Tim - this story keeps getting better & better ...
Printable View
Tim - this story keeps getting better & better ...
Thanks Andy, yes it was quite a surprise to discover the UK element of the cars competition history!
Peters first race was at the Mallory Park Nottingham Cup car races meeting on Sunday 28th July 1968; in a relatively small grid made up of mainly MG's and Healey's (three E Types failed to appear) Peter managed 4th overall and second in class.
It is interesting to note in the Motoring News report mention of the "racing exhaust system", this was the sports purpose bracket (901.111.153.00) and twin megaphones (901.111.035/6.00) that could be put on in place of the normal exhaust back box for closed circuit use and formed part of the competition Kit II (901.100.907.00).
Wonderful Tim. Just wonderful. What a story!............
Regards
Mike
The following weekend the car competed in two race meetings, on Saturday 3rd August 1968 it was the National Meeting at Crystal Palace whilst the following day it was the BARC Meeting at Thruxton.
At Crystal Palace having qualified 8th, Peter managed to climb to 4th overall and second in class whilst at Thrtuxton he qualified 12th for Race 1 but I have been unable to find his final position other than to know he didn't make the top 4. This supports the belief that the hillclimb/sprint nature of the gearbox ratios worked well on the tighter circuits but left the car struggling for top speed on fast open circuits such as Thruxton.
A few photos from the Crystal Palace meeting on 3rd August 1968:
He was up against some legendary names/drivers too - notably Bill Nicholson (MGB), Jem Marsh (Marcos), John Britten (Midget), etc
Another great chapter ...
Amazing... one of the best thread :)
Great research Tim, almost as enjoyable as the driving ! :)
The following weekend it was the Tootal Cup Car Races meeting at Mallory Park, in the 15 lap Special Sports Car Race Peter managed a third in class.
This intensive summer of competition continued at Brands Hatch on Sunday 18th August 1968 at the Amasco Trophy Car Races Meeting, result unknown at this stage although I have discovered that this race unfortunately saw a fatality when John Bending crashed his MG Midget at Pilgrim's Rise so it is possible that the race was never concluded?
One of the photos in the paddock shows Peter stood astride the road exhaust that was removed to allow fitment of the Sports Purpose megaphones for the race; whilst the unfinished wheels can be clearly seen.