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Articles by Mike Jiggle
Rare Winner-1976 March 761/6
Where do we start with the story of the March 761? In true Sound of Music fashion—at the very beginning. In the late 1960s, a band of four guys, Max Mosley (a barrister), Alan Rees (a former racing driver), Grahame Coaker (engineer and racing driver) and lastly, Robin Herd (a designer), came together to form March. Their dream was to design, build and sell competitive “customer” Formula One racing cars, as well as running a “works” team.
Ant Anstead
Ant Anstead: Host–Wheeler Dealer, Restorer Ant Anstead has had a passion for cars for most of his life. However, his first job was “on the beat” as a police officer. During his mid-20s he changed direction and made his hobby his job—a man in a sweet shop you may say. From there he has found a life on the small screen, first in the UK and now replacing Edd China in the Discovery Channel’s Wheeler Dealer TV program, which has a huge global audience.
1961 Jaguar E-Type
Today, the ethnic cleansing of the petrol-fueled engine continues at a rapid pace and recently took another step toward ultimate eradication with Jaguar-Land Rover’s announcement of the electric E-Type Jaguar—the E-Type Zero. Officially, it is a move by the car giant to “future-proof” a classic car. Don’t be fooled,. To me, this is a step too far, similar to the death of the steam-engined locomotives of the 1960s by Dr. Beeching, hatchet-man of the UK railway system.
Political Pawn
Since the inauguration of the modern Formula One World Championship in 1950, there have been many occasions when the governing rules of competition have been stretched, or even broken, by entrants. From the mid to late 1960s, the advent of sponsorship offering pots of money to the most successful teams accelerated both innovation and exploration of the many loopholes in the regulations.
Interview: Jeremy Rivers-Fletcher
Following the demise of motor racing during the Second World War years, there were those enthusiastic individuals, at a very much grassroots level, who championed the cause for a revival of motorsport immediately following the cessation of hostilities. Alec Francis Rivers-Fletcher, known simply as “Rivers,” who once worked under the tutelage of W.O. Bentley himself, was one such enthusiast who throughout his life constantly banged the drum for motor racing.
Interview: Mike Costin
When Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth first met at Lotus, little did they think that one day a racing engine built by their company would take the motor racing world by storm. However, history shows the enormous impact the duo had, especially at the highest echelon of the sport—Formula One. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that initial victory, when Jim Clark’s Lotus 49 took the flag at Zandvoort, Holland.
Product Reviews
By Bruce McLaren Although in very recent years the domination of the McLaren F1 Racing Team has faded in the wake of the dominant Red Bull and Mercedes outfits, there is a certain reverence to the name and the team. Over time, generations may forget the roots of this famous marque, which makes EVRO Publishing’s reprint of Bruce McLaren’s famous “From the Cockpit” book so refreshing. Published over 50 years ago it is still an incredible read.
Wasted Opportunity
In Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, the tragi-comical Mr. Wilkins Micawber, despite his predicament, always had the most impeccable words of guidance and wisdom. In one part he takes his young and inexperienced tenant, Copperfield, aside and counsels him against being dilatory. Micawber says, “My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!” It’s a shame those in charge of Aston Martin’s Grand Prix car project hadn’t noted Micawber’s words.
Monaco Winner - Cooper MkIV-J.A.P. 500-cc chassis T12
Initially, motor racing in Great Britain was, in the main, a rich man’s sport, entertainment for the aristocracy and directly related to the “Sport of Kings,” horse racing. The Brooklands slogan, “The Right Crowd and No Crowding,” substantiates this idea that motor racing was the preserve of the wealthy amateur.
Roesch’s Vision: 1933 Talbot London AW75
Before delving into the Talbot London, it’s refreshing to look back at 1930s Great Britain to appreciate the world of motoring that the Talbot London AW75 was born into. Nostalgic photographs and artwork adorning biscuit and confectionary tins depict motoring in the period as a wonderfully pleasant experience. Drivers and passengers alike, aboard coupe-style cars, have happy, smiling faces as their hair flows through the prevailing breeze. It is a picture of utmost driving pleasure and tranquility.
Rick Hall, Part 2 Vintage Racecar|Vintage Roadcar
In the first part of this interview, Rick Hall told of his initial foray into the world of automotive engineering, firstly as a boy with the family business and eventually working for British Racing Motors. His BRM career was in two parts; his initial stint with Sir Alfred Owen and Tim Parnell, then with Louis Stanley—who he described as pompous, arrogant and self-opinionated.
1985 Lola T711-Chevrolet - A Bold Step
Most sports go through periods of change for whatever reason. Sometimes, these changes are to liven things up when things get a little stale, or as a response when it is perceived that the public is losing interest. Other times it’s driven by sponsors or participants mounting publicity campaigns to try and recoup some of the monies invested in the particular sport. Motor racing, over the years, has seen many changes in all formula of the sport.
Interview: Almo Coppelli
Following a chance trip to Monza with a friend, Almo Coppelli found a passion for a sport that would totally dominate his life. This passion not only took him away from school and University study to follow a dream, but also from his family and his Italian home. Motor racing for the enthusiastic Coppelli meant heading for England—the considered capital of the sport.
Nuvolari Plaque unveiled at Donington Park
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Tazio Nuvolari’s famous victory at Donington Park in the 1938 Grand Prix, a new plaque has been struck and unveiled at the circuit. Taking place on October 22, 1938, the race was an 80-lap affair and the 17 starters included some of the greatest names and cars of the era. In practice for the race Nuvolari hit and killed a deer in the wooded section of the circuit. After the race, the deer’s head was mounted and presented to him as a memento. No Subscription?
Goodwood Revival is Great Wet or Dry
Walking around the Goodwood Revival this year brought to mind the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club (BARC), which anyone was allowed to join. However, few enthusiasts could afford to, and its slogan became: “The right crowd and no crowding.” The club only admitted into the building those wearing members, or members’ guest, badges.
Brrrrmm, brrrrmm Day
Situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Fens, the sleepy market town streets of Bourne came alive to the sound of music, or to the noise of roaring racing engines on this occasion, to paraphrase the words of Oscar Hammerstein. The event was BRM Day, the 50th Anniversary celebration of Graham Hill’s first F1 Driver Championship, and the one and only time the famous BRM marque took the F1 World Championship crown.
Product Reviews - May 2012
By Roger Smith This mighty 600 page-tome is the Formula One race version of Steve Small’s Grand Prix Who’s Who, where Small provides a cameo of each and every Grand Prix driver’s career, where Roger Smith does the same for each of the 858 races from the World Championship since its inception in May 1950 to the last race of the 2011 season. No Subscription? You’re missing out Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content. Get Started
Goodwood Preview
Every year Lord March, the inspiration and drive behind the glorious Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival events, provides the world’s press with an opportunity to take a glimpse into what to expect from the coming year’s events. This year it seemed to be more of an event within itself rather than a few “hacks and snappers” getting a brief on both events.
Interview: Philippe Alliot
Although he was first afflicted with the racing “bug” when his father took him to Reims as a child, Alliot did not enter competition himself until age 23 after attending a racing school. Working his way up the ladder of the sport he eventually found himself racing both in Formula One and at Le Mans. At Le Mans he posted a pair of podium finishes, the first teamed with Mario and Michael Andretti, the second as part of Peugeot’s successful early-’90s assault.
Interview: Robin Donovan
The name Robin Donovan may not mean much to most, but this man has quietly gone about his business and played a significant part in Le Mans history. He raced there for 14 consecutive years. From his point of view it is a “dream come true” story of a little boy who listened intently to a local hero, Derek Bell, talk about Formula Three racing in the 1960s. Further input from the film Grand Prix and this little lad was hooked on motor racing.
Chris Lawrence (1933-2011)
Chris Lawrence, synonymous with names such as Lawrence Tune, Deep Sanderson, Monica and Morgan passed away in late August. While he could be described as a very talented engineer with an eye for design and “off the wall” thinking, his business acumen left a lot to be desired. As a driver he won the Freddie Dixon Trophy in 1958—the British Automobile Racing Club’s (BARC) award for the most successful driver in a marque sports car, a three-year-old Morgan.
Interview: Roberto Moreno
Roberto Moreno enjoyed a productive career in the upper levels of professional motor sport even though his accomplishments may not have matched his talent or his promise. Like a number of young South Americans of his generation, Moreno realized that if he were to make a go of his racing career, he needed to go to England and immerse himself in the culture there.
Interview: Sir Frank Williams
Frank Williams started out like so many racers, with little more than his desire to go racing. Over nearly half a century, however, he built that desire into a multiple World Championship-winning entity that employs several hundred people, and to honor those accomplishments, in 1999 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. It all began once he abandoned his own driving career and began entering cars for other, better-funded drivers.
Product Reviews
By Roger Lane In the late 1960s, by a chance meeting, Roger Lane was given a brief by film manufacturer Agfa-Gevaert that most motor racing fans would have given their right arm to do. In short, he was asked to capture the atmosphere and ambience of Grand Prix motor racing in photos using the latest color film. Lane was no stranger to either motor racing, or, more importantly, a camera.
Interview: Mike Earle
Mike Earle started his career with Derek Bell and Church Farm Racing. Over the years he has had a hand in most of motor racing’s varied formulae, and with a number of famous names of the track. He has probably forgotten more about the sport than many care to remember. Today he is as busy as ever with his Arena International Motorsport company still being involved at the highest level. Mike Jiggle sat down with him to recall some of the early days, particularly those with David Purley.
Interview: Charlie Whiting
Any organization is, in truth, only as good as the people in it, and motor sport’s global governing body, the FIA, is no different. One of the men who help make a difference there is Englishman Charlie Whiting. Whiting started out in Club racing and worked his way into Formula One where he served with Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham organization, helping guide Nelson Piquet to a pair of World Championships.
Interview: Alan Jones
Mike Jiggle speaks with the Australian legend about his long career, his tough guy approach and the red underpants that enpowered him to become the 1980 Formula One World Champion. Your father enjoyed a reasonable motor racing career. Was it, therefore, inevitable that you became involved in the sport? No Subscription? You’re missing out Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content. Get Started
Interview: Marc Surer
If there is a single quality that best defines Marc Surer it must be determination. When you consider that he grew up in a country that banned racing when he was four years old, and then overcame a seemingly endless succession of debilitating accidents behind the wheel of competition cars to enjoy a lengthy Formula One career as a driver and a subsequent tenure as boss of a major manufacturer’s competition program, you see he’s not one to give up easily.
Interview: Tony Robinson, Part 2
Last Month, Mike Jiggle spoke with mechanic-turned-designer Tony Robinson about his early days in motorsport with Stirling Moss and the British Racing Partnership. This month, Mike talks with Tony Robinson about the direction his career took, after Moss’s grisly crash at Goodwood in 1962, including his transition to designer with BRP and later Cooper. You made a transition, or rather included, racing car designer to your mechanic role. How did this come about? No Subscription?
Interview: Richard Attwood
Richard Attwood started his racing career in 1960 driving a Triumph TR3, but by 1963 had won the Monaco Formula Junior race and was a fast rising star. Success in Formula Two saw Attwood quickly move up to Formula One, with BRM in 1964, but the following years in F1 would ultimately not live up to the promise. However, during the late ’60s, Attwood showed great success in sports cars, with the likes of Ford and Porsche, culminating in his now-famous 1970 Le Mans win.
Tour Britannia
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