1980 Willhire 24 hours - Snetterton

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by XR2racer

What a great thread.


My dad raced in a number of the Wilhire 24hrs getting a class win in a Golf (not sure what year but I still have the autosport with the thank you poster!).


Mike

Who's dad?

[bigears]

I will have a look for the race results later today as I am having my summer holidays now!

[XR2racer]

Dave Cox, I know he had Brian Cox (no relation and now drives an EVO in the Castle Combe Saloons) in his team too, but not sure who the other drivers were.

Will have to dig out that Autosport next time I am visiting home.

[josvandeperre]

Originally Posted by gypseywilson

Yes please, I'm trying to get as much race history of car 11, a red opel commodore as I can.

This is not my photo (belongs to groupc the thread starter) but I can do some documentation if you pm your email

[Trevor Scarborough]

I 've just picked up this thread. I don't know if the originator is still after information about Opel Commodore car no 11.

It was entered by SOS Talisman Co Ltd (they made pendants, bracelets, necklaces etc) and was driven by Paul Everett, Sid Harrison, Jock Robertson and David da Costa. They finished 9th overall and 5th in class A, completing 849 laps, compared to the winning ICS/Carrolls Transport Commodore 955 laps.

As a memento of the race SOS Talisman gave every competitor a commemorative necklace (I think I still have mine somewhere).

Any more info required? I've got all the details in my scrapbook, sad git that I am!

[gypseywilson]

Originally Posted by Trevor Scarborough

I 've just picked up this thread. I don't know if the originator is still after information about Opel Commodore car no 11.

It was entered by SOS Talisman Co Ltd (they made pendants, bracelets, necklaces etc) and was driven by Paul Everett, Sid Harrison, Jock Robertson and David da Costa. They finished 9th overall and 5th in class A, completing 849 laps, compared to the winning ICS/Carrolls Transport Commodore 955 laps.

As a memento of the race SOS Talisman gave every competitor a commemorative necklace (I think I still have mine somewhere).

Any more info required? I've got all the details in my scrapbook, sad git that I am!

Hi Trevor, yes please, as much as you have. I've also bought the racewinner as well so I have a bit of a commodore collection going on.

[BILTEL]

Originally Posted by gypseywilson

Hi Trevor, yes please, as much as you have. I've also bought the racewinner as well so I have a bit of a commodore collection going on.

PICTURES!!!!

What a superb thread. I'm hoping that the 360 becomes the modern day Willhire.

[johngee]

Originally Posted by BILTEL

I'm hoping that the 360 becomes the modern day Willhire.

You may think that - we couldn't possibly comment! .
Oh, alright then - we do too!

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by BILTEL

PICTURES!!!!

What a superb thread. I'm hoping that the 360 becomes the modern day Willhire.

seconded :-)

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by gypseywilson

I've also bought the racewinner as well so I have a bit of a commodore collection going on.

Are you sure??

Originally Posted by BILTEL

PICTURES!!!!

What a superb thread. I'm hoping that the 360 becomes the modern day Willhire.

Me too, but I think the way it has been organised so far that we have two hopes unfortunately!!

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by GBRM

........
Me too, but I think the way it has been organised so far that we have two hopes unfortunately!!

from little acorns do mighty oaks grow....

[BILTEL]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

from little acorns do mighty oaks grow....

Exactly. The 360 must be closer to the Willhire than the Britcar is.

Anyhow, back on topic MORE PICTURES!!!!!

[gypseywilson]

[QUOTE=GBRM;2774016]Are you sure??



I think so,I bought it from Les Beer who bought it from Tim Scott Andrews and all the info I have says that this is the car that won, if you have any information to add I would obviously be very interested........

[GBRM]

I'll check the winners, I know in the first three years a Morgan and a Porsche 911 won (my Dad's team's were 2nd in all the first three years!!) but I can't remember off the top of my head which years which won - Trevor might remember.

[tim dodwell]

Originally Posted by smchale

I've just discovered this site and its stirred up a load of old memories I did 7 Snetterton 24 hour races starting with a Opel in the last of the old multi car sash races, I won the class in 82 driving a Sirocco I bought from Tony Lanfranchi The other driver was Jock Robertson I think we were the first 2 driver team to do the race. John Llewellyn, Nick Staverly and me won the class again in a Sirocco in 83. In 84 I drove with Russell Brooks and John Llewellyn But I had and big accident at Russell on Sunday morning, shame we were class leaders at the time
Drove an Escort turbo in 86 with Bob Sands it fell apart around us but we finished, 87 BMW M3 with Bob Sands Class win, 88 BMW M3 DNF.
82 was the year all the cars in front of us were disqualified so we ended up 2nd overall

Just come across this Steve - I bought your Scirocco in 1983 that you part exchanged with Gerry (Marshall) - after many many races, sprints, and hillclimbs, it is still being used for the occasional race!! Bit battered now after the modern era saloon car racing, but quicker in a straight line with a VAG 1.8T engine. No longer any good in the corners though, 'cause the suspension has not been altered as it should have been.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

from little acorns do mighty oaks grow....

Indeed, one hopes! (not Bob Hope or indeed No Hope Mr Marshal lol )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2pkLx8gA4

[josvandeperre]

This is fun

[GBRM]

Well done Jos - Commodore it was!!

Claire - good luck - unfortunately I don't qualify for it but look forward to seeing the 2011 regs and a fixed date each year!!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by GBRM

Well done Jos - Commodore it was!!

Claire - good luck - unfortunately I don't qualify for it but look forward to seeing the 2011 regs and a fixed date each year!!

Thanks G, The 2011 regs are on the website now, which is also being updated to look more....well...better!

I dont know what car you have so cant comment on it being able to enter.

[josvandeperre]

Entry list courtesy of Autosport - need to look for full report - what odds Martin flogged the Toyota on the Monday as never raced or rallied !

[josvandeperre]

More historical interest than breach of copyright I'd argue

[smchale]

Originally Posted by GBRM

I'll check the winners, I know in the first three years a Morgan and a Porsche 911 won (my Dad's team's were 2nd in all the first three years!!) but I can't remember off the top of my head which years which won - Trevor might remember.

Gregor in 1982 the Morgan and BMW which were first and second on the road were subsequently excluded from the results the Morgan had race cams and the BMW was a county challenge car which had modified suspension, engine etc. I remember thinking it was odd your dad avoid the podium when the pots were being presented I think he knew all along the car would be disqualified.
So that left the Carrols transport Commodore In first place with Jock Robinson and I 1.5 laps behind in my Scirocco in second

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by smchale

Gregor in 1982 the Morgan and BMW which were first and second on the road were subsequently excluded from the results the Morgan had race cams and the BMW was a county challenge car which had modified suspension, engine etc. I remember thinking it was odd your dad avoid the podium when the pots were being presented I think he knew all along the car would be disqualified.
So that left the Carrols transport Commodore In first place with Jock Robinson and I 1.5 laps behind in my Scirocco in second

Steve - the reason they weren't on the podium is only class winners got to be on it and I have the a 2 hour video made by Bob the Fish (do you remember him?) showing the podium celebrations (the Morgan drivers are definitely on it!!) and Dad's comment to John Clark along the lines of "we spent 24 f*cking hours trying to win this and we don't even get to go on the f*cking podium!!".
Always thought it was strange when organisers let a car in kowing what they are and then subsequently disqualify them but you might be right - originally Dad was supposed to share a Capri with Graham but the sponsorship never happened but the organisers wanted him in it so did the deal with John and the BMW.

[smchale]

Originally Posted by josvandeperre

This is not my photo (belongs to groupc the thread starter) but I can do some documentation if you pm your email

I was in that team in 1980 it was the first time I did the race, thats David da Costa driving the No 11 car I've got some pictures at home I'll dig them out

[smchale]

Originally Posted by GBRM

Steve - the reason they weren't on the podium is only class winners got to be on it and I have the a 2 hour video made by Bob the Fish (do you remember him?) showing the podium celebrations (the Morgan drivers are definitely on it!!) and Dad's comment to John Clark along the lines of "we spent 24 f*cking hours trying to win this and we don't even get to go on the f*cking podium!!".
Always thought it was strange when organisers let a car in kowing what they are and then subsequently disqualify them but you might be right - originally Dad was supposed to share a Capri with Graham but the sponsorship never happened but the organisers wanted him in it so did the deal with John and the BMW.

I can’t remember how the classes were arranged for engine capacity we had classes A,B and C, I was C class with a 1600 cc car, The Morgan was Class A @ 3.5 were did the BMW fall at 2.3