The Historic Times - Historic Racing South Africa

Transcription

The Historic Times
Volume 14 issue 02
Cost R10
February 2013
Historic Racing South Africa
The views and articles published in The Historic Times do not necessarily represent the views of the Historic Racing South Africa
Phil Hopwie MG Special
‘SPIDER’
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE HASTIE
Heyns Stead is the proud owner of the Phil Howie MG Special that hails from the mid fifties. Heyns had owned it since 1990 and he tell
us the car was called Spider as all the cars in the Les Miller team were given a particular name. The car was one of three built by Les
Miller and it runs an MG 1250 cc engine.
Racing this machine is however not everything that one might expect! In fact if you forget to pump the fuel by way of the long handled
pump with your left arm while on the straights you would be in for a little surprise come turn next on the track, you would find the car
willing in spirit but weak in the flesh! Yep we do take so much for granted with modern cars. YES 1965 cars are MODERN when compared to those made in the early ‘50’s!
Well done to Heyns who posted respectable 1m36 at the recent Zwartkops passion for speed and 2m45 around the Kyalami track.
And how lovely it is to see the car that was so much part of our club from its inception; perhaps one day we could find a way to welcome back the Historic Single Seaters to our club!
The older I get, the faster I was!
PASSION FOR SPEED
A massive THANK YOU to the guys n gals from Killarney for dropping the second leg of our annual
international this year. The nett result was that us Vaalies got a thoroughly good dose of historic
racing right out of the top drawer. The stunning machinery of all shapes and sizes was surpassed only
by the superb displays of driving shills of the many racers from around the globe. Nice also the see
the return of the annual old faithful from across the water such as the Mc Laren V8 with its signature
rugby ball stoppers astride the off-centre carb trumpets.
The creation of the Little Giants of the Legends
allowed the lesser cc’d cars strut proudly their stuff
without fear of being swamped blasted by a gaggle
of thunderous V8 on their way to the top step of the
podium. Notable was the little 900cc Hillman Imp of
Terence Tracey driven by Phil Webb hold its own
against the spotless Porsche 356 of Clive Winterstein.
Incidentally Phil Webb had purchased the Works Imp
W101 of Bob Kelsey in the 60’s and although this car is
2
PASSION FOR SPEED
long lost he miraculously managed to retrieve the original magnesium Minilites from the Kelsey Imp!
Kyalami is a track that would better suit the big muscle cars one would expect… yeah well, why doesn’t
anybody tell this to the Alfa brigade??? There is a strong rumour in the pits that the Alfissimos decided
to invent a new track game called; “LET’S PICK A V8 TO IRITATE!” Try as they would the front
running V8’s tried to shake off the pesky little Alfas of Trevor Tuck, Clive Densham and Collin Ellison but
each Alfa to a man held their chosen pry to complete honesty with Tuck taking the flag in a fourth
overall position well ahead of a further six or eight muscle cars. Separated by one V8 Clive Densham
followed in sixth and if his block had managed to keep all of its internals in side it and in proper running
order Colin would have being eight hot on the rear fender of the 7th place V8.
Well if you thought this was fun to watch small cars pressurise mighty machines like Chev Belaires or big
block Ford whatevers then you should have seen the Mini of Denzil Bhana ridicule the cubic capacity of
the monster cars, not only shadowing them in the twisty bits but actually dragging them down the pit
straight. Hollywood movies would not put together movies in this vein as they feel they would lose
credibility with the movie buffs. Welcome to the real World of racing; top stuff guys and sad for your
blow up Collin! (I have some 67mm Imp pistons if you need, but I guess you might find them a little on
the little side! Ed.)
3
Continued on page 5
COMMITTEE DETAILS
Nick Sheward
Chairman
(083) 299-3090
Tracy Cilliers
Secretary
Jacques Cilliers
Chairman Saloon Cars
vicechairman@historicracing.co.za
(082) 330-3446
secretary@historicracing.co.za
(084) 951-7414
saloon@historicracing.co.za
Chairman Sports & GT
Nick Sheward
Chairman Classic Thoroughbreds
(083) 299-3090
thoroughbred@historicracing.co.za
Kevin Taylor Chairperson Marque Cars (083) 608-6896
marque@historicracing.co.za
Hedley Whitehead Treasurer
treasurer@historicracing.co.za
(082) 448-8269
Historic Times Editor (non committee) 083 601 7511
Website;
ttracey@polka.co.za
www.historicracing.co.za
4
PASSION FOR SPEED
Another exciting event to witness was Darren Lobb who started his race from the third row on the
grid in his Fiat 131 Mirafiori. First he would catch up with 5th placed VICTIM, size him up and choose
when to send him back to sixth place. Next 4th, a little further away, and a tad quicker; same
procedure, catch up, size up and move up! Just like that. The Snatch past in Clubhouse was quite
spectacular and the move he pulled to claim 2nd threading his Fiat through a gaggle of
backmarkers ascending Wesbank hill was the stuff that champions are noted for. Sadly Darren was
robbed of a solid crack at 1st as he ran out of laps, but given two more laps the Fiat would certainly
have vanquished over the BMW that took top honours.
The MGA of the Youth Programme was plagued early on in the day with either fuel feed problems
or electrics. Welcome to the world of racing old cars boys, things are only smooth when YOU make
them so. Remember the golden rule of racing; ‘PREPARE to win’. Well in spite of their setbacks
and of course a big thanks to Dave (Holt) for his support and help, the lads managed to put the
car onto the grid for the 45 minute race with Gavin out first and he put up a strong showing with
Roger Huston’s MgB in the early stages of the endurance event. It was quite amusing to see young
Gavin gesticulating to the Lotus Elan who was holding him up as they came through the old Bus
Stop sweep. Needless to say it took no time for him to dispatch the Lotus. Roger meanwhile took
advantage of being passed by the race leaders to reclaim his position previously lost to Gavin. Dog
eat dog racing between the two of them again for lap after lap and it seemed being undisturbed
but the race leaders Gavin was again able to pass the MGB and pull out a reasonable gap before
handing over to Stephen who carried on the good work shadowing the Alfa of John Ten’s son and
then overtaking him to then set his sights on a Dart. Stephen having followed the Dart for a few
laps made a brave move up the inside at the super bowl, a bit of a lockup but a quick recovery to
keep the advantage and show the dart the way through to the flag.
Editor
5
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
Dear Members and fellow Committee
Members.
January has come and gone once more
and we are off to a flying start to the
year. Prizegiving at Cesco’s was truly well
attended and judging by the amount of
families and competitors still there late in
the afternoon, a great time was had by
many.
Registration Day was well attended and a
big thanks to all who participated and
assisted with the event. A really long hot day ensued with the opportunity
to test on the track later in the afternoon. Big thanks go to Zwartkops for
assisting us with a venue once again.
The end of January always signals the start of a great Motoring Festival
which I am sure we all look forward to every year. Great entries at both
events in all categories were truly enjoyed by all spectators. The pedestrian
traffic in the pits was non-stop! We look forward to next year with renewed
fervor!
The XR8 ran hot both meetings but these things are sent to challenge us,
aren’t they? Some say these challenges build character! Thanks for all the
advice and chat on my car issues!
The Category AGM’S will commence at Piston Ring on the 20th February at
1900hrs sharp. There is a lot to get through so we do need the early start.
Please remember the nominations for these positions should be of Members
willing and capable of fulfilling the mandate required of the Category, and
capable attending every Committee Meeting throughout the year.
See you all there! Ciao All.
Warm Regards
Nick Sheward
6
7
Zulu Warrior Slain at Zwartkops
Photography by Dave Hastie
Photo Dave Gomersall
8
Continued on page 34
MOTORING TUNES
A SONG WRITTEN BY CHUCK BERRY AND MADE TO SOUND WONDERFUL BY THE ALLMAN BROTHERS’ BAND
NO MONEY DOWN!
As I was motorvatin'
Back towards town
I saw a Cadillac sign
That said "No Money Down"
So I eased on my brakes
And I pulled in the drive
Gunned my motor twice
Then I walked inside
Dealer came to me
Said "Trade in you Ford
And I'll put you in a car
That'll eat up the road
Just tell me what you want
And then sign on that line
And I'll have it brought down to you
In a hour's time"
I'm gonna get me a car
And I'll be headed on down the road
Then I won't have to worry
About that broken - down, raggedy Ford
"Well Mister I want a yellow convertible
Four - door de Ville
With a Continental spare
And a wide chrome wheel
I want power steering
And power brakes
I want a powerful motor
With a jet off - take
I want air condition
I want automatic heat
And I want a feather bed and a pillow
In the back seat
I want short - wave radio
I want TV and a phone
You know I gotta talk to my baby
When I'm ridin' alone"
Yes I'm gonna get that car
And I'm gonna head on down the road
Yeah, then I won't have to worry
"I want four carburetors
And two straight exhausts
I'm burnin' aviation fuel
No matter what the cost
I want railroad air horns
And a military spot
And I want a fifteen - year guarantee
On everything I got
I want ten - dollar deductible
I want twenty dollar notes
I want thirty thousand liability"
That's all she wrote
I got me a car
And I'm headed on down the road
No money down
THESE AND OTHER MOTORING TUNES ARE AVAILABLE FROM HISTORIC CAR
ENTHUSIAST ADRIAN OF HIGH FIDELITY
I don't have to worry
9
084 207 9177
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
A massive THANK YOU to all who supported the JoLon Imp fundraising dinner
and auction in January. Not only were we able to raise a sizeable bunch of money
but the evening was a truly special occasion.
In the midst of a wonderful gathering of special people was the actual car that my
travel buddy and I will head off to Coventry in on 17th March. The partly prepared
Imp was covered from roof to undertray with goods of all shapes and sizes,
donated to the cause for auction during the dinner at Scrooge Diner.
Of course the wonderful and varied items needed two very important ingredients
to turn them into a benefit on the evening; an accomplished auctioneer and of
course the generosity of those who purchased the items. Well not only did Clive
Winterstein run a truly professional auction but he also infused a most wonderful
vein of humour and entertainment into the event. Clive I am extremely grateful for
your help.
The three charities will duly receive
their 15% of all monies raised and
we will hand over the money to the
Johannesburg Society for the blind
on our departure and the donations
for the Save the Rhino and the
RNIB will receive their
contributions when we arrive in the
UK.
The piece de resistance of the
evening was a stunning depiction
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in just 40 days!
10
I rather push a Ford than drive a Chev!
11
Classics Classifieds
SECOND HAND SLICKS FOR SALE.
CALL SHARON POULTER
082 357 2058
P u m a f o r S a l e R 65, 000 New car, with all the goods, BMW wheels and brakes, twin braking system, oil cooler, special shocks, anti roll bar, Z bar, twin Cobra seats, plexiglass windows etc. 2.2 ltr motor, billet crank corrilla rods, Engle cam Chrome moly push rods, hi volume oil pump, stinger exhaust, twin 40 IDF Web‐
bers, specially modified crank case, modified big valve heads, bal‐
anced etc., comes with extra Puma body and chassis, gearbox, suspension, tyres etc., lots of photos, to show progress during the build, Will consider selling motor separately contact Bruce 0829525724 FIVE (HARDLY EVER USED)
DUNLOP RACING SLICKS
SP SPORT 190 / 535 R 13
Price highly negotiable
083 601 7511
12
For sale:
1973 Mercedes Benz 280 Plus a four wheel trailer R65000.00
Contact number 0828950474
Regards
Mike Leonhardt
082 895 0474
Escort Salisbury Limited Slip Diff with 3.9 Ratio for sale.
R 5200.00
Phone John Reidy
082 789-6555
john@th.co.za
Wanted.
For Sale
Give away
I am a young student look- 4 Minilite rims 114 pcd. 17 inch semi slick tyre
ing for a cute Beetle for R2 ,500
(used)
transport. Must be in clean
5 8 inch Dunlop slicks
condition and reliable.
(almost new)
083 601 7511
Call Caitlin 082 666 0766
R850 each.
083 601 7511
Collect Randburg area
For free advert in our classified section contact
Terence with the details of your requirements by email
ttracey@polka.co.za
13
SERVICES OFFERED
PREPARE to win.!
Race car prep. Service for race cars in HRC or other clubs.
SERVICES OFFERED;

Pre race preparation

Collection of cars and return to owner

Monthly retainer basis or once off fee
Phone Mike (Leonhardt) at PREPARE to win 082 895 0474 or
mail him at email at mikele@value.co.za for a quote.
WANTED
FORD V6 ENGINE
I need to upgrade my V4 in my 1971 Ford Capri/
Call Adrian 084 207 9177
BMW 2002 ti OR A 1970’S BEETLE IN MINT CONDITION
CALL 083 601 7511 or 0827860848
Urgent Sale:
I have 158 rolls of quality 10 Core white
Comms/Security Cable made by Kewberg
cables (New 100m Coils). R15, 800.00
for the lot or R120.00 each or offers?
Other sizes also available from 4 core to
30 core in white and brown.
Also available selected cabtyre cable and
ripcords (prices on request)
Kevin 0836086896 or kevin@olblue.co.za
14
JoLon Imp 2013
of the epic journey by the famous artist Gary Seitz who created an
Impressionism canvass of the JoLon Imp leaving behind the Joburg skyline,
passing the Pyramids of Egypt and finally heading to the London Tower Bridge
and this was duly snapped up by Frank Copping.
Massine thanks to the following for their assistance so far.
Roger Pearce
Clive Winterstein
Arnolds on Kloof
Bruce Pidwell
Mobilectric
Andre Honiwell (Fat Arnies)
15
16
SEEN IN THE PITS
Diesel powered V8 Capri?
Some racers will do almost anything to get their pound
of flesh out of their sponsors!
17
FUNDRAISING DINNER & KYALAMI RACETRACK
IN A FORMULA ONE SIMULATOR
SATURDAY 02 MARCH FROM 18H00
CALL TERENCE 083 601 7511
GREAT PRIZES UP FOR GRABS
R2,000 IF YOUR BEAT THE REIGNING TIME!
SHOP G 24, BRIGHTWATER COMMONS,
011 886 9988
REPUBLIC ROAD, RANDBURG
18
JoLon Imp 2013
John Maio
Streamlight (Franco Resca)
Bandit Signs
Dennis McBeath
Jimmy Bennett
Johan Meyers
Plumberama
International seafoods
Force Tools
We are still needing some funds to cover the trip so if anyone wishes to make a
donation, even a tiny sum, please pop in into the following account and remember
the money will serves two very good efforts’ one the charities will receive well
needed bucks and you will be shut of me for at least two months!!!
The account into which you can contribute donations or sponsorship monies
for Terence’s mammoth Rhino saving and Blindness Banishing road trip.
Account name;
THE IMP SHARE TRUST
Account number; 623 680 46 308
Account type;
Bank:
CURRENT ACCOUNT
FNB
Branch;
CRESTA
Branch code;
25 49 05
19
JoLon Imp 2013
Huge thanks for any donation; even the tiniest amount will be hyper appreciated!
We will arrange another fundrainsing event and this will be one with a difference
where you stand to win R2,000 if you have any driving skills worth showing off.
We will host an event at the Formula 1 simulator at the Brightwater Commons
and the person who beats the best time presently posted at the Kyalami track
will stand to win R2. 000 by kind courtesy of the Formula 1 team and Scrooge
Diner. The event which includes an organised session on the Simulator and a
prizeginign dinner at Scrooge for the small sum of R290 per person. Spot prizes
and fastest lap prizes will also be up for grabs. Call Terence to reserve your
race seat and dinner spot! This will take place on Saturday 2nd March wit first
laps at 18h30.
Finally we will head off on the rocky road on St. Patrick’s Day 17th March from
Scrooge Diner at the sprightly hour of 06h00. we invite our friends to convoy with
us on the first 50 kilos or so ( but please keep your cars or bikes in 1st gear! We
wouldn’t want you overtaking us now would we???
Terence Tracey
083 601 7511
ttracey@polka.co.za
20
Gilles Villeneuve
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Circuit_Gilles_Villeneuve_MAM2.JPG
Personal and early life
Villeneuve was born in Richelieu, a small town in the largely French-speaking province of
Quebec in Canada and grew up in Berthierville.[3] He married Joann Barthe in 1970, with
whom he had two children, Jacques and Mélanie.[4] During his early career Villeneuve
took his family on the road with him in a motorhome during the racing season, a habit
which he continued to some extent during his Formula One career.[5] He often claimed to
have been born in 1952. By the time he got his break in Formula One, he was already 27
years old and took two years off his age to avoid being considered too old to make it at
the highest level of motorsports.[6]
Niki Lauda said of him, "He was the craziest devil I ever came across in Formula 1... The
fact that, for all this, he was a sensitive and lovable character rather than an out-and-out
hell-raiser made him such a unique human being".[7]
His younger brother Jacques also had a successful racing career in Formula Atlantic,
Can Am and CART.[8] Gilles' son, also named Jacques, won the Indianapolis 500 and
CART championships in 1995 and became Formula One World Champion in 1997.[9]
Early career
Villeneuve's 1973 Magnum MkIII Formula Ford car, with which he won the Quebec Formula Ford championship.
Villeneuve started competitive driving in local drag-racing events, entering his road car, a modified 1967 Ford Mustang. He was
soon bored by this[10] and entered the Jim Russell Racing School at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant to gain a racing licence. He then
NEVER LIFT!
21
The
EMGEE
WORKSHOP
INCORPORATING ROLO MOTORS
MG, Mini & British Sports Car
parts, repairs, restorations and
race preparation.
Three decades of high quality
craftsmanship and service.
011 789 7127
sales@emgee.co.za
22
Gilles Villeneuve
had a very successful season in Quebec regional Formula Ford, running his own two-year-old car and winning seven of the ten
races he entered.[11] The next year he progressed to Formula Atlantic, competing there for four years, running his own car again
for one of those seasons. He won his first Atlantic race in 1975 at Gimli Motosport Park in heavy rain. In 1976, teamed with Chris
Harrison's Ecurie Canada and factory March race engineer Ray Wardell, he dominated the season by winning all but one of the
races and taking the US and Canadian titles. He won the Canadian championship again in 1977.
Money was very tight in Villeneuve's early career. He was a professional racing driver from his late teens, with no other income. In
the first few years the bulk of his income actually came from snowmobile racing, where he was extremely successful. He could demand appearance money as well as race money, especially after winning the 1974 World Championship Snowmobile Derby. His
second season in Formula Atlantic was part-sponsored by his snowmobile manufacturer, Skiroule.[12] He credited some of his success to his snowmobiling days: "Every winter, you would reckon on three or four big spills — and I'm talking about being thrown on
to the ice at 100 miles per hour. Those things used to slide a lot, which taught me a great deal about control. And the visibility was
terrible! Unless you were leading, you could see nothing, with all the snow blowing about. Good for the reactions — and it stopped
me having any worries about racing in the rain."[13]
Formula One career
After Villeneuve impressed James Hunt by beating him and several other Grand Prix stars in a non-championship Formula Atlantic
race at Trois-Rivières in 1976, Hunt's McLaren team offered Villeneuve a Formula One deal for up to five races in a third car during
the 1977 season.[14] Villeneuve made his debut at the 1977 British Grand Prix, where he qualified 9th in McLaren's old M23, splitting the regular drivers Hunt and Jochen Mass who were driving newer M26s. In the race he set fifth fastest lap and finished 11th
after being delayed for two laps by a faulty temperature gauge. The British press coverage of Villeneuve's performance was generally complimentary, including John Blunsden's comment in The Times that "Anyone seeking a future World Champion need look no
further than this quietly assured young man."[15]
23
AFRICAN 6 HOUR ENDURANCE RACE
FEBRUARY 23, 2013.
“This is a modern endurance race, not an event for classic racing cars,” says organiser
Entries have been pouring in for the African 6 Hour Endurance Race, to be held at the Phakisa Raceway in Welkom on February
23, 2013.
To date some 45 cars have been entered for the event, ranging from a Pilbeam LMP pucker Le Mans prototype to a Panoz GTLM,
nine Porsche 911-based racers, Shelby Can Ams, and a gaggle of saloon cars.
The race will evoke the spirit of South Africa’s strong tradition in endurance racing, but with a modern field of cars competing over
the six hours in various classes.
“Many people have had the erroneous idea that this is an historic racing car endurance event,” says organiser Roger Pearce of
Classic Car Events, the promoters of the race. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are re-kindling the tradition in South Africa for pucker endurance racing, based along the lines of the World Endurance Championship, and we will be running our race to
FIA-WEC rules, as regards driver teams, re-fuelling and the like.”
In fact the race has already attracted overseas interest, with a German driving team of Frank Norhing and Michael Tischer entered
to drive a Porsche 911 RSR.
24
AFRICAN 6 HOUR ENDURANCE RACE
FEBRUARY 23, 2013.
Whilst Pearce is keen to point out that this race is not an historic racing car event for cars of by-gone eras, it is open to all classes
of sports, GT and saloon cars competing in MSA-sanctioned events across the country.
For this reason the likes of the beautifully turned-out Nardini Sports racers will compete with Shelby Can Ams, some potent BMW
330 saloons, a number of Volkswagens, Lotus 7s, and the very potent Backdraft sports cars which are Cobra-based track machines that could well be in contention for the overall prize.
Thus there is a mix of modern and classic in the entry list, which does include some cars from the classic car racing scene, such as
Ford Escorts and VW Sciroccos.
A special BMW 330d racer, which was a class-winner in the British 24-Hour Championships, will also be imported for the race.
One of the ideas behind holding the race at Phakisa was to attract a national entry, rather than a Gauteng-based one, “says
Pearce.
This strategy is already working well. One of the entries received is the giant-killing Golf from east London run by the Stephen family of racers. “Old man” Neil Stephen, a former works driver for the Opel team here in the 1990s, is driving along with his sons Geoff
and Jonathan in a car that started out as a commuter car for Geoff Stephen back in 2007.
The Stephen Golf has already scooped top saloon wins in endurance races around the country in the past three years and regularly
mixes it with sports racers.
There are also entries from the Cape including Fred Phillips from Cape Town, who has entered the exciting Panoz GTLM car. Phillips is the publisher of the acclaimed magazine Classic and Performance Car Africa, and has competed all over Europe in historic
endurance events.
It will be interesting to see how the more modern GT racers compare to the likes of the Ford GT40 entered by the Scribante family
from Port Elizabeth. Whilst this an historic-shaped racer, it runs modern race underpinnings and is very quick by modern standards,
as are the two Backdraft cars entered by Durban manufacturer Tony Martin, who, not co-incidentally, won the 1984 Daytona 24Hour endurance race.
“There is also a strong possibility that Peter Bailey will be entering his LM2 car that he has been preparing for Le Mans,” says
Roger Pearce. “I’m also hoping to attract some of the Ferrari 360 drivers who race here in sprint races.
“We can take a total of 60 cars according to the regulations, and I’m confident we’ll get close to that cut-off point by the time entries
close on December 31, 2012,” said Pearce.
“We are also determined to re-vitalise interest amongst the Free State people, and we will be embarking on a big campaign to
achieve this,” he said.
For more information, contact Roger Pearce on 082 8970771, or by e-mail on roger@afriod.co.za
25
Touring Cars Report
Hi Guys
We have started the year on a very positive note.
We had our annual registration on the 26th of January and it was well represented. The TC’s
under Dave Richardson did a great job which isn’t always easy under the circumstances. The
cars were well presented and generally to a good standard. The last two weekends it was the
Passion for Speed series at Zwartkops and Kyalami respectively. Pre’77 Saloons was very well
represented and according to many people gave the best racing on the day. For those of you
who took part congratulations you put on a great show.
Our season gets underway on the 16th March at Kyalami, Good Luck to those who will be
contesting the championship and have a safe enjoyable season.
Cheers
Jacques
Motorbooks
HAS HAD A MOVING EXPERIENCE
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
now at the
R101
Classic Car Centre
Capital Hill, Midrand
Hi Everyone
After some forty years in the Hyde Park area, Motorbooks moved its main retail outlet to the R101 Classic Car
Centre (http://www.route101ccc.co.za/) which is located in the Capital Hill Business Park, Midrand. The decision was obviously not an easy one to make but, after careful consideration, it was decided that it will be in
the long term interest of the business. The primary workshop manual outlet, serving both the trade and retail
sectors, will still be in The Colony in Craighall Park, but in a smaller shop on the lower retail level. You will find
it by going down the stairs (near the old shop) towards Dial-a-Bed, turning right at the bottom of the stairs and
then right again and going past the cell phone shop. It is shop number S 004 (diagonally opposite the fruit &
vegetable shop). Werner Gribb will continue to manage the Colony shop, Andrew Thomson the Midrand shop
and Robert Mudau will still manage trade sales.
Order Line: 0861 113 947
Email: info@motorbooks.co.za
26
Bruce’s Blast from the Past
15th Krugersdorp hillclimp
Article transcripted form the Sports Car May 1964
Saturday, 11th 1964, dawned with ideal
weather conditions for hill climbs. Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of
the organisers, practice started an hour later
than anticipated. With the cars lined up at the
bottom of the hill for the first practice run, a very
sporting gesture was made by a local light
plane owner when he came down low over the
cars and saluted them by doing a victory roll.
This seemed most fitting considering the fastest
time of the day went to the air force officer,
Steve Mellet.
After having three practice runs, the cars entered in the eighteen classes came roaring up
on the first official run at 14h30 Steve Mellet
clocked 46.565 seconds on his first run, but did
not seem in a hurry on his second when he put in a time of 48.075 seconds. Ritchie Jute in an extremely fast Dart/
Cortina claimed the second fasted time of the day, on his second run with a time of 52.6 seconds and beat Mike
Nurse in his Tojeiro Bristol into third place with the time of 53.4 seconds. Arnold Chatz, driving the Lawson’s Organisation's Renault R8 seemed to fly up the hill, clocking a time of 54.7 seconds. There was nothing in the saloon
car classes that could touch this time. Colin Hedges Cortina GT driven by Peter de Klerk put in a time of 55 seconds which was rather a good time considering that it was his first appearance at a hill climb. Willy Falke recorded
a time of 56.4 seconds in his Anglia car powered by a Zephyr motor through a Tanus diff. with a Volvo gearbox.
The Valiant of Lebero Pardini clocked a good time with 57.9 seconds considering is somewhat of a big car to
throw around such tight corners. The Lourenco marques entry of Carlos da Silva driving a Porsche super 90 put a
time of 58 seconds on his runs. In the standard productions category Wille Plomp recorded a time of 60 seconds
in his Alfa Julia with Conrad Spamer in a Porsche Coupe setting a time of 61.4 seconds. It is with pleasure that we
can say that there were no unforeseen incidents and no reruns.
Close runs were fought between two darts, Willie Plomp—Alfa Julia _60 seconds; Frank Rundel—Studebaker
Lark _ 60.6 seconds; Leon Botha—Volvo 122 B18—60.4 Seconds; Paul Strijdom—Volvo B18—60.6 seconds; and
the two latter competitors 61.8 seconds and 61.9 seconds respectively. Carlos da Silva Porsche super 90 58 seconds; Hans Beetge—Alfa Spider—58.6 seconds. It was a pity that Trevor Blockdyks Cooper Alfa blew up in the
practice for it would have been interesting to see if he could have given Steve Mellet a run for his money.
27
Gilles Villeneuve
Despite this, shortly after the British race McLaren's experienced team manager Teddy Mayer decided not to continue with Villeneuve for the following year. His explanation was that Villeneuve "was looking as though he might be a bit expensive" and that Patrick Tambay, the team's eventual choice for 1978, was showing similar promise.[16] Villeneuve was left with no solid options for
1978, although Canadian Walter Wolf, for whom Villeneuve had driven in Can-Am racing, considered giving him a drive at Wolf
Racing and also recommended him to the Ferrari team's founder, Enzo Ferrari. Rumours circulated that Villeneuve was one of several drivers in whom the Italian team was interested, and in August 1977 he flew to Italy to meet Ferrari, who was immediately reminded of the pre-war European champion Tazio Nuvolari: "When they presented me with this 'piccolo canadese', this minuscule
bundle of nerves, I immediately recognised in him the physique of Nuvolari and said to myself, let's give him a try."[17] Ferrari was
satisfied with Villeneuve's promise after a session at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, despite the Canadian making many mistakes and
setting relatively slow times, and Villeneuve signed to drive for Ferrari in the last two races of the 1977 season and the 1978 season.[18] Villeneuve later remarked that: "If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get
into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari..."[13]
Villeneuve's arrival was prompted by Ferrari driver Niki Lauda quitting the team at the 1977 Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport having
already clinched his second championship with the Italian team.[19] Villeneuve retired from the race after sliding off the track on
another competitor's oil. He also raced in the Japanese Grand Prix, but retired on lap five when he tried to outbrake the Tyrrell P34
of Ronnie Peterson. The pair banged wheels causing Villeneuve's Ferrari to became airborne. It landed on a group of spectators
watching the race from a prohibited area, killing one spectator and a race marshal and injuring ten people. After an investigation
into the incident no blame was apportioned and, although he was "terribly sad" at the deaths, Villeneuve did not feel responsible for
them.[20]
The 1978 season saw a succession of retirements for Villeneuve, often after problems with the new Michelin radial tyres. Early in
the season, he started on the front row at the United States Grand Prix West, but crashed out of the lead on lap 39. Despite calls in
the Italian press for him to be replaced, Ferrari persisted with him. Towards the end of the season, Villeneuve's results improved.
He finished second on the road at the Italian Grand Prix, although he was penalised a minute for jumping the start, and ran second
at the United States Grand Prix before his engine failed. Finally at the season-ending Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Île NotreDame (a circuit that was eventually named after him) Villeneuve scored his first Grand Prix win after Jean-Pierre Jarier's Lotus
stopped with engine trouble.[21] As of 2012, he is the only Canadian to win his home race.
In the 1979 French Grand Prix Villeneuve and René Arnoux had a memorable duel for second place.
Villeneuve was joined by Jody Scheckter in 1979 after Carlos Reutemann moved to Lotus. Villeneuve won three races during the
year. The 1979 French Grand Prix is remembered for Villeneuve's wheel-banging duel with René Arnoux in the last laps of the
race.[22] Arnoux passed Villeneuve for second place with three laps to go, but Villeneuve re-passed him on the next lap. On the
final lap Arnoux attempted to pass Villeneuve again, and the pair ran side-by-side through the first few corners of the lap, making
contact several times. Arnoux took the position but Villeneuve attempted an outside pass one corner later. The cars bumped hard,
Villeneuve slid wide but then passed Arnoux on the inside at a hairpin turn and held him off for the last half of the lap to secure second place. Villeneuve commented afterwards, "I tell you, that was really fun! I thought for sure we were going to get on our heads,
you know, because when you start interlocking wheels it's very easy for one car to climb over another."[23] At the Dutch Grand Prix
a slow puncture collapsed Villeneuve's left rear tyre and put him off the track. He returned to the circuit and limped back to the pits
on three wheels, losing the damaged wheel on the way. On his return to the pits Villeneuve insisted that the team replace the missing wheel, and had to be persuaded that the car was beyond repair.[24] Villeneuve could have won the World Championship by
beating Scheckter at the Italian Grand Prix, but chose to finish behind him, ending his own championship challenge. The pair finished first and second in the championship, with Scheckter beating Villeneuve by just four points. During the extremely wet Friday
practice session for the season-ending United States Grand Prix, Villeneuve set a time variously reported to be either 9 or 11 seconds faster than any other driver. His teammate Jody Scheckter, who was second fastest, recalled that "I scared myself rigid that
day. I thought I had to be quickest. Then I saw Gilles's time and — I still don't really understand how it was possible. Eleven seconds!"[25]
The 1980 season was a complete disaster for Ferrari. Villeneuve had been considered favourite for the drivers championship by UK
bookmakers,[26] but only scored six points in the whole campaign in the 312T5 which had only partial ground effects. Scheckter
scored only two points and retired at the end of the season.
For the 1981 season, Ferrari introduced their first turbo engined F1 car, the 126C, which produced tremendous power but was let
down by its poor handling. Villeneuve was partnered with Didier Pironi who noted that Villeneuve "had a little family [at Ferrari] but
he made me welcome and made me feel at home overnight ... [He] treated me as an equal in every way."[27] Villeneuve won two
races during the season. At the Spanish Grand Prix Villeneuve kept five quicker cars behind him for most of the race using the superior straight-line speed of his car. After an hour and 46 minutes of racing Villeneuve led second-placed Jacques Laffite by only
28
Gilles Villeneuve
0.22 seconds. Fifth-placed Elio de Angelis was only just over a second further back.[28] Harvey Postlethwaite, who was hired by
Ferrari to design the follow-on and much more successful 126C2 that won the Constructors' Championship in 1982, later commented on the 126C: "That car...had literally one quarter of the downforce that, say Williams or Brabham had. It had a power advantage over the Cosworths for sure, but it also had massive throttle lag at that time. In terms of sheer ability I think Gilles was on a
different plane to the other drivers. To win those races, the 1981 GPs at Monaco and Jarama — on tight circuits — was quite out of
this world. I know how bad that car was."[29] At the 1981 Canadian Grand Prix Villeneuve damaged the front wing of his Ferrari and
drove for most of the race in heavy rain with the wing obscuring his view ahead. There was a risk of being black flagged but eventually the wing became detached and Villeneuve drove on to finish third with the nose section of his car missing.
The first few races of the 1982 season were promising. Villeneuve led in Brazil in the new 126/C2, before spinning into retirement,
and finished third at the United States Grand Prix West although he was later disqualified for a technical infringement. The Ferraris
were handed an unexpected advantage at the San Marino Grand Prix as an escalation of the FISA-FOCA war saw the FOCA
teams boycott the race, effectively leaving Renault as Ferrari's only serious opposition. With Renault driver Prost retiring from fourth
place on lap 7 followed by his teammate Arnoux on the 44th lap Ferrari seemed to have the win guaranteed. In order to conserve
fuel and ensure the cars finished the Ferrari team ordered both drivers to slow down. Villeneuve believed that the order also meant
that the drivers were to maintain position but Pironi passed Villeneuve. A few laps later Villeneuve re-passed Pironi and slowed
down again, believing that Pironi was simply trying to entertain the Italian crowd. On the last lap Pironi passed and aggressively
chopped across the front of Villeneuve and took the win. Villeneuve was irate as he believed that Pironi had disobeyed the order to
hold position. Meanwhile Pironi claimed that he had done nothing wrong as the team had only ordered the cars to slow down, not
maintain position. Villeneuve stated after the race "I think it is well known that if I want someone to stay behind me and I am faster,
then he stays behind me."[30] Feeling betrayed and angry Villeneuve vowed never to speak to Pironi again.[31]
In 2007, former Marlboro marketer John Hogan disputed the claim that Pironi had gone back on a prior arrangement with Villeneuve. He said: "Neither of them would ever have agreed to what effectively was throwing a race. I think Gilles was stunned somebody had out-driven him and that it just caught him so much by surprise." Hogan's company sponsored Pironi while he was at Ferrari. A comparison of the lap times of the two drivers showed that Villeneuve lapped far slower when he was in the lead, suggesting
that he had indeed been trying to save fuel.[32]
Death
On May 8, 1982, Villeneuve died after an accident during the final qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. At the
time of the crash, Pironi had set a time 0.1s faster than Villeneuve for sixth place. Villeneuve was using his final set of qualifying
tyres; some say he was attempting to improve his time on his final lap. Some suggest he was specifically aiming to beat Pironi.[33]
However, Villeneuve's biographer Gerald Donaldson quotes Ferrari race engineer Mauro Forghieri as saying that the Canadian,
although pressing on in his usual fashion, was returning to the pits when the accident occurred.[34] If so, he would not have set a
time on that lap.
With eight minutes of the session left, Villeneuve came over the rise after the first chicane and caught Jochen Mass travelling much
more slowly through Butte, the left-handed bend before the Terlamenbocht double right-hand section. Mass saw Villeneuve approaching at high speed and moved to the right to let him through on the racing line. At the same instant Villeneuve also moved
right to pass the slower car. The Ferrari hit the back of Mass' car and was launched into the air at a speed estimated at 200–225
km/h (120–140 mph). It was airborne for more than 100 m before nosediving into the ground and disintegrating as it somersaulted
along the edge of the track. Villeneuve, still strapped to his seat, but without his helmet, was thrown a further 50 m from the wreckage into the catch fencing on the outside edge of the Terlamenbocht corner.[34][35]
Several drivers stopped and rushed to the scene. John Watson and Derek Warwick pulled Villeneuve, his face blue, from the catch
fence.[36] The first doctor arrived within 35 seconds to find that Villeneuve was not breathing, although his pulse continued; he was
intubated and ventilated before being transferred to the circuit medical centre and then by helicopter to University St Raphael Hospital where a fatal fracture of the neck was diagnosed.[37] Villeneuve was kept alive on life support while his wife travelled to the
hospital and the doctors consulted with specialists worldwide. He died at 9:12 that evening.[34]
29
Gilles Villeneuve
Legacy
At the funeral in Berthierville former teammate Jody Scheckter delivered a simple eulogy: "I will miss Gilles for two reasons. First,
he was the fastest driver in the history of motor racing. Second, he was the most genuine man I have ever known. But he has not
gone. The memory of what he has done, what he achieved, will always be there."[38]
Villeneuve is still remembered at Grand Prix races, especially those in Italy. At the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the venue of the
San Marino Grand Prix, a corner was named after him and a Canadian flag is painted on the third slot on the starting grid, from
which he started his last race. There is also a bronze bust of him at the entrance to the Ferrari test track at Fiorano.[39] At Zolder
the corner where Villeneuve died has been turned into a chicane and named after him.[40]
"Salut Gilles" sign at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve start-finish line
The racetrack on Île Notre-Dame, Montreal, host to the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix and NASCAR Nationwide Series, was
named Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in his honour at the Canadian Grand Prix of 1982. His homeland has continued to honour him: In
Berthierville a museum was opened in 1992 and a lifelike statue stands in a nearby park which was also named in his honour.[39]
Villeneuve was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame at their inaugural induction ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Ontario on August 19, 1993. In June 1997 Canada also issued a postage stamp in his honour.
There is still a huge demand for Villeneuve memorabilia at the race-track shops and several books have been written about him.
The number 27, the number of his Ferrari in 1981 and 1982, is still closely associated with him by fans. Jean Alesi, whose aggression and speed in the wet were compared to Villeneuve's,[41] also used the number at Ferrari. Villeneuve's son, Jacques, drove the
#27 during his IndyCar and Indianapolis 500 winning season with Barry Green and has also used the number for occasional drives
30
Gilles Villeneuve
in NASCAR and the Speedcar Series. Canadian driver and 2011 IndyCar Rookie of the Year James Hinchcliffe adopted the number 27 for the 2012 season.
A film based on the biography by Gerald Donaldson was announced in 2005, intended for release in 2007, but as of 2012 has not
emerged.[42]
In popular culture
The popular Belgian comics series Michel Vaillant by Jean Graton is set in the world of motor racing and, although largely fictional,
often includes real-life figures including drivers, officials and journalists. Villeneuve appears in a number of stories, and in Steve
Warson contre Michel Vaillant (fr: "Steve Warson versus Michel Vaillant") becomes the 1980 World Champion (though in the 1981
season, covered in Rififi en F1 ("F1 in Chaos"), Graton acknowledges Alan Jones as the real Champion)[43] and Quebec progrock/pop group The Box based their 1984 song "Live on TV" inspired by Villeneuve's televised death.
Helmet
Villeneuve's helmet carried a stylised 'V' in red on either side — an effect he devised with his wife Joann. The base colour was
black.[44] His son, Jacques, uses the same basic design, but like his contemporary, Christian Fittipaldi, he has changed the colours. British driver Perry McCarthy also used this design and color scheme on his helmet, but with the design in reverse.
31
Frank Copping eying the
Chequered flag in his shiny
new paint job Dauphine.
THE ONLY ONE ‘O’
IS A
RENAULT
SOME OF THE WONDERFUL MARSHALS
WHO KEEP US SAFE!
32
Gilles Villeneuve
33
Thanks all my friends who have given me moral support as a result of the wrecking of my little
race Imp!
How it all unfolded.............(or dare I say how it FOLDED!)
Well when I first watched my friend Phil Webb, who was reunited with a quick Imp after some
twenty years or so absence from racing, doing a fine job at keeping some larger cubic
centimetered equipment behind him in his first heat, my emotions were filled with happiness for
him and with a tinge of pride as to how the car was performing and how pretty it looked.
My happiness/pride turned to sad disappointment as the left rear let go and Phil was beached in
the kitty litter in turn four at Zwartkops in the battle of the little giants. My happiness/pride, then
disappointment soon turned to shock when a few laps later a flying Ford angle grinder flew
straight off the track and in a split second reduced a fine and rare race car to scrap metal!
I manfully held back tears but inside i cried. Later my happiness/pride turned/disappointment
turned shock later turned to anger! How could this accident have happened if all drivers were
respecting the rules of a waved yellow? Aren't they supposed to 'slow down and be prepared
to stop' when the corner is under caution? What would have happened if the marshals had been
in the throes of extricating the stricken Imp when the Anglia ploughed into them? Methinks
serious injury would have been the least one could expect! Perhaps the reason the marshals
decided not to remove the Imp from the firing line was a decision bathed in self preservation for
which I blame them not one iota.
Perhaps an apt parking for
the Imp in its present state!
34
There was however some good sides to the incident; the front lights are still in perfect working
order and Phil was able to crack a few hop extract frosties well before sundown and enjoy a first
class day's racing with family and pals. Incidentally, on March 17th I am driving another Imp to
London and one of the charities that I am raising funds for with this trip is the Johannesburg
Society for the Blind..... Do you think the driver of the Anglia, who obviously didn't see the
furiously waved yellows, would be upset if I arranged honorary membership of the JSFTB?
(JOHANNESBURG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND!) Or maybe just present him with a nice white
Photo Dave Gomersall
cane or perhaps a little Labrador!!!
The extent of the damage is quite depressing; the harmonics pulley at the rear of the engine was
hit with such a force that it was broken into two pieces. This force was subsequently driven
through the crank and all the internals that had been so meticulously engineered by Lamco
Developments that will require a complete engine rebuild with replacements of a number of the
internal components. The force through the pulley and crank subsequently shoved the gearbox
onto the rear suspension cross member breaking both mounting brackets and smashing the box
casing up against the cross member. The block has a chunk of aluminium knocked clean out of it
and the dizzy was ripped out of its hole and snapped in half. The water will no longer pump
anything of value and the carbs had the trumpets clean ripped off with the force. AND THIS IS
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ON A CURSORY GLANCE! I shudder to think what we will find when
we examine in detail!
The body was saved to a degree by the well made roll cage. However even though it was struck
on the rear end, the pillars at the top of the windscreen is broken and the passenger door
jammed in place against the frame! The engine lid, the rear crossmember and engine mounting
bracket were of course completely destroyed and the left rear quarter section. All the windows
except the windscreen were broken and the entire rear of the bodywork shifted crablike to the left
of the car. I believe i have every right to be extremely saddened by this damage; it would take a
near miracle to get this car trackside again.
Editor
35
HRCR Calendar for 2013
Date
Venue
M
20 Feb Piston Ring Category AGM’s
23 Feb Phakisa (invitational)
16 Mar Kyalami
13 Mar Piston Ring Club AGM
16 Mar Kyalami
13 Apr Zwartkops
01 Jun Phakisa
27 Jul
Zwartkops
17 Aug Kyalami
21 Sept East London
19 Oct Kyalami
09 Nov Zwartkops
07 Dec Kyalami
Legend:
M = Marque Cars
G = Sport & GT
S = Saloon Cars
C = Classic Thoroughbreds
36
G
S
C

The Historic Times - Historic Racing South Africa

Transcription

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