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PICTURES JEFF BLOXHAM
The Guild of Motoring Writers
JULY / AUGUST 2015
DECEIT, LIES AND
COLD WAR SPIES
CHAMPAGNE FLOWS
ON EURO CLASSIC
RECOGNITION
FOR GUILD
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF
BURGESS AND MACLEAN
OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY
ENJOYED BY MEMBERS
BRDC SAYS THANKS
AT SILVERSTONE
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
PAGE 11
Thrills and spills
at Goodwood
The Guild was out in force at this year’s Festival of Speed, but
not everyone’s drive went entirely to plan – see pages 6, 7 and 8
This specially built, £300,000 Jaguar XJR Bloodhound SSC rapid-response vehicle suffered an unfortunate fate
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GUILD OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
PRESIDENT Nick Mason
CHAIRMAN Guy Loveridge
[email protected]
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
Andrew Noakes [email protected]
HONORARY TREASURER
Matthew Carter [email protected]
GUILD SECRETARIAT
40 Baring Road, Bournemouth,
Dorset BH6 4DT. Tel 01202 422424
HONORARY SECRETARY
Chris Adamson [email protected]
GENERAL SECRETARY
Patricia Lodge [email protected]
LEGAL HELPLINE CONTACT
Richard Aucock Tel 07967 823529
[email protected]
PUBLICITY OFFICER
Richard Aucock Tel 07967 823529
[email protected]
MERCHANDISING
Guild Secretariat (see above)
[email protected]
YEAR BOOK EDITOR &
MEDIA SALES MANAGER
Richard Netherwood
Tel 01484 646320
[email protected]
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UPDATE EDITOR
Colin Dawson Tel 01293 538253
[email protected]
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COMMITTEE [email protected]
Richard Aucock, Peter Baker,
John Brooks, Colin Dawson,
Tristan Honeywill, Chris Mann,
Richard Netherwood,
Sophie Williamson-Stothert,
Dave Richards
VICE PRESIDENTS
Sue Baker, John Blauth,
Ray Hutton, Graham Macbeth
HONORARY MEMBERS
HRH Prince Michael of Kent
HRH The Duke of Kent,
Johnny Bute, Alexander The Lord Hesketh,
The Earl of March, The Lord Montagu
BENEVOLENT FUND
Administrator Elizabeth Aves
[email protected]
Tel 020 7737 2377. Fax 020 7737 3966
Trustees Sue Baker, John Blauth,
John Blunsden, Matthew Carter,
Ray Hutton, Janet Wilkinson
Donations can be made via
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2
July/August 2015
DREAM JOB MAYBE – BUT WE
WILL NOT WORK FOR NOTHING
I AM astonished at the sheer amount of ‘stuff’ that one can become involved in if one so
chooses. I know that I am nothing special in this regard, but it still makes me sit in wonder
when I review my diary and see that I have been doing ‘car things’ almost every weekend
since the year began. For example, attending the 60th birthday party for the Jaguar 2.4
saloon in Surrey one day, then working in Paris on a story the following weekend. Even
discounting the recent Mille Miglia in Italy and D-type Jaguar drive in Coventry (those are
far too much of a spoiling privilege to count as REAL work anyhow), my time is full of cars.
That is, I suppose, common for most of us. I am certain we have often been advised to ‘get a
real job’ by some, while others tell us that what we do is their ‘dream’ employment.
Sometimes this envy and disbelief is amusing. But at others – especially when it permeates
into our industry and leads publishers to expect us to work for a pittance because ‘you do
this for the love of it’ – then I believe it is The Guild’s job to step in and make a fuss.
Although it is admittedly trickier to quantify our work on a time-and-motion basis, we all
have to pay our bills and put food on the table. I am sure if we all worked out exactly what
a story or a book cost us in terms of our actual time and effort, we might find that
‘Minimum/Living Wage’ is mere pie in the sky.
So, at our July meeting, your committee will be listening to the concerns of a member on
this issue and debating it with, I expect, firm plans leading on from there. Internships for
nothing ‘because you love cars anyhow’? No thanks, time for a reversal on that one.
■ IT IS most refreshing to note the revival of an event not staged since 1967. Goodwood
pulled off the trick and I predict that Chateau Impney will do the same. I have to admit a
certain personal interest, as I was delighted to be commissioned to write the history of the
event in period. But that aside, the re-birth in early July was a splendidly well-run affair,
with great facilities for the media. And a number of Guild members were in attendance
working for both internal and external agencies.
Having campaigned for improvements in access to sporting events and the facilities to
allow us to do our jobs to the best of our abilities, it’s only right to give credit to Chateau
Impney, and The Spollon Family at the organisation’s head, for making the media feel
welcomed and valued. Well done all.
■ GUY LOVERIDGE Chairman
Material for the next issue of Update should reach the editor no later than Wednesday 12 August
EDITORIAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Editor Colin Dawson Office 4-Zone Ltd, Avebury Lodge, Whitehall Drive, Rusper Road, Ifield, West Sussex RH11 0LR
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UPDATE
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GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Time to organise your entries
for this year’s Guild Awards
NOW IS the time for members to start sifting
through their cuttings from the past 12 months
for pieces to enter for the Guild’s Annual Awards.
As in previous years there will be a wide
selection of categories covering everything from
There’s an impressive line-up of awards on offer
feature writing, motorsport, and commercial
vehicles to photography, design, books charting
the history of motoring plus the prestigious
Journalist of the Year Award.
The format for submitting entries remains as
before with candidates sending their
work by email to the honorary
secretary. An entry form for the 2015
awards, with details on all the
categories and how to submit entries,
will be available during July (look out
for more information in NewsBriefs)
with the closing date being
Wednesday 30 September.
All the awards will be presented at
the Guild’s Annual Dinner at the RAC,
Pall Mall, London which, this year, will
take place on Thursday 3 December.
LARA LEADS COURSE ON CAR PHOTOGRAPHY
A ONE-day photographic course entitled Cars
Through The Lens, will be presented by Guild
member Lara Platman at the Heritage Motor
Centre, Gaydon, on Saturday 24 October.
The course runs from 10.15am to 3.45pm
and will guide amateur photographers
through the techniques for producing
professional quality images, from getting the
right setting on a camera to controlling light,
composition and angles.
The afternoon session will take place in a
studio and focus on one car to show how to
achieve the best composition and lighting.
Participants will need to take their own
camera, empty memory card and USB stick for
shared photographs.
Tickets cost £35 per person and the fee
includes morning coffee and entry to the
museum.
Full details are on the Heritage Motor
Centre website at www.heritage-motorcentre.co.uk/events/cars-through-the-lens/.
Members offered discount on parts
from Holden Vintage and Classic
HOLDEN VINTAGE and Classic is offering Guild
members a 10 per cent discount on all its
motoring parts, clothing and accessories.
Holden Vintage and Classic, which was
established 25 years ago as an
exclusive supplier, manufacturer
and reproducer of Lucas classic car
parts, has developed successful relationships with
Aston Martin, Bentley, Lotus, Ferrari and Morgan.
In addition to supporting major international
brands, Holden also sources, manufactures,
reproduces and supplies classic cars and
motorcycle parts to enthusiasts and restorers, as
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well as stocking a large range of clothing,
accessories, books, automotive hardware, gifts,
oils and tools for the garage or workshop.
Details on all the products can be found on
their website www.holden.co.uk
where orders can also be placed.
Alternatively items can be
purchased via phone: 01885 488488.
Full details of this offer, including the special
Guild purchasing code, along with all other
discounts available to Guild members, can be
found in the members-only resources section of
the Guild website.
UPDATE
On the palace lawns: Pat and Chris
PAT AND CHRIS
ENJOY A ROYAL
APPOINTMENT
GENERAL SECRETARY Patricia Lodge
and honorary secretary Chris
Adamson represented The Guild at a
Buckingham Palace Garden Party,
hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at
the start of the summer.
Their attendance was in
recognition of their work for The
Guild over the years, the invitation
having come from the office of Prince
Michael of Kent, The Guild’s most
recent honorary member.
Patricia and Chris joined 8,000
other guests at the afternoon event
held in the grounds of the palace
where they were able to walk around
the well-managed formal and
informal sections of the gardens
before taking tea.
PAUL HARRIS
IT IS with great sadness that Update
reports the death of Guild of
Motoring Writers member Paul
Harris. He died in Hereford Hospital
on Friday 3 July after a long battle
with cancer.
Paul had been a stalwart
member of the Guild since 1998,
serving on the committee and, in
recent years, organising the popular
annual Guild Euro Classic, in which
he took part last month. The Guild
extends its sincere condolences to
his widow Ann and family.
July/August 2015
3
GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
ABOVE David Lillywhite can’t keep
the grin off his face as he takes
the wheel of the Jaguar XJ12
Broadspeed (pictured left)
LEFT The Jaguar XJ12 Daimler
Heritage Trust Car ran in the
Derek Bell Celebration class
Fast and furious
The Guild was in the
thick of things at this
year’s Festival of
Speed, as Richard
Netherwood
reports. Pictures by
Jeff Bloxham
Guild bike guru Alan Cathcart
on the Bienville Legacy.
Its wacky appearance
incorporates several intriguing
pieces of engineering
4
July/August 2015
THE GUILD’s Goodwood regulars were out in
force again for the 2015 Festival of Speed at
the end of June and getting to grips with a
broad range of fast and furious machinery.
Guild president Nick Mason took charge of
Audi Tradition’s 1939 Auto Union Type D ‘Doppel
Kompressor’. Nick’s progress was hindered by fuel
problems – not that it showed.
Running on petrol rather than the usual
methanol, setting up the engine proved to be
something of a struggle although things did
improve as the weekend progressed.
Fuel problems also hindered Doug Nye. The
award-winning author’s Saturday-morning run in
Paul Vestey’s ex-Willment Racing Team AC Cobra
289 stopped almost as soon as it started. A recent
overhaul was thought to have been the cause of a
carburettor float failure leading to a sudden loss
of power – and a worrying large pool of fuel.
Luckily, Doug managed to pull the car over
before any serious damage occurred. A 1908 Mors
Grand Prix provided his Sunday morning
transport, as he took the riding mechanic’s seat in
Eddie Berrisford’s ‘Clash of the Titan’s’ entry.
Wearing several hats over the weekend, Bonhams
historical consultant Doug was also on hand for the
Festival of Speed sale which achieved an
outstanding total of £17 million. This included a
record-breaking pre-war Aston Martin sale price of
£2.9 million for the Ex-Works Ulster Team Car LM19.
Away from the auction, Doug passed comment
on the priceless collection of cars Goodwood had
secured for the Mercedes-Benz SLR celebration 60
UPDATE
years on from Sir Stirling Moss’ Millie Miglia
victory: “No one knows the true value of these
cars, it’s impossible to value them – and all six
cars arrived on the same transporter!”
Back on track, Octane editor David Lillywhite
took his turn in the Jaguar XJ12C Broadspeed. The
Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Car ran in the Derek
Bell Celebration class, Derek having famously
taken pole position in the car on its European
Touring Car debut back in 1976. Speaking before
his Saturday-morning run, David revealed: “I sat in
the car for the first time 10 minutes ago so I’ve no
idea what to expect – apart from a lot of noise”
Star of the festival
Ian Wagstaff, another award-winning Guild
member, was overjoyed to be reunited with a car
he’d not seen in over 40 years. For more than a
few (commentators included), the late David
Hepworth’s Can-Am 8.2-litre BRM-Chevrolet P167
really was the star of the Festival.
Amazingly, David’s sons Andrew and Stephen
began restoring the car only in March. David's
former chief mechanic, John Brooke, returned from
Canada especially to help with the final preparation
and the car was completed just days beforehand.
“Back in the early 1970s,” Ian recalled, “I
reported the RAC Hillclimb championship for
Motoring News and then Autosport. David, one of
the leading drivers at the time, purchased the
BRM-Chevrolet P167 and entered the Europeanbased Interserie.
“David kindly invited me to help the team. As I
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ABOVE LEFT Doug Nye fills the mechanic’s seat
in the 1908 Mors Grand Prix provided
ABOVE Guild president Nick Mason took charge
of Audi Tradition’s 1939 Auto Union Type D
‘Doppel Kompressor’
LEFT Crowds cheer in Valentino Rossi
was in my early 20s, this was quite a big deal for
me. The team consisted of just four people, David,
John, his assistant and myself.”
Recalling David’s Norisring accident, Ian said:
“It was raining prior to the race. We were hardly
the richest team on the grid thus we had no
intermediate tyres and sent David out on wets
instead. With the track still wet and to our intense
delight, he got up to second place behind Teddy
Pilette’s McLaren M8F.
“He’d been placed as high as second but went
off as the track dried. ‘Brookie’ threw some tape
at me as the BRM shot into the pits and told me
to work on the driver’s left front corner. I made a
pig’s ear of taping it up.”
Ian also launched his latest book, Great Cars:
Porsche 917-023, at the Festival. The Porsche won
Le Mans in 1970 and Ian was lucky enough to
catch up with both of the car’s drivers Richard
Attwood and Hans Herrmann over the weekend.
Published by Guild member Philip Porter, the
book shared pride of place on Porter Press
International’s stand together with (Sir) John
Egan’s latest title Saving Jaguar.
Guild two-wheeled guru Alan Cathcart rode a
variety of motorcycles over the weekend. As in
previous years, he rode a collection of Sammy
Miller’s beautifully prepared bikes which included
his recently acquired 1927 Brough Superior
‘Pendine Racer’, the 1954 BMW Rennsport and
the gloriously noisy 1955 Moto Guzzi V8.
He also bagged a ride on the Bienville Legacy.
Beneath its wacky appearance, the Legacy
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features several intriguing pieces of engineering,
not least of which is the ingenious suspension
system. Alan picks up the story: “The team aims
to set a new land speed record with the bike at
Bonneville. The engine is supplied by another
American manufacturer, Motus, before being
fitted with a supercharger taking the power
output to well over 300bhp.”
Understandably, the £350k Legacy attracted
much attention from riders and spectators alike.
Alan Cathcart rode an
impressive variety of bikes
including this Moto Guzzi V8
Flag-to-flag victory
The final day of the Festival of Speed, belonged to
Valentino Rossi. Six times a Guild Rider of the
Year, he arrived on the back of a ‘flag-to-flag’
MotoGP victory at Assen in the previous day’s
Dutch TT. Making his Goodwood debut, he rode a
special 60th anniversary-liveried Yamaha YZR-M1
up the hillclimb course.
Having returned back down the hill, he parked
the bike in Lord March’s hallway before stepping
onto the balcony with Lord March and Suzi Perry,
much to the joy of the fans below.
Rossi completed his day’s activities with drives
up the hill starting with the 1991 Le Manswinning Mazda 787B before trying his hand in
the ex-Henri Toivonen Lancia Delta S4 Group B
rally car and, finally, the ex-Jacky Ickx/Jochen
Mass Porsche 962C, opening the ‘Festival of
Speed Sunday Shootout’ in the process.
How Ray Massey crashed out with
the fastest man on earth – page 6
UPDATE
Ian Wagstaff is re-united with
David Hepworth’s BRMChevrolet (from left) John
Brooke, Stephen Hepworth,
Ian and Andrew Hepworth
Valentino Rossi opens the
‘Sunday Shootout’ the
ex-Jacky Ickx/Jochen
Mass Porsche 962C
July/August 2015
5
GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Baled out on the bend
Ray Massey got more than he bargained for when ‘riding
shotgun’ with the fastest man on earth Andy Green
ONE OF the most astonishing aspects of a high-speed car crash is how slowly things move as
you hurtle towards a sickening and very hard crunch. Your senses sharpen, your hearing
intensifies, and your eyesight and powers of observation move into overdrive.
For a few awful fractions of a second, you can see exactly what will happen – and you know
it’s really not going to be very nice. It’s even worse when you have absolutely no control because
you’re riding shotgun – as I was on th Saturday at Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Wing
Commander Andy Green, who was Guild Driver
of the Year 1997.
The fastest man on the planet, Andy went
supersonic on the ground in 1997, when he set
the world land speed record of 763mph driving
the Thrust SSC car in the Black Rock Desert in
Nevada. Next year, he wants to exceed
1,000mph in the Hakskeen Pan, a vast natural
depression in north-western South Africa.
I certainly wasn’t expecting any hiccups as
I settled into the passenger seat of the
specially built, £300,000 Jaguar XJR
Bloodhound SSC rapid-response vehicle.
The car was designed by sponsors Jaguar to
help break the 1,000mph record in South
Africa next year: it has to be super-fast to keep
up with the pace if the supersonic car has a
problem. The one-off Jaguar (based on the
TOP Ray and Andy (right) before their involuntary exit from the track
same flagship limousine model used by David
ABOVE It all seemed to happen in slow motion – despite the near-100mph impact
Cameron) has a top speed of 174mph.
reckoned afterwards. He tried to hold the car’s
up suggested no lasting damage: “It might
It can accelerate from 0-60 in around 4½
line but gravity and physics took over.
hurt a bit,” he said. Still, any accident you walk
seconds, powered by a supercharged five-litre
Everything slowed dramatically. I saw the
away from is a good one.
engine, developing 550bhp of pulling power.
track, then the straw bales used as crash
Within seconds, the track marshals and
It all started so well. We reported into the
barriers. We were going to crash – and there
medics had been on the scene, pulling us out.
Drivers’ Club and signed the relevant papers.
was no way out of it. I counted, in my head at
And we did both walk away from the crash.
As we crawled towards the start line,
least, slowly from one to five. At four – as that
You couldn’t fault the organisation. They are
alongside ranks of Ferraris and Aston Martins,
Berlin Wall of hay bales careered into view – I
sticklers for safety – and rightly so. Andy and I
he rehearsed the safety features of the car.
did my best to brace myself. I could only hope
were wearing seat belts and crash helmets,
Goodwood’s stewards and marshals,
the seat belt would do the rest.
and the car was fitted with a roll bar.
meanwhile, made sure long sleeves and
The car hit the bales with one hell of a
Candidly, Andy admitted: “It was 100 per
helmets were worn, and shorts were not.
thump. Straw everywhere, shredded and
cent my fault. It was a total cock-up on my
“The fastest man in the world with one of
scattered across the windscreen.
part. I saw the corner coming up. It’s caught
the slowest,” I joked before we set off.
many people out and I can see why. I was
“Don’t worry,’ he assured me. I’ll be taking it
going too fast. We hit 100mph and I braked
easy.” Famous last words.
Deep rumbling noise
too late.
With a screech of tyres and a roar of the
There was a deep rumbling noise, as first one
“Jaguar are not going to be very happy. I
engine, Andy was off, the sheer force of the
bale, then another, absorbed the impact
felt very disappointed with myself. I should
acceleration pressing me back into my seat.
of the high-speed shunt.
have done better than that,” he said.
The first corner was taken firmly and then the
I didn’t strike the dashboard or the
Having taken a look a the car, I would not
car accelerated harder past Goodwood House.
windscreen; the safety equipment did its job.
“We’re hitting a hundred,’”Andy said, as the But the force of the impact did register with
be surprised if repairs would actually cost up
crowd became a blur.
to £150,000; that is, if the car isn’t a write-off.
my upper chest. It was like being punched
Then, seconds later, the infamous Molecomb hard, to the point of being winded. Only when
He’s an honourable and dedicated man. He
corner came into view. A tricky left-hander
had a bad day. Let’s hope the next ones are
the adrenaline rush subsided did the
preceded by a notoriously challenging braking
better. There’s that 1,000mph record to break.
discomfort became apparent. I won’t be
area. As we approached the corner, Andy hit
Andy, I wish you well with it. Though perhaps
playing tennis for a week or two.
the brakes. A second or two too late, he
forgive me if I don’t ride shotgun for that one.
But a visit to the on-site doctor for a check-
6
July/August 2015
UPDATE
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GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Deceit, lies and cold war spies
GUILD MEMBERS met on 24 May to
undertake a walking tour of London
following in the footsteps of the
Soviet Union’s Cold War spies, Guy
Burgess and Donald MacLean.
The reason for doing so? The pair
had lunch at the RAC on Pall Mall
where they fleshed out how they
would defect, unobserved. And it’s
also where the Guild has its
registered offices.
Guy Burgess’s association with
the RAC on record goes back to
1944, when he engaged in a fight
with a member of the club, and
ended up falling down the stairs and
sustaining injuries from which ‘he
never quite recovered’.
As the pair ate lunch in the RAC
dining room on 25 May 1951, they
plotted how they’d leave London,
seeing as how, for Donald MacLean,
the ‘game was up’.
Secret Service watchers were
stationed outside the RAC, so when
the pair left, they split up, Burgess
heading to the Green Park Hotel to
see his lover and obtain from him
the tickets needed to sail to France.
Guild members stopped for coffee in
the hotel lounge where the
handover took place.
MacLean and Burgess. Left: the car hire
form. Below: the
Austin A70
Hereford – the
car in which the
spies made
their getaway
We then stepped on to New Bond
Street and Clifford Chambers, where
Guy Burgess lived with his lover,
before heading down the street into
Old Bond Street to see the former
building of Geives the Tailors.
Burgess bought a mac and a
suitcase there. And clothing and
MILLE MIGLIA REVISITS THE
GOLDEN AGE OF MOTORSPORT
THIS YEAR’s Mille Miglia saw The Guild make the trip to
Italy with Jaguar for the historic race, to experience the
1,000-mile event first-hand. Chairman Guy Loveridge and
I spent the week in contrasting settings, but both made
the trip from Brescia to Rome and back again.
Once an event which saw its winners complete the lap
of the country in one marathon stint, it’s now a four-day
tour which comes with a different set of challenges.
Guy was in a chase-vehicle following Jaguar Heritage’s
XK140 with musician Elliot Gleave and his father Michael
driving, helping them prepare, repair and service the car
throughout. He was part of the gruelling event at full
speed, experiencing the route’s journey through major
cities including Rome and Milan and rural areas such as
Buoncovento as the Jaguar squad attempted to finish as
high up the order as possible.
I was part of the XE Drive Team, writing about the
event for dailysportscar.com as part of the prize for
winning the Sir William Lyons Award last year. Being on
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bags can still be bought there as it
is now a branch of DKNY – though
the building itself was blown up by
the IRA in 1975.
We repaired into Soho for lunch at
the former Wheelers Oyster bar,
where Burgess and MacLean met for
Oysters and Champagne as
‘afternoon tea’ before travelling to
King Charles Street, parallel with
Downing Street to see where Donald
MacLean worked in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office.
A final tube ride up to Crawford
Street just south of the Marylebone
Road took Guild members to the
Motor Transports yard set in a mews
where Welbeck Motors rented Guy
Burgess an Austin A70 Hereford. It
was this car in which the pair
headed to Southampton for their sea
crossing to France, abandoning the
A70 on the quayside.
Interestingly, Welbeck Motors
became famous 10 years later, in
1961, as the company that
introduced minicabs across London –
the fleet of Renault Dauphines was
commemorated in a Corgi model at
the time, complete with advertising
along its sides.
■ DAVE RICHARDS
Superb line-up of classic Jaguars
taking shelter from the sun
the XE Team enabled me to drive more than 500 miles of
the route among a fleet of modern Jaguars.
We ducked out of the official stages on occasion and
got ahead of the competing cars, which allowed me to
step out of the XE and marvel at the sights and sounds
of the Mille without getting left behind. The Hill Climb in
San Marino and the parade through Siena were high
points of the route which is so steeped in history.
Even in its current form the Mille Miglia still captures
the essence of both endurance racing at Le Mans and
the glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s a tip of the
cap to a ‘golden age’ of motorsport. ■ STEPHEN KILBEY
UPDATE
NEW EDITOR
FOR GUILD
YEAR BOOK
RICHARD NETHERWOOD
has taken over as editor
of the Guild Year Book,
Who’s Who in the Motor
Industry. He is already
media sales manager for
the book so now has
control of all aspects of
the publication.
Richard officially took
over from Colin Dawson
on 1 July after a twomonth hand-over period
and is responsible for
producing the 2016
edition. Colin Dawson
has been editor since
2005 and produced 10
editions of the Year
Book, culminating with
the current 2015 edition.
He continues as editor
of the Guild newsletter.
SIXTY YEARS
OF TESTING
GUILD MEMBER and
former chairman Stuart
Bladon completed 60
years of motoring
journalism and car
testing at the beginning
of June, having started
work at The Autocar on
Monday 1 June 1955,
aged 22.
There were no lower
age limits for insurance
in those days, he said,
and told Update: “Cars
are every bit as
interesting and
fascinating today, or
even more so, than they
were 60 years ago.”
July/August 2015
7
GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Best of British… Seen here resting in the centre of Châlons-en-Champagne on the Friday of this year’s Guild Classic are Stuart
Bladon’s Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, alongside Chris Mann’s Jaguar XJ12 Coupé, the XK140 Coupé of Philip Porter, and Kim
Henson’s Austin A60 Cambridge. The Guild Classic’s participating vehicles attracted much local interest throughout the trip.
Champagne classic
With an impressive mix of cars plus outstanding hospitality, the 16th Guild Euro Classic
surpassed all expectations. Guy Loveridge reports. Pictures by Kim Henson
THIRTY MOTORS assembled on the docks at Dover on Thursday 18
June for the much anticipated 16th Guild Euro Classic. The range of
cars was as broad as we have come to expect from these events.
Paul and Josie Buckett replaced their entered Citroën Safari with their
trusty Rolls-Royce Phantom II. Paul explained that, having recently
bought the elegant French machine in its homeland, getting it registered
in the UK had proved a little ‘tiresome’, so with time tight he decided
not to risk things. At the other end of the spectrum the Classic this year
saw no fewer than three 911 variants with the Ian Donaldson, Peter
Burgess and Stuart Birch examples all lining up.
Keeping the flag flying for Maranello were Ray potter’s Ferrari 355
Spyder, which was joined in the Italian ‘Squadra’ by Matthew Carter in
his Alfa Romeo SZ.
The crossing to France seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as we
were all entertained in a specially reserved section of the Food Court
with vouchers generously provided by P&O communications director
Chris Lamming, who again joined us as co-sponsor. This was Chris’s
final Euro Classic as PR man for P&O as he was to retire from
P&O the following Friday.
He and partner Pauline were very much a part of the team making
At Châlons, the elegant Sunbeam Tiger of Liz Turner and Richard
Ecclestone contrasts with Ray and Viv Potter’s Ferrari F355 Spyder
8
July/August 2015
UPDATE
things run smoothly and their MX5 seemed to be capable of time
travel – Chris was always there ahead of us at the main destinations,
camera clicking away.
As the port of Calais receded behind us, small groups of Guild classics
formed as performance criteria (and a thirst for a wine tasting) sorted
out natural running-mates. Sophie Williamson-Stothert and I found the
Morgan’s comfortable gait to be exactly in keeping with that of Kim and
Elaine Henson in their gloriously evocative A60 Cambridge.
We made our way, via a comfort break on the autoroute – which
witnessed a most impressive pull-up-leap-out-force-bonnet-shut-regaindriving-seat-and-go moment from John Simister in the Rover 2000 – to
a more leisurely stop in Coucy-le-Château where the Hensons
remembered The Guild had visited in earlier years.
Slightly off song
We were joined there for a hot drink by John and Deborah Simister,
who related that the Rover was slightly ‘off song’ – a theme to which
we return to later in this report.
After managing to dodge any serious ‘weather’ we all gathered in
the splendid Best Western Hotel des Francs in Soissons. The location
could not have been better as we were just across the road from the
remains of the cathedral.
Our first night’s dinner was preceded by a small drinks party and all
reacquainted themselves with previous ‘tourists’ where applicable, and
‘newbies’ such as Andrew Noakes and Paula Goddard, who received
many views on the ‘classic’ status of their BMW M3. Gordon Bruce and
Sophie Williamson-Stothert were firmly in the ‘classic’ camp on this one,
it should be noted.
Saturday dawned bright and clear and, with sage warning of ‘packed
schedule’ ringing in our ears, we all made haste for Place Godard in
Châlons-en-Champagne. The star attraction here was to be boat trips
under the streets of this wonderful city.
www.gomw.co.uk
PICTURE SOPHIE WILLIAMSON-STOTHERT
John Simister tackles the wiring on his Rover 2000 to cure a misfire
Near this quiet, sunlit car park (on route to Châlons-en-Champagne), many
thousands of the U.S. 42nd ‘Rainbow Division’ lost their lives in 1918
‘On duty’ tirelessly
throughout this
year’s adventure
were Josh McCann
(left) and Mark
Fowler, who
cheerfully worked
wonders to keep
participating
vehicles mobile
GE
PICTURE GUY LOVERID
RIGHT Guy Loveridge and
Sophie Williamson-Stothert
negotiate the twisting streets
of Coucy-le-Château
in Guy’s Morgan
LEFT Philip Porter and Reg
Burnard enjoy the champagne
tasting at the wonderful
Mercier Champagne
house in Epernay
ABOVE All aboard: members board boats for a fascinating trip
on the canals of Châlons-en-Champagne, much of which took in
the underground sections of these remarkable waterways
This grand underground hall at the Mercier Champagne house
was the magnificent location for dinner on the Friday night.
Apparently, as the place grew, merchants did not wish to lose the
tradition of using the rivers and canals, and so the town planners simply
built over them, adding subterranean sections to the 18km of
waterways. Boats of 12 Guild folk set off for a fascinating tour of short
sections of those waterways.
Once the somewhat pungent aroma from the stygian darkness had
been flushed from our noses, we scattered for a quick lunch before
returning to the hotel to prepare for the evening’s ‘Mystery Tour’.
Quips from the cheap seats
Suited and booted, we crammed into the coach and set off. Quips
came from the cheap seats at the back proffering suggestions for our
destination – ranging from “Paris and the Moulin Rouge” through to
“Monaco and the Café de Paris”!
These were all wide of the mark, but the journey proved to be
‘interesting’ and slightly comical as we attempted to traverse singlelane farm tracks in our huge air-conditioned coach.
After we had forced the second local car onto the verge, I noted a
large number of passengers looking for their seatbelts. We finally pulled
into the car park of the Mercier Champagne house in Epernay. This
presaged another subterranean visit of the day, with an automated train
ride during which the history of the caves was recounted followed by an
amazing meal in the ‘Bacchanalian’ hall deep within the chalk.
We were welcomed with Champagne (naturally) and canapés, which
were followed by a four-course dinner, with a different Champagne
www.gomw.co.uk
accompanying each course. All wines came from Mercier’s own cellars,
and the food was prepared by the in-house chef and his brigade.
We all re-joined our coach fizzing with much excitement over a
money-can’t-buy type of evening.
Saturday brought another time-sensitive route, and those of us with
slightly thick heads, did not allow it to dent our enthusiasm as we
wended our way back to Epernay where we were accorded the great
honour of a drive along the Avenue de Champagne’ – in the process
passing most of the globally known ‘houses’.
This ended in reserved parking in front of the ‘Marie’ where we were
welcomed into the tourist office for a Champagne tasting (yes, I know –
more of the stuff!) from two of the smaller producers. Once we had all
sated ourselves with fizz and pink sugary biscuits (it works – trust me)
we again scattered to the pavement café and restaurant for lunches
that seem to have varied from croque monsieur to Cordon Bleu.
The return drive was well planned and interesting, and many took the
Continued on page 10 ➜
UPDATE
July/August 2015
9
GUILD NEWS
MAILBOX
EURO CLASSIC
MOVE TO TWO-DAY
BYOVD EVENT
MIGHT BACKFIRE
➜Continued from page 9
opportunity to call into some of
the smaller Champagne houses
en route for a taste or a purchase
or two. On the outskirts of
Soissons, John Simister finally ran
out of patience with the Rover’s
misfire and so took drastic action
with a rewire of the power cable.
This proved to be only a
temporary solution, however, and
John reports that removing the
electronic part of the ignition in
favour of the original points and
condenser returned one of
Solihull’s finest to rude health
once more.
The final evening brought ties
and frocks out once again for a
roof-top drinks reception at our
hotel/base, followed by a
delightful meal with a table quiz
and presentations to Chris and
Pauline Manning and Paul and
Josie Buckett to mark their
steadfast support and friendship
to The Guild over the years.
We also gave our support
mechanics, Mark and Josh, a ‘little
something’ to thank them for
their invaluable and tireless work.
A 12:30 ferry had been
recommended and we all took
our own routes and timings
home. Some went first thing,
others were still in bed when the
A60/+4 convoy rolled out of
Soissons for the final time.
A gentle run up and across
was accomplished without drama
and we lunched aboard, before
doing the inevitable shopping.
Thanks to all who made this so
much fun, again, with Chris
Laming of P&O and Paul Buckett
from Volkswagen taking well
deserved plaudits.
But the final, ultimate and
fulsome thanks go to Paul and
Ann Harris. Their route,
organisation, liaison with the
local tourist authorities and
Champagne houses was simply
superb. This makes it all the more
sad that Paul passed away in
early July shortly after the event
(see page 3).
10 July/August 2015
IT WAS good to see the early
notice of this year’s Guild Bring
Your Own Vehicle Day. I took
part a couple of years ago and
enjoyed it a great deal.
I feel last year’s event was
not as well publicised, and when
I heard that those applying to
attend near the date would be
designated ‘latecomer’ in the
official listing, it was rather offputting. I’m always punctual
and felt this latecomer labelling
had a condescending tone that
the organisation would do well
to avoid using.
This year I see BYOVD has
grown into a two-day event
(perhaps justifying a change of
name), and costs £100. While
I appreciate the event helps
raise important funds and, for
what’s on offer, £100 is still a
low price, I believe many will
feel it is becoming less
accessible than before.
Yes, it’s a good opportunity
to meet like-minded Guild
members, and it doesn’t create
the impression that we always
rely on valuable manufacturer
heritage fleet cars for our
special events. But part of the
appeal of previous BYOVDs were
they were a day out that didn't
encroach too much on our spare
time. I think the new direction of
a two-day weekend will make
the event less popular.
There was also a track day
organised at Rockingham three
years ago that I missed out on
André (left) and Cedric exchange copies of their respective books
because of work commitments.
Members and non-members
were invited and I understand
that was quite a popular event.
Any chance of reinstating that?
Simon Harris, Deeping St
Nicolas, Spalding, Lincs.
■ THERE ARE provisional plans for
the return of The Guild’s Big Day
Out, which could be staged in
August. Look out for more
information in forthcoming
fortnightly NewsBriefs – Editor.
CEDRIC’S TALES OF
DAYS WITH LOTUS
THANKS TO cut-price air and sea
fares in the late 1950s and early
1960s, many young people from
Australia, South Africa, New
Zealand and Rhodesia made
their way to the UK to seek
‘fame and fortune’. Some made
it and some didn’t.
Cedric Selzer, born in Cape
Town in 1937, also headed north
and thanks to his mechanical
ability landed a job with Lotus in
1961. For the 1963 and 1964
season Colin Chapman asked
him to look after Jim Clark’s cars
with Jim winning the World
Championship in 1963.
ADVANCED DRIVING IN THE EIGHTIES
FOLLOWING A Skills for Life course with the Milton Keynes
branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, I recently passed
my IAM Advanced Driving Test, aged 81.
I joined The Guild in 1965 and would like to congratulate the
organisation on its 70 years’ service to motoring journalism and
the world’s automotive industry.
I’d also like to say that having received the 2015 Year Book,
the publication gets better every year. Keep up the good work.
John Mortimer, Willen Village, Milton Keynes, Bucks.
UPDATE
Cedric left Lotus at the end of
1964 to pursue his own interests
including the restoration of Lotus
cars in later years. He recorded his
memories in fine detail in a book
titled If You Come Second You
Have Lost – Winning the World
Championship with Jim Clark and
other stories by Cedric Selzer.
All proceeds from the book
go the Marie Curie Cancer Care
in the UK which is very noble of
Cedric. He and his wife, Annette,
live in East Finchley and also
own an apartment in Sea Point,
Cape Town.
I recently met up with Cedric
to swap books, that is, my book
on the Kyalami racing circuit
(www.kyalamibook.co.za) for a
copy of his book.
André Loubser, Cape Town,
South Africa.
SHOTARO A MAN
AHEAD OF HIS TIME
I WAS saddened to hear of the
death of Shotaro Kobayashi,
who was a real gentleman. His
proposal led to me becoming a
member of the Japan
Automotive Journalists
Association at a time when I
was still struggling to get full
recognition from the Japanese
industry PR people.
He was a fine journalist and
made sure that Car Graphic was
an excellent magazine, with
good text and images, well
ahead of its time.
John Hartley, Port Seton,
East Lothian.
■ Shotaro Kobayashi’s obituary
appeared in the May/June edition
of Update.
www.gomw.co.uk
GUILD&MEMBERSHIP NEWS
NEWS&INDUSTRY
GUILD HELP IN SILVERSTONE SUCCESS
IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY BRDC
BRDC PRESIDENT Derek Warwick
extended a warm welcome to all Guild
members attending the annual British
Grand Prix post-Friday practice BBQ at
the beginning of July. Recognising the
important role we play in promoting the
club’s blue-ribbon event, he announced
excellent ticket sales for all three days
before handing over to BRDC SuperStars
Derek Warwick and the SuperStars
Director Tim Harvey.
Tim introduced the lucky recipients currently receiving guidance under the
scheme, supporting this with some impressive results.
Club chairman John Grant and secretary Gillian Carr revealed the latest
developments at Silverstone including Silverstone Heritage Live. This Heritage
Lottery Funded project, due to open in 2016, will bring Silverstone’s history to
life and feature the BRDC archive,
a heritage trail and live interactive
experiences within the new
Heritage Hub.
Glorious weather complemented
the hospitality extended to one of
the largest Guild turn-outs in
recent years rounding out an
excellent day’s motorsport.
■ RICHARD NETHERWOOD
Turn-out for this year’s BRDC barbecue was strong
London Show is important for
the British motor industry
THE GUILD is advising the organisers of
the London Motor Show on press
facilities and organisation for the event,
which will be held in Battersea Park
from 5-8 May next year. Several
members attended the show’s launch,
held at St James’s Palace in May.
As well as an address by broadcaster
Tiff Needell, Guild Honorary Member
HRH Prince Michael of Kent spoke about
the return of an international show to
the capital saying the show was a very
important development for the motor
industry in Britain.
HRH Prince
Michael:
pleased the
shown had
been received
positively by
the industry
www.gomw.co.uk
“In December last year,” the Prince
said, “I announced that a London Motor
Show would be staged in London in
May 2016 and that I would become the
Patron. The background to this is the
tremendous success currently being
enjoyed by the motor industry in Britain.
“We are world leading in terms
of engineering, manufacturing and
design and I am delighted to see so
many representatives from the car
industry and related automotive
businesses here this evening who have
contributed to that success.”
The Prince said he passionately
believed the motor industry should have a
platform to promote success and
innovation within an industry vital to the
continuing success of the British economy.
“I am also very keen to be involved in
a show that is designed for all the
family and their motoring needs in the
21st century,” he said.
Tandy (inset): part of the three-man Porsche team
Former Guild Driver
of the Year Nick
Tandy wins Le Mans
GUILD DRIVER of the Year 2010 Nick Tandy became
the 32nd Britain to win at Le Mans when he
triumphed at the legendary race on 14 June.
Thirty-year-old Tandy was part of the Porsche team,
which included Formula 1's Nico Hulkenberg and
Earl Bamber.
Tandy took the lead on lap 253 for the number 19
Porsche team before Hulkenberg steered them to
victory with 395 laps covered, producing a record
17th win for the manufacturer. The last British driver
to win at Le Mans before Tandy, a Porsche driver
since 2010, was Allan McNish, two years ago.
Tandy said he felt the experience in his team saw
them through. Hulkenberg is the first active F1 driver
to win Le Mans since Johnny Herbert in 1991 while
Bamber is reigning Porsche Supercup and double
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion.
Media accreditation
open for Salon Privé
JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS and videographers
are invited to apply for media accreditation to attend
this year’s Salon Privé, on 3-5 September at
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The event's 10th
anniversary year is to be celebrated at Blenheim
Palace and will include the Concours D’Elégance,
Boodles Ladies Day plus a new Speed & Style event.
Press can apply online giving contact details and
which day they would like to attend. Media
invitations are limited, so Guild members are advised
to apply as soon as possible.
Cars already enlisted include the Bentley Speed Six
(Old Number Three), an ‘exquisite’ Ferrari 250 Tour De
France and an E-type previously owned by Diana Ross.
The event will introduce the ‘Speed & Style’
competition on Saturday 5th, and a supercar
competition with cars dating from 1975 to the
present day. This will be hosted in the Great Court of
Blenheim Palace. To register, visit:
http://form.jotformpro.com/form/51514347023951.
UPDATE
July/August 2015
11
2015 2015
JULY/AUGUST
JULY / AUGUST
ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP
Applications appear in NewsBriefs, emailed fortnightly to members. Full details appear in Update only when new members have been elected.
UK FULL MEMBERS
JOSH BARNETT
Current Staff Writer, Total 911.
Office Total 911, Imagine
Publishing, Richmond House,
33 Richmond Hill,
Bournemouth BH2 6EZ. Tel 01202 586292.
Email [email protected]. Mobile 07800 985746.
Born 12 October 1990. Career Between
2004 and 2011 provided freelance race
reports for websites and magazines,
including Autosport and Motorsport News.
Joined Total 911 magazine in August 2013
as a staff writer providing material such as
test drive and group test reports as well as
interviews with prominent figures in the
industry. Airport Bournemouth.
CLIVE HARRINGTON
Current Publisher & Editorial
Director of The Engine
Rebuilder.
Office Four Square
Publications Limited, P O Box 1025,
Aylesbury Vale HP22 9NF. Tel 01296 614553.
Email [email protected].
Mobile 07947164242. Born 6 August 1947.
Career Management trainee in Motor
Accessory division Smiths Industries plc
(1965-1969), press officer Radiomobile and
Bluecol (1969-1972), International marketing
manager Uni-Tubes Ltd (1972-1979),
marketing managerial posts with various
engineering companies (1980-1989),
divisional director (BSI Testing) then director
of marketing services, British Standards
Institution (1989–1996) and communication
manager TUV Product Service GmbH
(1996–1999). In 2000 formed Four Square
Marketing providing specialist marketing
services for engineering companies. In
November 2013 purchased the title The
Engine Rebuilder and formed Four Square
Publications Ltd. Re-designed the journal
and moved it from quarterly to bi-monthly.
Undertakes all interviews and most of the
photography for the main articles.
Airport Heathrow, Luton.
MEMBERS ARE requested to inform the
secretariat of changes to contact details.
12 July/August 2015
UPDATE
JOHN MAYHEAD
Current Online Content Editor,
Hagerty International Ltd.
Office The Arch Barn, Pury Hill
Farm, Towcester NN12 7TB.
Tel 08448 241134.
Email [email protected].
Mobile 07881 534502. Born 12 December
1971. Career Editor and main contributor for
Hagerty’s online newsletter and magazine (biweekly). Contributor and columnist for
Sunday Times Driving (Me & My Classic Motor
and Classic Challenge columns). Regular
contributor to other motoring magazines and
journals, including Classic & Sports Car, Trident
magazine, All Torque magazine and Fox
News. Airport Southampton, Gatwick.
BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE
Current Picture editor,
illustrator and photographer,
Autocar.
Office Autocar, Teddington
Studios, Broom Road, London.
Email [email protected]. Mobile 07932
049382. Born 21 October 1987.
Career Picture editor for Autocar and What
Car? and car design renderer for news and
features since 2010. Airport Heathrow.
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
KEN GIBSON has not renewed his
membership.
CHRISTIAN SYLT has not renewed his
membership.
NEILL WATSON is not renewing his
membership owing to a change in his
work circumstances.
MEMBER UPDATES
JAMES BATCHELOR has a new email
address: [email protected].
LIAM CAMPBELL’s preferred email address
is: [email protected].
CLARE EVANS has a new job as editor of
ClassicCarPrice.com website and a new
address: Kingsdown, Ricketts Hill Road,
Tatsfield, Kent TN16 2NE. Tel 07806
488115.
SUZIE HILL’s preferred email address
is: [email protected].
DANNY HOPKINS’ office tel number in
the Year Book incorrect – it should be
01733 468000.
GREG MACLEMAN’s email address
should be [email protected].
STUART MILNE is no longer at Autocar.
His new details are – Home 10
Southbourne Grove, Hockley, Essex SS5
5EE. Office 30 Cleveland Street, London
W1T 4JD. Mobile 07725 869513.
Email [email protected].
DICK SCHORNAGAEL (Overseas Member)
has a new email address:
[email protected].
DAVID SPARROW‘s mobile number in
the Year Book is incorrect. It should be
07412 974454. His new email address is:
[email protected].
DAVID SUMNER-SMITH has two new
email addresses to replace the one in the
Year Book. They are: [email protected]
and [email protected].
JOHN SWIFT is now motoring editor of The
Sentinel and also writes for Staffordshire
Life. Office The Sentinel, Sentinel House,
Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffs ST1 3GN. Tel 01782 864123 (direct
line). Mobile 07507 637706.
Email [email protected].
Email [email protected].
IS YOUR ENTRY CORRECT?
IT IS vital your keep your entry up to date
as data for the 2016 edition of Who’s Who
in the Motor Industry will be drawn from
the information on the website. We want
your Year Book details to be accurate, so
ensure you log-on, check and, if necessary,
correct the online information. If you have
lost your log-in details, email the
webmaster: [email protected].
www.gomw.co.uk