FRESSINGFIELD OILY RAG

CLUB

NEWSLETTERJune 2020

FORC - For Motor Sport Enthusiasts

The 4th FORC Snetterton Track Evening

Tuesday 30th June 2020

An exclusive event organised for Fressingfield Oily Rag Club by

Javelin Trackdays Ltd.

If you haven't done this before this is your opportunity to see what it's like to drive yourcar on a race circuit. An enjoyable unpressurised way to spend an evening in thecompany of other Oily Rags and their always interesting cars. It's 'open pit lane' so youcan do as much or little as you fancy. For the uninitiated 'open pit lane’ means you cango out onto the track and come in as many times as you wish. You will find that whenyou are not used to driving on track how tiring it can be, but great fun.

This year there are some new restrictions and changes due to Covid 19, please see theweb site for the details and costs. To book this event just log-on to the club web site oras per the link below.

https://webcollect.org.uk/forc/event/forc-track-evening-june-2020

This was a very successful event last year and we're expecting another good turn out forthis, our fourth year.

If you're still thinking about it PLEASE BOOK SOON, to guarantee your place andhelp with FORC and Javelin event planning. Remember it's only a month away!

PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN'T SHOW UP AND ENTER AND PAY BY CASH ON THEDAY: ITS ONLINE ADVANCE BOOKING ONLY!

The View from the Editorial Desk

The good news, announced on 15th May is that, with the Government easing Covid 19restrictions, racing circuits, along with locations such as Golf courses, are deemed areaswhere human activity can be safely undertaken subject to certain rules.

As you will have just read, and hopefully actioned, our Snetterton Track evening onTuesday 30th May is on! Full details and online booking are on:

https://webcollect.org.uk/forc/event/forc-track-evening-june-202 0

Everything you need to know is there, so do it now, and blow the Covid cobwebs away!Thanks to those who responded to our invitation to pre-register – here you go!

I don't normally re-read books. I keep those deemed possible future researchsources; others are moved on. The Vettell/Ferrari issue, and the demise of our hero SirStirling, triggered a lockdown visit to the Editorial Library. These events caused me tothink about what made a driver a favourite for me, and what makes a favourite fortoday’s motorsport enthusiast?

Meantime my thanks, on behalf of the contributors, to all those who took the troubleto write in appreciation of our Stirling Moss tribute edition of your Newsletter.

Best wishes and see you at Snetterton! Steve Wyatt

He's Just A Boy Who Can't Say No!

Adrian Goding, owner of the 1989 Willhire 25 winning Saphire Cosworth, explains how despite his best efforts...he can never resist!

The Interesting tie breaker question in the 'Quiz of the Week' in the April FORC Newsletter and the frustrated Matt Neal talk to FORC coincidentally pulls a numberof threads together all at once. I was recently invited to take my latest project, a 2010 Honda Civic FN2 to Team Dynamics (TD) in Droitwich by Yuasa as part of the 2020 sponsorship launch.

The car is chassis TD-09-05 and is the only Honda FN2 surviving in the UK. It is the Gordon 'Flash' Shedden car but for the purposes of celebrating Yuasa's tenth season as sponsors and Matt Neal's 30th year in the BTCC it was agreed to change the livery of my car over to Matt's. Names and numbers are easy to spot differencesbut the devil is in the detail and the windscreen headers were also different- black for Matt Neal and red for 'Flash'

'Flash' in TD-09-05 leading Matt Neal – just.

In the event the launch turned out to be in March at the start of the currentpandemic so was scaled back to exclude public attendance.

TD-09-05 has been rather slow progress – the car was stripped entirely to abareshell when it was sold. In 2016 however T D were commissioned to supply aready to race FN2 to the Dominican Republic at a price which engaged theirinterest. The chassis they used for that build was the only other one available TD-11-06 and it needed the correct XTRAC 516 gearbox and they are rare. With noavailability Dynamics got in touch with Touring Car Spares (TCS) in Brighton andthey were able to find one – as part of the deal it included selling the only otherchassis to them – the picture you see below

TD-09-05 as sold to TCS

It was TCS who sold me the Sapphire way back in '08 and I keep in touch with theirstock for cars that interest me. In an effort to make something saleable TCS looselyfitted doors, hatch, and bonnet as well as the correct GRP front wings and bumper.Standard front and rear subframes were added to make the car a roller and then itsat there on the market for months and months as seen below.

Mocked up waiting for a buyer

Yet more months later I spoke with Tony Ryan at TCS and asked why this car hadnot sold and was it because it was the worlds most complicated jigsaw with nopicture? I did agree to go and look at the car and it was clear that the challengewas indeed to be all the missing elements and the cost of matching the originalbuild spec. On the upside it was a championship car with all the logbooks and theonly FN2 here with the sister car now the Dominican Republic. The key would be ifbetween myself and Tony we could get the help of Team Dynamics with eitherparts or drawings which it appeared was likely.

Whilst at TD I had a chance to pick the brains of Technical Director Barry Plowmanon the small details that sometimes confuse – for example the reason I could notfind where the rain light had been installed originally was because they hid it inthe reversing light holder! Barry and I also discussed other cars and from that Ifound that he had worked for Roger Dowson who was commissioned by Ford tobuild and support the Firestone Sapphire that won the Willhire 25 Hour race in '89and indeed the overall championship that year – quite by chance then Barry had amajor part in building two cars that I now own.

This project has not been easy because quite a lot of the build was bespoke and wehave been doing a lot of reverse engineering. As far as I can tell the older cars arestripped almost entirety for anything that might be useful and then discarded.

Roll forward to very recently and it was Yuasa's marketing team that contacted me to bepart of the launch and they had done their own hunting for the car, first finding TCS.

The car had to go to the new TD HQ in Droitwich and there they would make the liverychanges and set up the launch – for the first time I was going to be able to have someaccess to Steve Neal and Barry Plowman personally which was a real opportunity.

Masquerading as #2 Matt Neal's car at the 2020 Yuasa launch at Team Dynamics HQ

There is a lot more to tell you about finding the various parts for the jigsaw – notleast I had to find an XTRAC 516 box too but that will have to wait for the nextprogress report.

2020 Snetterton Stage Rally

Round 6 of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship 15th February 2020 – Report by David Harbey

About the MSN Circuit Rally Championship: An eight round Rally Championship overmultiple stages held at Oulton Park, Cadwell Park, Brands Hatch, Knockhill, Anglesey,Donington, Snetterton, and Cadwell Park. Each round is organised by the local MSArecognised car clubs, responsibility for Round 6 fell to the Anglia Motor Sport Club.

FORC member David Harbey kindly contributed the pictures and forgave us for editing hisexcellent report from Snetterton.

The weather forecast for the weekend was dominated by Storm Dennis, which put mein mind of my first visit, as a small boy, to Snetterton. Research tells me that it was14th March 1964 for the Daily Mirror Trophy – a non-championship race for F1 cars(when we had those!). The meeting also included races for F3 and Saloon Cars. That daygave rise to one of those family sayings that are oft repeated to knowing smiles. As weset off in the dark from Derbyshire that morning, my Aunt declared “rain before 7, fineby 11” Well, so long as that was 11pm, she was right. It was monsoon conditions andmost of the day was spent in the car rather than watching the cars race.

I feared for the worst for the Snetterton Stages, but with the west and centre of thecountry taking the majority of the rain, Norfolk got off relatively lightly with only lightprecipitation in the afternoon. The wind was a bit ferocious though! Nevertheless, thethought of the return to the series of Chris West in the winning Peugeot 306 Maxi from2019, (below) to take on Frank Bird in the Focus WRC was incentive enough.

Four wheel drive helps too – Bird (Below) headed into an early lead taking plenty ofkerb at Murray’s where I had headed for Stage 1.

The track was wet from overnight rain, so tyre choice was important. As demonstratedby the Connor Tolson/Brian Ilaria Fiesta (Below).

With each stage including multiple laps of the circuit, there was plenty of scope forovertaking.

Running wide; this is racer Nigel Greensall in his Toyota GT86.

With Bird unsurprisingly dominating stage 1, taking 14 seconds out of West, it lookedas if the pattern was set for the day. For stage 2, I headed to the paddock where thestage used the race assembly area and access roads to give some close up action for thedecent crowd that had turned out. West was through first as car 1; followed by Bird andthen Paul Smith in his Fiesta RS.

Mike Watson, however, will not have endeared himself to Jonathan Palmer when hetook out the fence. I heard a crunch and turned round to see the MX5 having anargument with the woodwork.

Stage 3:the entry to Brundle is quick and often includes some running the kerbs (akathe touring car line).

For Stage 4, the last of the morning, it was time for some loose surface action. Thisyear, the organisers had added in around 15% to the stage mileage using various accessroads running across the car park area between Nelson and Coram. Cue some carssliding, flying dirt, and tail out action from the rear wheel drive cars. Yes, that is a FordAnglia, crewed by John & Laura Cooledge-but with a 2-litre Vauxhall engine and Getraggearbox 11RC.

The Paul Fern/Will Brown Talbot Sunbeam No. 68

This would be the last we would see of the West Peugeot as mechanical gremlinsintervened.

Stage 5 started the afternoon; the wind was getting up and the light rain continued.Standing above the race assembly area provided a view across to the paddock. The carstake a tight right and head down to the circuit access gate.

The Barry Morris/Tom Hutchings Darrian

The Ross & Conor Wey Peugeot 205

Back to Nelson for Stage 6 with the cars running the reverse direction; so time for somekerb-hopping action again. Here’s the fastest Escort of Ian Woodhouse / Paul Rowland,

and the Class C winning Ashley Davies/Freddie Hewitt Peugeot 205Gti.

The drizzle is continuing together with gale conditions and there is an involuntary softfocus as the rain hits the filter on the lens. Combining this with the lights reflecting inthe tarmac and the unique shot of the cars coming through The Bombhole the “wrong”way, all makes for an interesting image.

As we have seen previously, there are multiple cars on the stage at the same time,including here the Metro 6R4 Millington of Dennis Marshall /Mark James.

Right, it’s getting dark, it’s still blowing a gale, but at least the rain has eased. So backto Murray’s for the final stage in the hope of some exhaust flames: Stephen and JackTilburn provided the fireworks in their Escort RS2500

Frank Bird / Jack Morton went on to a dominant win in their Focus with theMorris/Hutchings Darrian second followed by Smith and Bowen 3rd in their Fiesta andWells / Houldsworth 4th in their Evo (Below).

Meantime, as usual a BIG shout to the marshals without whom none of us could enjoyour sport! Also an equally BIG thank you to the members of the Anglia Motor SportsClub who freely volunteered their time to organise and run this event.

For the full entry list and results go to: http://msnrallychamp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SSR20_Results.pdf

For copies of any of the many more pictures from this event contact David Harbey www.Harbey.co.u k

To find out more about the Anglia Motor Sport Club visit:https://www.amsc.org.uk/

The FORC 'Quick Quiz'

This month we start with a few Rallying Questions:

1. a) What was Rally driver Erik Carlsson's nationality? b) What make of car did Carlsson first come to notice for driving? c) What characteristic of the car led Erik to adopt a particular driving technique

which has become common? d) Who was Erik's wife – Mrs Carlsson is not the answer!

2. Which former FORC guest speaker founded the Verglas column which still appears in Motorsport News?

3. Who is the FORC guest who was co-driver to John Haugland, Tony Pond, Henri Toivanen, Juha Kankkunen, and Bjorn Waldegard

4. Name the FORC guest speaker who first started rallying an Austin 7 'Chummy' followed by a VW Beetle and went on to win the Monte Carlo Rally?

5. In the British Touring Car Championship which driver is known as 'Flash'!

6. The 1950 British Grand Prix was the first ever World Drivers Championship race. What circuit hosted the race?

7. On which other circuits, has the British GP been held?

8. What does STP stand for?

9. Which manufacturer's cars have won more Le Mans 24 Hours races than any other?

10. Which driver won the F1 World Championship with both Ferrari and McLaren?

The answers can be found at the end of the Newsletter.

The FORC Events CalendarPlease make sure you have these FORC dates in your diaries!

The BIG NEWS:Tuesday 30th June

Exclusive to FORC Snetterton Track EveningIT'S ON!

Go to https://webcollect.org.uk/forc/event/forc-track-evening-june-2020

Come on - do it now!

…....................Stradbroke Meetings – Whose coming?

'As we go to press' on 1st June nobody has any idea when or withwhom our guest speaker programme can resume. We are taking things event by event. Keep an eye open for FORC Newsflashes, on www.forc.org.uk and the Newsletter for news.

…....................

Wednesday 30th SeptemberJohn Fitzpatrick

British Saloon Car championEuropean GT Champion – and the rest!

….........Wednesday 28th October

Maitland Cook – The John Wyer Years................

Wednesday 25th NovemberRally Legend – Rosemary Smith

…...............Wednesday16th December

Steve PlaterBritish Supersport Champion, IoM TT Winner, etc.

…................

Admission to Stradbroke meetings including Coffee/Tea & Cake and Cash Bar is£10 cash per person on the door.

….....................................

Outdoor events:

The 18th P W R Tulip Run. Postponed to July/August/September

Look out for news!

August Bank Holiday Sunday30th August

The Peter Andrews Memorial SprintSnetterton

Stradbroke High School CARnival

Sunday 6th September-o-0-o-

Classified Adverts

MAZDA MX5ServicingTuning

Track Day & Race PreparationAccident Damage Repaired

Four Wheel AlignmentRust Proofing

Sponsor of the: Michael Cleverley

AMSC 2020 AutoSOLO Challenge Mazda MX5 Trophy.

Valley Farm Business UnitNew StreetStradbrokeIP21 5JL

www.mx5expert.com/

Telephone 01379 384046

Providing Affordable Motor Sport Since 1950.Subscription only £10 per annum.

www.ecmc.co.uk/

The Painting On The Cover:

"Remarkable Rindt"

50-years ago, Austrian Jochen Rindt drove a remarkable race in the 1970Monaco Grand Prix with a dramatic ending. Jochen gave a display ofmasterful car control in his Lotus-Ford 49C, chasing down Jack Brabham'sBrabham-Ford BT33, ever closer every lap. The Australian was forced into amistake at the final Hairpin, sliding off into the barriers to give Rindt asurprise win. Tragically, Jochen lost his life at Monza in September in aLotus 72. The only posthumous Formula 1 World Champion.

As always, many thanks to Andrew Kitson for allowing the use of hisartwork.

Footnotes

Snetterton Stages

FORC were represented on the Snetterton Stages by Aaron Rix/Rob Cox in the familliar Escort MkI

and Barrie and Oliver Marshall (Nissan Micra) Picture

Re: Our Sir Stirling Moss Tribute:

John Goodman writes:

I'm glad to see that Leigh is obviously OK and I have noted that his Stirling Moss story revolves around the wonderful Retro '97 which took place in Basildon. I, too, was there and it was a totally surreal experience to witness the cars being put through their paceson Cranes Farm Road, including Tiff Needell in a full-blooded slide in the Lister Storm out of the roundabout as one of the regular bus services continued to exit the same roundabout on the opposite side! The paddock was situated in Gloucester Park and we were charged the princely sum of £5.00 for the chance to mingle with the drivers and view the eclectic array of machinery. The event was organised by Canon Lionel Webber to raise funds for his church bell tower but as Chaplain to the BRDC, he undoubtedly had friends in high places! The list of the drivers read like a "who's who" of motor sport.

Lionel Webber was certainly an enigmatic character and my wife and I first met him when we attended a small scale classic car show in our Morgan in the church grounds at Burnham-on-Crouch. Lionel, who regularly sailed from Burnham, was a personal friend of the local vicar and it transpired that he had been "roped in" with directing carsto their allocated parking spaces. He had also arrived in his MG Midget.

In later years we would sometimes pass Lionel as he was going to the Track Blessing at Goodwood Revival but when he ceased to be Chaplain to the BRDC and no longer

attended the Duke of Richmond's (then Earl of March) magical step back in time, we lost touch. Most regrettably, many rumours circulated as to the subsequent outcome of Retro '97 but I suspect that Lionel Webber has since passed on.(I believe he might still be around, Ed)

However, as Leigh indicates, the legacy of Canon Lionel Webber remains in the DVD of one very special Saturday afternoon in Basildon. Immediately after the event I bought it as a VHS video but have since had it converted to DVD and for the benefit of FORC members, I attach a copy of the cover.

Best regards.

John Goodman

The FORC Quick Quiz Answers – June 2020

1. a) Swedish b) Saab c) To keep the revs up on the early Saab two strokes, and maintain high cornering speed, he practised left-foot braking. d) Pat Moss-Carlsson – Stirling’s sister.

2. Stuart Turner

3. Fred Gallagher

4. Paddy Hopkirk

5. Gordon Shedden

6. Silverstone

7. Aintree & Brands Hatch

8. Scientifically Treated Petroleum

9. Porsche (17 Wins)

10. Niki Lauda. (Ferrari 1975 & '77, Mclaren 1984)