VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 2

VANTAGE Summer 2011

Start of Exhibition Class Race BCHMR June 2011 (Jim Moody photo)

See ‘Tate á Tate’ inside VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 2

Well the BCHMR is over and a pretty good one it was! If we could just attract about 20 more entries it would be perfect. One of the highlights for me was meeting Bill Sadler. I can remember as a young In This Issue: man reading about Sadler Geezer Central 2 and his cars in Canada Track President’s report 3 & Traffic magazine. Many BCHMR Photo feature 4 thanks to Myles Winbigler for Pete Lovely Memorial Award 7 making his Sadler Formula Fairservice on Aston Martin DB3S 8 Junior available to us for the Tate Á Tate 11 weekend. VRCBC Art Sale 15 As many of you know, I Carruthers on New Zealand 16 was the chair of the BCHMR Wild Bill Turner 20

Ross de St. Croix photo Ross photo de St. Croix Craig Ainscough 22 this year and have agreed to Tom’s photo Page 23 Your Editor at Work do it again for 2012. If you Photo Contest 24 have any bright ideas of how You can contact me at About VRCBC 24 to attract more entries to the [email protected] event, particularly from the or by phone at 604 922 2722 US, please let me know. We Thanks for reading are thinking about a number Tom Johnston of things we can do to make We saw a few new cars the event more attractive to out at the BCHMR. Our entrants and fans. This year’s membership turns out in big closed wheel feature race force every year but there was a big hit, so you can be There is big news on the are a few members who are sure it will be back. The new new track front with one in seen at other events but not Car Corral arrangement Shelton WA under at ours. What is that about? seemed to work well and will construction and two new be back too, likely on circuits in Alberta under Saturday as well. There is development to replace the continuing discussion on both aging (and doomed) Race further opening the vehicle City in Calgary. Maybe some eligibility for this event and day we will have a grand new on the general format of circuit in British Columbia event schedule. (sigh).

Well, another BCHMR is in on the track, but they the history books. In spite of enjoyed our off-track how I look in the photo, I friendliness and the actually had a great time “ambience” as well, and that racing our “Bucket List they would definitely be Racing Team” Formula Vee. back. There were lots of A personal highlight for exciting, close races on both many of us was meeting our days but I think Sunday’s Guest of Honour, the Feature Race was the real legendary Bill Sadler. I hope highlight for both the drivers many of you had a chance to and the spectators. In spite talk to him – a very of his best efforts, Bruce interesting guy. Although we Jamieson was unable to took a bit of a hit disguise our trusty Caldwell economically this year, I’m D-13 as either a Classic sure that if we focus on British Sports Car or an building on the many good Under 2.5 litre Trans Am car, points, the 2012 BCHMR will Knackered Stan at BCHMR so I had to watch the big be a big success. So again, a race from the Turn 2 big thank you to Chairman them figure out their best bleachers. I was sitting with Tom and all of his BCHMR option for getting started. I our former Prez Jim Latham team for another fine show. think our informal and visiting Mini racer Looking ahead to the rest ‘mentorship’ approach for extraordinaire, Andy Nelson - of the 2011 season, there budding racers is working. It now living in Ontario but still are more local cars and certainly is with me getting a VRCBC member. The drivers showing up in the my Mini ready for next year - stands were full of fans who pipeline. We had two Vintage thanks Geoff and Dennis. – including us - were waving Novices in the BCHMR and Thank you to our Editor in and cheering the many multi- several more potential racers Chief Geezer Tom for putting car battles throughout the have approached us since together another excellent field, and particularly the tire then. Our objective is to help edition of Vantage. I’m sure -smoking, out-braking anyone who is interested to you will enjoy reading it as attempts in Turns 1 and 3, get started as quickly and much as I did. and the outside passing in inexpensively as possible. See you at the track! Turn 2. It was a great show! This is the key to the long It was very obvious to us term growth of the VRCBC. If Stanton Guy, President that when the drivers are someone you know is having a lot of fun, then the thinking about vintage racing spectators will too. just put them in touch with All of the racers I spoke one of the club executive. We to said they had a great time will be very pleased to help – particularly because most of the time, they had someone to race with – which is really what it is all about. It was also very gratifying that many of the out-of-towners told us that not only did they have a ball

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 4

June 11 and 12, 2011 Photo Feature Brent Martin photoBrent Martin

Canadian Racing Legend Bill Sadler Drives the Sadler Formula Junior

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 5

Brent Martin photoBrent Martin

Above: Gil Stuart in his Volvo PV444 Brent Martin photoBrent Martin Above: Marty Knoll in the Ralt RT4

Above:Ian Wood in his freshly repainted Rawlson Brent Martin photoBrent Martin Above: Ron Dempsey in his BMW 2002

Well known racer and vintage racer Pete Inaugural winner of the Pete Lovely Lovely of Tacoma passed away recently. As Memorial Award at the 2011 BCHMR was Alan Lovely was a regular at the old Westwood McColl for his spirited drive in the Exhibition Circuit and well known in these parts, VRCBC Class race. produced a special award for annual presentation at the BCHMR.

configurations, long chassis and short chassis. The company went bankrupt in 1924 and went through a series of unsuccessful ownerships until 1947 when it was acquired by David Brown Limited, David Brown also acquired Lagonda, the two companies then shared resources and workshops. The Lagonda purchase included the W.O. Bentley designed 2.6 litre six cylinder engine. In 1950, the company announced the DB2 which was powered by the 125 hp Robin Fairservice photo Lagonda engine, and this car Aston Martin DB3S at Brands Hatch 1953 was soon racing. Locally In my early years of 1922, Bamford & Martin David Birchall owns one of marshalling at Brands Hatch produced cars to compete in these beautiful cars. and Crystal Palace, Aston the French Grand Prix, and This was followed in 1953 Martin DB3S cars often the cars set world speed and by the DB2/4 which was a competed, driven by private endurance records at hatchback version of the DB2 owners. The DB3S was a Brooklands. Three works with more room behind the neat and attractive sports team cars with 16 valve twin front seats. Then came two racer, but one of them nearly cam engines were built for more variations; DB2/4 Mk II destroyed the hearing in my racing and record breaking: in 1955, and the DB Mark III left ear! The exhaust from Approximately 55 cars were in 1957 which had a three the six cylinder engine built for sale in two litre version of the six emerged under the driver’s cylinder engine. All the cars door, and it had a particularly penetrating sound. The Aston Martin company was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. They produced their first car in March 1915 but production could not start because of the outbreak of World War I. After the war the company was refounded and a new car designed to carry the Aston- Martin name. Bamford left in 1920 and the company was revitalised with funding from Robin Fairservice photo Count Louis Zborowski. In

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 9 established a good racing pedigree for the firm, and then in 1958 the Italian- styled 3.7 litre DB4 was the key to establishing the company's reputation. The car’s reputation was later cemented by the famous DB5 in 1963. The company has continued to operate and produce fine touring cars in the grand manner, even Robin Fairservice collection though there have been The DB3S coupe more changes of ownership. Le Mans. Other changes The DB3 open sports car the heavy and underpowered included a new body, chassis was introduced in 1951 with DB3. The 'Willie' Watson and rear suspension the 2.6 litre Lagonda straight designed DB3S brought more geometry. six engine from the DB2 power from the 2.9 litre There were three distinct Vantage. In June 1952, a straight six engine (initially body styles of the DB3S, the larger 2.9 litre engine, 182bhp in the works cars, first of has a large 'egg crate' producing 163 hp was but eventually up to 240bhp) style grille. The second body introduced. The car was with less weight (down by style is well illustrated by the placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at 75Kg). The car was then production cars, which Silverstone May 1952 that clothed in a fabulous Frank feature a more DB Mark 3 year behind a Jaguar C-Type. Freely designed body. The like grille and is sometimes The cars were forced out of DB3S introduced many referred to as the 'gothic Le Mans, but did win the 9- welcomed changes over the arch' style body. And the hour race at Goodwood. Ten DB3. Most importantly, the third style which featured a of these were produced, but Salisbury hypoid-bevel final new oval nose with faired in were not very attractive with drive was replaced with a headlamps and the fitting of a rather slab sided body. David Brown spiral-bevel front disc brakes. In the Winter of 1952-3, version. It was the hypoid DB3Ss helped Aston the decision was made to spiral drive failures which Martin establish many develop a replacement for retired two DB3s at the 1952 international victories. During its debut at Charterhall, a DB3S driven by Reg Parnell beat out an Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-Type for an overall victory. Shortly after, three DB3Ss raced at Le Mans with little success. This was the only race which Aston Martin lost in 1953. During the Tourist Trophy, Goodwood Nine Hours and British Empire Trophy, Aston Martin took overall victories against British competition. With some newly found victories, Aston Martin looked to secure more international Robin Fairservice collection success. Aston Martin DB2 Chassis

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 10

1956 was a non-eventful year for Aston Martin, although a second place was achieved by Moss and Collins at Le Mans. It was also this year that Aston Martin started to focus on an all- new car that would see most success the firm had ever achieved. This car was the

Robin Fairservice collection DBR1 which replaced the Aston Martin DBR3S DB3S in 1957. From 1953 to 1957 around 30 DB3Ss were In 1954, the DB3S didn't second place at Le Mans. produced. Eleven of these take overall victory at Le This was the best Le Mans were built as factory works Mans, Sebring or the Mille result Aston Martin achieved cars. Miglia. For Silverstone, two up to 1955. In April 1966 “Road & coupe versions were made Sir Stirling Moss Track” published a road test up with twin-spark engines commented that the Aston of a DB 3S coupe; probably developing 225 horsepower. Martin DB 3S always handled chassis number DB3S/113, One of the Le Mans cars was nicely, and felt small and which had been sold new to fitted with a supercharger for easy to drive, but their the USA. They found that it the first time. This helped engines were very pernickety was a very well behaved the car develop 240 about rev limits and the rev road, as well track, car. It horsepower at 6000 rpm. band always seemed could be driven through New Despite the developments, a restricted, but one got used York traffic without any 4.9 litre Ferrari took the to it. It was always a problems. victory at Le Mans. forgiving car which one could Aston Martin offered the throw around, but it was too DB3S for sale to wealthy prone to lifting it’s inside rear enthusiasts for both fast road wheel under really hard use and also of course for cornering, which would the race track. Introduced permit it to spin, and for sale at the 1954 London sometimes one, had to lift Motor Show, the slippery off. Frank Freely styled DB3S was extremely expensive at £3684 inclusive of UK taxes; the fixed head coupe was an astronomical £4800. In 1955, Aston Martin benefitted from a 3-litre sports cars limitation on engine capacity. This year Aston Martin gave up on the DB3S coupes which had raced and crashed at Le Mans in 1954. These designs were very unstable at high speeds. Both coupes were re -bodied as open cars for the 1955 season. Victory was seen at Silverstone with a Road & Track data panel for the DB3S

UBIQUITOUS! There is nothing at all minor about the Mini! Mike Tate collection Mini Cooper S corners in burning rubber style at Olton Park in 1965

It was for many of us the and my first two outright even automotive playing field first real new car we owned, wins (The Mitford Rally and has to be experienced to be fooled around with, entered the Wallsend Sprint) both in understood . . . I owe all of for rallies, modified, raced, 1964.How could one ever that experience to my Mini went to dances and parties in forget moments like that? Cooper. The real lesson came and just plain loved. My 1275 Those annual events may not as more and more Austin Mini Cooper S ~JFT 5 mean anything to anyone enthusiasts got them and the ~, was and still is, a outside Northumberland in competition became harder punctuation mark in my life the U.K. but to me they and harder, but then that’s a that will never be forgotten. meant a lot. It was a great good lesson in humility too! British registration number feeling to receive a cup for One has to get better or JFT 5 (1070 cc) was followed one’s efforts. Pride and an others better you and that by KFT 111 (1275cc) and inner joie de vivre were only happened often! It was also between them I got my first part of the afterglow. The amazing that one could just regular taste of competition feeling of beating rivals on an add some spotlights and a

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 12 sump guard and go rallying just how much fun we had other stars and luminaries too! Yes, there is nothing not only owning them but bought them and raised their minor about the Mini for me. being little Davids taking on off-track social status and When I went to Australia the large engined Goliaths! then they became for a few years in the late The 1969 Paramount ubiquitous . . . and by the sixties and early seventies, I Pictures movie The Italian way Enzo Ferrari owned four got another Mini Cooper and Job starring Michael Caine as of them. had local Sydney top Mini the delightfully cocky crook So much for the personal Cooper ace and mechanic Charlie Croker turned Minis facts and feelings about the extraordinaire John Leffler into film stars too! How beloved Mini but what about make me and over-square wonderfully they escaped the marque itself? 1310 engine for it! I had a lot with the stolen goods The Mini, especially in its of fun with that beast too! through the traffic snarl of basic 850cc form, was in These days I get my Mini that most famous of Italian some ways the British jollies by just watching Andy cities . . . over roof tops, equivalent to the Volkswagen and Rachel Nelson down stairs, through river Beetle. In 1999, the Mini was (unfortunately both now in beds and storm drains and voted the second most Toronto) or the likes of Geoff eventually up the Autostrada influential car of the 20th Tupholme, Mike Owen and to safety. Eventually they Century, behind the Model T Neil Tregear take on the were everywhere on the Ford now that’s high praise larger saloons in the British roads, on the tracks, at the and lofty company. The Columbia Historic Motor motor cross events and in distinctive two-door Mini was Races and give them a run the rallies too. George designed for the British Motor for their money; somehow Harrison, super model Corporation by Alec Issigonis, seeing them reminds me of Twiggy, Peter Sellers and who was later to be knighted Mike Tate collection

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 13 Mike Tate collection My Mini KFT 111 on the starting grid at Croft—1960s by the Queen probably for his versions that were successful Austin Seven and Morris Mini export efforts as this piece of as race and rally cars, Minor, until Mini became a British genius was eventually winning the Monte Carlo marque in its own right in manufactured and sold all Rally an amazing four times 1969. over the globe. Initially it was from 1964 through to 1967. But what of the giant manufactured at the Mais Alors! In 1966, the killer at the race tracks Longbridge and Cowley Mini was disqualified, after though, the crowd pleaser, plants in England, then at the the finish, along with six the large car teaser and its British Motor Corporation other British entrants, which track jockeys. Well magic factory in Sydney, Australia, included the first four cars to was created and legends and later also in Spain, finish, under a questionable born. Who could ever forget Belgium, Chile, Italy (where FIA ruling applied by the the likes of Sir John is was known, like all Italian event organisers the Whitmore and John Rhodes BMC products as an Automobile Club de Monaco, burning corner rubber at the Innocenti), Portugal, South for alleged infringements of circuits? A particularly Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela complex regulations about interesting point is that many and eventually Yugoslavia. the way their headlights spectacular racing careers The Mini Mark I had three dipped. The official winner started at the wheel of a major UK updates: the Mark was announced as Pauli Mini; for example a certain II, the Clubman and the Mark Toivonen, a Finn who lives in racing driver from Austria III. Within these updates a Paris, driving a Citroen. called Nikolaus Andreas series of interesting Come on messieurs . . . it’s Lauda entered his first hill- variations were created only a sport and yes you climb race at the wheel of a including an estate car, a might have wanted a French classic Mini near the Austrian pick-up truck, a van and the car to win but did you have town of Linz in April 1968, bizarre beach buggy type to engineer it so blatantly! immediately finishing second. Mini Moke and the double Quell dommage! Only two weeks later Lauda engined Twini Minis. Initially Minis were again confirmed his talent The Mini Cooper and marketed under the Austin when scoring his first racing Cooper S were the sportier and Morris names, as the victory in a career which

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 14 Paul Bonner photoPaul Bonner Mini action at 2011 BCHMR - Geoff Tupholme and Mike Owens leading the way would take him on to three roll, peace baby, Shagging Formula 1 World around! Mop top hair cuts, Championships. Just like Niki Carnaby Street fashion, free Lauda, Formula 1 Champions love, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Psychedelic art John Surtees, Jochen Rindt, and James Hunt all gained and all that good their first racing experience stuff! in a classic Mini. Well there you have it ‘My Mini . . . Oh some of the facts and Yea baby yea! memories of the ubiquitous Just groovy!’ and much loved Mini as much a part of the sixties as rock ‘n

As most of you are well aware, our talented and very supportive artist Billy R. created a very special 'portrait' of the Sadler Formula Junior that we featured, along with its creator Bill Sadler, at this year's BCHMR. This unique work was created to portray Bill Sadler driving the race car in the genre of the day . . . old style helmet, no roll bar etc. It was very well received by Bill Sadler and Billy R. has produced just 25 limited edition numbered prints signed by the artist, of which 22 are available for sale. photoBrian Pratt The cost of these once only prints ~ all personally printed by Billy R. on special art stock ~ is $100.00 The first two sold will also be signed by Bill Sadler as he left some for this very purpose! Buy one and support Billy R. who constantly supports us and our annual motor racing event.

To order a copy call Billy on 604-842-3646 or send him an email at [email protected] CMHF

Hampton Downs is a brand new state of the art facility, with eighty luxury condos overlooking the main straight. It is situated just off the main island motorway, midway between Auckland and Hamilton, the North Island’s two largest cities. The condos were built and sold before the track was laid. There is already a business park, and work is underway to build some larger condos opposite the most exciting blind apex turn on the track. The track itself is a cross between Brands Hatch and Mosport with incredible elevation changes, Tony Carruthers collection Tony Carruthers collection and blind apexes. A track to Tony with his BMW at Taupo die for. This time I managed This winter I was lucky arranged practise day drives four 20 minute sessions in a enough to spend two months for me at Taupo and different BMW, a blast !! in car crazy New Zealand. Hampton Downs. Taupo was Motorsport New Zealand With a North and South an eye opener, a three year runs two racing series: a tier Island population less than old 3.7km track built for the one National series with the population of Greater now defunct A1 GP series. It championships for Formula Vancouver, the two islands has 17 turns with very few Toyota, Formula Ford, V8 boast a total of seven elevation changes, but built Supercars, V8 Sport Utes, International class racing to flow. For my first session I Porsche GT3 cup, and a circuits. The North Island has was let loose with an Suzuku Swift series (similar four tracks: Lake Taupo, unbelievable 72 other BMWs. to our old Honda series ). Manfield, Puekekhoe and It was like the Battle of The second or tier two series Hampton Downs, plus a Britain all over again, kinda is for Castrol BMWs, open street circuit for the scary, with no idea where the class BMWs, Formula Ford, Australian V8 Supercars at track went. The rest of the GT and sports racers, and a Hamilton, the north Island’s five 20 minute sessions the four race three hour second largest city. All this group was split in half. What endurance series. Entries are on an island not much larger a bang for the buck. Never twenty to thirty per class. than Vancouver Island. The having even driven a BMW This year the Formula smaller south island boasts a before, I was told that if I got Toyota series attracted further three tracks: under two minutes I would young drivers from New Christchurch, Timaru and be doing OK. I managed a Zealand, Australia, the UK Teratonga. 1.59.2 in the third session, and eastern European My godson Tony is a top but was really sucking wind countries; a winter series four driver in the Castrol by the end of the day. very similar to the old sponsored BMW E class However, I did have a huge Tasman series of the sixties sedan series. He had smile on my face. and seventies. Damon Hill

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 17 was there helping son Josh, and was just strolling around undisturbed. The series was won by sixteen year old New Zealander Mitch Evans, who is managed by Mark Webber. Mitch recently won his first GP3 race, supporting the Turkish GP. Historic racing is also huge with an International series in January attracting cars from the UK, United States, Europe and Australia. I would love to get a container load of cars together to go over for the Denny Hulme Memorial series in 2013. It is not surprising that New Zealand has produced more than its share of world class drivers. Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, Howden Ganley and more recently Scott Dixon, and a host of young drivers making their mark on the world scene. New Zealand is truly Motor Racing heaven.

Continued on page 18 Tony Carruthers photo Taupo Circuit Tony Carruthers collection Tony Carruthers collection

Tony lounging on his condo balcony overlooking Hampton Downs

Above: Mitch Evan’s Toyota Series Set Up Below: Suzuki Series Cars Tony Carruthers photo

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 19

Tom Johnston Merde Alors!!

A couple of months ago I wrote about Pete Henderson who I described as being the first Canadian to race in the Indianapolis 500. I went on to explain that for many years Canadian motor sport fans believed the first was Victoria’s Billy Foster in 1966 but it was shown that Henderson did it in 1916 and probably a few others in between. Well guess what? Recent investigation shows that in the very first ever Indy 500, 1911, the eighth place finisher, a driver with the colourful name of Wild Bill Turner was born, grew up and married in Toronto. Does Wild Bill Turner in his Amplex Racing car that mean he was a Canadian? Jefferys, sister of a famous him, but someone kept in touch There has been Canadian painter who had with him I am sure. He seems to considerable discussion about originally immigrated to the US, disappear after 1911. I can't find this guy on the Internet then the family came north - him anywhere and seems no one motor sport history forum William Charles Jefferys. else can either But, I think he TNF. Most references show William and Lily had a daughter, just laid low. His son Harry was him to be an American from Evelyn, my grandmother, then a watching a film or the newsreel couple years later a son, then a with a film, when he was sure he Buffalo, NY, not too far from couple years later a second recognized his father in an auto Toronto but recently his daughter. At some point, racing scene. This likely was granddaughter posted the possibly around 1901, William about 1918 to 1920. Story is following: was working and temporarily that young Harry took off for living in New York state, building California to find his father. From Grand daughter cars. Could have been Ford, but Never did. Don't know if it was a Lesley Cluff I doubt it. There seems to have film that centered around auto TNF 2 January 11, 2011 been several auto manufacturers racing that he saw or was a in the state even near Detroit news story on the newsreel that and Buffalo at that time. was always shown before the “I am the great Sometime after 1906, he seems movie! granddaughter of William 'Wild to have married the auto The story that belies the family Bill' Henry Turner who took 8th industry, and stopped coming assertion that he disappeared, is position at the first Indy 500. back home to his wife and kids that there is a story about how Been looking for details on in Toronto. His wife listed him in he died. About 1943, a car lost gramps for some time! Was the 1911 Canadian census as if control, was headed toward two thrilled to see that not only did a he was living with her, and women who did not see it search turn up his name, but stated his occupation as coming. William ran out to save someone actually specifically chauffeur. This was a few days the women, which he did was asking for info on him! after the Indy 500 he drove in. successfully, but he was hit Will was born in Toronto, Ontario He was obviously not in Toronto. himself and died of his injuries. (not Buffalo) in 1877. Twenty- There are family rumours about What he did in the 30 years one years later he married Lily

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 21 between that first Indy 500, and So what is a Canadian few other races that year, and anyway? 1943 when there is in fact a The Canadian Motorsport California death registration for a non-American- country is left Hall of Fame has had to blank - is unknown. A census wrestle with this question search failed to show up a likely since it opened for business candidate. The two who did in 1993. Canada being a jump out, after further nation built on immigration investigation turned out to not has a great many people be our William. who were born somewhere 1911 First Indy 500 Any family here who might have else. Prior to 1947 there known the family secrets, is now was no such thing as The Indianapolis Star had long gone, with those secrets - this to say about Turner on except what I found online..... Canadian citizenship, we William's wife did remarry, were all categorized as the eve of the big race 1911 finally, after years of enjoying British Subjects. Racing race. the rest and board money of a drivers like many others Wild Bill Turner was born in gentleman boarder whom the who choose careers in show Buffalo, N. Y., age 34, children called Uncle William. business or sport, often weight 160. Yes, another William and this leave their home country to W. H. Turner, or better one was a first cousin of the first advance their careers. After known as Wild Bill Turner, one! But Lily knew her first a great deal of debate and began his automobile career husband was long gone and not in 1900 as head tester for coming back, even if likely still agonizing, the Hall finally alive when she married William decided that if the person an automobile concern. the second. held himself out as a Since then he has driven So Will Turner was not well liked Canadian, that was good various makes of cars in this by the next generation and one enough for them. country as well as abroad. family genealogist refuses to However, there was a His actual racing experience even research him. But hey, we well known driver in Britain began in Chicago in 1907, at share blood, so I am eager to who held himself out as a which time he won one of learn as much as I can find Canadian but wasn’t—Alvin the first twenty-four-hour about him! Did my poor offering races run in this country. He help fill in some blanks of “Spike” Rhiando, but then interest?” that is a story for another got a perfect score in the Vantage issue Glidden Tour in 1907 and 1908. He was runner up in the Fairmount Park race in 1909. In 1910 he won a special fifty-mile match race, driving fifty miles in forty-six minutes, which is considered a record on a mile track, after which Turner went abroad and purchased a Voissin [sic!] aeroplane. However, the aeroplane was never unloaded in this country on account of the injunction gotten out by the Wright brothers. Turner again tackled the racing game by driving the Amplex in the Panama-Pacific race last February." Spike Rhiando 1938

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 22 Craig Ainscough

Famous Canadian Racing Drivers from Away or who went Away

There are plenty more Gary Beck Born in the US Raced out of Edmonton Kay Petre Born in Canada Raced in UK and Europe

BRM Alan Moffatt born in Saskatoon Kees Nierop born in Holland Australian Champion raced all over the world Eppie Wietzes born in Holland - Canadian Champion

ERA

John Cannon Frank Allers Born in Germany Bob McLean from Australia Born in England raced all Canadian Champion Became Canadian champion over the world

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Summer 2011 Page 24 About the Vintage Racing Club of BC The purpose of the Club bygone days. The Vintage is to restore, race and Racing Club supports the exchange information philosophy of racing concerning vintage sports competition that encourages and racing automobiles. The participation, sportsmanship Club was established in 1976 and display of the vehicle in by a group of Vancouver its natural state on the track. based friends as a means of There are no prizes or sharing with others their trophies, merely the great enthusiasm for racing and enjoyment of a well prepared appreciation of the incredible vintage racing machine at vintage racing machines of speed.

Paul Bonner got this one. It is your editor standing beside his Lola Mk1 at the Prairie racing circuit Davidson. Paul wins a book.

Photo Contest Yes we all know it is a carburetor but what brand? This is a tough one.

VRCBC Club Officials and contact details for the rest of 2010 Position Name Telephone e-mail President: Stanton Guy 604-980 7750 [email protected] Past President: Jim Latham 604-853-5065 [email protected] Vice President: Dennis Repel 604 980 8953 [email protected] Race Director: Alan Harvey 604 464 2010 [email protected] Secretary: Tedd McHenry 604-524-8761 [email protected] Treasurer: Bruce Jamieson 604 925 2432 [email protected] Membership: Stanton Guy 604-980-7750 [email protected] Regalia: Bruce Jamieson 604-925-2432 [email protected] BCHMR Chair: Tom Johnston 604 922 2722 [email protected] Webmaster: Stan Guy (interim) 604 980 7750 [email protected] Vantage Editor: Tom Johnston 604 922 2722 [email protected]

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca