The Formula One scene

Following the hoo-hah in Spain, reported elsewhere, between the Ecclestone club and officialdom, the major sponsors behind Formula One called a meeting in Lausanne to try and sort things out to everyone’s satisfaction, but it did not work. Immediately after the Spanish race the FIA (the supreme world-wide controllers of all motoring matters, sanctioned by she Governments of every civilised country) stated categorically that FISA were correct in their findings and that the Spanish GP was “illegal”. In Lausanne ELF and Marlboro, who have probably put more money into motor racing than most people, got representatives from the constructors and representatives from the FISA around a table to thrash things out. The FISA trio were Ron Frost (New Zealand) Jochim Springer (Germany) and Tom Binford (USA) and they were instructed to bring their “findings” back to the FISA committee. A very long winded eleven-point plan was drawn up at this meeting, agreed upon by those present, and the Constructors put it out to the world as a fait accompli whereas the three FISA men could only take it back to their main committee (and President Balestre) as a proposition. The FISA committee turned it down flat. The constructors. without Ferrari and Renault, said they would go off and run their own World Series at any circuits who would have them. The FISA said “The next FIA World Championship round is the French GP at Paul Guard, and entries close at the week-end.” At that point we had to close Motor Sport in order to get it printed and published by July 1st, but the last word was that FOCA had “climbed down” and the drivers had paid their fines (the origin of all the rhubarb) but only Ferrari, Renault and Alfa Romeo had entered the French GP. Enzo Ferrari has said “I was racing long before Mr. Ecclestone and his FOCA gang, and I’ll probably be racing long after them.” Renault say “It is all very unfortunate, we just want so race, but we cannot go against the accepted International authority”. Alfa Romeo say “Thank you very much, but we do not want to join FOCA; and we’d like to enter a third car.”

By the time this issue appears on sale the French GP will have/or have not been ran, with an entry of seven, nine, twelve or twenty-four cars, and the British GP will be due at Brands Hatches July 13th. As someone said “We live in changing times.” — DSJ

IBCAM Motoring Festival

More than 2,000 concours d’elegance vehicles of every description are expected to take part in the IBCAM (The Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers) Motoring Festival to be held as part of the annual Stoneleigh Town and Country Festival, at the Royal Showground, Stoneleigh, near Coventry over the Bank Holiday Weekend, August 23rd, 24th and 25th. Entries covering the complete history of motoring, from veterans to 1970 “classics” and including historic commercial vehicles, will compete for major trophies in eleven classes. Class winners will be eligible for the IBCAM Motor Show Cavalcade on October 11th, after which they will be judged for the 1980 Supreme Concours Champion of the Year competition. Championship winners will be displayed at the 1980 Motor Show.

Other motoring attractions will include inter-Motor Club competitions based on displays around the theme Vehicles at Leisure, a Sotheby, Veteran, Vintage and Special Interest Vehicle Auction, displays by Coventry Motor Museum, BL Heritage Ltd., Warwickshire Police, the British Motor Racing Marshals Club. the Military Vehicles Preservation Society etc. There will also be a National Vintage Lorry Driver of the Year Competition, a National Fire Engine Competition and a specialist trade area.

The main objective of both the Town and Country’ and IBCAM Motoring Festivals is to raise funds for charity. Last year the Royal Agricultural Society and IBCAM presented over £15,000 raised at the Festivals to various charities. Further details from Mrs. Carolyn Waters, IBCAM Motoring Festival, Town and Country Festival, RASE, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ (020356151 ext 258).

BSA Club

THE BSA Front-wheel-drive Club is holding its National Rally at Wellington County Park, Reading, Berkshire on July 12th/13th. The Club caters for BSA Three-wheelers, Scouts, Specials, holds a large stock of spare pans, and has regular rallies and issues a monthly magazine. Details from PD King, 81 Beverley Drive, Edgware, Middlesex.