Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog - dialup unfriendly
Discussion
BossCerbera said:
Saw the Bendall 5300GT for sale this month.
Lottery! And then make it roadlegal . . . oh my goodness the thought. Blog 48 will be the finale.
So enjoy these last ones. The vids already past by:
Short one.
Long one.
Phil taking The Lead at Spa Francorchamps. The mighty Cobra at full song.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (42)
Eckford & Beighton's Sunbeam Tiger LeMans (3:04) is a pretty thing. And fast too. All cars doing about 3 mins had a faster aura around them.
A little history, nicked, again: Back in the days the Sunbeam Tiger was the cheapest way to have a Shelby engineered, small block Ford powered two seat British sports. Just as the Cobra was born from the lesser AC Ace, so was the Tiger born from the lesser Sunbeam Alpine.
An agreement with Ford Motors was reached to supply 260 cu in V8 motors, with the first order for a lot of 3,000 units. Rootes then started their own development of the prototype into a certified, mass produced sports car.
The resulting Sunbeam Tiger was a huge success. Sunbeam was no longer competing with MGs and Triumphs, but rather Jaguars and Corvettes, and for a lot less money, retailing for under $3,500. Tigers came with a two-barrel 260 as standard equipment, but high performance options were screened by Shelby American, then offered for sale through Sunbeam dealerships just as Cobra hop-up kits were available through Ford dealers for Mustang owners.
July of 1964 saw coupe bodied Tigers competing at Le Mans. Though limited by short development time, these Lister bodied cars were timed at over 160 mph at Le Mans. Unfortunately, the motors in both team cars expired. Fortunately though, road racing in the U.S. was where Tigers had some of their greatest victories.
My list says this is a Mog+4
Anyone? 
Clarkson & Williams' Big Healey (3:15). They are tight cornering cars with about 250 up front. Loverly sounding when stamped or at overrun.
Great looking red 3000 driven by Smithies & Grace (3:13).
Lots of B's in the endurance races. Aerodynamic gadgettery here on Crew & Smith's (3:27) white-topped baby.
More British racers: Lotus Elite (3:21) in classic livery.
Another Lotus made lighter without any paint: an XI (3:08) with a tiny Cov Climax in. Check out the spanners!
You're right . . . WTF happened!
More of my Iso Bizzi-pics later:
The total restoration of this car was undertaken on behalf of ( . . . ) John Bendall, the car was finished in time for its first race at Donington park on 30th April '05.
"2003 sold to John Bendall" And already sell it now?!
I won't sleep so I better mess up my own blog
P 538: look at the DNA . . . I've never found THAT in a car ever.
Holy mother . . .
Love that typography.
Prices.
Sleek, powerfull but gentle all in one shape.
They are truely one of a kind.
Simple engine but with refined placing, best set of Webering ever and a thunder for a soundbyte. Corsa 327's have 400 to 450 brake, all depending of the state of tune. The big 427 has 500 even . . . and bucketloads of torque.
OMG is it beautifull. I don't even dare putting this on my PH-list of fantasy cars . . .
12 o' . . . so I must really go.
More of my Iso Bizzi-pics later:
The total restoration of this car was undertaken on behalf of ( . . . ) John Bendall, the car was finished in time for its first race at Donington park on 30th April '05.
"2003 sold to John Bendall" And already sell it now?!
I won't sleep so I better mess up my own blog
P 538: look at the DNA . . . I've never found THAT in a car ever.
Holy mother . . .
Love that typography.
Prices.
Sleek, powerfull but gentle all in one shape.
They are truely one of a kind.
Simple engine but with refined placing, best set of Webering ever and a thunder for a soundbyte. Corsa 327's have 400 to 450 brake, all depending of the state of tune. The big 427 has 500 even . . . and bucketloads of torque.
OMG is it beautifull. I don't even dare putting this on my PH-list of fantasy cars . . .
12 o' . . . so I must really go.
BossCerbera said:
The date for next year's Spa Six Hour is 6/7 October (with practice/qually for some races on 4/5).
There is also a meeting earlier in the year... it used to be around May. Some years we used to do this meeting as well as/instead of the Six Hour. Then the powers that be started messing with the dates (eg March, whch is useless in the Ardennes). The "early" meeting is now July 2007 (dates TBC).
The most fuss is made about the 6 Hour meeting which, as Albert's photos show, has grown into something very special. However, the "early" meeting is not to be sniffed at. Very similar range of cars but with Group C / Le Mans stuff heading up the bill.
There is also a meeting earlier in the year... it used to be around May. Some years we used to do this meeting as well as/instead of the Six Hour. Then the powers that be started messing with the dates (eg March, whch is useless in the Ardennes). The "early" meeting is now July 2007 (dates TBC).
The most fuss is made about the 6 Hour meeting which, as Albert's photos show, has grown into something very special. However, the "early" meeting is not to be sniffed at. Very similar range of cars but with Group C / Le Mans stuff heading up the bill.
BossCerbera said:
The date for next year's Spa Six Hour is 6/7 October (with practice/qually for some races on 4/5).
Big red phat pencil in my diary . . . Didn't see it in Ted's calender.
Ted! There's an effing PH-convoy going! . . . it can't just NOT be in there?
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (43)
Look at John's Bizzi as a kind of an advertisment
For sale! 
What a place to sit . . . Isn't that everything you'll ever want?
Errr, with the 8 on gentle tick-over just closing the door and run off that is
I've got quite a few shirts to make . . .
John has just finished the two hour race and gets the 5300GT in the trailer. Some classy sidepipe BTW.
From whatever angle this car is so dropdead gorgeous.
It's low allright. I never saw this colour on a Bizzi. Looks really well doesn't it?
Number one indeed. The engine is close to the cockpit's. Must be hot in there.
Next: the last race pics and back to home . . .
jellison said:
Looks a bit weird from some angles, almost like it is styled to look rear engined even though it is not. Huge rear over hang. I can see the attraction, but would not be on my must have list.
Edited by jellison on Wednesday 22 November 08:20
Wasnt the large overhang to increase straight line speed? I love it, looks stunning!
G
VetteG said:
jellison said:
Looks a bit weird from some angles, almost like it is styled to look rear engined even though it is not. Huge rear over hang. I can see the attraction, but would not be on my must have list.
Edited by jellison on Wednesday 22 November 08:20
Wasnt the large overhang to increase straight line speed? I love it, looks stunning!
G
Look at the Spa laptimes . . . That Bizzi is pretty damn fast.
Anyways, you're famous in The Netherlands Jon, look www.autoblog.nl/archive/2006/11/22/tvr-chimaera-launch-video">here
I know these guys, and they used to consult me when they'd put down something TVR-ish. They didn't this time and guess what: all famous PH-TVR's were put down in posts. Thanx for the cam to use at Spa guys
Spa '07 dates are sent to Ted and will be in the calendar in days. Sign up so we can make a proper convoy and meet next year! I'll start the topic when I'm done here
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (44)
Lovely Lotus again, cropped at speed. I like these kinda shots.
Clark & Clark's Lola Mk1 (3:05). With a 1.1 Cov Climax and 83 bhp at 6800 on board this lightweight is an elegant design comprising a multi-tubular chassis constructed from bronze-welded 20-gauge square steel tubing, weighing only 60 lbs (27 kg). Maurice Gomm built an attractive aluminium body to clothe the chassis, a Climax FWA unit was purchased for £250 and in July 1958 the first true Lola was registered as 600 DKJ and was ready to race. This car is history!
A quick thing
Right from the start the Mk1 proved an immediate success with Eric (Broadley) finishing second at Snetterton in only the Mk1's second race and a win followed immediately when Eric won his heat in a sportscar race at Brands Hatch by some 24 seconds and the Mk1 became the first sportscar to lap the Club Circuit in less than a minute. To further underline the promise of the new car on the same day Eric finished fourth in the race for sportscars up to 1500cc despite starting from the back of the grid.
It wasn't long before the requests to buy a MK1 began and using the proceeds of selling the first car and a loan of £1000 from his father Eric founded Lola Cars Limited. Setting up shop at Maurice Gomm's workshop in Byfleet, Surrey an initial run of three cars was undertaken for the 1959 season, one to be the works car, the other two to be sold, one to America. These first three production Mk1s bore the BY prefix (for Byfleet) to their chassis numbers. The works car would be driven by Peter Ashdown who was offered a run in the Mk1 when Eric was testing it at Brands, after being conclusively faster than it's designer Eric sensibly decided that his talents were better suited to design rather than race driving.
More power
For the 1959 season success followed success with a 1-2-3 in the Chichester Cup at Goodwood and a victory at Clermont-Ferrand as well as class wins in the TT, the Nürburgring 1000km and at Sebring. Eric was finding travelling from his home in Orpington to West Byfleet to be too time-consuming and at the end of 1959 new premises were built next to Rob Rushbrook's Bromley premises. During 1960 19 Mk1s would leave the Lola shop all bearing the BR prefix to indicate their Bromley parentage. A number of improvements were included in the 1960 models including the adoption of a Specialised Mouldings fibreglass body, power was also boosted with the Mark III FWA producing 90 bhp at 7200 rpm. The 1960 Autosport Sports Car Championship saw a Mk1 1-2 in the 1150 cc class with Peter Ashdown's works car heading Alan Rees, Ashdown would repeat this success in 1961. There was another class win at the 1960 Nürburgring 1000km for Chris Kerrison and Peter Sergent.
Production of the Mk1 continued through to 1962 with 7 more Mk1's being built in 1961 and a further 3 in 1962 as well as the one-off Mk1A (q.v.). Further small modifications were made and the cars were offered in an almost bewildering number of permutations with differing brake specifications, a choice of gearboxes from Ford and BMC dependant on engine choice. Possible engine choices included the Ford 105E or 109E, Coventry Climax 1100cc FWA or 1216cc FWE. Final specifications at the end of the Mk1 development even offered a 1470cc engine with a claimed 120 bhp on tap, which engine this was isn't clear since the Climax FWB was a 1460cc, 100 bhp unit.
Copyright Lola Heritage, cheers Gerald!
Widi Mk2 driven by the Wood's (3:08). Look at the driver at work.
De Vries' MGB (3:26) at speed. Love the livery and again, the crop.
Look at this looker, a B to have.
Check this out: this nice Grantura MkIII driven by Hooper & Emmerling did a 3:34s for quickest lap. That's 8 secs slower compared to the B.
Another Grantura (3:19) by Lees & Nicoll.
Seriously mean D (3:06) by Eastick and Dodd sounding like a Sagaris, I'm not kidding here!
DB4 (3:35) has all the charisma . . .
. . . but there's little you can't do to NOT look at this Ace Bristol driven by Conway & Mercer (3:35).
Rejo Mk IV (3:05) . . . Never heard of the thing, but it goes like stink.
Another Ace, but what a nicer! I was so attracted to this one. Some cars are larger than life . . .
Two to go!
Anyways, you're famous in The Netherlands Jon, look www.autoblog.nl/archive/2006/11/22/tvr-chimaera-launch-video">here
I know these guys, and they used to consult me when they'd put down something TVR-ish. They didn't this time and guess what: all famous PH-TVR's were put down in posts. Thanx for the cam to use at Spa guys
Spa '07 dates are sent to Ted and will be in the calendar in days. Sign up so we can make a proper convoy and meet next year! I'll start the topic when I'm done here
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (44)
Lovely Lotus again, cropped at speed. I like these kinda shots.
Clark & Clark's Lola Mk1 (3:05). With a 1.1 Cov Climax and 83 bhp at 6800 on board this lightweight is an elegant design comprising a multi-tubular chassis constructed from bronze-welded 20-gauge square steel tubing, weighing only 60 lbs (27 kg). Maurice Gomm built an attractive aluminium body to clothe the chassis, a Climax FWA unit was purchased for £250 and in July 1958 the first true Lola was registered as 600 DKJ and was ready to race. This car is history!
A quick thing
Right from the start the Mk1 proved an immediate success with Eric (Broadley) finishing second at Snetterton in only the Mk1's second race and a win followed immediately when Eric won his heat in a sportscar race at Brands Hatch by some 24 seconds and the Mk1 became the first sportscar to lap the Club Circuit in less than a minute. To further underline the promise of the new car on the same day Eric finished fourth in the race for sportscars up to 1500cc despite starting from the back of the grid.
It wasn't long before the requests to buy a MK1 began and using the proceeds of selling the first car and a loan of £1000 from his father Eric founded Lola Cars Limited. Setting up shop at Maurice Gomm's workshop in Byfleet, Surrey an initial run of three cars was undertaken for the 1959 season, one to be the works car, the other two to be sold, one to America. These first three production Mk1s bore the BY prefix (for Byfleet) to their chassis numbers. The works car would be driven by Peter Ashdown who was offered a run in the Mk1 when Eric was testing it at Brands, after being conclusively faster than it's designer Eric sensibly decided that his talents were better suited to design rather than race driving.
More power
For the 1959 season success followed success with a 1-2-3 in the Chichester Cup at Goodwood and a victory at Clermont-Ferrand as well as class wins in the TT, the Nürburgring 1000km and at Sebring. Eric was finding travelling from his home in Orpington to West Byfleet to be too time-consuming and at the end of 1959 new premises were built next to Rob Rushbrook's Bromley premises. During 1960 19 Mk1s would leave the Lola shop all bearing the BR prefix to indicate their Bromley parentage. A number of improvements were included in the 1960 models including the adoption of a Specialised Mouldings fibreglass body, power was also boosted with the Mark III FWA producing 90 bhp at 7200 rpm. The 1960 Autosport Sports Car Championship saw a Mk1 1-2 in the 1150 cc class with Peter Ashdown's works car heading Alan Rees, Ashdown would repeat this success in 1961. There was another class win at the 1960 Nürburgring 1000km for Chris Kerrison and Peter Sergent.
Production of the Mk1 continued through to 1962 with 7 more Mk1's being built in 1961 and a further 3 in 1962 as well as the one-off Mk1A (q.v.). Further small modifications were made and the cars were offered in an almost bewildering number of permutations with differing brake specifications, a choice of gearboxes from Ford and BMC dependant on engine choice. Possible engine choices included the Ford 105E or 109E, Coventry Climax 1100cc FWA or 1216cc FWE. Final specifications at the end of the Mk1 development even offered a 1470cc engine with a claimed 120 bhp on tap, which engine this was isn't clear since the Climax FWB was a 1460cc, 100 bhp unit.
Copyright Lola Heritage, cheers Gerald!
Widi Mk2 driven by the Wood's (3:08). Look at the driver at work.
De Vries' MGB (3:26) at speed. Love the livery and again, the crop.
Look at this looker, a B to have.
Check this out: this nice Grantura MkIII driven by Hooper & Emmerling did a 3:34s for quickest lap. That's 8 secs slower compared to the B.
Another Grantura (3:19) by Lees & Nicoll.
Seriously mean D (3:06) by Eastick and Dodd sounding like a Sagaris, I'm not kidding here!
DB4 (3:35) has all the charisma . . .
. . . but there's little you can't do to NOT look at this Ace Bristol driven by Conway & Mercer (3:35).
Rejo Mk IV (3:05) . . . Never heard of the thing, but it goes like stink.
Another Ace, but what a nicer! I was so attracted to this one. Some cars are larger than life . . .
Two to go!
Wim: some guys seem to cruise rather than race . . . Each to their own.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (45)
My luverly Scotchtaped TZ (3:14) passed by . . .
. . . but not before it spun in front of my eyes. That's a racer for me: all the looks and elegant performance . . .
Canary yellow Shelby did 3:10 with all the drama. Within those laptime-regions it's the Alfa for me.
There's the Ace again. The two-hour-race is over and the cars return to the paddock, popping and cracking by. Waveys and lightsignals when I filled my last MB's of the Compact Flash.
I thought: "Gotta get that one close by." I posted the pics I took a few mins later a week ago.
I really'd love to know who will be the new owner.
Luvely TZ: flap open and body taped together. Again: loved this one.
The yellow Shelby was a raunchy thing. Those cars are trucks. But what a blasters they are.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (45)
My luverly Scotchtaped TZ (3:14) passed by . . .
. . . but not before it spun in front of my eyes. That's a racer for me: all the looks and elegant performance . . .
Canary yellow Shelby did 3:10 with all the drama. Within those laptime-regions it's the Alfa for me.
There's the Ace again. The two-hour-race is over and the cars return to the paddock, popping and cracking by. Waveys and lightsignals when I filled my last MB's of the Compact Flash.
I thought: "Gotta get that one close by." I posted the pics I took a few mins later a week ago.
I really'd love to know who will be the new owner.
Luvely TZ: flap open and body taped together. Again: loved this one.
The yellow Shelby was a raunchy thing. Those cars are trucks. But what a blasters they are.
Did you see the TZ on the vid Ben?
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (46)
Last episode I'm 'fraid . . . ran out of pics.
But hey: there's something really good coming up. Check bottom!
D-type (3:06) is legendary and a looker. They won Le Mans from '55 to '57.
DB4 adds some style on the track. Those cars are big!
Rocket's E, also to be seen in the big vid.
Cobra (3:02) driven by Phillips & Williams. Gawd is this a fine car.
Barrie & Monk's '65 911 (3:18). I can imagine those old Porkers were pretty modern cars at the day.
Jag-powered HWM (3:07) by Steele & Williams. Light was getting low, Dink was getting tired but there was still so incredibly much to see . . .
. . . absolutely ace-mill. Love my flash, just a tiny piece of technology doing exactly what I want.
Is there a better way to end this pic-fest than with a hardtopped Cobra . . . in flaming red of all colours.
Tired and extremely satisfied I walked over to the paddock to meet Phil, Cheng and all those great boys 'n girls that supported this all. We had a laugh, a beer, some fine cheese and bread and we talked about this fine event.
Phil burnt me some cd's from his giant laptop and he gave us a slideshow with some of the highlights of my pics.
Then we packed our stuff, Cheng ran the Cobra on the trailer (Phil: that vid isn't on YouTube?!) and we sadly had to say goodbye. Untill next time!
I had a 3 hour stint to Leusden ahead of me. Firing up, winding down the window and gently let the engine and tranny warm up. Before I knew it I was racing the rural roads in an imaginary TZ.
Thanx again everyone for this fantastic weekend
and thanx PHers enjoying this blog.
OK, let's get cracking now. I know there are some guys out here that really like to drive their cars.
Try this and feel free to mail me if you can't get in. It's gonna be super!
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (46)
Last episode I'm 'fraid . . . ran out of pics.
But hey: there's something really good coming up. Check bottom!
D-type (3:06) is legendary and a looker. They won Le Mans from '55 to '57.
DB4 adds some style on the track. Those cars are big!
Rocket's E, also to be seen in the big vid.
Cobra (3:02) driven by Phillips & Williams. Gawd is this a fine car.
Barrie & Monk's '65 911 (3:18). I can imagine those old Porkers were pretty modern cars at the day.
Jag-powered HWM (3:07) by Steele & Williams. Light was getting low, Dink was getting tired but there was still so incredibly much to see . . .
. . . absolutely ace-mill. Love my flash, just a tiny piece of technology doing exactly what I want.
Is there a better way to end this pic-fest than with a hardtopped Cobra . . . in flaming red of all colours.
Tired and extremely satisfied I walked over to the paddock to meet Phil, Cheng and all those great boys 'n girls that supported this all. We had a laugh, a beer, some fine cheese and bread and we talked about this fine event.
Phil burnt me some cd's from his giant laptop and he gave us a slideshow with some of the highlights of my pics.
Then we packed our stuff, Cheng ran the Cobra on the trailer (Phil: that vid isn't on YouTube?!) and we sadly had to say goodbye. Untill next time!
I had a 3 hour stint to Leusden ahead of me. Firing up, winding down the window and gently let the engine and tranny warm up. Before I knew it I was racing the rural roads in an imaginary TZ.
Thanx again everyone for this fantastic weekend
and thanx PHers enjoying this blog. OK, let's get cracking now. I know there are some guys out here that really like to drive their cars.
Try this and feel free to mail me if you can't get in. It's gonna be super!
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