BMW County Championship

[e21Mark]

I am trying to research what was an Aurora Formula 1 support race back in 1979 & 1980 and was called the BMW COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP.

13 dealerships ran identical BMW 323i's, all of which were prepared by Tom Walkinshaw Racing. Drivers included Brian Muir, Andy Rouse, Win Percy, Nigel Mansell, Tiff Needell & Derek Bell. Even Barry Sheen had a go! As you can imagine, racing was frantic!

Anyway, I am trying to find as much information, no matter how limited, as I can. Does anyone have any race programmes? Photos? Does anyone know if any of the original County cars still exists? There was also a short film made by BMW / TWR to advertise the series. Does anyone have a copy?

Any help and/or information you can give would be very much appreciated.

[e21Mark]

I'm trying to get some photos of the old style ''open transporters'' that TWR used to take the cars too and from the circuits. It's amazing to think that so many of the cars were returned to road trim and sold as ''used cars''.

[e21Mark]

I was lucky enough to chat to Tiff about it recently when he saw my car and then took me rounds Brands in a new M3. A thoroughly nice guy.

[e21Mark]

Hi and thank you, it would be terrific if you could find the eBay sellers i.d as I would love to find as much memorabilia as possible. The 335 is coming along and I hope we are just a few weeks away from the first MOT in over 20 years. I'll be sure to make a video as soon as the engine is ready to fire. I'm so looking forward to hearing the triple Webers and 6 branch!

[e21Mark]

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

One thing I have managed to obtain, is a half hour film made on behalf of BMW / TWR about the County Championship. I actually expect a copy to land on the door mat tomorrow morning and am really looking forward to watching it for myself. I'd like to upload it to YouTube but I need to check out if there is still a current copyright in place. Hopefully it will have expired by now. If you're interested I could probably burn you a copy?

There is also some real progress with the 335 I'm restoring. AH Fabrications just need to make me a rad and we'll be looking at firing it up and getting it running as it should.

[e21Mark]

A taster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVtwtos5vc

[e21Mark]

Finally tracked someone down who owns an ex County Car and hope to speak with them this evening.

[e21Mark]

I think it was Spike Anderson and Ken Brittain that did the F2 engines when they traded as Racing Services (Engines) Limited that were based in Twickenham near the Riverside studios. They used to do a lot of Formula 2 engines in the seventies, engines being supplied to many famous drivers such as Graham Hill, Jodie Scheckter, Emerson Fittipaldi, and many many more. Tom Walkinshaw was an early client and remained one until 1982. Spike Winter has one hell of a history and prior to his partnership with Ken Brittain he was senior engineer at the John Willment Racing team and prior to that he was with Frazer Nash and once used to mechanic for Sir Stirling Moss. I know Spike Winter heads are really sought after in e3 CSL racing circles. Sadly Spike Winter died back in May but I am hoping to speak with Ken Brittain and see what he can tell me about his time with TWR. I know someone who bought some hand-made steel billet crankshafts from him that were made by Allen and took the 2.3 out to a 2.8 and cost about £1000 each back then! Evidently he had some great stories to tell.

[e21Mark]

Is that the ex County Car used in the Willhire 24hr?

[e21Mark]

I was fortunate enough to meet Barry Sheene back in the late 80's. He was one of my boyhood heroes.

[e21Mark]

Does anyone reading this thread know a chap from Dudley, West Midlands called Len Sandford? He used to own an e21 that TWR had converted to 2.8 power. If anyone knows him I am very keen to speak with him.

[e21Mark]

rallycross said:

some pics

Brilliant! Thanks for posting!

[e30m3Mark]

Excuse the old thread bump but I thought it deserved it after the sad passing of Barry 'Whizzo' Williams, who competed in the County Championship.

RIP.

[1602Mark]

Try E21 FaceBook pages. There is also an E21.net forum that might be worth a go? Dependent on how much are you looking for?

I see Chris Harris bought himself a 323i.

Edited by 1602Mark on Monday 22 March 16:54