Tag Archives: Ralph

Five Classic Moments – Silverstone Classic

Continuing an ad hoc series celebrating Silverstone Classic’s Silver Jubilee this weeks post features five race highlights from the last three Silverstone Classic Super Saturdays.

Peter Arundell Trophy, Silverstone Classic,

The Formula Junior cars vying to win the Peter Arundell Trophy traditionally are the opening act for Super Saturday above the #53 Lotus 20/22 of Sam Wilson and #79 Lotus 22 of Andrew Hibberd squabble behind the leading #1 Cooper T59 driven by Jon Melicevic in 2013 when Andrew won the trophy by just half a second.

Sir John Whitmore Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The Sir John Whitmore Trophy for under 2 litre / 122 cui touring cars always provides close racing down the field between the Ford Cortinas, above last year British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) regular Gordon Shedden and Richard Meaden kept us entertained with door handle to door handle racing for half an hour before the #157 retired with an overheating issue leaving Richard and Grant Tromans to win in the tyre smoking #63.

Peter Gethin Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Simon Hadfield and Micheal Lyons provided the early entertainment in the Peter Gethin Trophy race for stock block open wheelers in 2012, unfortunately Simon spun the brown 1973 Trojan T101 to leave the win to Micheal in the red and white Lola T400 seen above hounding the Trojan.

Mustang Celebration Trophy proudly presented by Pure Michigan, Silverstone Classic

Ironically last years Mustang Celebration Trophy was dominated by the model the Ford Mustang was due to replace, Leo Voyazides driving the #1 Ford Falcon is seen above sweeping into a lead, past the #37 Falcon driven by Mike Gardiner, that he did not relinquish for the rest of the race.

Froilan Gonzalez Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The Froilan Gonzalez Trophy for HGPCA Pre’61 Grand Prix Cars proved another thriller two years ago when Bristol’s Julian Bronson driving the blue Scarab #30 had a great to and fro battle with the Tec-Mec of Tony Wood and came out the winner to record the Scarab marques second ever open wheel victory.

Silverstone Classic is an advance ticket only event and the race cards are never the same two years running, for further details about this years Silver Jubilee event see this link.

VSCC Science – Riley Menasco Pirate

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Looking at the information on the net about the Minnesotan owner of today’s featured Riley Menasco Pirate one might concluded he was a polymath in the making given that Dr Robin Tuluie is credited with a Doctorate in Astrophysics, he has risen from a position with Polaris Snowmobiles to head the Renault Formula One Research and Development department and more recently has been appointed the Chief Scientist at the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team.

Riley Menasco Pirate, Dr Robin Tuluie, VSCC, Loton Park,

Along the way Rob, as he apparently prefers to be known, has built a highly acclaimed Tularis motor cycle powered by a 183 hp two stroke Polaris snowmobile motor and the 1929 Riley seen here which is powered by an aircooled 5.9 litre / 363 cui 4 cylinder aeroplane engine built in Burbank, California.

Riley Menasco Pirate, Dr Robin Tuluie, VSCC, Loton Park,

Like the Riley the Menasco Pirate is of inter war vintage and was used to power training and sports aircraft of the day that included the Great Lakes 2T-1MS, Ryan ST, Stearman-Hammond Y-1, VEF I-17 and Willoughby Delta 8.

From the official records it would appear the vehicle was registered for the road in this configuration in August 2010 several weeks before these photographs, with the good Doctor at the wheel, were taken at the VSCC Loton Park meeting.

Thanks for joining me on this “VSCC Science” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at five more classic moments from the Silverstone Classic meetings over the years. Don’t forget to come back now !

DIY Buckboard – Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed

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A couple of years ago while I was on my way to the Morgan Factory I passed through Upton-upon-Severn in the Malvern Hills district of Worcestershire, England when I espied today’s featured FIAT Cinquecento on the verge of a T junction with the B4211.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

The front wheel drive FIAT Cinquecento city car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro to replace the rear engine rear wheel drive FIAT 126 in 1991, they were built at the former FSO works in Poland where the various FIAT derived models had been built and marketed under the Polski FIAT and later FSO brands.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

Despite the Cinquecento, Five Hundred, name the smallest motor for this model was a longitudinally mounted 704 cc / 43 cui two-cylinder unit which was only avaialble in Poland.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

The two other engine options were four cylinder units producing 38 and 53 hp respectively and mounted transversely, today’s featured car is listed as having a 38hp 899cc / 54.8 cui motor that traces it’s origins back to the 1970’s FIAT 127 hatchback.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

Despite being a city car the Cinquecento was equipped with independent suspension all round, side impact bars, crumple zones and could be ordered with central locking, electric window’s sunroof and air conditioning the only notable option missing was power assisted steering.

Fiat Cinquecento Flatbed, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire,

FIAT commissioned a number of concept versions of the Cinquecento before production ceased in 1998, but none included a flatbed behind the passenger cabin like the example seen here which is currently registered as, SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), being kept off the road.

Thanks for joining me on this “DIY Buckboard” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” which concludes this months series of pick ups. I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 1929 Riley with a 6 litre / 366cui four cylinder aero engine.

Wishing all GALPOT readers a relaxing Bank Holiday Monday.

Indy Monza Daytona – Kurtis KK500C

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In 1954 Kurtis Kraft built nine Kurtis KK500C roadsters and today’s featured car chassis #376 was entered for the 1954 Indianapolis 500 International Sweepstakes as the Merz Engineering Special for Fred Agabashian to drive.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

Fred qualified the #77 for the 24th spot on the grid and finished in 6th place third best of the 9 KK500C’s which all made the start.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

The following year Walt Faulkner took over the #77 for the Indy 500 and starting 7th went one better than Fred and finished 5th.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

For 1956 chassis #376 was rebranded as the Hoyt Machine Co Special and entered in the Indy 500 as the #10 for Ed Eliian who qualified 14th but had to retire 40 laps short of the full distance with brake issues.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

Jimmy Reece qualified the #5 Hoyt Machine Co Special 6th at Indy in 1957, but retired 18 laps short of the full distance with throttle issues.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

In 1958 Gene Hartley failed to qualify the Hoyt Machine Co Special for the 500 but with Jimmy Reece back at the wheel the car finished 5th in the race of the Two Worlds at Monza.

Kurtis 500C, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

After returning from Italy #376 was rebranded as the Wheeler Foutch Special and entered for Red Amnick for the Indy 500, Red qualified the #87 26th but retired after an accident and completing only 45 laps.

In April 1959 Dempsey Wilson qualified #376, now returned to Hoyt Machine Co Special colours, 4th for the Daytona 100 USAC race run at the then brand new Daytona Superspeedway.

Dempsey spun the #24 out at turn 2 on lap 28 of the Daytona 100 and then took over the #75 Racing Associates Kazuma for the 2nd event of the day a shortened 50 mile “Libre”, open to all comers, race from which he was flagged running in 9th place having completed only 17 of the scheduled 20 laps.

Chassis #376 was retired from competition in 1962 and was fitted with a V8 and clothed as a road car until 1995 when it was returned to the condition in which it is seen today, this car is considered one of the most original roadsters to have survived having never been converted to a super modified spec for dirt track racing.

My thanks to Willem Oosthoek and Jerry Entin at The Nostalgia Forum for anticipating my question regarding events at Daytona in April 1959.

Thanks for joining me on this “Indy Monza Daytona” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a seriously modified FIAT. Don’t forget to come back now !

Clarke Brothers Upgrades – Iota P1-5 CB2

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Today’s featured car was one of the 5th of six Iota P1‘s to have been built by by Iota Racing Cars of Alma Vale, Clifton, Bristol.

Iota CB2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

It was bought by garage owner Tom Clarke for the 1950 season during which he achieved some success up until the end of 1951.

Iota CB2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

For 1951 the driving position was moved forward and the fuel tank removed from over the drivers legs to a position twixt driver and the JAP motor, in this form the car was known as the CB1, for Clarke Brothers the name of Tom’s garage.

Iota CB2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

After finishing in podium positions through the 1952 season the car’s chassis was upgraded again to CB2 specification for the 1953 season with an emphasis on weight reduction.

Iota CB2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Tom continued to race the CB2 with similar success until the end of 1954 when he and the car retired from racing, although he continued to compete in the occasional hill climb with the car.

Iota CB2, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

The CB2 remained on the family business premises for three decades and through several changes of ownership before being brought out of retirement in 2011 by Mike Wood.

Thanks for joining me on this “Clarke Brothers Upgrades” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Kurtiss Indy Car, don’t forget to come back now !

’67 ECOTY – FIAT 124 S

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In 1966 FIAT replaced it’s 1300/1500 range with the FIAT 124, a fresh design led by Chief Engineer Oscar Montabone which was awarded the 1967 European Car Of he Year accolade by a collective of European journalists.

FIAT 124 S, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

The 124 range, which included 4 door saloon/sedan, 5 door estate / station wagon, Coupé and Spider models, was powered by a variety of motors producing from 60hp to 115 hp for the 2 litre / 122 cui overhead cam motor that was used in the Spider.

FIAT 124 S, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

Today’s featured 1969 FIAT 124 S is powered by a 1,438 cc Over Head Valve 4 cylinder engine that produces 74 horsepower transmitted to the rear wheels through a 4 speed fully synchromeshed manual transmission.

FIAT 124 S, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

FIAT 124 trivia includes a one off 124 2 door convertible that turned out to be the last car built by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan.

FIAT 124 S, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

The FIAT 124 went on to become an early global car as production expanded to the Soviet Union with the Lada brand, India, Spain with the SEAT brand, Bulgaria, Turkey, Korea, Egypt, Morocco and land locked Zambia in southern Africa.

FIAT 124 S, Auto Italia, Brooklands,

It was in Zambia that this correspondent took his first driving lessons on the open road at the wheel of a Zambian built ’74 FIAT 124 S.

Thanks for joining me on this “’67 ECOTY” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another 500 Formula 3 car built just down the road from me in Clifton, Bristol. Don’t forget to come back now !

Cobra Hi Riser – Shelby Mustang GT 350

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In order for Ford’s new 4 seat Mustang to compete in the SCCA’s B Production class Carroll Shelby set about building a series of Shelby Mustang G.T. 350’s to meet the series regulations which stipulated a requirement for a minimum 100 examples of a “2 seat sports car”.