Thursday 8th August 2013

70s saloons: Time For Tea?

Some classic racing from an era when both trousers and wheelarches were flared to the max

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Incongruous in its tranquil suburban setting, Crystal Palace is one of this country's forgotten circuits this two-part Time For Tea? encourages us to remember.

The track first opened in 1927 and was initially only one mile long and was run on pre-existing paths through Crystal Palace Park. In 1936 the track was lengthened to two miles, running after the war in a shortened 1.36-miles format to bypass the lake due to safety concerns. Throughout its 45-year history the track saw action from a majority of the racing classes at the time including Formula 1, Formula 2, British F3, BTCC, Sportscar racing and even played host to the London Grand Prix in the 30s and 40s. The track was eventually closed in September of 1972 because of rising safety concerns and regular complaints from local residents.

This two-part video is from a 1972 race in a Championship round of the Osram Saloon Car Championship. This race is a particularly good example of the big power versus nimble handling argument being showcased by a Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Escort and Vauxhall Viva and also emphasises the competitiveness and lack of safety in the 1970s.

Sit back and watch the high-revving Escort chase down the monstrous Camaro in this prime example of close, tense, high-speed racing. Enjoy!

Part one

Part two

 

 

[PATTERNPART]

Brilliant fun! I wish it was still a working circuit. I've only seen the annual Seveoaks and District Motor Club sprint there (which is great). Someone usually appears in a tasty replica of that Viva.

[artdealer]

This was also one of the BBC's '100 Great Sporting Moments' series from early '80s. Vividly remember this and was pleased to find it on Youtube a few years back. I wonder if there's any similarly good on the limit racing videos including later years cars like Zakspeed Capri and BMW Batmobiles? The 70's, definitely a fabulous era.

[mikebradford]

brilliant

[sideways man]

This is what happens to racing when you get rid of aerodynamic downforce.
F1 please take note.

Ps. Mk1 escorts are awesome

[a1rak]

see this before but still watched it from the start to finish....this is what racing should be. gonna go and watch it again now ..bye

[dave stew]

Even though I know the result of the race, I was cheering for the RS1600 to get past the big Camero!

I suppose this supports the daft price of rear drive Escorts - what other car has been such a consistent front line winner for 15 years?

[rotta]

Incredible racing so exciting to watch i was screaming at the ipad for the mk1 to pass the camaro brilliant stuff makes todays f1 ect seem tame

[hammo19]

Superb - wide track in a stunning setting - bring it back now......

Laughed at the Marshall smoking his pipe a few feet away from the cars - no safety barriers, stand on a bank, open access to take pictures.....heaven.

[jet_noise]

Dear All,

well that's 16 minutes I'm not going to get back.



Why wasn't it longer?
Spin, spin, spin! No one does like Murray,

regards,
Jet

[dandarez]

Just one thing, in the text you say 1972 - both vids are 1971.

You mention safety, watch this vid when a Mini rolls dramatically. I watched as a 14 year old - this was real racing not as we know it now! Cortinas, Anglias, Minis, Yank tanks etc.
Oh, and before you turn your nose up, this vid has the master... Jim Clark in his Cortina. (just ignore the background music and watch!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhqpjHicnC8

Was a great era, but the best imo was 1970, 1971 and 1972 which produced a privateer Champion and entrant. Winner three years in a row, Bill McGovern driving the genius George Bevan's Imp. Never bettered as far as I'm concerned.

[Midgster]

4 cylinder (RS)1600cc Escort chasing down a 5.7 liter V8 Camero.

Su-bloody-purb!

[Fugster]

Compelling viewing, although I was hoping the yank tank would keep the lead, just shows you can make them go round corners, but there's no way of getting away from the mass...

[truck71]

.. smokes cigars and almost eats them as well..

[Travis Mcgee]

Loved that! Nice to see the Viva GT giving it some. Always fancied one of them back in the day.

[johnycarrera]

Man style

[juansolo]

Proper

[sonarbell]

Travis Mcgee said:

Loved that! Nice to see the Viva GT giving it some. Always fancied one of them back in the day.

I remember the day a mate and I went to pick up a Viva GT. Was around 1970 something... Sideways was the only option available !!

[Marto]

Some may say I'm talking the queens horlicks, but I wish we could have racing racing like that as a standard, instead of the flim flam of the current BTCC... That's proper man's racing, hoofing proper big motors around!

I sat just lapping that up. There was all sorts happening, with all types of cars and set ups.

Gerry was the boy though.... He was dancing that Viva round the palace.

A riviting watch.

[harleyE30]

I think the variety of cars makes this even more exciting! Each car has its own trump card. In the case of that Camaro - brute torque!

[Warwick67]

Wow, that is racing! I'm knackered after just watching it, fantastic stuff.