Around and about, January 1977

Browse pages
Current page

1

Current page

2

Current page

3

Current page

4

Current page

5

Current page

6

Current page

7

Current page

8

Current page

9

Current page

10

Current page

11

Current page

12

Current page

13

Current page

14

Current page

15

Current page

16

Current page

17

Current page

18

Current page

19

Current page

20

Current page

21

Current page

22

Current page

23

Current page

24

Current page

25

Current page

26

Current page

27

Current page

28

Current page

29

Current page

30

Current page

31

Current page

32

Current page

33

Current page

34

Current page

35

Current page

36

Current page

37

Current page

38

Current page

39

Current page

40

Current page

41

Current page

42

Current page

43

Current page

44

Current page

45

Current page

46

Current page

47

Current page

48

Current page

49

Current page

50

Current page

51

Current page

52

Current page

53

Current page

54

Current page

55

Current page

56

Current page

57

Current page

58

Current page

59

Current page

60

Current page

61

Current page

62

Current page

63

Current page

64

Current page

65

Current page

66

Current page

67

Current page

68

Current page

69

Current page

70

Current page

71

Current page

72

Current page

73

Current page

74

Current page

75

Current page

76

Current page

77

Current page

78

Current page

79

Current page

80

Current page

81

Current page

82

Current page

83

Current page

84

Current page

85

Current page

86

Current page

87

Current page

88

Current page

89

Current page

90

Current page

91

Current page

92

Current page

93

Current page

94

Current page

95

Current page

96

Current page

97

Current page

98

Current page

99

Current page

100

Current page

101

Current page

102

Current page

103

Current page

104

Current page

105

Current page

106

Current page

107

Current page

108

“We’ll conquer the World …”

The period prior to Christmas was thick with manufacturers’ invitations requiring a journalist to hear details of next year’s competitions plans. Significantly none of the British-based car-makers (we are excluding Fl of course) have said what they are doing in public as yet, though Dealer ‘Team Vauxhall have released some preliminary details.

DTV’S main project for 1977 will he to rally the Chevette in 16 valve, 2.3-litre guise: some 400 road cars having been presented to the FIA representative, just before the RAC Rally, in a -successful effort to homologate such a device. It is also believed the team will race some sort of Chevette-styled super saloon next season, when the driver would naturally be Gerry Marshall. The rally car will be driven by Pentti Airikkala (the man who nearly won the RAC for David Sutton Cars in an Escort) and well-versed rallyist Chris Sclater.

Naturally we look forward to an early and full. road test of this newly homologated Vauxhall, though we have failed to spot such a car in the local dealer’s showroom as yet!

Plans/2

Both BMW and Renault announced their plans at formal European press conferences BMW pulled quite a flanker on everyone by engaging McLaren’s Detroit works to prepare and enter a wildly modified 3 series saloon (officially a 320i?) that will be driven in 1977 IMSA events in the USA, by former Jaguar signing David Hobbs.

“Hobbo” has obviously decided that the combination of the American good life (to which he is well acclimatised over recent seasons) and Deutschemarks is too strong a combination to resist!

Renault’s spicey news was that they had engaged John Wyer’s services to run two of the five A442 turbo sports cars at Le Mans next season. Wyer is said to be talking to both Al Unser and Vern Schuppan as drivers for his cars while Jaguar’s Derek Bell will be found lurking in Renault’s Alpine factory Le Mans team that otherwise comprises home-grown talent.

Formula 1 received low priority in the announcements, but it seems definite that Renault will back and construct a 1.5-litre turbo car for Jean Pierre Jabouille to contest the European Grand Prix rounds. In Formula Two Didier Pironi (F/Super Renault graduate) will join the man who so nearly won the European F2 Championship this year, Rene Arnoux.

In rallying Renault will concentrate on developing the Alpine A310 V6 for homologation (perhaps they should talk to Vauxhall ?) and the Renault 5. There is talk of contesting four major rallies next year, including the RAC, Sanremo. Tour de Corse and one in Quebec.

Rallying Segrave Award first

Roger Clark and prominent members of the Ford Rally team were at Pall Mall recently for the award of the Segrave Trophy. The Trophy is interesting in that it goes to those Britons who, “accomplish the most outstanding demonstration of the possibilities of transport by land, air or water”, in the opinion of an RAC-appointed committee.

The Segrave Trophy has been in existence since 1930, but there have been many years when it has not been presented. This was the first year that a rallyist has won it, and Roger Clark had actually secured the Trophy before his RAC Rally victory for his performances in 1975. Commemorative medals were also given to Ford management men Stuart Turner and Peter Ashcroft, co-drivers Jim Porter and Tony Mason and engineering personnel Mick Jones and Norman Masters.

Jensen Parts and Service Ltd.

After the loss of Jensen Motors, a limited company has been formed to look after the customers from every stage through warranty to complete rebuilding of aged examples.

There are now 20 staff and they have presses and tooling to make new body parts for both Interceptor and Healey examples of the marque. Their address is Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, West Midlands, 1370 7JU (tel.: 021 5536741).

Signed Prints

Prints depicting famous racing drivers and signed by themselves and artist Michael Turner are being offered by the Donington Fine Art Collection. The range of eight prints, produced on tine art paper from Michael Turner pencil drawings, are being offered in a limited edition of 100 only, each print numbered and autographed. They feature such top drivers as Stirling Moss, Louis Chiron, Mike Hailwood, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Jacky Ickx and the late Graham Hill.

Only a few of the Graham Hill prints remain, signed by him just a few days before his death. These are priced at £150. Other prints, including the one depicting Chiron winning the 1931 French GP in a Type 51 Bugatti, sell for .£75 each.

The prints are available from Jeremy Nightingale Associates Ltd., 45, Kelso Place, London W8.

One marque saloons: Renault opt for 1300

Renault in Britain have started to display the same serious interest in motoring sport as their European counterparts. Lacking a British showcase to really display their international effort regularly, the R5 challenge has become of increasing importance to the Company, and they have put a lot more money and effort behind next season’s Championship.

Basically there will be a conversion kit to take existing 5TLs’ into 5TS mechanical trim (at a subsidised £350). Potential challengers can buy a 5TS, put in £150 worth of safety equipment and receive a bonus of £250 direct from Renault, if they contest ten rounds of the sixteen scheduled.

Prizes in the series include £250 and a test drive in the works 5TS that will contest the British National Championship in 1978… always assuming imports haven’t been banned along with cars of over 3-litres and capacity classes by then!

It is only fair to point out that Leyland cars now have a much more .generously rewarded plethora of Mini racing formulae and Ford still operate an Escort *series, so potential eompetitors should shop around.