC) metal badge as seen on an early Daimler. Many of the owners clubs have produced metal badges in the past, similar to the Daimler & Lanchester Owners Club badge shown here, and these are treasured and much sought after memorabilia for owners and collectors of vintage and classic cars.

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1926 Theophile Schneider 13/55 Le Mans.

This is one of only 3 cars in this country, and is the only one still running. Built by the French manufacturer who started production in 1910 and produced up to 200 cars per year to 1914. This particular model was introduced in 1925 and built at Besanscon in France. The 13/ 55 was the UK model of the 13/50 powered by a 4 cylinder 1953cc OHV engine. They had an illustrious career in racing with cars entered in the Coupe de L’auto and the Grand Prix of France plus the Le mans 24 hours. In 1926, a Theophile Schneider 255SP 2 litre achieved 140 KPH down the pits straight at Le Mans on its way to finishing 6th in the 24 hour race driven by Pierre Tabourin and Auguste Lafranc, it was only 29 laps behind the winning car after 24 hours of racing. It is

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thought that less than 10 of the 13/55 Le Mans remain across the world. The coachwork is by Comptons of Middlesex. FEBRUARY 2012

PAGE

©Janet Wright

Top to bottom L to R Bugatti Bentley pair CGV 1904 model H1 6 1/4 litre side entrance Phaeton engine Richard Hammond De Dion Bouton

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Archive Picture

ÂŠ PETE AUSTIN

By Pete Austin

Elsewhere in this issue you can read about this years Autosport International which took place at the NEC, Birmingham. The HSCC stand featured the history of Formula 3 and this months image was taken during the F3 support race at the 1972 Brands Hatch Race of Champions. Eventual winner Tom Pryce is shown leading a group of cars around the Druids hairpin in his Royale RP11. Tom was tragically killed during the 1977 South African Grand Prix before his potential at the top level could be fully realised. Following is James Hunt in the works March 723 who would go on to become world champion in 1976. He finished 5th in this race. Behind James is the Ensign LNF3 of Colin Vandervell who was the son of Tony Vandervell of Vanwall fame. The final car in this shot is another Royale RP11, this one the Chequered Flag example, driven by Ian Ashley who still competes in historic Formula Ford and F2 races. Formula 3 cars at this time were powered by 1600cc engines.

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2011/12 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series NZ Festival of Motor Racing - celebrating BMW Motorsport Hampton Downs 20th-22nd January 2012 LYONS COMPLETES MSC F5000 RACE CLEANSWEEP BUT ROSS GETS NEW OUTRIGHT TRACK LAP RECORD AT HAMPTON DOWNS

Young gun Michael Lyons (Lola T400) won all four MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series races at the first New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell celebrating BMW Michael Lyons leads the field in the first MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Motorsport meetSeries race of the weekend at Hampton Downs ings at the Hampton Downs circuit south of Auckland over the weekend but series point leader Steve Ross (McRae GM1) added the icing on the cake with a new outright track lap record. Lyons, who with father Frank and mother Judy, has been traveling from the UK to contest rounds of the New Zealand-based MSC series for the past four years, showed an inkling of what he could do at the two New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing meetings last year and took up where he left off this, claiming pole position in the qualifying session on Friday then leading all four races - including the feature 15-lap final - from start to finish. "The weekend has gone pretty well hasn't it" the 20-year-old from Essex north of London said after his meeting clean sweep. "Last year we weren't quite as well prepared and it was all a bit last minute. Also I hadn't really driven the car much that year. This year we did most of the British Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell championship, which we won, so we were better prepared with the car so it's great to be able to come out here and be able to do so well." After winning both races in hot, dry conditions on Saturday, the first from Steve Ross, Ken Smith (Lola T430) and Clark Proctor (March 73A) and the second - after Ross and Proctor tangled at the first corner - from Smith, Mark Dwyer (Lola T400) and Brett Willis (Lola T330), Lyons led home a fired up Smith, Proctor and Defending series champion Ken Smith back behind the wheel of his familiar Lola T430 Ross in the rain-delayed third race CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 17

Series newcomer Alan Dunkley made a big impression in one of the oldest cars in the field, a 1970 Lola T140 Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell

just after lunch time and 15-lap feature final later in the afternoon on Sunday. While the third race was very much a non-event because of the intervention for four of the eight laps of the Safety Car (while Kerry McIntosh's bent Begg FM2 was retrieved from the safety barriers on the run up to the start/finish straight) the 15-lap feature saw Lyons, Ross, Smith, Proctor and Dwyer set a cracking early pace, a sign of just how quickly the leading cars were circulating, Steve Ross breaking the new outright track lap record Lyons had set during the first race on Saturday. Heading into the meeting the outright record for the 2.800km circuit belonged to Ken Smith with a best time of 1.01.210 set at the second NZ Festival of Motor Racing meetings last year. Lyons lowered that to 1.00.813 on the first MSC F5000 race on Saturday but Ross went even quicker in the final on Sunday, trimming it to an 1.00.497 on just the second lap of the race.When he found out the Dunedin man was literally lost for words, but when he found some he was quick to share the credit. "I've held a few class lap records but never an outright track one," he said. "All credit to the Motorsport Solutions team who prepare and run the car, they've done a brilliant job this weekend. The car was flying, absolutely flying." Behind Lyons and Ross, Ken Smith, Clark Proctor, Mark Dwyer and Brett Willis maintained their positions equidistant from each other for the remainder of the race with fan interest centered on Aaron Burson (McRae GM1 and his race-long battle with Michael Lyons' father Frank (Gurney-Weslake) and Michael Whatley (Lola T300).Lap after lap Burson stalked Lyons Snr until he eventually found a gap and pounced. Once past he then set off after Whatley, making up another position to cross the line a satisfied seventh. "Frank's a great competitor and he certainly knows his racecraft," said Burson, whose own father Peter, who also drives a McRae GM1, finished not far behind in CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 18

Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell

13th place."I had to try a few times to finally get past him but I'm not complaining, because I think we both enjoyed it!" First Class A finisher was again Alan Dunkley, the 22-year-old former kart and Suzuki Swift Cup series front-runner completing a dream debut meeting in one of the oldest cars in the field, a family-run high-wing Lola T140. After a weekend-best seventh place finish in the rain-dampened third race of the weekend Dunkley battled Christchurch driver Dave Arrowsmith's Lotus 70 in the 15-lap feature, the pair rarely more than a car length or two apart until - after handing the advantage to Arrowsmith mid-race Dunkley found a way past down the inside through the first corner then pulled away to cross the finish line just behind 10th placed Shayne Windelburn. "Yes," Dunkley said, "I had a bit too much pressure in the tyres in case it rained and the tyres overheated. The engine got a bit hot too so I backed off for a couple of laps then got back on it with a couple to go." Dunkley's T140 was one of three early model Lolas contesting the third round of the MSC F5000 series at Hampton Downs with Australian John Bryant and American category original Eric Haga completing the finishing lineup. Haga, who brought with him the very same car he raced in the L&M Continental Series in the United States and Canada in 1970, reckoned his decision to come 'down under' to compete was one of the best he has ever made. "I've had a fantastic weekend. In fact right now I can't think Michael Lyons made it four wins from four starts at the third round of the MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series at the first of a place I'd rather be." NZ Festival of Motor Racing meeting at Hampton Downs over Race 3 (8 laps) The first race on Sunday the weekend. Behind him is new outright track lap record holder Steve Ross,and Clark Proctor. morning was postponed until after the lunch break in the hope that the track would dry but a short shower just before the delayed start saw cars back on stands as slick tyres were swapped for wets. Several drivers - Roger Williams, Stu Lush and David Banks amongst them - decided not to risk the changeable conditions, while Mark Dwyer could only sit and watch after his crew discovered a crack in his car's front left suspension upright as they were swapping front dry to wet tyres. As it turned out the race was very much decided when Kerry McIntosh spun his Begg FM2 exiting the final corner at the end of his second lap. The accident brought out the Safety Car and five of the next 8 laps were run under controlled conditions with pole man Michael Lyons leading from Ken Smith, Clark Proctor, Steve Ross and Brett Willis. With the track drying drivers like Willis and Class A standout Alan Dunkley who had elected to start on slicks had their decisions vindicated but with just one lap left to run when the Safety Car returned to the pits the order at the flag remained the same, Lyons winning from Smith, Proctor, Ross, Whatley, Willis, Dunkley, John MacKinlay and David Arrowsmith. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 19

Prepared by FAST COMPANY of behalf of the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 20

Photo credit: Fast Company/Alex Mitchell

Aaron Burson had been running just behind MacKinlay early on but he spun (harmlessly as it turned out) before the Safety Car came out, rejoining in13th place. SATURDAY Lyons's perfect weekend started on Friday with pole position in qualifying and continued with wins in both Saturday's 8-lap races, the first - in the morning - from series points leader Steve Ross, defending series champion Ken Smith and Clark Proctor, and the second from Smith, Mark Dwyer and Brett Willis. Missing, unfortunately, from the front-running pack was the driver who won all three races at the second New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing meeting last year, Canadian Jay Esterer (McRae GM1). After a heavy startline accident at the second round of this season's MSC F5000 series at Manfeild late last year the Canadian had to strip, rebuild and air freight out his second McRae GM1 to get it here in time for this weekend's meeting but a fuel leak in practice then full-on engine fire in qualifying put paid to his efforts to re-join the fray before they had even started. Having damaged his own Lola T332 in the startline accident at Manfeild, three-time series champion Ken Smith was also forced to revert to another car, in this case the familiar Lola T430 he has used with such effect for the past four seasons. Fastest starter in both races was Dunedin's Steve Ross but he and Proctor tangled as the field streamed into the first at the beginning of the second race leaving Lyons to win his second race unchallenged from Smith with Mark Dwyer third and Brett Willis a season-best fourth. Initially Michael Lyons led Smith and Dwyer and that's how the order was when the results came out, but on the track Steve Ross rejoined the race between Smith and Dwyer and circulated in third place (albeit a lap down) until the chequered flag came out. Alan Dunkley's distinctive highwing Lola T140 was first Class A (for older F5000 models) car home, finishing 11th in the first race and 10th in the secYoung Michael Lyons made it 4 wins from 4 starts ond. MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series competition continues at the second New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing - celebrating BMW Motorsport meeting next weekend. For more information about the two NZ Festival of Motor Racing - celebrating BMW Motorsport meetings go to www.nzfmr.co.nz.

2010/11 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series Race 1 (8 laps) 1. Michael Lyons 8:12.498 2. Steve Ross + 5.632 3. Ken Smith + 6.078 4. Clark Proctor + 8.782 5. Roger Williams + 19.613 6. Aaron Burson + 25.097 7. Brett Willis +25.886 8. Mark Dwyer + 26.169 9. Frank Lyons + 38.145 10. Michael Whatley + 39.334 1 11. Alan Dunkley + 43.564 12. John MacKinlay + 44.867 13. Shayne Windelburn + 53.462 14. David Arrowsmith + 58.628 15. Peter Burson + 1:03.15 16. David Banks +1:04.465 17. Tim Rush +1 Lap 18. Eric Haga + 1 lap 19. Kerry McIntosh + 1 lap 20. John Bryant + 1 lap 21. Warwick Mortimer + 2 Laps 22. Judy Lyons + 2 laps Fastest lap: Michael Lyons 1:00.813 DNS 2 Alastair Russell, Stuart Lush, Gregory Thornton, 27 Chris Lambden Race 2 ( 8 laps) 1. Michael Lyons 1.01.064 2. Ken Smith +5.579 3. Mark Dwyer +17.955 4. Brett Willis +34.878 5. Michael Whatley +35.078 6. Frank Lyons +36.349 7. Aaron Burson +47.344 8. John McKinley +47.344 9. Shayne Windelburn +50.796 10. Alan Dunkley +51.834 11. Greg Thornton +55.654 12. Stuart Lush +1.05.402 13. David Arrowsmith +1.05.712 14. Peter Burson + 1 lap 15. David Banks + 1 lap 16. Steve Ross + 1 lap 17. Kerry McIntosh +1 lap 18. Warwick Mortimer +1 lap 19. Tim Rush +1 lap

20. John Bryant + 1 lap 21. Eric Haga +1 lap 22. Judy Lyons + 1 lap dnf Clark Proctor, Roger Williams. Race 3 (8 laps) 1. Michael Lyons 8 laps 2. Ken Smith +2.048 3. Clark Proctor +2.261 4. Steve Ross +3.991 5. Michael Whatley +8.201 6. Brett Willis +8.664 7. Alan Dunkley +9.916 8. John MacKinlay +10.658 9. David Arrowsmith +13.225 10. Frank Lyons +13.584 11. Warwick Mortimer +14.219 12. Tim Rush +17.937 13. Aaron Burson +19.410 14. Eric Haga +28.219 dnf Kerry McIntosh dns John Bryant, Mark Dwyer, Roger Williams, Stuart Lush, Shane Windelburn, Greg Thornton, David Banks, Peter Burson, Judy Lyons. Race 4 (15 laps 1. Michael Lyons 15 laps 2. Steve Ross +9.671 3. Ken Smith +22.204 4. Clark Proctor +25.460 5. Mark Dwyer +32.323 6. Brett Willis +42.828 7. Aaron Burson +55.987 8. Michael Whatley +56.528 9. Frank Lyons +57.288 10. Shayne Windelburn + 1 lap 11. Alan Dunkley + 1 lap 12. David Arrowsmith + 1 lap 13. Peter Burson + 1 lap 14. David Banks + 1 lap 15. John Bryant + 2 laps 16. Eric Haga + 3 laps dnf Tim Rush, Stuart Lush, Judy Lyons dns Roger Williams, John MacKinlay, Warwick Mortimer. Â

CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 21

Mark & Sarah Williams 1961 Porsche 356

MAGIC OF MOTORING – THE FIRST RUN 1st January 2012 75 crews set off on New Years day from the Red Bull F1 Headquarters in Milton Keynes taking part in the annual Magic of Motoring Charity Classic and Vintage Car Run. Supported by Shell, Porsche GB and classic Porsche specialist Export 56 the event raised over £6000 for the ‘Friends of the Walnuts’ Milton Keynes based charity which is a school for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders. © Pete Austin

The First Run

Whilst raising money for this worthy cause the participants

Ben Brock & Mark Hallum - 1930 Lagonda Tourer

CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 22

Jaguar XKSS

were able to enjoy a relaxed drive through Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire countryside. After visiting a checkpoint in Stony Stratford the run finished in the Art Deco surroundings of the Aviator Hotel adjacent to the aerodrome at Sywell. In addition to enjoying refreshments, a Ian & Elizabeth Harvey - Citroen TA11 BL Legere

Murray Walker pub quiz was also laid on with the prize being a selection of Mac tools. The Sywell Aviation Museum was also open for those who wished to pay a visit. This was not a competitive event but some awards were made. The prize

Norton Brock & Dvid Samm 1929 Bentley Tourer CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 23

for car of the day was given to Ben Brock with his 1930 Lagonda. The award of best dressed crew went to Chas Jellis and Heda Kootz in their 1942 Willis Jeep. Finally the coveted ‘Golden Pickle Jar’ was awarded to Dave Wood and co driver Andy Baldwin in their Super 7. They not only managed to turn up late but unfortunately broke down 12 metres past the start line but soon got away and completed the event. All in the spirit of a very enjoyable day.

Ed McDonough & Keith Jiggle 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV-6

Roy Smith 1991 Morgan plus 4

Dave Morgan’s 1960 Porsche 356B Coupe and the Willis Jeep of Chas Jellis & Heda Kootz

Dave Wood & Andy Baldwin Super 7

CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 24

Autosport International Show By Simon & Janet Wright.

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Additional material by Pete Austin & Mick Herring. More than 80,000 people flocked to the Autosport International show, held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), near Birmingham between the 12th and 15th January 2012. The largest motorsport trade show in Europe, the first two days are trade days, and the weekend is open to the public. David Coulthard and Paul di Resta opened the show to the public on Saturday. Covering several large halls at the NEC, the show featured all aspects of motorsport, from grass track racing and karting for the beginners right through to a display of the majority of last years Grand Prix grid. Most of the major clubs and race series had stands displaying vehicles contesting their relevant championships. Key events such as the Silverstone Classic also had a large display area promoting the various types of races which will be held over their race weekend. Centre piece display was a tribute to the late, great Ayrton Senna (see separate feature), while at the other end of the show was a tribute to British Rallying heroes. This display featured the Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo winning Mini Cooper, the Roger Clark Ford Escort MkII, Richard Burn’s Safari Subaru Imprezza, Malcolm Wilson's Ford Escort Mk3 and Colin Mc Rae’s Ford Focus.

The British Women Racing Drivers Club had their annual Gold Star awards presented by John Surtees OBE on the MSA stand, with Gail Hill taking the GoldStars Club Award (above left) and Sarah Reader winning the GoldStars Elite award (above right).

Many manufacturers also attend the show to display their latest vehicles for racing. Caterham used the show to display how their range now spreads from Karting right through to Grand Prix, as the former Classic Team lotus have been renamed Caterham for the 2012 season. The Masters Series had a very interesting stand, right outside the Senna Tribute area. This year it consisted of all former Grand Prix cars and had a moth watering selection on display. Starting with an

ex-Nikki Lauda Ferrari T3 next to a James Hunt McLaren M23 and a Carlos Reutemann Brabham BT37. Behind them was an Arrows BMW and a pair of black and gold JPS Lotus cars of Nigel Mansell and Elio de Angelis.

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Coy’s arranged an auction at the show, and one of the main items for sale was a collection of Alan Mann racing vehicles for sale. the most interesting vehicle in this selection was the Ford P68 F3L sports racing car, built by Alan Mann racing in 1968 on behalf of Ford Europe. Ford withdrew from sports car racing at the end of 1967, leaving teams running the GT40 without factory support. With the rules changed to a 3 litre limit on engines for the most advanced Group 6 sports prototype class, Ford Europe decided to support a prototype built around the recently introduced 3 litre DFV V8 Cosworth engine. The body was designed by Len Bailey who had designed much of the bodywork on the classic Ford GT40. His design was to generate downforce from the long tail section without increasing drag but this did not work correctly as the car proved to be unstable at high speed to the point that John Surtees and Jack Brabham would not drive it. Resplendent in its Red and Gold colour scheme, this car had not proved successful in endurance racing. Its first race at Brands Hatch in 1968 saw Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme qualify 2nd but the car retired while leading the race, driven by Mike Spence, draughted in from the second car which had failed to qualify. After Spence death during practice for the Indianapolis 500, Chris Irwin was brought in to drive the second car at the Nurburgring. He lost control of the car in practice and was lucky to escape death, but his injuries finished his career as a driver. The other car failed to finish which was the result at every race the car was entered. The highlight of the season was when Frank Gardner took Pole position at Spa, only to retire on the first lap with an electrical failure. The car was entered in two further races in 1969 but again did not finish either event. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 27

60 Years of Formula 3 celebrated at the NEC. by Pete Austin The theme of the Historic Sports Car Club stand at this years Autosport International at the NEC was 60 years of Formula 3. A fine selection of cars ranging from the 500cc Cooper and Keift from the 1950s to the latest Dallaras were on display. On the Friday morning of the event Alan Thomas from the HSCC had organised a get together of former F3 drivers. A number of previous F3 champions were present including Tony Trimmer (1970), Jonathan Palmer (1981), Andy Wallace (1986) and David Brabham 1989. Andy Wallace was also reunited with his 1985 teammate at Swallow Racing, Tim Davies. The exciting 1 litre era was also well represented with drivers and cars. Looking immaculate was the Tecno (loaned by Julian Maynard) being Francois Cevert’s French F3 Championship winner which finished 4th at Monaco.

Lined up in the above photograph are a number of drivers from the 1 litre days. Seated on the car are Bev Bond (on the left) and Ian Ashley (on the right). The remaining drivers from left to right are Dave Berry, Steve Thompson, Natalie Goodwin, Peter Gaydon, Cyd Williams, Mike Watkins, Allan Rollinson and Chris Andrews whose company, the Baty Group, used to sponsor James Hunt among others. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 28

Amongst the other drivers present were Jackie Oliver, Tiff Needel and Bob Evans, who, like Ian Ashley, Tony Trimmer and Jonathan Palmer went on to drive in Formula 1. The HSCC must be congratulated for getting so many drivers together at the same time.

Patrick Sumner and Bob Evans

Natalie Goodwin raced various Brabham F3 cars in the mid 1960’s across Europe. She made 28 starts in the European F3 championship as well as races in France, Germany and Italy

F3 Champions - David Brabham 1989 Andy Wallace 1986 and Tony Trimmer 1970.

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Radical Launch SR3 SL By Mick herring

ÂŠ Mick Herring

Radical Sportscars chose the Autosport show for the worldwide press launch of their latest high performance model the SR3 SL. The SR3 has now been available for 10 years with a total of 730 cars sold, including racers. However, the new SR3 SL (Street Legal) represents a departure from the normal Suzuki Hyabusa motorcycle engined cars. The SL is powered by the latest Ford EcoBoost engine and after working closely with the VCA, the car has been awarded low volume Type-approval. Visually the car differs from previous SR3s in the size/attachment of the rear wing and seat comfort for longer road journeys between circuits. Receiving the type-approval certificate from senior VCA representatives were a large band of the family run Radical organisation including boss, Phil Abbott and sales director Nick Dove. Development has moved on considerably from the "stripey" car on show at Autosport last year and Phil remarked that he was probably better off not disclosing how helpful and supportive the VCA had been for the car, within earshot of Radical's competitors. Twenty SR3 SLs have already been delivered to their lucky owners, Radical having built and sold a total of 220 cars in 2011. As a further indicator of their recession proofing, the Radical SR3 RS is the car of choice in the emerging Indian motorsport market with exclusive use in the country's i1 Super Series. Consequently, Radical and sister company RPE (Radical Performance Engines), shared the Autosport stand, in their own right for the first time and the group remain one of Peterborough's largest employers. Furthermore, RPE's 2.7 litre, motorbike based V8 has been chosen to power the touring car series in Argentina. Proof, if it were needed, that the United Kingdom still drives the world of motor racing at all levels. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 30

PETER WARR BOOK LAUNCHED AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL. By Pete Austin

The new book by the late Peter Warr ‘ Team Lotus – My View From The Pit Wall’ was launched on the Classic Team Lotus stand at Autosport International. Present at the launch were Peter’s wife Yvonne and other members of his family, former Lotus chief mechanic Bob Dance (who still works for Classic Team Lotus) and Colin Chapman’s son Clive who is the managing director of Classic Team lotus. Also displayed on the stand was Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 97T/2 in which he won the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix and features in the iconic image on the front cover of the book showing Peter Warr welcoming Ayrton into Parc Ferme after the race. Sadly Peter Warr died before he had finished Yvonne Warr the book but well respected journalist Simon Taylor has added commentary and biographical additions together with a prologue and epilogue. Rather than being a biography as such the book contains chapters on his recollections of Colin Chapman, mechanics, drivers, engineers and Bernie Ecclestone. His thoughts on the drivers are particularly illuminating having worked with Fittipaldi, Peterson, Andretti and Senna to name but a few. He had an uneasy relationship with Nigel Mansell who, we also learn had his own difficulties with his Clive Chapman then teammate Elio de Angelis. With regard to Jochen Rindt there are some poignant paragraphs relating to that fateful weekend at Monza. Amongst Peter’s achievements for Lotus were taking up the challenge of leading the team following Colin Chapman’s death, retaining the support of JPS and Renault engines, bringing in designer Gerard Ducarouge and signing Ayrton Bob Dance Senna. A worthy addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in the history of that era in motorsport. The book is published by Haynes at £19.99. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 31

GT3 Chevron Launch By Mick Herring. Another significant new car/engine combination launched at the Autosport show was the Chevron GT3 and it's bespoke new engine. After some giant killing performances by the diminutive 2 litre Chevron GR8 in British GT and GT Cup, in the hands of Jordan Whitt/Anthony Reid and Jordan Whitt respectively plus a demonstration of the car's strength and safety in a huge accident at Donington , the Cheshire based family team realised that the simple concept of this car was a good basis for a much more powerful contender. For the new car, which can trace it's roots back to the Chevron B6/B8 of the 1960s, to handle the power of the new engine, numerous material upgrades have taken place under the outwardly similar bodywork profile. By necessity the car is wider to accommodate the wider wheels, attendant aero changes and wheel-arch air exits. However, the biggest change comes in the shape of the car's brand new engine, which is a joint venture between Chevron and Langford Performance Engines. When I spoke to them on the first day of the show, James Malkie, Helen Bashford-Malkie and the rest of the team were justifiably proud of their car and engine. The compact 3.5 litre Langford V6 produces 450 bhp but weighs only 118 kilos, compared to the GR8's 110 kilo, c250 bhp Ford four cylinder engine. Testing is due to begin shortly and if the Chevron GT3 follows the lead of it's little brother it will soon become a competent contender against the new breed of ultra sophisticated GT cars. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 32

Ayrton Senna tribute By Simon & Janet Wright

©Janet Wright

a Toleman TG183B-Hart 415T similar to the one driven by Senna in the first 4 Grand Prix of 1984, when he made his Formula 1 debut. The centre display was the Toleman TG184-Hart 415T which replaced the 183 part way through the 1984 season. This was the car that showed Senna’s potential when he finished 2nd at Monaco in the rain in only it’s second race. Senna also managed two more podiums with 3rd in Britain and Portugal. Next car on display was the yellow Lotus Honda turbo 99T from the 1987 season, the first Lotus fitted with electronic active suspension. This caused the car to be heavy and took 5% of the Honda’s power. Senna still managed to take 2 victories at Monaco and Detroit. For 1988 Senna moved to McLaren to drive the McLaren MP4/4 Honda alongside Alain Prost. This car and drivers combination set records for being the most successful Grand Prix car ever. The team won 15 of the 16 races during the 1988 season, with ten 1-2 results and although Prost had scored more points overall, Senna took the title as the CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 33

The centre piece of the Autosport International show was a tribute to the great Ayrton Senna. The display reflected key points in his Grand Prix career and included a large screen showing races from his Grand Prix career. As you entered the display, the first car was

championship only counted the best 11 results. The final car on display was the McLaren MP4/8 which Ayrton Senna had used to win the rain soaked 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park in what many considered to be his greatest Grand Prix victory. He won another 4 races during the season. The display really showed the class of this great driver, and there was also one of his early Karts that he used to start his career.

Porsche 918 RSR by Simon & Janet Wright. Porsche’s new hybrid 918 is designed as a successor to the all time classic racing Porsche, the 917 and the demonstration model at the show carries the number 22 in honor of the famous works Porsche 917 Le Mans victory in 1971. The 918 RSR is the GT racer of the future. The mid engined coupe is powered by a development of the RS Spyder V8 engine, producing 563 BHP. Additional power is generated when the car brakes. This power is stored in a flywheel accumulator mounted next to the driver in the cockpit. The additional power is then fed through two electric motors attached to the front wheels which produce 75 KW each. This gives the car the equivalent of 767 bhp.

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Ginetta G55 V8 Launch By Mick Herring. After an encouraging test, virtually on the way to the Autosport show, Ginetta launched their latest GT3 contender. The familiar orange G55 that we saw raced last season, complete with the striking swan-neck rear aerofoil uprights, now sports Ginetta's latest engine. In conversation, Ginetta boss, Lawrence Tomlinson told me that the aluminium blocked V8 of 4.35 litres produces well in excess of 500 bhp in a car that weighs only 1,100 kilograms. The engine was originally developed for the Indy Lights series by MCT (Menard Competition Technologies) from a Nissan base, but in line with the Ginetta company ethos of UK sourcing and producing everything possible in house, the new engine is indeed built in house by Ginetta. At approximately £150,000, Lawrence said that the frugal nature of his Yorkshire company would ensure the competitive new car would represent a significant cost saving to teams running them in competition with more exotic machinery.

Group C Peugeot 905

BARC Club stand

CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 35

Lola-Drayson B12/69EV 100% Electric racing car By Simon & Janet Wright. Drayson racing, founded by former UK Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Paul Drayson went in to partnership with Lola Group in July 2011 and at the Autosport show announced the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV, a 100% Electric racing car. Powered by Drayson Racing Technologies 4X2-640 electric drivetrain, it produces 640kW or 850 Bhp in qualifying trim which propells the car to a top speed of 320 kph with a 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. In race

mode it can run for over 15 minutes. The electricity is stored in a new generation of Lithium Nanophosphate battery cells made by A123 Systems and uses Qualcomm Halo wireless charging technology to recharge the batteries by parking over the special pads which uses wireless induction to coils in the floor of the car. The battery cells are stored in a battery pack manufactured by Mavizen and drive four axial flux Oxford YASA motors via inverters supplied by Rhinehart. There is no gearbox, it has a single reduction gear linking the drive from the electric motor to the driveshaft. Only the rear wheels are driven. Other special features are electrical regenerative damping, composite battery power and recyclable body panels. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 36

Praga has beautiful lines

750 Motorclub stand

50 years of the Lotus Elan

Saker had a couple of interesting points

Porsche Club stand CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 37

Piston Heads Show By Simon & Janet Wright. Run in conjunction with the Autosport International show is the annual Pistonhead show, which show cases high performance sports and road cars. There was a display of super cars high-lighting the best in the automotive world and included Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini, and McLaren to name but a few. Various Owners clubs put on displays along side various British specialist car manufacturMcLaren MP4-12C ers. There were several new cars on display at the show, making their UK public debuts. The new BMW 3 series made its first UK appearance on the Autocar stand, while the BMW Owners Club had a display of members cars and BMW had a separate display of the new Mini Countryman and the recently launched Mini Coupe, both of which were drawing a lot of attention. Other Owners clubs displaying cars included TVR and Nobel. The new BMW 320d Speaking of Nobel, they had a couple of cars on display including an M600 with a Carbon fibre body. Weighing

CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 38

just 1198 Kg. This hand built car produces 650 Bhp and has a power to weight ratio of 542 bhp per tonne from a Yamaha V8 4439cc engine. This is designed to be a drivers car, with no computer assisted driving aids and can accelerate from 0-120 mph in only 8.9

One of the stars of the Pistonheads show was the new WR3 V-Storm. This is the ultimate track day car with the exoskeleton type frame and powered by the iconic Subaru Imprezza turbo engine. The unique feature of this car is the

three seat cockpit layout with a central driving position which on track gives a true single seater driving experience.The Subaru Boxer 4 mid engine configuration helps to provide a low centre of gravity to improve handling.The transmission is modified from 4 wheel drive to a rear wheel drive transaxle, which again enhances the ‘racing driver’ experience. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 39

A new car to the British market at the Pistonheads show was La Bala from RTM. The kit is made by GraberCars in America. This lightweight mid engined sports car offers rear wheel drive and a 6 point race spec harness. The car is powered by the VXR 1.6 turbo engine and a 6 speed gearbox and has independent front and rear suspension. Nottingham based manufacturer Great British Sports Cars launched two new models at RTM supplied La Bala kit the show, the SR Zero kit in both race form and road trim. the race version is fitted with a 178 bhp 2 litre Ford Zetec engine on a 5 speed Trans-X gearbox. The fully integrated rollcage is built in to the tubular space frame chassis covered with a full alloy stressed skin of aluminium or stainless steel. The 060 mph is achieved in 3.5 secondsThe Race and road versions of the GBS SR Zero kit car road version is wider for extra comfort and the engine gives 176 Bhp with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. A standard 5 speed Ford gearbox is used fitted with a quick shift linkage

Hawk kit of the fabulous Lancia Stratos

Rocket mid engined track day car based on Ford Focus. The standard 1.8 litre 4 cylinder engine, transverse mounted, gives 060mph in under 5 seconds

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HISTORIC RALLY CAR REGISTER OPEN DAY Gaydon Heritage Centre. Saturday 14th January 2012. By Simon & Janet Wright and Pete Austin

The annual Historic Rally Car register open day took place at the Motor Heritage centre at Gaydon on Saturday 14th of January 2012. The event is mainly aimed at competitors of Historic rallies and Tours, with event organisers filling the main conference room with stands promoting events Erik Carlsson 3rd from left, next to a Saab 96 similar to what he won the all across the RAC Rally driving between 1960 to 1962 country. There are always a few classic rally cars parked outside to add a little interest to the proceedings. This year was special as the Historic Saab Rally Team were present for their annual prize giving and the awards were being presented by rallying legend Erik Carlsson. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of his third consecutive victory in the British RAC Rally, both Erik and his original co-driver Stuart Turner were present along with a Saab 96, similar to the one they used to win the RAC Rally in 1960, as driven by Nick Pinkett in the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally. This was in the familiar works damson Red colour.

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There was a second Saab 96 on display in the green colour scheme as rallied by Stig Blomqvist. Outside the conference room was a small line up of rally cars including the two Saab 96’s previously mentioned, along with a Sunbeam Rapier, a Vauxhall Chevette HSR, an Alfa Romeo and a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. Inside the conference room were a Ford Escort MkII another Ford Escort Mk1, an old MG and the Heritage centre had put out their MG Metro 6R4 Group B Rally car, next to

Paddy Hopkirk

the entrance to the main museum. The open day proved popular with the main room being full of people mixing and socialising while sorting out their events for this season. CLASSIC AND COMPETITION CAR FEBRUARY 2012 PAGE 42