May we welcome the following new members to our Association.
Brian McLuckie, from Larbert and Donald Gordon, from Paisley
Details for each can be found in the Members and Details section.
Website amendments:
Details of these changes can be found in the Members and Details section.
Sandy and Helen Morrison have flitted to a new address in Stirling – however, they still have the same telephone number and email address as before.
Bob and Margaret Baillie have moved from Mauchline and now live in Kilmarnock. See Bob’s page for their new address and telephone number.
Sammy Colman has now flitted from Wishaw to Douglas
Death of two members:
Noted in the Glasgow Herald was the death of member Colin Hope who died on 15th September 2012.
Alastair outside his cabin in the Yukon.
Alastair Findlay died in the Stranraer Hospice on 18th September 2012. He had returned home in early August from the Yukon having been diagnosed there with terminal cancer. He will be well known to the rallying fraternity especially those in Ayrshire. Over the two years in the Yukon he emailed his diary almost weekly, recording his doings and thoughts, plus many amusing anecdotes which might be worth reproducing sometime in the future. Read more in the Past Veterans Section on the above deaths.
The 5th Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival, 8th and 9th September 2012:
Details of this event can now be found under the “Previous Events” section
Phantoms and Shadows –
some weeks ago I was approached by an Alan Dalton to request the use of one of the images on our website, one of Boyd Tunnock competing in his MGA, on a book he was writing on the history of Motor Sport around Edinburgh. On checking this with Boyd the image has been duly inserted in his ebook “Phantom and Shadows”. This can now be downloaded from Amazon. The Kindle edition costs a mere 77p. Having obtained a copy I can confirm that it is certainly worth this small price. I’m sure it will be of interest to those who been involved with motorsport around the Edinburgh.
Finally, may I remind you of the forthcomingAnnual General Meeting of our Association which will be held on Sunday 2nd December at 2.00pm. Boyd Tunnock has kindly offered his premises in Uddingston as a venue for this event. Hopefully we will see a number of our members there.
May I welcome another new member since the last newsletter into the VSMA fold – Robin Christie from Port William, Newton Stewart, will be known to most of the rally fraternity from the sixties onwards. He was and is a stalwart of the Machars Club. Robin’s details can be found in the Members and Details section.
Website amendments:
As usual these changes below can all be found in the Members and Details section.
Charlie Brown and Gus Carnegie have new email addresses.
Margaret (MacKenzie) Lowrey’s has flitted to a new address, also with a new Tel. No.
Oliver Tomlins has now updated his Motor Sport career data.
Addendum to the “2012 Spring Run“:
Not really an addendum but a note on the three members who didn’t manage down to Stranraer. Namely Kenny Allen, Hugh MacKinnon and Tom MacMillan who did manage to get over to the Isle of Man for the Manx Classic that same weekend! They can be forgiven for their absence in Stranraer as they were all competing as representatives of Team Bo’ness. Kenny was in his Lotus Elan Sprint, Hugh in the Porsche 911 and Tom in his Westfield Megabusa.
The Manx Classic, organised by The Manx Racing Club is, an annual three-day event: one sprint, two hill climbs, three days of great Manx Motorsport on closed public roads. Apart from competing the three were there to market the Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival as the cars were of the same type as they would like to attract to Bo’ness.
The Bo’ness Team – Tom MacMillan, Hugh MacKinnon and Kenny Allen, celebrating Hugh’s Class wins at the conclusion of the Manx Classic, April 2012.
Hugh had 2 class wins (he is holding one in the after event picture), Kenny and Tom did OK! They came 3rd in the team competition. (I think there were only 3 teams but shhhhh!) The Ramsay Sprint was held at 6 pm on Friday night. Tom went off the line on his last run with headlights on looking for the braking markers at 100mph+ — “It must be the best laxative know to man!”
The 5th Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival, 8th and 9th September 2012:
As I have mentioned before VSMA are going to be present at Bo’ness this year. We hope to have a similar set-up as we had at Knockhill in the past. A venue where our members can drop in to have a rest, blether to other members, have a cup of something, etc. As might be expected, many of our members are involved with this prestigious event – both as organisers and a few as competitors! It promises to be a great weekend. Do come along on at least one of the days – you will be made very welcome. This is the Fifth annual Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival and this year they are celebrating the careers of two of Scotland’s greatest motor racing heroes of the 1950’s – Ron Flockhart and Bob McIntyre. Fifty years have passed since Ron and Bob both died in tragic circumstances in 1962.
Ron Flockhart competed at Bo’ness on many occasions, including his epic battle with Ken Wharton in 1953 when he went on to set FTD and also broke the track record in ERA R4D. Ron is probably best known for his back-to-back Le Mans wins in the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars. Bob McIntyre was a fiercely competitive motorcycle racer and was a works rider for AJS, Bianchi, Gilera, Honda and Norton. He won several Grand Prix and was the first man to lap the Isle of Man course at over 100 mph average speed. Bob competed at Bo’ness in 1951 – one of his first competitive outings – winning his Class on a BSA 350. The 2012 Revival meeting will include displays of Ecurie Ecosse D Type Jaguars and other cars associated with Flockhart.
In addition, the Ecurie Ecosse Transporter will be on display. There will also be racing motorcycles and other memorabilia on display associated with Bob Mcintyre.
The Hill Climb competition takes place on Saturday and Sunday and in addition, there is a huge classic car show in front of the historic Kinneil House. Competition cars range from 1913 to 1972 and around 100 entries are expected to tackle the famous old Kinneil track with its dauntingly narrow stone bridge, very fast Old Paddock Bend and then the tricky ‘S’ Bend through the building lined Courtyard.
Programme of Events
Saturday 8th September
09.30 – 12.30
Practice Runs
12.30 – 13.00
Cavalcades
13.00 – 14.00
Lunch
14.00 – 18.00
Competition Runs
18.00
Prize Giving
Sunday 9th September
09.30 – 12.00
Practice Runs
12.00 – 12.30
Cavalcades
12.30 – 13.30
Lunch
13.30 – 17.30
Competition Runs
18.00
Prize Giving
The timetable above will be very dependant on how many “offs” occur. Further details of the 2012 event can be found on the BHCR website which is regularly updated.http://www.bonesshillclimb.org.uk
Derek Palmer’s effort on the 1000cc World Land Speed Record:
Derek and his team are due to try again at Bonneville Salt Flats this month. It’s great to see one of our “veterans” still pursuing his dream. Have a look at last year’s attempt on the 12-minute video on http://www.speedscotland.com/. Hopefully, this will be his year. Good luck Derek.
Frank Dundas starting one of the many autotests in the 1955 Scottish Rally with Eric Dymock navigator
Frank Dundas’s Morgan –
Frank was a very well known rally competitor in the 50s and 60s from the South of Scotland. He competed in various marques but will probably best remembered by his handling of the Morgan PSM 506. He had several different navigators mainly John Bogie, but our own Eric Dymock navigated for Frank on many events.
Frank Dundas starting one of the many autotests in the 1955 Scottish Rally with Eric Dymock navigator. Recently Eric was approached by a Guy Spollon who had just bought PSM 506 in bits with the intention of restoring it! If you care to search Eric’s blog you can find more info on Frank’s cars, not just the Morgan but his Cooper which he drove prior to the Morgan. Eric’s Blogg
Some Bits and Pieces
Just click on an underlined text to view the video.
The Dingman collection – Old Neon Signs and Great Ford Cars: Jimmy Rae emailed me this piece he found simply staggering on the net. I must agree with him. Have a look at this Dingman Collection video and decide for yourself. It’s certainly interesting!
Ken Block’s Gymkhana Gallops through the streets of San Francisco: Bruce Lyle and Wilson Paton both sent me an email about this Ken Block’s video. Have a look. It could only happen in the U.S.of A. Enjoy.
David Coulthard catches a 178mph golf ball in Mercedes-Benz SLS: This is anothercrazy motoring video – this time sent by Mercedes Benz!!
Firstly, since the last Newsletter may I welcome another six new members into our Association. They are –
Ian Cunningham from Edinburgh
Jim Grant from Stenhousemuir
David Seaton from Bonnyrigg
Tommy Scott from Kilmarnock
Oliver Tomlins from Insch, Aberdeenshire
John Roberts from Tough, Alford, Aberdeenshire
Their contact and other details can be seen in the Members and Details section.
Website amendments:
Roger Turnbull has moved back to Lockerbie with a new address and phone number. These changes can also be found in the Members and Details section.
2012 Spring Run:
A full report with “photies” can be seen in the “Previous Events” section. Before you have a look may I remind you, and especially if you are new to the site, how to view images. Not all images are capable of being enlarged, but you can easily tell which ones do. When you hover the mouse pointer over an image, in addition to displaying the image caption, the pointer will change from the usual arrow to a pointing finger. When this happens, by simply select-clicking over the image with your mouse you will be taken to another window where a much larger image will appear. You can then use the symbols at the foot of this new page to navigate around and in most cases enlarge the image even more; or if you wish, just keep clicking the image and it will enlarge to give you very much more detail.
5th Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival, 8th and 9th September 2012:
Just to remind you that we will be at this event. If you haven’t as yet considered signing up to this organisation – have a look at what they are offering in the Newsletter March 2012. The latter can be found in the Archived News Items – it’s well worth it.
SMS (Scottish Motor Sport):
I received an email from Bruce Lyle recently regarding a new MotorSport Group. He felt we should be made aware of its existence. The email was addressed to all motorsport participants. The gist of the information the email contained:
“The new group is called Scottish Motor Sport (SMS) and was formed 18 months ago.
So what is SMS? It is important to stress that it is not a new governing body or a new association. SMS is a strategic body, designed to speak with one voice to the Scottish Government about all things motorsport. It consists of representatives of two- and four-wheel motorsport – including the car clubs through the Scottish Association of Car Clubs (SACC), the kart clubs through the ASKC, and Knockhill. The Scottish Auto Cycle Union (SACU) represents the interests of the two-wheel community. What is SMS going to do? SMS is not a ‘doing’ body; it is a strategic group. The intention is that SMS will provide a channel for motorsport to talk with Scottish Government and its associated agencies (Sport Scotland, Event Scotland, Visit Scotland, etc) distilling a coordinated message from the entire motorsport sector. What will it achieve? They believe that motor sport should be recognised as a sport of National Performance Significance to Scotland and SMS will assist in achieving this recognition. This, in turn, will lead to the submission of a strategic plan for the sport in Scotland which will give us the basis to be able to open discussions on potential funding streams. Progress – has been somewhat delayed this year by the Independence debate. The SACC has sought member clubs’ opinions on the matter, which has happily concluded that in the event of an independent vote being successful, the MSA would remain the Governing Body of Motor Sport in Scotland. This will allow the MSA to continue its commitment to the new entity SMS who will move forward to encourage the development of the sport in our country. In the longer term, the SMS is confident that clubs and competitors will benefit from being part of a Government supported the initiative to create higher quality venues, better competition opportunities and stronger career development possibilities for Scottish drivers, marshals and associated individuals, all the way from the grass-roots to international level.
The Chairman of this new organisation is a Mr Tom Purves.
The aims of this group are surely to be commended and it is to be hoped that it does succeed in its endeavours, and hopefully does not turn out to be just another talking shop.
Bill Henderson’s MotorSport Photograph Website:
I’m sure all veterans if they competed actively at all, will remember Bill Henderson snapping away at most event of any standing in Scotland. His son William has started to digitalise Bill’s many thousands of photographs (a huge task), and his efforts can be view at The Bill Henderson Collection. If you haven’t already seen the collection – have a look, you won’t be disappointed. Bill, by the way, a VSMA member, can still occasionally be seen at events.
May I welcome a new member into our ranks. He is Alex Brown from Stenton, East Lothian. Alex was one of the speed fraternity and he is still competing in hill climbs. Details can be found on his page.
Ian Loudon Cox:
Following the January Newsletter, Johnstone Syer emailed me that he was told by a former employee of Ian Loudon Cox that Ian had died recently. Although not a member, I’m sure many of the Veterans will remember Iain on many rallies, sprints, driving tests and races. Johnstone and Bill Syer both co-drove for him, and Ian and Johnstone did the 1963 Monte together in Johnstone’s frog-eyed Sprite.
Ian lived in Cyprus for at least 20 years and he had got in touch with Johnstone on hearing of Bill death as the two of them were big mates at one time. Ian had visited Johnstone later last year along with his brother, Graeme, a former Sheriff of Dundee. and they had a long stroll down memory lane. Apparently, he came over to the UK to visit at Christmas, caught a bug which turned into pneumonia and died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Database Changes:
Bill Barr, Marion Hopkins and Doug Niven have all got new email addresses. Each of these changes can be found in the Members and Details section.
Tom MacMillan, Secretary of the Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival has updated his page – motorsport career and lots of pictures.
The 2012 Monte Carlo Historique Rally – Sunday 29th January – update:
It was a really drench Sunday evening when the cars left the start ramp from Clydebank. The organisation of the start was again under the capable hands of members of the Caledonian Classic & Historic Motorsport Club (a few of whom are members of VSMA). The more public of these was David Ross who gave a running commentary on both the front-running 12 entrants and those following the Monte Starters to Dumfries and those on the much gentler run to Drymen! Mairi and I were in the latter group along with Jimmy Rae, both in MGBs. I did say gentler but our route was spoiled by the numerous potholes along the whole route.
One of the Official cars going to Monte Carlo belonged to member Derek Palmer. Derek’s car, a 1979 Porsche 924 turbo, was one of the few Monte entries which started from Clydebank. He felt that those from Glasgow were at somewhat of a disadvantage compared to the Rheims starters as it was an immense challenge. His Porsche driven by his friend Rick Pearson (who now lives in Nice) and Stuart Pringle (Manager at the BRDC at Silverstone) in the co-drivers seat. He felt it was tropical in Clydebank, compared to France, 18 below and a gale blowing at Valence, even Monaco was only 1 degree above, chilly.! They finished with little damage, but the car park at Monte apparently looked like a scrap yard! Four of the Glasgow starters retired due to mechanical problems, and only two finished with no penalties. The Porsche was one of them along with Ralph Forbes and Wesley Massam in a 1978 Fiat 128.
Ian Townsend’s Wilson Lotus – Chassis No. JMYWT1 – Update: Further to last month’s piece about Ian Townsend’s search for information on his Lotus Shell, David Ross was able to pass on some information. Tim Wilson, who had the Nine Mile Burn Garage south of Edinburgh and got the legendary Jo Marquart to design the Wilson for him. The car was subsequently owned by Alastair Macintosh had who raced a TVR along with David’s own Ford Anglia Allardette 1500 and then the Wilson, thereafter a Mallock. David Ross has unearthed a couple of pics of the said car which he took at Rufforth. It’s Alastair working on the engine.
Alastair Macintosh’ Lotus at Rufford.Alastair working on the engine.
Flower of Scotland: Not a tribute to what has become almost our sporting National Anthem, but a tribute to one of our members, Derek Palmer,SNR and his company Speed Scotland. They have been the force behind the attempt to break the World Land Speed Record in their 1litre Supercharged Class, “Flower of Scotland” Streamliner. Already they have been twice to the Bonneville salt flats in Utah, USA, the last occasion being in August 2011 at the Bonneville Speed Week. The record in their Class stands at 313mph and they managed 265mph before mechanical problems stopped further attempts last year, but they are pretty sure they can break this record! If your interested in taking up this great offer of BHCR membership I have attached a PDF Membership Form. Have a look at their web page http://www.bonesshillclimb.org.uk/ which gives more information on the forthcoming Hill Climb and what you can look forward to.
Spring Run Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd April :
Have you sent in your entry to Bob Baillie yet? Bob has laid down a route down to Stranraer from the Clyde Valley with many familiar rally roads included. As usual, he has laid on entertainment for the evenings and places to visit on the Saturday and Sunday. The weekend headquarters will be at The North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. The extremely good rates are per person for dinner, B & B – for two nights £109; for three nights £157.50 and for four nights £198. Remember first come first served!
5th Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival, 8th and 9th September 2012:
Although quite a few months off yet, we thought you should know that the BHCR have kindly offered the VSMA to “pitch their tent” at this prestigious event, where members will be able to drop in for a chat, a seat and perhaps a refreshment. Not only that but they have generously offered our members, if they are interested, to join their organisation at reduced rates. For VSMA members the following benefits would include –
Members Only Enamel Lapel Pin Badge
Members Only Windscreen Sticker
BHCR Coaster
BHCR Tax Disc Holder
Ron Flockhart Postcard/Notelet (pack of 5)
Free spectator entry to the Revival Meetings on production of your Membership Card
Membership of an MSA and SACU approved club with membership card
A quarterly Newsletter available only to members and not available on the BHCR website
A copy of the annual full colour 16 page souvenir photo-book of the Revival Meeting
2 BHCR window stickers advertising the 2012 Revival meeting
A reduction of £5 from the entry fee for each of the hill climbs (£10)
The opportunity to assist the club up to and during the 2012 Revival Meeting
Your Membership Fee helps to maintain, support and improve the oldest Scottish Motor Racing venue.
If your interested in taking up this great offer of BHCR membership I have attached a PDF Membership Form. Have a look at their web page http://www.bonesshillclimb.org.uk/ which gives more information on the forthcoming Hill Climb and what you can look forward to.
BHCR Membership Application Form
Memorabilia:
Those of you who attended our first Reunion in 2001 in the R.S.A.C. building I’m sure will remember Ken Fraser sitting at a table displaying memorabilia of his previous rally exploits. Well, Ken has kindly lent the Association the photograph albums. and other bits and pieces which he had displayed at our first Reunion in the R.S.A.C. in 2001. These have been scanned and can, for the moment, be viewed in the “Tales from the Past” section. They show interesting images of his rallies in the fifties, together with PDFs of some documents which can be viewed when downloaded. One of the 1958 Scottish Rally programmes includes names of several of competitors who are now VSMA members.!
Finally, “Honking at Old People! “:
You may well have seen this video but it is worth a look. I can guarantee you will watch it at least twice! A lady was videotaping her son riding a skateboard when her attention switched to an old woman trying to cross the street. You can hear the lady who is doing the taping giggling as she records the event. Open this attachmentfrom YouTube which you may have seen before ….. It’s a quick one …. Aren’t airbags just great!
I presume, like me, you are thankful that Xmas and Ne’erday are past! I trust you have recovered from the festivities and are now looking forward to a new and hopefully much better economic year.
I mentioned in the last Newsletter that fellow member Alastair Findlay now resides in the Yukon. He has emailed me to say that he would be delighted to hear from any members who cared to send him an email. I am sure he would put you on his mailing list for the regular diary of his Yukon activities – I get one almost twice a week – they make for interesting and often very amusing reading. Alastair can be contacted at alastair.findlayabc@gmail.com
I have just received the following email from Michael Malcolm – “Michael & Ivone Malcolm are delighted to announce the birth of a son, Alisdair Michael Isles Malcolm, born 2 November 2011 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich. Mother and baby (and delighted father) doing well. Hopefully, VSMA will still be around when he qualifies!!!“ Congratulations to Michael and Ivone on their good fortune. We certainly endorse his last remarks.
It has been suggested that there should be a “letters page” within the Newsletters! I would be delighted if there was, but a letter or two would be a start! Any takers?
Website Changes:
An email address change for Stuart Turner can be seen on the List of the Members page. Peter Speakman from Broughton in Furness became a member of our Association in June 2009. You can now view his motorsport details on his page.
More Photographs:
Alasdair Pearson has responded to my plea for more photographs and he has kindly submitted several photographs from his and his father’s motorsport days. These can be seen on Alasdair’s pageor the Picture Gallery. I have also placed a few in Public Photographic Gallery which you may have already noticed. The one below is a group of competitors after an event – we are not sure of exactly which event, the year and one of the people shown. Can you help? Who is the A.N. Other?
The practical way to fix a broken sump guard bracket during the 1968 Scottish Rally, and featuring Frankie Pearson, Barrie Anderson, A.N.Other, Fraser Anderson, and Alasdair Pearson.
The 2012 Monte Carlo Historique Rally – Sunday 29th January:
One of the Official Starts for this event will be in Clydebank in the shadow of the famous Titan Crane (check Google Maps for exact location). The first car leaves at 5.0pm although the cars will up line from 2.00pm. There will be plenty of parking space at the new location. There will be a pre-event “Monte Carlo Show” on the site of the former John Brown shipyard before the Monte cars leave the start ramp in front of the Clydebank College campus. Located beside the College bus terminal, in addition to some great club and trade stands, there will be a show of around 100 pre 1980 Classic cars that would have taken part in past Monte Carlo Rallies.
The Caledonian Classic & Historic Motorsport Club are involved again in this event and more information will be avail on their website at http://www.caledonianmsc.com/ As in 2011, immediately after the Monte Starters have left the ramp there will follow a Heritage Run for members of the CC&HMC. The club runs rallies and tours throughout Scotland for historic and sporting cars of all types. If you are interested the contact person is Jim Paterson, 254 Rullion Road, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 9JL jim.paterson@btinternet.com Phone: 01968 672644
‘Sports Car Classics’. …by Eric Dymock
While on the subject of classic cars I have just discovered a new ebook from fellow member Eric Dymock called ‘Sports Car Classics’. It comes in two parts, part 1 from the AC to the HRG, and part 2 from the Jaguar to Yamaha. Eric has written numerous books over the years as a motoring journalist. He worked for many major publications including The Motor and the Sunday Times. He now has his own publishing house Dove Digital which publishes books for the iPad, Kindle and other e-readers. Dove Digital’s latest, ‘Sports Car Classics’ is packed with a selection of 50 years’ road tests, feature articles and motoring columns. The ebooks contain original features, road tests and motoring columns on sports cars of the classic era. Some are quoted full length; most are a thousand words just as published between 1960 and 2010. Written for different media, they vary in style. Road tests compiled for The Motor have a technical bias, distilled from the opinions of the road test staff. Sunday Times readers did not expect anything like that. They read Eric Dymock’s unvarnished views on test driving virtually every make of sports car in the second half of the 20th century as well as a good many from the first. Both parts of the book can be downloaded for an e-reader. Details on all Eric’s digital books can be obtained from www.dovepublishing.co.uk Eric’s own blog can be seen at http://ericdymock.blogspot.com/
Who owned this Wilson Lotus – Chassis No. JMYWT1?
Photograph of Lotus 23 chassis owned by Ian Townsend
I recently received an email from non-member Ian Townsend asking if any of our members could help in tracing the early ownership of a Lotus he bought in 1995 (which remains to this day totally unrestored, as you can see from the attached photograph). Ian did ascertain from the previous owner that a Mr Wilson, a Scottish garage owner, did race the car extensively in the North of England and Scotland. It was thought that Wilson had built the car or been the modifier of the remains of the Lotus 23 chassis. The last scrutineering tag on the car was dated 1970. Do any of our SMRC members recognise the car or know of the builder/driver. If you can shed any light on this let me know OR contact Ian directly at +44 (0) 7531 162631 or email him at ian@cmselectra.com
2012 Annual Spring Run:
Bob Baillie, the Clerk of the Course and Secretary of this event has sent me several documents which I have included for your perusal. Bob’s short letter telling you what’s it all about, the ASRs, the Entry Form and the Hotel Booking Form. Just click on any of these to see what’s on offer. If the Run is anything like the ones held in Granton-on-Spey over the past three years, it should be great fun. We look forward to seeing you there.
Finally, have a look at this u-tube video I received from a colleague in Vancouver. The 4-minute video contains some almost unbelievable clips of stunts you would call crazy! You will certainly enjoy the scenery at least. Click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EEu42L0ufBY
I am sad to report that member Duncan Laing lost a battle with prostate cancer and died on 25th October. His funeral on 2nd November was exceptionally well attended by many colleagues from both mainstream motorsport and several of the Classic Car Clubs which had become his passion in later years. He had been a member of VSMA since 2001. He was one of the sport’s true gentlemen and will be sorely missed by many. Duncan’s career can now be viewed in the Past Veterans section.
Another equally sad piece of news – at the Lanarkshire Car Club AGM on the 4th of March 2011, it was unanimously decided to close the Club. For the past few years, there has been a decline in members and events, until it was no longer viable to run a productive and active club. The club was formed in the 1930s as a combined motorcycle and car club. It was only after World War II that the car section continued on its own. Like most clubs, it had its ups and downs. In its early days, under the charge of the Neil Sisters, Chrissie and Andy, it ran very social events which were very popular. In its heyday, it ran Scottish Championship rallies including a series of Burmah Rallies. The latter rose in status to become an International event. Those who were members of Lanarkshire Car Car during those days will be very sorry indeed to hear of the club’s demise.
Database Changes:
Some amendments to members’ details – email address changes for Alastair Findlay, Archie Simmonds and Jim Pettigrew. Each of these changes can be found in the Members and Details pages.
More photos :
Roy Allingham submitted the image below showing himself, the late Stuart Brown, Chris Paton and Pat Hilley. During the sixties Roy, Chris and Ray were part of Stuart Brown’s Service crew on his many rally outings. Sadly Stuart died in his prime. He had quite an illustrious career in rallying and rally-crossing having competed throughout the UK and Ireland with many successes. The year this photograph was taken the Scottish Rally had been cancelled because of a Foot and Mouth outbreak.. The Hotel had been booked so they went anyway. There were various ‘adventures’ on that short and rather alcoholic break – Jimmy Pinkerton, who had taken the photograph, seems to remember rather more than the rest of the group for some reason……! Just look at the flappy trousers and the HAIR – nearly all gone now !
Roy Allingham on top of Cairngorm with (L. to R.) below Stuart Brown, Chris Paton and Pat Hilley. (Picture by Jimmy Pinkerton)This must be the furthest VSMA badge – inside the window of Alastair Findlay’s cabin in the Yukon.
About a year ago Alastair Finlay moved back to the Yukon where he had been for a few years in the ’60s – he is still there having spent last winter in extreme conditions! It looks as if he intends spending another winter there. He sent the photo below to show that winter had already set in on 2nd October! I only just noticed the VSMA badge in the window! Alastair has contributed several articles on his motorsport career which you can read in “Tales from the Past“. Here’s hoping he might send us something from his recent exploits.
You may have noticed a few additional photographs which have recently been added to the Public Photographic Gallery. Ronald Proudlock from the South of Scotland Car Club has kindly donated a number of photos from the 1950s through to 1990s. I’m sure these will bring back memories of both our rally and racing members. Have a look.
Annual General Meeting:
This was indeed a VERY brief affair! Starting just after 6.30 pm in the Parklands Country Club in Newton Mearns on Wednesday 16th November and finishing just after 7.0 pm. In all eleven members turned up (which included most of the Directors) just sufficient to form a quorum. Following the reports from Chairman Jimmy McInnes and Secretary Stuart Parker, Bob Baillie, our Treasurer submitted the Accounts. He reported that we had made a loss of £158 during the year to 31st July. Apparently, this had been due to the Association being over generous in its donations to charity! Bob also gave details of the proposed 2012 annual Run (see below). The election of Office Bearers and Directors followed which produced no changes – all being re-elected! Otherwise, there was no other business to be discussed and the meeting was closed.
2012 Annual Spring Run:
As we had been going up north to Grantown-on-Spey for the past three years a number of members had requested that, for a change, we should try another area. In view of this, the Directors had asked Bob Baillie to investigate other areas and hotels to find a suitable alternative to the Grant Arms Hotel. He had looked at the Oban area but found that there were no hotels that would come close to the Grant Arms. He eventually settled on the South West of Scotland, centred on Stranraer. He felt that the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer would meet all our requirements both in location and in price. As a result, it has been agreed that for next year we should travel South.
The event is to be held on the weekend starting Friday 20th April 2012.
Entry forms and further details of the route, etc will be issued early in the New Year. In the meantime – PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY.
Finally, although a bit early, compliments of the season to you all.
I am sad to inform you of the death of Tom Donald from Fenwick, Ayrshire. Tom passed away on 15th July. He had been a member of V.S.M.A. since March 2003. Our condolences go to his wife Kim and family.
We welcome another new member since the last Newsletter – Chris Paton from Lanark. Many of you I’m sure will remember Chris from your rallying days. He was a great Mini enthusiastic and competed in EVERY Tour of Mull from the second event in 1970 up until 2009 when he had to retire his Mini. Have a look at his page to get full details of his motorsport career to date.
Database Changes:
A couple of amendments to members’ details – Alan and Audrey Carlaw have recently moved although still within the Glasgow area, while Rusty Wilson, Jimmy and Arlene McInnes have just changed their email addresses. Each of these changes can be seen in the Members and Details pages. On a similar note, if you have any change in your own details would you please let me know so that our database is up-to-date.
Highland Tour Outcome:
Members will be interested, I’m sure, in the letter below which Bob Baillie received from Gordon Clendinning following this year’s Highland Tour to Grantown-on-Spey.
Knockhill Classic Speedfair, 31st July :
Three of our girls “Sorting out the World” while waiting for customers in the Media Centre!
The Media Centre was manned once again as a “Cafe” for members at the one day Knockhill Speedfair. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be as popular with members as it has been in the past – numbers were well down this year! Apart from the usual “Staff” (Bob and Margaret Baillie, Adele and Duncan Paterson, Andy and Fiona Watson, Stuart and Mairi Parker), there was only a handful of members turned up on the day. Next year?
Veterans still competing :
I am delighted to display a photo of a couple of our members who are still actively competing – and doing pretty well at it! At the famous Annual Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb on 23rd July, Alan Macvarish and Malcolm Wishart were both competing.
Malcolm Wishart and Allan MacVarish taken at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb on 23 July 2011. Allan was in a Modified Production up to 2 litres Class and was driving his Peugeot 205 Gti – best time 40.52 secs., while Malcolm was in the Racing Cars manufactured up to 1971 Class in a Cooper T65 FJ and his best time was 38.34 secs. Not bad for two of our veterans.
Also flying the VSMA flag were Olly Ross and Kenny Allen. Kenny was at the Knockhill Speedfair on 31st July. Despite being shunted off in an earlier race he was 4th in the 2nd race in his Lotus Elan , while Olly was 4th in his Lotus Europa in the Scottish Classic Sports & Saloon Classes A & B.
Documents from the Archive:
Gus Carnegie kindly sent a copy of his menu of the 1969 SMRC Annual Dinner Menu which will be of interest to our racing members.
Cover of 1969 SMRC Annual Dinner and Prezentation of Awards ProgrammeInside of the 1969 SMRC Annual Dinner & Presentation of Awards Programme.
Additional photos:
Members are slowly sending in photos pertaining to their involvement with Motor Sport, some thankfully also sending recent photos of themselves (helps others not just to see who they are but to see how time has dealt with them)! I would love to receive more to display on members pages. I recently received three images of the late Stuart Brown and myself in the 1968 and 1971 Scottish Rallies. I’m afraid I don’t know the others in the photos apart from Stuart and myself – can anyone help?
Picture Puzzle:
These images below were sent to me by a Jake Butson (not a VSMA member) to use on our site if we wished. The only information he could provide was that they were from possibly the ’60s and taken at The Rest and Be Thankful and possibly at Gask. Can anyone give me any further info? The date or year? Which event? Who might be competing in what car? etc. If I had more information I might be able to put a couple in the Public Gallery.
Due to extended holidays, it is just a very brief Newsletter this month. Firstly may I welcome to the Association Geunda Young who lives in the Isle of Islay. Geunda was formerly Geunda Eadie started her motorsport career in Scotland but competed mainly in England. She was the Faberge champion in 1979 and a BTCC competitor in 1980 in a works Ford. We look forward to more details (and images) of her career later.
I have some very sad news to report – Bill Syer has died on 7th June, 2011, after a prolonged illness. You can if you wish, view his obituary in thePast Veterans section.
Knockhill Classic Speedfair – Sunday 31st July
This Sunday – we can again be found in the Media Centre at Knockhill from 10 am so please drop in for a chat, a seat and non-alcoholic refreshments. We have been allocated a parking area for our members in the gravel area (on the left as you drive towards the top gate, beside the Kart Centre). If you intend coming, let me know soon and I will send you a Car Park sticker.
More information on the event itself is available on the Knockhill website.
Really not much to report since the last newsletter but here are the items of News –
Monte Carlo Rallye Historique
Death of Members
Members’ Database changes
Dates for your Diary
Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing
YouTube Clips
Amusing Bits and Pieces
Monte Carlo Rallye Historique:
About a couple of weeks after the Glasgow start of the Monte Carlo Rally, I received an email from Member Neil Barrington to the effect that he had just returned from Monte Carlo having taken part in the team supporting an Alpine Renault 110, No.115. They had started from Reims in northern France and headed south. This was, of course, the Monte Carlo Rallye Historique event, but was amazingly arduous and long over 4.5 days and covering 3,500 miles since leaving Edinburgh. Neil had no experience of this event before and was very impressed with the organisation of it and the very high regard that it endears, with scores of locals out watching at 3 in the morning. The scoring and penalty system was news to him, as he was more accustomed to the special stage approach rather than “regularities”, which require average speed rather than “balls out”!!
It was very exciting and difficult with many roads covered in snow and very very steep and precipitous, plus staggering drops into ravines if you got it wrong. He met another VSMA member, Chris Paton down there, who was an old adversary on the Tour of Mull. At least now he can say that he had personally driven around the GP circuit, even if it was in a service van complete with trailer!
This meeting with Chris Paton leads me on to Chris’s account, as he too was servicing a Mini Cooper S on the same event. Chris has sent a full report on his “adventure” on the event, complete with many photographs including details of how the event was organised. Although it is not a “Tale from the Past“ that is where this report can be found. Have a look – it is really worth a read.
Just a few pics from Chris’s Report
Death of Members:
I’m sad to report that John Falconer died on 7th March 2015. John was well known to Lanarkshire Car Club members.
Member’s Database Change:
We received an email from Ronnie Morrison recently to say that he had had to take action against nuisance telephone calls. He was obliged to block ALL calls which had withheld their number! To get over this, he asked if you would amend your phone book by putting 1470 first before his number. This should then allow you to get through to him.
Dates for your Diary:
VSMA Reunion 2016 – Although early days, I am delighted to report that our next Reunion will be held in 2016, on Friday 14th October. Due to the popularity of the Radstone Hotel just of the M74, we have booked at as our venue once again. There are lots of decisions to be made before that date – who will be our sponsors, our guests, the format, etc, etc. I will let you know the outcome of these as the months’ pass.
Bo’ness Hill Climb: The Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival will be celebrating their 8th Revival meeting on 5th and 6th September 2015. This will be the 81st anniversary of the first ever Hill Climb at Bo’ness in 1934. We will be there again. Find out full details for downloading from their website at www.bonesshillclimb.org.uk
The BHCR are keen to have a word with any of our VSMA members who had competed on the hill prior to the enforced reduction to its present length. There is word afoot that a TV programme, about the history of Bo’ness Hill Climb, is being created and it is hoped to interview anyone who took part in the event using the ‘old’ hill. So, if you fall into this category would you please get in touch with Barry Crichton who is a member of the BHRC Committee who will give you details of what is happening. (Mobile: 07928 629388 or williamcrichton@sky.com)
Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing – ready for BTCC 2015 –
The Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing Q50 that will be used in the BTCC for 2015
This year’s BTCC teams are unveiled to the public next week – among them a striking Infiniti with an eye-catching roof. It is the Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing (ISOPR) car prepared by injured vets and, by year three, according to team principal Derek Palmer, from Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, it will be driven by an injured soldier. The car roof reflects the Paras’ beret and badge. And it is no gimmick. “We will have podium finishes in our first season,” predicted Derek. “By year two, we will be winning races on a regular basis. It is a brand new team driving a brand new car and it will not be easy, but the work ethic and the discipline of these guys is amazing. This car and this team can one day win the championship.” This season, ISOPR will have two cars racing in the BTCC in a project brought together by Derek and his friend, Colin Smith, formerly the boss of the Afghanistan Trust – now renamed.
The roof showing what the aim of Support Our Paras was.
The aim is twofold – to raise the profile of the charity and, in the longer term, to raise cash for wounded servicemen and their families. Derek agrees his support team has little experience but their commitment is so intense that he is completely sure of himself. He went on: “Working with these guys makes you feel quite humble. These guys have issues that would make you think twice about getting out of bed in the morning – and yet it’s not an issue. “If one can’t tighten something with his right hand because he doesn’t have one, someone else steps in and does it and just walks away. It’s incredible.This team is not like other teams, it is not about the driver, it is about everyone working together and that makes it very special.”
The cars they are using are Infiniti Q50s but totally different from the road car. The only thing they share is the 2.0-litre turbo direct injection engine. The first race is at Brands Hatch on the weekend of April 4 and 5, when both cars will have to be ready.
The Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing Q50 that will be used in the BTCC for 2015
It is a fairly short timescale for a new team to get in harness and it means that the Support Our Paras guys will be working right up to the last second. “But we should be good to go,” said Derek.
To help prepare, the ISOPR team visited the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 team at their factory in Buckinghamshire. The team had a behind-the-scenes tour and met staff from various departments, with an emphasis on race prep.
They spent time with the Red Bull F1 pit crew — who showed the Paras team how crucial meticulous teamwork is in Red Bull being able to replace four wheels on an F1 car in under three seconds — and had a session in the Red Bull gym.
The Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing took the opportunity to learn from the masters.
The guys were shown a series of exercises — all adapted to cope with their numerous injuries — to help them maintain a high level of fitness for the challenging 10-weekend, 30-race BTCC season. “I had to keep pinching myself today,” said former Paratrooper Mike Lewis, injured in Afghanistan after two deployments in Iraq.
“I’ve watched the Infiniti Red Bull Racing guys change tyres on the Formula One car for years on the TV, and today I not only watched them in action but worked alongside them.It’s been a privilege. These guys are the best at what they do – of that there is no question.Sure, we don’t need to carry out pit-stops in the BTCC, but we’ve all learned so much today about how important it is to work as a unit and as a team.”
The Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing Q50 that will be used in the BTCC for 2015
At present, there are eight injured Paras working off and on but the plan is for all of them to work full-time on the car. Derek’s son, also Derek, will drive one car this year and Richard Hawken will take the wheel of the other and the team will learn as they go.
Derek said: “This is not just for these guys, this is for all the guys who have been pensioned off, who have been injured and know what it’s like. It’s for them as much as us.”
Some Amusing Bits and Pieces:Here’s three from our dear leader……..
“4 Worms In Church”
Four worms and a lesson to be learned!!!!
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke . . . Dead. Third worm in chocolate syrup . . . . . . . . Dead. Fourth worm in good clean soil . . . . . . . . Alive….…
So the Minister then asked the congregation, “What did you learn from this demonstration?”
Maxine, sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said . . . .”As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!”
That pretty much ended the service!
——————————
The Jewish Samurai
Once upon a time, a powerful Emperor of the Rising Sun advertised for a new Chief Samurai. After a year, only three applied for the job: a Japanese, a Chinese and a Jewish Samurai.
“Demonstrate your skills!” commanded the Emperor. The Japanese samurai stepped forward, opened a tiny box and released a fly. He drew his samurai sword and *Swish!* the fly fell to the floor, neatly divided in two!
“What a feat!” said the Emperor. “Number Two Samurai, show me what you do.”The Chinese samurai smiled confidently, stepped forward and opened a tiny box, releasing a fly. He drew his samurai sword and *Swish! Swish!* The fly fell to the floor neatly quartered.
“That is skill!” nodded the Emperor. “How are you going to top that, Number three Samurai?”The Jewish samurai, Obi-wan Cohen, stepped forward, opened a tiny box releasing one fly, drew his samurai sword and *Swoooooosh!* flourished his sword mightily, but the fly was still buzzing around!
In disappointment, the Emperor said, “What kind of skill is that? The fly isn’t even dead.” “Dead?” replied the Jewish Samurai. “Dead is easy. Circumcision…THAT takes skill!”
——————————
And finally, some from our Leader, which might raise a smile from your grandchildren….!
I bought my wife a wooden leg for Christmas! It’s not her main present, just a stocking filler……
Two Aerials meet on a roof – fall in love – get married.The ceremony was rubbish but the Reception was brilliant……..
Two women called at my door and asked what bread I ate, when I said white they gave me a lecture on the benefits of brown bread for 30 minutes. I think they were those Hovis Witnesses………
Just had my water bill of £175 drop on my mat. That’s a lot. Oxfam can supply a whole African village for just £2 a month! Time to change supplier I think………
A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts has been discovered in Egypt. Archaeologists believe it may be Pharaoh Roche……..
My friend just hired an Eastern European cleaner, took her 15 hours to Hoover the house. Turns out she was a Slovak……..
Since the snow came, all the wife has done is look through the window. If it gets any worse, I’ll have to let her in……….
Interesting YouTube Clips:
Just a few, which are best viewed in ‘Full Screen’ and maybe with the sub-titles on.
This is an earlier Newsletter than I had intended but as I had received numerous bits of information and photographs I felt it was right to get it to you before it became too out of date. I have received numerous photographs from people who were at this year’s Spring Run to Grantown-on-Spey. The report on this run will be able to be seen in the “Previous Event” section – but not yet! I will let you know when it is available.
Can I remind you that all the images within this Newsletter (and all previous ones) can also be viewed in the “Picture Gallery” by the various methods of searching.
Malcolm Parkin seems to have set memories alight and caused some cross-member discussion. However, peace seems to have settled – read below.
Address changes –
Our Gordon Brown (not the political one) has moved to West Kilbride. His new Address and phone numbers can be found in the “Members and details” section.
Here are some of the other items of news this month –
Interesting Stuff from Members
The 6th Flying Scotsman, 4th to 6th April 2014
Scottish Malts Classic Tour – 28th April to 2nd May 2014
More on the “Thoughts from Malcolm Parkin”
Interesting YouTube clips
Bits and Pieces which may amuse
Interesting Stuff from Members:
Brian Harrison: Got an email from Brian which will be of interest. You may recall that the HaldaneHD-100 and HD-300’s cars were manufactured in East Kilbride during the 80’s and 90’s, the company was run by Brian Harrison and Alasdair Scott. Actually, one of the last HD-300’s made is now stuck up on the wall in the Glasgow Transport Museum! Recently he was contacted by an enthusiast/owner in Holland and asked to contribute details of the history of Haldane Developments for a website the Dutchman was producing. Have a look at the ‘History’ and ‘Register’ chapters at this site www.haldane.nl to get the story behind the Haldane’s production, etc. This is an excellent effort and makes interesting reading. Isn’t it amazing just how many of these cars have survived and are still enjoy an active life !
With more family and business responsibilities, Brian retired from racing in 1975 and took up something less expensive and less dangerous ………………………. Hang-Gliding.! Check out Brian’s own site showing now his involvement in gliding. His present company is X-C Aviation where he is currently working on the development of an electric powered glider with a company in Poland. Changed days!Brian had over 7 years direct involvement in motorsport, 7 years in Haldane Developments and 8 years in Karting with his son Kenneth, during which time he also developed an award-winning performance logging system for karts and race bikes under the name Datalap Racing Systems. Karting at that time was full of fathers who were co-competitors of his and several friendships were renewed including with Jimmy Sime who is currently finishing the rebuild of his original 1970’s Mini and is about to go racing again! As he said, “once a competitor, always a competitor, I guess!”
Willie Crawford:
Got an email from Willie including the photographs below for inclusion. He mentioned that “Funnily enough since I retired some years ago I have satiated my desire to fly around the place on four wheels by having a part-time job driving a small car transporter, collecting and delivering hire cars all around Scotland. Does not pay much money but keeps me happy….”
Eric Dymock:
Eric emailed to say that he was recently celebrating his 80th birthday! Also, he attached the couple of photographs below which he had received from Andy Morrison. This shows Eric competing in the 1964 Scottish Rally with Graham Birrell as his co-driver in a borrowed Works Cortina.
The 6th Flying Scotsman, 4th to 6th April 2014 –
Organised by the Endurance Rally Association. The event this year, which was a Vintage Reliability Trial, broke with tradition and moved further north. Starting at the Forest of Arden which is near Birmingham, the Competitors drove north into Lancashire and Yorkshire on the first day. On day two they moved into Scotland finishing at the Gleneagles Hotel on day three, having driven much more on Scottish roads than in previous events. To be eligible the cars had to have a pre-war chassis and a pre-war engine design. However, they did allow an HRG, which was essentially a pre-war car, and an MG T-Type as it had two leaf springs at the front. It was a Regularity Road Rally with off-the-public-road time trials. There were 98 starters, of which 94 managed to finish which is quite remarkable considering the age of these vehicles. Again the vast majority were from Great Britain (61) but there were entries from Ireland (5), Holland (8), Switzerland (2), Germany (4), Belgium (7), Luxembourg (2), Spain (2), Canada, USA (3) and Australia (1). Have a look at the ERA website to see the huge variety of vehicles entered. The photographs below are only a few of the ones taken at the control near Carron. Again we are grateful to Bill Barr who sent in these photographs of himself and Harry Merry still doing their bit for Motor Sport as Marshals at that Time Control.
These Photograph below are with the courtesy of Bill Barr
Scottish Malts Classic Tour – 28th April to 2nd May :
This was an event run by the Classic Endurance Rallying Organisation. They have been running this particular event annually since 2007 tending to be based in places like Gleneagles or Turnberry, as well as visiting a number of whisky establishments en route. I must admit it was the first I had heard of this event. Bill Barr and Harry Merry were both involved in manning the Rest and Be Thankful section. Having just finished their stint with the 6th Flying Scotsman Rally, and having been involved with running events in Scotland for many years, they were not amused by the dreadful organisation at the Rest. Anyway, Bill sent these photos he took on the Rest for your interest. For those who would like more detail of this organisation click here.
More on “Thoughts from Malcolm Parkin“ from the April Newsletter:
What a flurry of emails following “Malcolm’s Thoughts” in the last Newsletter! Here is a précis and hopefully a conclusion to what has turning out to be a bit of a saga. Interesting none-the-less…..!
Extracts from Emails
21 April, 14.34 hours Donald MacDonald emailed to state that “regarding JYS’s demonstration of Tyrrell 003 at Ingliston, features (with photographs) on page 90 of Graham Gauld’s book ‘Scottish Motor racing and Drivers’ and according to the report, the August meeting was in 1978.”
30th April, 23.35 hours Iain Nicolson from the Ingliston-circuit website wrote: “I was interested to read Malcolm Parkin’s thoughts in the recent VSMA members newsletter of Jackie Stewart bringing his Tyrrell 003 up to Ingliston on a demo. He suggests that it may have been in 1971, and that may have been so, however, I can vouch for the fact that JYS did indeed bring Tyrrell 003 up to Ingliston for the August 1979 meeting – and I also had the sense to take some photos (although surely others did too?). A couple of these are onmy website but I’ve also attached a few more to this email, for your enjoyment…”
1st May, 9.58 hours Malcolm Parkinresponded to Iain as follows: “Many thanks for that 1979 information about Tyrell 003. Jackie Stewart has demonstrated twice at Ingliston, and the earlier occasion – which is the one I was thinking about – was 1969 when he demonstrated the Matra Cosworth F1 car, in which he won his first world championship. The engine was fluffing due to a mixture problem, and he stalled the car while doing a racing start in front of the grandstand, much to his embarrassment. He later went on to give a tremendous drive, and it was interesting to note that he was still accelerating round the left-hander at Clock, leaving his braking to the entry point at the right-hander before the grandstand. Very impressive! The Clerk of the Course on the day as I recall was the late Ernie Herrald.”
1st May, 15.23 hours Iain Nicolson responded: “Aha, this is getting interesting! I’m not sure you are entirely correct about the date and the car Malcolm. Jackie Stewart did demo his March-Cosworth (not the Matra in which he won the championship) at Ingliston at the May 1970 meeting – see photos attached, including my autographed programme cover! As you see below, the car was covered up in the paddock before I managed to get my photos, presumably because this was a current Grand Prix car at the time, which Jackie was actually racing that season, and so perhaps they didn’t want it to be seen too closely…?! Correct me if I’m wrong, but to the best of my knowledge the Tyrrell Matra-Ford was never demonstrated at Ingliston.
1st May 17.38 hours
Malcolm in reply to Iain: “Well, I think you could be correct! I am copying this into my good friend Douglas Thomson who had it as the Matra in 1969. Doug also mentioned to me that Tyrrell used the March chassis in 1970 until they could develop their own car. What a game of trivial pursuit I have started, except it isn’t trivial! Douglas, would you like to comment please?“
1st May, 20.57 hours Douglas Thomson reply:“Oh dear, oh dear, curious and more curious!! The car in the photograph is unmistakably a March 701, the driver is unmistakably Jackie Stewart, and the track is unmistakably Ingliston. That would make it early 1970 because the Tyrrell 001 first appeared at the Gold Cup non-championship Formula One race meeting at Oulton Park sometime in the Summer of 1970, and the March chassis was abandoned after that. Tyrrell, of course, ran the Matra chassis in 1969, powered by a Cosworth DFV engine, and Stewart won the World Championship that year. The Tyrrell team wanted to continue using a Matra chassis in 1970, but Matra insisted that if Tyrrell wanted their chassis, they also had to run Matra’s own V12 engine which was heavier and underpowered compared to the DFV. As Tyrrell and Stewart were committed to using the (Ford) Cosworth DFV engine because a lot of their money came from Ford, the team were forced into running a customer March 701 chassis for the start of the 1970 season, until they could get their own car up and running. I think I am right in saying that Stewart was the only person to win a Grand Prix in a March 701, the Spanish GP if my memory serves me right, although you might want to look that up. However, I am glad to see that all the pieces of the jigsaw are gradually coming into place.”
2nd May, 09.53 hours Douglas to Malcolm : “Shortly after sending off the e-mail to you last night, I had a phone call from my photographer friend Eric Bryce who went to most of the Ingliston race meetings. He said he had found a photograph he took of Jackie Stewart at Ingliston with the March 701 in 1970, but no record of Stewart being there with the Matra in 1969. That would tie in with the photos you e-mailed to me yesterday. So it seems I was quite wrong about the Matra, and I am very sorry for sending you off on the wrong tack with that possibility. The facts seem to be, therefore, that Jackie Stewart’s two visits to Ingliston to demonstrate a Formula One car were in 1970 with the March 701, and in 1979 with the Tyrrell 003″.
2nd May, 10.13 hours Finally, Malcolm replies: “After some clever investigation, and thanks to Iain’s eyewitness, photographs, and autograph, we have clarified the position with Sir Jackie’s Ingliston demonstrations.“
Editor: Well done if you have got as far as this. We know now who we could have in our Pub Quiz Team…….. or maybe not!
Interesting Youtube clips:
Just a few, which are best viewed in ‘Full Screen’
A quite topical and amusing advert from France for the use of paper
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted on the apple tray: ‘Take only ONE. God is watching.’ Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, ‘Take all you want. God is watching the apples….’
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six-year-olds. After explaining the commandment to ‘honour’ thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, ‘Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’ From the back, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, ‘Thou shall not kill.’
Shampoo Warning
WARNING TO US ALL – YOU NEED TO READ THIS
I don’t know WHY I didn’t figure this out sooner! I use shampoo in the shower when I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning,
“FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY”
No wonder I have been gaining weight! Well, I got rid of that shampoo and I am going to start showering with Palmolive dish-washing liquid instead because of its label reads
“DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.”
News
some weeks ago I was approached by an Alan Dalton to request the use of one of the images on our website, one of Boyd Tunnock competing in his MGA, on a book he was writing on the history of Motor Sport around Edinburgh. On checking this with Boyd the image has been duly inserted in his ebook “Phantom and Shadows”. This can now be downloaded from Amazon. The Kindle edition costs a mere 77p. Having obtained a copy I can confirm that it is certainly worth this small price. I’m sure it will be of interest to those who been involved with motorsport around the Edinburgh.
![](http://vsms.tunaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/News003-1.jpg "The correct attire for a "Rest"? ( Photograph courtesy of Bill Barr )")
