News
Le Jog.
Confirmation that WSM 210 and owner Clive Cocks completed the five day, 2400 mile Lands End to John O’Groats trek, and achieved 2nd in class – more details later.
Historian Guy Loveridge found an interesting paragraph from volume II
Historian Guy Loveridge found an interesting paragraph from volume II of Richard Page’s “A Record of Motor Racing at Crystal Palace” – just out at £200 per 2 volume slip cased set –
‘6th August 1966 – National Meeting – Crystal Palace. Event 2 “Marque Sports Cars Race” – 10 laps. Up to 1150cc Class. Number 137 – Mike Lewis. WSM Sprite (DWS 97) 1139cc 8th on grid, being 2nd in class. Retired after 1 lap. There was a serious crash, Jim Warnell in a Spitfire being hospitalised. ‘
Great to know that whatever age you get to, toys are still important
Great to know that whatever age you get to, toys are still important. Tom Wheatcroft has perhaps the greatest toy box in
the world by dint of the fabulous Donington Grand Prix collection with accompanying Grand Prix circuit, and my well thumbed edition of ‘Thunder In The Park’ chronicles his life-long ambitions and achievements. It was a genuine treat to meet and talk with the man himself as he wandered through the museum, pictured courtesy of fellow visitor Simon Jones and his ‘phone camera.
‘In the mid sixties I kept spotting a strange little red GT car
‘In the mid sixties I kept spotting a strange little red GT car around the Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire lanes near home. Eventually I found it parked outside the cottage where it lived. It was a one-off WSM coupe based on an MG1100, owned by Mike Lewis, who I believe was Doug Wilson-Spratt’s son in law. He raced a pale blue WSM Sprite, with a red stripe and rather unusual American aluminium (or mag?) alloy wheels. It was towed to meetings behind the WSM 1100, a couple of which I attended with him as a sort of goffer. I lost touch but later followed his progress in the WSM MGB. The latter was at the Goodwood Revival a couple of years ago, its white paintwork having changed to red somewhere over the years.
Mike Lewis traded in sportscars. I later almost bought a Frogeye from him, in exchange for my hotted up Mini. Later I bought a Mk2 Sprite instead, for some reason, which I modified quite a bit but eventually became terminally distracted by the young lady in this photo’ (which may have to be removed. )
courtesy of David Beard / Atlas F1 Bulletin Board
Stirling Moss, John Sprinzel & PMO 200 at the Revival.
Click on a two-page report and pictures by kind permission of Revcounter magazine.
Solicitor Paul Freeman, MGB racer with Equipe GTS grids, has found a
Solicitor Paul Freeman, MGB racer with Equipe GTS grids, has found a very early Austin Healey Sprite from 1958 that was bodied and raced in period by Alexander Engineering. Restoration of the car, which is known to have competed at Montlhery and won its class in the Coupe de Salon in 1959, is being carried out by Healey specialists Paul Woolmer and Paul Webb at Colmworth Classic Cars in readiness for the 2007 season.
Message received today from California –
I recently purchased a Lenham GT Coupe and information is not easy to find. Could you go to my website, which is
www.geocities.com/garyamck and have a look at the photos. Please help with any information you have. Also there was a WSM GT race car, driven by Dave Chichester in the Sports Car Club of America, San Francisco region in Class E – production during the mid 1960s. I remember being much impressed with it. If you know Mr Chichester, please tell him his race fans still remember him. Thanks. Gary McKillips
Top Hat Raceday – Mallory 8th October
With WSM’s hibernating for winter, Guy Loveridge’s invite to share a Sunbeam Rapier at what has become for many a
traditional ‘season ender’ was a bonus. To then get two races on the day was an unexpected plus, although
series organiser Julias Thurgood delivered a stern warning to all regarding driving standards after a morning of practice marred by incident, minor and major ( Mark Lister, AH Sprite pilot pictured, was on the receiving end of one over excited ace). The big stick yielded results, and the afternoon then produced some of the most exciting racing of the season with no apparent differences of opinion.
Despite being in the slowest class available, petrol heads will appreciate that tail -end Charlies can incorporate a huge amount of fun with a bit of effort, and Richard Cross in the Riley 1.5 was the main protagonist in the Oldies But Goldies race. As a comparison, 58s laps in a WSM Sprite last season had less drama than 1m 07s laps in a plucky, but porky and cumbersome Sunbeam Rapier which is usually driven home. In the
Top Hat Historic Touring Cars however, she did exceed limited expectations to win a minor class award of Dunlop tyres and trophy for a post-anorexic owner, and beat the Utting/Gill Rapier to boot, but the indiscretion after
11 laps in the Oldies But Goldies was caused by a sheared throttle linkage. A good view of the action at Shaws for the rest of the race was no consolation, but after watching photographer Ian Wilson at work following his return from holiday, I guarantee he will not approve of my camera skills. ( picture of the Rapier on the pit straight was created by turning the camera lens quickly from right to left for an illusion of speed ).
Quote of The Day – 9.00am on Sunday morning, and the curvy Jenny Baker-Carr on receiving the Rapiers drivers details in front of a queue at race administration -. “Did’nt recognise you with your clothes on.” , which may or may not have been a reference to the Startline Studs calendar of 2006, and the skills required to make a lot from very little with help from calendar photographer Ian Wilson.
Tip Of The Day – getting fingers entangled in the steering wheel chrome horn ring while negotiating Shaws hairpin and inadvertantly beeping the crowd attracts hoots of derision.
Pass Of The Day – Roger Bowman or Richard Butterfield, whichever Mk1 Jaguar pilot that somehow avoided collecting the slowing Rapier as we came to an ignominous halt out of Shaws on lap 11 in OBG.
Tourist Invasion – Rae Davis celebrates a race win at Mallory in the A35 with a holiday to the Isle of Man this week. Every cloud has a silver lining though, and wife Avril is coming too.
Click on for results
Click on to watch the late Ray Hannah administer a number one to
Click on to watch the late Ray Hannah administer a number one to Alain de Cadanet.
Sir John Whitmore, Tony Dron and Mark Hales report from a drivers eye
Sir John Whitmore, Tony Dron and Mark Hales report from a drivers eye view at the 9th Goodwood Revival
courtesy of the Daily Telegraph
Maserati 250F.
Perhaps the most iconic monicker in motorsport, and one which makes joints weaken at the mention of. If a colleague gets to pilot one, then maybe I should prefer not to know and my jealous streak can remain hidden. Pictured is Guy Loveridge on Lord March’s drive at the Festival of Speed in June.
Jaguar XK150S.
News from Eugen Schmid in Switzerland that the car is earning its keep, and with tow equipment re-attached. Pictured at the Patek Philippe Rally in Neuchatel and at the BCCM in St Moritz –
16 June 2006
16-06-2006 Letter re-printed with kind permission of Barry Pinkerton in California – ‘Glad that all things Wuzzum seem to be going well. I read with interest the recent article in C & SC on the WSM 3000. I don’t remember ever seeing it in the metal, but it certainly looks to be a very attractive car. I’ve been looking through some old photos again and came across one of a 1962 Riley 1.5 which I purchased from Delta Garage
in the late 60’s. This was taken in Spain in 1969 following a very pleasant high speed run from the UK. What an under-rated car. The only trouble I recall was with the gear lever – it came off in my hand, guv, honest. I sold the Riley back to Delta but don’t recall what I replaced it with.
Perhaps Douglas will find this picture amusing on his 85th Birthday! A Sporting Owner Drivers Club awards affair sometime in the early to mid 1960’s. The Ayers brothers, Ken and Derek, are acting as bookends to Patricia Walton, Douglas, Malcolm New and me. Reckon I got a really small award that year, as I seem to be trying to hide it up the sleeve of my obviously rented tuxedo.
I thought you might enjoy the third attachment, being a colour photo from the sepia era! My Dad took it, probably in 1955/6.
It is the 1910 10-litre Fiat he owned for years and which was a well-known Brooklands car previously run by John Cobb and Anthony Heal and before that was rumoured to have won the French GP one year.
As you can probably tell from the photo, it was a rough and ready old thing that had always been ridden hard and put away wet – probably why I loved it so much! It was raced most of its life and had many a dice with Sam Clutton’s gorgeous Itala when my Dad had it. We took it on invitation to the Brooklands 50th Anniversary, I recall. Maybe someone in the WSM community knows what happened to the big Fiat. I haven’t seen or heard of it being used in competition in the UK for more than 40 years, but then I haven’t lived there for 30 years! The 100th Anniversary must be due soon, so I wonder whether it will re-appear there.
We lived in the background house in Dunstable at the time but, progress being a wonderful thing it was knocked down in 1957 to make way for a Tesco. I often wonder what happened to the Fiat, which as a teenager I often used to “drive” on the end of a tow rope to and from meetings. I might run this by C& SC to see if anyone in the wider world knows where it is (Italy, I suspect – probably horribly over-restored and worth an absolute fortune.) How I came to find that my Dad had sold it, in 1962, is one of those amazing coincidences in life! A friend and I had decided to take my little Fiat 500 Abarth on a summer holiday quest to reach the Arctic Circle (in Finland, which we did) and were overnighting in a remote mountaintop hotel in the Bygdyn area of Norway. We overheard native English being spoken at breakfast and, being in a foreign country, did the usual Stanley/Livingstone greeting only to find that the gentleman (whose name I don’t recall) came from Tring. He knew my name because he had bought the Fiat from my Dad just the previous week. He even produced several photographs of it at the breakfast table, to my absolute astonishment. I never saw the big Fiat again.’
click on for amazing in-car laps with the Dutch Supercar Challenge
‘Big Healeys In Competition’ – John Baggott
Available now – a definitive history of the ‘big Healey’ in action by the author who completed a similar task in excellent style with Spridgets and MGB’s . The WSM 3000 features with Malcolm Bridgeland and ‘Pete The Healey’ contributing. Ring John on 01892 862656 or fax 01892 862253 for a signed copy.
Goodwood Revival 2006.
Invitations for WSM’s have arrived for the September classic’s Fordwater Trophy race. See Race News for more details
Michael Ware, contributor to Classic & Sportscar, penned a brief
Michael Ware, contributor to Classic & Sportscar, penned a brief article on the WSM 3000 in the June 2006 edition.
Good to see ex-WSM MGB owner Tony Bianci winning a 50’s Sportscar
Good to see ex-WSM MGB owner Tony Bianci winning a 50’s Sportscar race at Silverstone in his Allard Farrellac
WSM 210.
All hands to the pumps as WSM 210 broke a piston ring at Snetterton on Sunday during the Equipe GTS race. As the gearbox also proved troublesome, both units need attention before Clive can catch the boat to the Isle of Man from Liverpool on Thursday morning for the Manx Classic.
Recent finds, courtesy of Paul Woolmer – an evocative pic from Ted
Recent finds, courtesy of Paul Woolmer – an evocative pic from Ted Walker at Ferret Fotographics of DW-S at work in the 1963 Monte Carlo, and an interesting advert in the February 1973 edition of Auto Enthusiasts Magazine.
Photographs of the Enzo Ferrari that crashed at 160 mph in Malibu a
Photographs of the Enzo Ferrari that crashed at 160 mph in Malibu a week ago on the Pacific Coast Highway. The occupants were lucky to walk away after impact with a power pole –
Thank you to our Scots and Gallic pals for their touching concern
Thank you to our Scots and Gallic pals for their touching concern regarding England rugby’s health after the match at Stade Francais on Sunday. We watched Les Miserables on Saturday at the Queens Theatre in London, where there was passion, commitment and flair, no-one forgot their lines and no substitutes were needed. Then we went to Paris.
WSM Sprite 1/42nd models available, WSM 201 (blue), 202 & 210
WSM Sprite 1/42nd models available, WSM 201 (blue), 202 & 210 (red), 206 green, 207 (white, blue stripes) etc. A production run may help reduce costs and lead to further models (WSM 3000, WSM MGB) being built. Email wsmcars.com for further details.
28 January 2006
28-01-06 Barley Mow. Equipe GTS drivers toasted a worthy season with dinner at the famous West Horsley pub. A photoshoot for the calendar took place shortly after –
2006 Equipe GTS calendar
Left to right – Doug Smith (MG Motorsport). ‘Spadge’ Hopkins & Zandvoort trophy. John Pearson & Novice of Year Trophy. Hosts Christophe Willmart & Jim Lowry. Golden Oldie Shield & Brian Lambert. Barry Sidery-Smith presents Tom Smith with GTS
series winner trophy. BS-S 70th birthday cake. Top GTS dogs James Cottingham, Tom Smith and Malcolm Johnson. Brian Lambert dreams of twice a year. Simon Gurney receives ‘Spirit of the Series’ from last years winner Rod Longton. And finally, Mr Pastry on the prowl.
Ed – The Big Brother producers know where to come for their next candidates.
13 January 2006, Rae & Display.
WSM 207 features on Julius Thurgood’s Top Hat racing series stand at the Autosport Show at Birmingham’s NEC 12th-14th January. The car has been on display at the Middlesex branch of Moss (Europe) Ltd in London, and owner Rae Davis hopes for more race opportunities in 2006.
pictures courtesy of Mick Fuller & Guy Loveridge
09/01 Breaking Cover. WSM 208 –
06/01/06 Bon Chance.
Happy New Year from Eric Grundey, the MG specialist on the Isle of Man who moved to France with wife Linda in 2005. Life is good in Levignac de Guyenne, but the Octagon business went with him and his expertise is missed here. Merde.
Race news
Click on logo for Dijon season finale October 7th & 8th
‘Equipe’ GTS at Dijon.
from our French correspondant
The 2006 season closed with another “double header” at the most favoured driver’s circuit in France, the prestigious Trophées Historiques de Bourgogne on the full Dijon-Prenois GP circuit. Malcolm Johnson created a lot of attention in the paddock with his brand new and freshly restored TVR Grantura, but it was Brian Lambert who headed the field after the wet qualifying session and took pole position from Tom Smith. However, it was Tom who led from start to finish to win race one.
Race two saw James Cottingham’s MGB win by less than 2 seconds from Tom Smith, but the writing may be on the wall for the dominance of MGBs in future “Equipe”GTS races with Malcolm Johnson’s TVR setting fastest lap and taking the lap record.
Pictures courtesy of Pat Arculus
Other class winners included Iain Rowley – Lotus Elite, Nick Smith – Alfa Romeo GTA, John Andon – Triumph TR4 and Nick Wilkins – Jaguar XK120.
Click on here for race results
Click on logo for Zandvoort report 9th/10th September from the Sprite
Click on logo for Zandvoort report 9th/10th September from the Sprite racing series –
‘Equipe’ GTS at Oulton Park.
A baked Cheshire countryside provided the perfect backdrop to another 30 + grid for the Virgin Radio Classic Rock series, and for a WSM season ender, they don’t come much better than this, although on track not all went according to WSM plan.
PRACTICE – Tom Smith pulled out a stunning 2.05.87 lap for pole, an impressive mark when set against perennial rival James Cottingham who was quick with 2.07.09 around the full International circuit. Brian Lambert impressed with third spot, pushing TR’s and TVR’s down the pack, and it
was good to see the Elva Courier on track with Chris Dady and Spadge Hopkins. A bunch of familiar foes gathered at the 2.15 mark, with George Edney, Marc Yates, James Willis and David Beresford all pipping the WSM MGB at 2.16, and the overweight MGB of Tim Patchett (his words, in that order) and Bob Allen in his unfamiliar lidded surroundings, continue to improve. Click on here for practice times.
RACE – A 45 minute duel with compulsory pit-stop was to be hot work, and Tom Smith and James Cottingham certainly warmed to their task. The MGB’s of Lambert Snr (son Mark won’t appreciate a near 3 second lap deficit) and Jeremy Cottingham stayed within range, as Neil Howe and John Andon were never far apart in their TR4’s. The top two were not to be challenged unless mechanical woe or driver error reared their heads, which prompted Smith to spin down the field after three laps and surge back into contention, while James Cottingham plunged into the gravel at Druids with ten minutes left on the clock. A safety car period to recover not just the Cottingham MGB brought the field back together with pit-stops having been completed, with most of the field in the allotted period. A WSM in particular failed to note the passing of time and came in one minute late after gauging incorrectly that his hot, unaccompanied laps were up to scratch. This was rewarded with a stop-go penalty, ably signalled as ‘IN’ but interpreted by the driver as ’11’. Blithely pressing on and hoping to catch 10th place man, but which was in fact Graham Bates who was having his best result to date in 14th, subsequent black flags went unseen until the chequered version came out. The headmistress was not amused and a 3 point spanking was administered.
When the safety car peeled off, Tom Smith took the sprint to the flag and deservedly earnt the winners plaudits, with Brian Lambert excelling in second and Jeremy Cottingham reaping third spot after clipping two full seconds from his best practice lap time. Click on here for results, which are pre-30 second WSM time penalty.
Action pix courtesy of
Pat Arculus
Goodwood Revival – ‘Sensational’ Fordwater Trophy.
Sell Out Week-End Audience of 110,000
click here for John Sprinzel interview by Neville Haye
click here for a two-page Rev Counter ‘Spritely Revival’ report from Mike Wylie
For those petrol heads whose passion is lured by slippery bodied coupes from the 1960’s, there was only one place to be on
Friday 1st September, and that was trackside as practice got underway at 10.15am for the third grid on the card of the fabulous West Sussex event. John Sprinzel and wife Caryl made the trip from Hawaii, and were thrilled to watch a grid full of Sebrings, SLR’s (Sprinzel-Lawrence Racing), Ashley, Lenham and WSM cars, and with former racing buddies Jack Wheeler, Peter Jackson,
Cyril Simpson and Douglas Wilson-Spratt present. Most memorably, Stirling Moss was driving PMO 200 again, a car that both Sprinzel and Moss had raced in period and which had been restored from basket case
condition by Paul Woolmer.
PRACTICE – The SLR Morgan Plus 4’s of Keith Ahlers and Adrian Van Der Kroft predictably set the pace in dry conditions at the head of a 30 car grid, but
Tommasi, Burnett and Hulett were in the hunt, and more so should a forecast wet track materialise on race day. Jim Lowry had a brush with the barriers but with ‘Spadge’ Hopkins and Rob Cull’s help, 202 was ready for the race. Click here for qualifying times.
RACE – A wet and greasy track failed to dull an exciting race as the SLR’s struggled to keep the Rae Davis prepared Ashley Sprite of Tommasi at bay. Autosport magazine described the race as ‘sensational’, with drama soon unfolding as the gearbox seized in Woolmers Sebring and pitched him into a roll at Woodcote on lap 2, and Jim Lowry
suffered brake problems and spun dramatically at the chicane before retiring. Having set fastest lap to lead, Tommasi spun, recovered and still gave the
Ahlers SLR a real run for his money until the Italian plunged into the gravel at Woodcote on lap 11, much to the crowds disappointment. Ahlers said later that if the Sprite driver had stayed cool, the race was his to win. Ivor Miller’s white WSM 207 broke a half shaft after 6 laps, and Barry Sidery-Smith in the MGA twin-cam was having a scrap with Moss, likewise Chris Clegg, Martin Davidson and James Willis were within a second of each others times. Hulett disputed 3rd
place through the opening corner, and kept WSM 301 in 5th before a spin at Madgewick, but then recovered four of the lost five places. David Wylie came through from 10th on the grid to a courageous 5th and best placed Sprite.
The WSM MGB had been running with Mark Hales for 10th in the Sunbeam Harrington’s Alpine for the latter half of the race by virtue of greater straight line speed.from the
aerodynamic MGB based car – until the WSM driver ran out of talent at the last corner of
the last lap – but the journalist was masterful in his handling of the Alpine. Moss put a smile back on Woolmer’s face with a calm drive to 11th, while Davidson’s drive to 8th from grid 17th was just reward for the Jack Wheeler car. Dave Stubbings steered the Lenham GT to 15th and ‘big boy’ Clive Cocks brought home WSM 210 to a solid 16th place. Ahlers and Van Der Kroft confirmed their top dog status, while Trevor Groom picked up the final podium spot after starting 6th. Click here for race results.
Left to right – Alex Wilson-Spratt, Natalie Wilson-Spratt, Nicola Hulett and Christopher Hulett
Sir John Whitmore, Tony Dron and Mark Hales report from a drivers eye view at the 9th Goodwood Revival
courtesy of the Daily Telegraph
A1 The Raj theme for the Ball was responsible for some shocking sights
A 2 Goodwood first timer Gordon Elwell enjoyed the spectacle
A5, D2 & D5 Ian and Maggie Hulett enjoyed the company
B1 & E6 Paul Woolmer & Sebring Sprite 46 BXN
B2 & D3 Spadge Hopkins left, and Rob Cull check Jim Lowry is awake in WSM 202.
B3 & B4 Natalie Wilson-Spratt attracted a close admirer in Harry Bishop
B5 The David Wylie Speedwell leads the Antonio Bertini car through the chicane
C3 third from left Paul & Yvette Webb, Claire Wilson-Spratt & Ian Hulett
C4 The McManus grandchildren Luke and Miles
C6 The Elwells
D1 & E4 Driver Ivor Miller primed for his first race in a WSM
D4 Murray Henderson administered the yellow flash on WSM 301’s snout a few days before the event
D5, left to right WSM 301 driver Ian Hulett, Maggie Hulett and Clive Cocks
E1, E2 Sebring Sprite PMO 200
photographs courtesy of Phil (Scoop) Broster
ASIDES – Thanks to Double Decker Living for supplying the accomodation. Although nearly lynched by the surrounding tented campers for a generator starting up at 2.45am on Friday morning, the vehicles were first class.
Douglas Wilson-Spratt, Jim McManus and Peter Jackson were interviewed by Christophe Willmart from Retroviseur, a glossy French magazine – copy available in 2007.
Good to meet so many people calling past to see the WSM’s – MGB engine builder Ted de la Riviere, ex-WSM owner Clive Rooke & son and grandson, Gordon Cruickshank from Motorsport magazine, aviators Chris & Mavis Parker, Bill Emerson from the USA, Richard Evans, Sprite racers Mark Lister and Simon Page, WSM fibreglass expert Ray Halsall, auctioneer Guy Loveridge, and Peter Hearsey from the Isle of Man.
In-car camera recorded Stirling Moss at work in PMO 200 and Mark Hales in the Sunbeam Alpine Harrington.
The Manx Motor Racing Club stand highlighted the forthcoming Manx Classic in April 2007 and was ably represented by Patrick Carroll and Edwin Faulkner.
Televised coverage of the Revival is scheduled for Tuesday October 24th on ITV1 at 11.00pm.
pictures courtesy of Paul Webb, Claire Wilson-Spratt, Peggy McManus, Goodwood & Dr John
Press for Sebring Sprite website report
Click on for report from Ultimate Car Page
Click on for Goodwood pictures
Click on for Goodwood YouTube video
Sprinzel At Goodwood Revival.
The icing on the Sebring cake is news that John Sprinzel will be making the trip from Hawaii. It had seemed highly unlikely the creator of Sebring Sprite PMO 200 would join Stirling Moss who is driving the car, but now a remarkable grid featuring a true 60’s Sebring versus WSM v Speedwell battle really has an audience to perform to with Douglas Wilson-Spratt, Peter Jackson and Jim McManus also attending. The form guide would suggest the two Plus 4 SLR Morgan’s of Adrian Van Der Kroft and Keith Ahlers could dominate the Fordwater race, much as Willie Green did in 2003 in the glorious Alpha TZ2. Moss knows Goodwood like the back of his hand, but less predictable are the remainder, with WSM drivers Ivor Miller and Jim Lowry in the mix with Paul Woolmer’s Sebring and James Willis in the Jacobs Coupe who will be punting for top ten places, while Ian Hulett in WSM 301 has the ability to emulate David Gathercole’s scintillating drive in the same car in 2003. Barry Sidery-Smith in the MGA twin-cam will be in the hunt, but unknown quantities such as the XK140 lightweight, two Porsche-Abarth Carrera’s and two Abarth Simca 2000GT’s will be gunning for glory. Click on here for a full grid listing.
Footnote – Ian Hulett has WSM 301 running, 24 hours after the car was delivered to him at Watford Gap service station on the M1 (apologies for the wait – my watch was on Manx time) minus engine and gearbox. It takes me longer than that to find the dipstick! Ed.
11th August – NEWS JUST IN. Alongside AW-S in the WSM MGB, Ivor
11th August – NEWS JUST IN. Alongside AW-S in the WSM MGB, Ivor Miller in
WSM 207, Paul Woolmerin Sebring BXN and Stirling Moss in PMO 200
WSM 207, Paul Woolmerin Sebring BXN and Stirling Moss in PMO 200, Goodwood Revival entries also confirmed
for Jim Lowry in WSM 202, Clive Cocks in WSM 210 and Ian Hulett in
for Jim Lowry in WSM 202, Clive Cocks in WSM 210 and Ian Hulett in WSM 301.
From our Belgian correspondant 5th/6th August – ‘Equipe’ GTS at Spa.
Thirty six cars ( twenty two MGBs, two MGAs, three T Types, two TVR’s, two TR4’s, one each Elva Courier, Sunbeam Alpine Le Mans car, MG Midget Coupe, Alfa Romeo GTA, and Austin Healey 100M took to the Ardennes rollercoaster for two twenty minute qualifying sessions on Friday. The first practice was definitely wet, while the second was between showers with a damp track. The three MGB musketeers topped the times, with Tom Smith reversing recent fortunes with a storming pole lap some three seconds clear of James Cottingham on 3.30 and Malcolm Johnson on 3.31.
The 45 minute race was blessed with an unusual absence of rain or mist, but Smith spun out on the first lap. Johnson retired with a blown core plug after 3 laps, while John Andon’s TR fell by the wayside with overheating after 4 laps. The unfortunate Rod Begbie came to grief at Eau Rouge at 8 laps in the TVR, but meanwhile Cottingham was cruising in the lead and had a comfortable half hour. It seemed a foregone
conclusion until at the 35 minute mark, Smith loomed large in the Cottingham wake. A combination of no pitlane board and easing off the gas had caused Cottingham to fall back into Smith’s sights. Better yet, Smith scrambled past with 2 laps left. Cottingham responded and posted fastest lap, but could’nt pierce Smith’s defence until a last lap missed gear change by Smith gave Cottingham a sniff exiting the bus-stop and they entered La Source side by side. The inside line proved crucial for Cottingham, and the fractionally earlier acceleration edged Smith out by less than a second at the line. Dramatic stuff.
MGB mounted Brian Lambert posted a fine third, but a minute back from the scrap that raged up front, with Jeremy Cottingham fourth and Simon Watson hoisting the TR flag with a class win amongst the swarming B’s, while James Willis in the Midget Coupe and John Bussey in the MGTC also claimed class honours. Rod Longton declared ( for the 8th time as we can recall ) that this race was to be his last. He has raced since the early 1950s, but at the prizegiving, series organiser and Murray Walker wanabee Christophe Wilmart asked Rod if he would be racing at Dijon? Rod replied; “Oh, I think I might”.
Jeremy Cottingham and Tom Smith’s engines were measured after the race and both were found to be 100% legal. As with each Equipe GTS race this season, engine capacity checks have been made randomly and without penalty.
Next race – Oulton Park Saturday September 9th
WSM’s At Goodwood Revival Test Day
The WSM MGB, WSM 202 of Jim Lowry and WSM 210 with Clive Cocks tested at the Sussex circuit, alongside the Sebring Sprite PMO 200 of Paul Woolmer and other Revival entries. All four cars ran well through the afternoon sessions, which was particularly good news considering the recently completed restoration of PMO 200. Stirling Moss is now confirmed to drive the Sebring in the Fordwater race.
left to right WSM 202, WSM 210, en masse x 2, PMO 200, 210 with Jack Wheeler, Clive Cocks, Paul Woolmer,
Jara Venables, Lizzie and Sharon Woolmer. Pictures courtesy of Paul Webb
WSM visitors are welcome to the Revival on September 1st/ 3rd. The cars feature in the Fordwater Trophy race on Saturday at 11am, and designer Douglas Wilson-Spratt will be there to supervise. Please call in and see the WSM’s in the paddock, and join us in the WSM HQ,
a converted Olympian double decker bus provided for the duration of the event in competitors car park E by Double Decker Living Ltd of London.
From our correspondant in England – ‘Equipe’ GTS at Brands Hatch 15th
From our correspondant in England – ‘Equipe’ GTS at Brands Hatch 15th July
A hot and sunny day at the Kent amphi-theatre saw another large gathering of FIA specification MGB’s in company with representitives from Elva, TVR, WSM, Triumph and Alfa Romeo under the ‘Equipe’ banner. Headlining the grid was James Cottingham in 2 GJJ, the ex-works MGB driven by Alec Poole and Roger Enever that, almost to the day, finished 3rd overall in the Ilford Films 1000 at Brands in July 1966. The three MGB musketeers Cottingham, Tom Smith and Malcolm Johnson tied up the front of the grid with 59 second laps, with the Rod Begbie TVR Grantura, John Aldon TR4 and Peter Barnard Elva Courier filling their mirrors with 60 second laps. At weigh-in after practice, Tim Patchett’s MGB seemed to be carrying all the pies, but on further inspection, a ‘boot (i) full’ of spare wheel and toolbox explained his new ‘Bernard Matthews’ nickname. The race confirmed Cottingham’s status, despite Tom Smith’s sideways style at Paddock Hill bend which entertained the large crowd, but failed to keep 2 GJJ at bay. While a familiar Cottingham, Smith, Johnson train filled the podium, newcomer Barnard’s excellent fourth place in the second Elva Courier ever made strengthened the selection hand which event organiser Jim Lowry deals. The Elva of Jon Gross had overheating problems and retired early, while the Ron Cody MGA forgot to make a pit stop until 5 minutes from the end of the race and was penalised an extra lap on the results. Clive Cocks and WSM210 found five seconds to better his quickest lap last year – and was told not to be so careless in future. The WSM202 of Jim Lowry was one second slower this year and evidently the blame lay with ring rust after Zandvoort last year. Full details were not forthcoming due to the delicate nature.
Click here for practice and race results
Next race – Spa Francorchamps August 4th-6th
Battle Of The Brits In Thrilling Eurotour Opener – click on logo for
Battle Of The Brits In Thrilling Eurotour Opener – click on logo for latest race news from the top European Sprite series.
‘Equipe’ GTS & Extra Curricula at Zandvoort.
It is the time of year for Englishmen to be dancing around the Maypole waving hankerchiefs in the air, but a few of the GTS grid demonstrated their flag waving prowess instead to their Dutch hosts –
Tom Smith took pole position for the two races, and went on to win both despite James Cottingham in the ex-works car taking fastest laps and runner up. These were Tom’s first GTS wins this season. Malcolm Johnson, following a great run of form, had a wiring problem in race one and retired from third spot, with Brian Lambert picking up the pieces from the TVR of Rod Begbie in fourth. Marc Yates was penalised by the Clerk of the Course for overtaking under yellow flags, and the imaginative penalty was a one hour stint of flag marshalling later in the day. Tom Smith and Jeremy Cottingham thought that was a hoot come Saturday night and a couple of beers. In race two, the top three drivers, Smith, Cottingham and Johnson were all cautioned for yellow flag infringements. Cue Marc Yates and his supervision of flag marshalling later on Sunday. Johnson drew some consolation with a podium spot from Begbie in fourth, while ex-F1 driver Jan Lammers finished 21st overall in the Le Mans Spitfire just behind the Norrie Nicholls TVR in race two. The Lammers drive was organised through owner Mark Field as a present for the Dutchman’s 50th birthday in his godfathers Le Mans car, and he took an impressive 3 seconds out of Colin Elstrop’s first race lap times – Colin is no dud behind the wheel either. Lammers spoke to the crowd at the prizegiving and explained how much fun it was to drive his godfathers car, and the class winning ‘Equipe’ GTS trophy will take a place of honour in his collection of trophies.
pictures courtesy of Pat Arculus
‘Equipe’ GTS organisers Jim Lowry and Christophe Willmart again supplied the largest grid of the week-end with 37 cars, and drivers enjoyed two hours, ten minutes track time and a brilliant Saturday evening dinner with free wine and beer. Next round at Brands Hatch July 15th – need we say more?
Click here for pictures of ‘Equipe’ GTS at Zandvoort on May 28th 2006
‘Equipe’ GTS at Donington.
The second race on the must-do calendar was May 13th at Tom Wheatcroft’s fabulous Leicestershire circuit. Thirty-eight cars started
practice, with Tom Smith taking pole, Brian Lambert hitting the ground running with second fastest and James Cottingham third. A full grid, with reserves watching from the grandstand, again produced one of the best races of the day, which meant events did not go to practice form. James Cottingham powered to the win, while Malcolm Johnson took a tipple of Red Bull and took wings from 6th to 2nd place, with Tom Smith 3rd. Battles were had throughout the grid, not least of which involved husband and wife Colin and Helen Elstrop. A half second margin separated the squabbling duo, but was Colin earning brownie points and settling for second.? Class winners John Andon – TR4 6th o/a. Brian Arculus – Lotus Elite 8th o/a. Nick Smith – Alfa Romeo GTA 16th o/a.
Nick Wilkins – XK120 24th o/a. Colin Elstrop – Spitfire Le Mans 23rd o/a. Click here for results sheets. The series moves on to Zandvoort on May 27th for two 30 minute races.
Pictures courtesy of Paul Webb – copies available on request
8 May 2006, Goodwood Revival Request.
All brown envelopes were ignored this morning as the white one with the Sussex postmark got the attention. Paul Woolmer with the Sebring 46 BXN and Sprinzel’s PMO 200 are in, as are the WSM MGB and Rae Davis’s WSM 207 driven by Ivor Miller. PMO 200 may yet have a certain S. Moss driving, and the grid is not finalised for a while – hope for more WSM’s is not lost. The Fordwater Trophy race is for endurance racing sports and GT cars of a type that raced between 1959 and 1966, and is a 14 lapper around the 2.4 mile circuit. Practice is on Friday 1st September, and race 11am on Saturday 2nd.
The successful formula created and developed since 1998 by the Goodwood Motor Racing Company continues, and the period racing theme draws 100,000 + through the gates. One difference between WSM’s last entry in 2003 and today is that all tickets are pre-sold and none are available at the gate on the day. We hope to gather many of the original Delta Garage and WSM team with the cars and ask that you contact us in good time in order that we may arrange hospitality.
Welcome Back – The Manx Classic April 20th/22nd
Like the curate’s egg – good in parts. Weather great / organisation creaky / entry numbers good / Bray Hill runs reduced / fabulous machinery / limited driver info.Bray Hill Sprint 20/04 – a great opportunity to establish a new venue in front of hundreds of fans was almost passed by. In superb weather, a TT grandstand full of spectators and a start section teeming with onlookers were kept waiting for action way past the allotted hour. The expected two practice runs and two comp runs were then trimmed to one practice and two comp. To overrun strict road closure/opening times is to incurr resident’s wrath, and while local drivers know the score, guests may not realise the long term consequences of a minute early or a minute late in these situations. Many spectators lost patience and some drivers were similarly unamused. Nadine Geary had more reason than most to rue unforgiving surroundings as her Dodge Viper collected some garden wall, but the American muscle shrugged off the inconvenience and completed the week-end.
Jurby Sprint 21/04 – The MSA altered the proposed 10 lap format to practice laps and three lots of 3 competition laps. The powers that be rightly concluded that the event would be closer to race conditions than sprint and there were many drivers with no race licences. The MST timing difficulties, and lack of info regarding lap scoring and finishing line placement then caused consternation. Despite the 3 lap sessions, there was confusion as cars inevitably overlapped. However, once the line through the cones was mastered and everyone twigged the lap scoring and timing beam placement, some seriously quick times were set. Anthony Martindale zapped the Formula Junior Sauter to within a couple of seconds of FTD man Chris Boyd in the Westfield Megabusa
Llerghy Frissell Hillclimb 22/04 – for some the raison d’etre of the week-end now the Willaston circuit is off the menu, and this was the better organised of the days. The daunting ( in stone wall as opposed to gradient ) climb really sought commitment over two thirds of the course, and also highlighted various methods of hairpin negotiation. Paul Dangerfield’s Caterham R500 proved the ultimate weapon in recording FTD at 73.39s, other highlights including Alec Hammond’s Camaro at 74.53s, and newcomer Andy Hardy’s Caterham on 73.81s.
l to r WSM 301, O’Donahue Caterham, Musgrove Mini, WSM 301, Hickling TR3, WSM 301
l to r Loveridge Rapier, WSM 210, Cocks class award, Duncan’s Stratos, Cocks & WSM 210, Waters Sprite
pictures courtesy of Paul Webb – these and further pix available on request if copies required
click on for Rev Counter report
Many small issues combined to hamper a successful return of the Classic to the competition calendar, but lessons have been learnt and improvements already implimented for 2007. Drivers briefings, double drives and modern metal were some topics of concern voiced by drivers, but top marks to the organizers and marshalls for their efforts and time, in particular their appreciation of and welcome given to all the visitors. Motorsport Island retains its timeless appeal as much by the nature of the welcoming and patient people as by the value of the public road closures.
GTS Easter Eggs Shared.
Jigsaw Racing ‘Equipe’ GTS with Virgin Radio Classic Rock kicked off 2006 at Snetterton on Easter Sunday with a first gig that indicated normal service was resumed. James Cottingham controlled a 36 car race one in the recently restored lightweight MGB registered 2 GLL (3rd place in 1966 Ilford Films 1000 race at Brands ) after poleman Tom Smith’s demise with a broken half-shaft after 9 laps, but Malcolm Johnson kept him honest with a three second margin at the flag. Race two on Monday saw Johnson turn the tables and keep polesitter and fastest race lapper Cottingham at bay by 1.4 seconds. Perrenial podium placer Neil Howe kept the third step occupied in both races with his TR4, while MG Motorsport’s Tom Smith took fourth in race two.
race one results race two results
left to right – Tom Smith, Malcolm Johnson leads Neil Howe, John Palmer, Mark Rayment, Malcolm Johnson pictures courtesy of Paul Webb
Noteable newcomers included John Palmer in a rapid all-aluminium MG Midget recovered from the USA – this ex-works car was driven by Rauno Aaltonen at Bridgehampton USA in the World Sportscar series – and Jeremy Cottingham takes up the family cudgel following father David and brother James. The WSM of Clive Cocks suffered a misfire through the first race, and then gears that virtually seized. A broken piston ring was diagnosed, and engine and gearbox replacements are on the menu prior to Thursday’s Manx Classic.
With one second separating 1st from 7th ( MGB to TR4 to TVR Grantura) in race two, the prospects for the Equipe GTS Donington round on May 13th are mouth watering.
GTS (Get Them Sharpish).
Equipe GTS grids are filling fast – Donington on May 13th/14th is oversubscribed and Zandvoort on May 28th (see below) is nearly fully booked – click here for GTS race calendar
Hottest Clog.
‘Confirmation just in that Jan Lammers will be driving Mark Field’s Le Mans Spitfire in the Equipe GTS race at Zandvoort on May 28th. Jan will be driving in one race, Colin Elstrop in the second. Jan Lammers was born in Zandvoort and was Rob
Slotemaker’s god-son. Rob taught him to drive and gave him his first race in an Opel Kadette in 1971. As you know, Jan Lammers went on to become a Formula One driver and won Le Mans in the Silk Cut Jaguar in 1988 alongside Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace.
It is a 50th birthday present from friends for Jan to drive the car that his god-father drove at Le Mans in 1964. The car retains the race number 50 from Le Mans and in Equipe GTS races.’
Jim Lowry – Equipe GTS
Manx Classic.
A first for the IoM – confirmation of three WSM entries in April for motorsport Island’s classic event – WSM 210, WSM MGB and WSM 301, pictured in the 1998 Willaston Pursuit.
Scrutineering (n. close search).
One of many reasons why Jonathon Palmer’s circuit management has reaped rewards is summed up by this picture of Brands Hatch scrutineering in August at the Equipe GTS meeting.
courtesy of Ian Wilson
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