fressingfield oily rag club newsletter... · 2019-05-13 · fressingfield oily rag club newsletter...
TRANSCRIPT
Fressingfield Oily Rag Club
Newsletter
May 2019
FORC:“A loose affiliation of motor sport
enthusiasts”.
'Racing with the Blue and Orange' Maitland Cook on Racing With Gulf/JW Automotive
Wednesday 29th May
It must be a sign of increasing years but the halcyon days of of blue andorange Ford GT40's and Porsche 917's battling it out at Le Mans, the 'BOAC' atBrands Hatch, the Spa 1000k's, Nurburgring 1000k's, and more, still seem likeyesterday. Was it really over 40 years ago?
Looking back it was a privilege to have watched those races, sometimesmarshalled them. We were conscious that we were witnessing some of themost exciting sports-car World Championships ever. Who could forget thetitans driving those cars: Ickx, Redman, Rodriguez, Siffert, and the rest.
Ickx and Oliver beating the works Porsche by 15 yards at '69 Le Mans,Rodriguez and Siffert at Spa, Pedro in the Rain at Brands Hatch in the917...great days! We are privileged to welcome Maitland Cook who was therein the Gulf /John Wyer team to tell us all about it.
Don't miss this meeting – book your places now!
©Jon Elsey
Graham Turner in his Porsche 917 on the Brands Hatch GP Circuit. Could have been the early1970's!
--oo0oo--
The FORC Legion Rally, Saturday 1st June.Fennings Farm, Pixey Green, Stradbroke, IP21 5NH
For recent new members, and as a reminder to the rest of you, the background toThe Legion Rally is that FORC has, for the last 11 years, supported our local RoyalBritish Legion (RBL) Branch Poppy Appeal 'Summer Fête', with an ever growing carmeet, our 'Legion Rally'. Over the years FORC have contributed several thousandsof £'s from our members support, and the added attraction of our Rally at the event.
Now RBL membership is ageing and declining in numbers. This year they decidedthey could no longer organise their fête. In response FORC have expanded ourLegion Rally as a full 'motor' event, with the same fund raising objective.
The Legion Rally is now a total 'petrol' event. The emphasis is on anything enginedriven whether on two, three, or four wheels, all are welcome at Fennings Farm. Anaeroplane has been promised too. Other car, bike, etc., clubs are invited. As well asfund raising for The Poppy Appeal our objective for FORC is to further raiseawareness and interest in motor-sport.
'The Paddock' display of FORC members and friends competition and track-day carsand 'bikes will be surrounded with 'competition' traders and food and drink outlets,as well as 'The Wednesday Men' Jazz Group.
At the same time the 'Rally Field' is greatly expanded to accommodate 'everythingelse', from veteran to modern classic cars, super-cars, and 'bikes, what have you.
More hours too: the Rally will now be open from 10.00 to the close at 17.00
Big News: our Celebrity Guest for the day will be none other than GrandPrix Rider, Truck Racing Champion, Commentator, and Pundit, Steve Parrish.Steve, a past guest speaker at FORC has agreed to come along with his ownmachines. You never know, you may find yourself on the receiving end ofa prize from. 'Stavros'.
Can you help? Why not, while you are at the rally, volunteer to put ineven just an hour or so assisting/marshalling? We have advertised theevent extensively so expect good support – we need to run smoothly so ifyou can help please contact Andy Hall on [email protected] or07718230100.
Look forward to seeing you.
The View From The Editorial Desk
History does repeat itself: Friday February 22nd At RR enjoyed FrankDernie's interview with good friend Motor Sport Features Editor Simon Arron.Seemed a good idea so nipped back stage and collared Frank. Giving him myusual spiel about FORC when we were joined by Bob Dance, Chris Dinnage,and Richard Parramint from Classic Team Lotus. They proceed to convinceFrank that, more than anything, he needs to visit FORC!
Simon didn't need persuading so it was just a case of a date. As it happenedI'd had to do a swap which left May 1st open, so all set.....wrong! With tendays to go Simon is called abroad on 'our' date. Refer to your December 2017Newsletter: 'Sod's Law is the name for the axiom that 'if something can gowrong it will' - Murphy’s Law says that 'Whatever can go wrong will gowrong'.....whichever, we are back to November 2017. Frank tells me he hasn't'given a talk for about 30 years'.. I'd promised Frank that Simon will be thereso what to do? Get on the internet, find a very good Motor Sport podcast ofFrank in conversation with Nigel Roebuck, Simon, and Ed Foster plus a ''lunchwith' piece with Simon in the paper mag..Ah, once again I remember: for thethird time I inveigle David Whitham into 'helping.' Deja vu...Anyway Itseemed to go very well, thanks David.
To Jim Russell’s Funeral on 23rd April which in the words of one was 'moreof a celebration than a funeral'. One door seems to close but another opens sothe FORC Jim Russell story hasn't finished...quite.
Now we look forward to our final guest speaker of the Autumn – Winter –Spring programme. We are indeed fortunate to welcome Maitland Cook whowas at Gulf/JWA at that amazing period.....unmissable!
Just three days later is our refreshed and extended Legion Rally If youhaven't responded to my invitation to bring your car to 'The Paddock' bewarned....I'm on your case! This is another watershed moment for FORC sowhether you have 'a racer' or your cherished classic please make sure youhave Saturday 1st June clear to come along. And to drive the point home wewould be grateful for your help for an hour or so too.
See you on 29th May and 1st June – meantime safe and enjoyable Oily Ragging--oo0oo--
FORC Racers Update
James Clarke is continuing in National Formula Ford with a Cliff DempseyRacing He ran in the first round at Snetterton at Easter, in a Ray GR15.Unfortunately in Race 1 the team underfueled the car so James ground to ahalt on the last lap after running 3rd. He came in 4th and 3rd in the next 2races.
James in the Ray at Snetterton.
Jez Clarke reports: last year I bought a 1970 S4 Lotus Elan, quickly rebuiltthe engine and gearbox and raced it in HSCC 70's Roadsports After a veryclose battle with three other drivers throughout the year, I managed to winClass c (for Lotus) and Overall as well!! It was an incredibly intense season,and I'm not sure it went down that well, (newcomer wins the championship,etc!!) Nevertheless I've decided to give it a go this year too, looks like I'm nowhooked into Historics!
©Charlie Wooding
Jez celebrates another 70's Road Sports win at Silverstone.
©Steven Hurrell
Carl Chambers making good his Pole Position at Snetterton's opening meeting in April.
--oo0oo-
Your 2019 Holiday Planning Guide!
Please make sure you have these FORC dates in yourdiaries!
Next event: Guest Speaker Evenings – At Stradbroke Community Centre:
Wednesday 29th May Gulf Racing Retrospective – Maitland CookWednesday 25th September Andy Priaulx Postponed – New date to beannouncedWednesday 30th October To be confirmedWednesday 27th November Johnny MowlemWednesday 11th December Reserve date
Please remember: If unforeseen circumstances affect our plans we place announcements on the www.forc.org.uk homepage, If time allows we will contact all members by News Flash and local broadcasters (BBC Suffolk, BBC Norfolk, Park Radio). This might be weather or just a change of guest speaker.
Outdoor Events: The Legion Rally - Saturday 1st JuneThe President's Wife's Run – Sunday 30th June
– Please Book now!FORC Snetterton 300 Track Evening – Tuesday 13th August
– Please book NowThe Peter Andrews Sprint – Saturday 21st September.
-o-0-o-
Footnotes
The weekend of 27/28 April brought with it some typical Bank Holiday weather.
Albert & Hazel Clements crewed on this 1905 Alldays & Onions pictured gettingaway from the start of the VCC Creepy Crawley Run at Dunston Hall.
©Roger Shipp
Over at AS Motosport at Poplar Farm Bressingham on 'Drive it Day' Andrew and Joy Soar held their regular meet in aid of EACH – East Anglia's Children's Hospices.
It was so wet even the tatty 205 looked shiny!
This very rare nice Gordon Keeble was a welcome visitor.
The only person stupid enough to be out in the rain was the photographer.
Frank Dernie at FORC 1st May
Frank giving another straight from the hip answer at Stradbroke on 1st May. Picture Stephen Lee.
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