Gordon Spice

[Jamie]

Gents,

In two weeks time I'm attending one of my local motor racing film events and the guest speaker is going to be Gordon Spice.

As an ardent Group C fan, I'm particularly looking forward to this one as you can imagine. If any of you have any particular questions for Gordon, let me know and I'll do my best to ask them 

[chrisb]

cheers Jamie, [ps - great to hear from you]

there was a recent article I read about Gordon, which was quite interesting and there is something about a projected Group C car that never took off due to his financial problems with his retail outlets - don't know if you might have more info about this and I wonder if his problems ever surface in this meeting 

sounds like it is an evening I would love to attend Jamie, have a great time and I look forward to your comments

thanks

[Jamie]

Be interesting to see if that comes up Chris. Also on the bill is a talk on the bentley boys era from the local aero and motor club historian + the usual racing films, quiz etc....should be a great day.

I'll be asking Gordon all about his dealings with Hugh Chamberlain back in the group C days, bound to be some great stories linked with Hugh.

[chrisb]

sounds a great event Jamie, envy is cruel!

did I read that Bentley are making some recreations of its 1930's Le Mans cars?

that'll be interesting mate, wonder how 'honest' he will be - have fun -

did you read the new John Fitzpatrick book's review? I would love it but not at £225 - I was always a bit of a fan of John's and of Brian for some reason, and recollect a Group C race at Brands, gosh I seriously miss those races, must dig up more of these races. where Fitz [and was it Dr Jonathon?] drove a superb race in his 956 - can't recollect if they won or not but I just remember seeing these brilliant races and again lament their passing 

[Jamie]

Hi Chris,

Have you bought the new bike yet?

The Fitz book looks very good doesn't it but I just couldn't justify that money on a book, she who must be obeyed would go mad    I'd love a copy of the new Gordon Murray book but same scenario.....

I love Group C as you know but we'll never see the like of it again unfortunately, the world has moved on.....I have my official Group C season reviews to console me however, I can't believe I haven't worn them out yet!

[chrisb]

Hello Jamie,

no I decided against it, I just haven't ridden this one enough this year to really justify getting another one, I am hoping if the weather holds to ride down to Donington Sunday for the BSB - I have my ticket so fingers crossed

I totally agree that Fitz book looks great but at £225 I am sorry I may pay that for a book on Jimmy but not that amount for Fitz, although Gordon Murray was one incredible talent and cool dude but would I buy his book? no

me too Jamie, I went to a lot of these races especially at Brands, and it was fantastic, I must dig out the programmes at some stage, - and sadly you are quite but regrettably right , we will never seen their like again, although wouldn't it have been great if instead of packing it in a couple of years ago had Audi and Porsche sold their cars and built some more customer cars, then we would have had some fun. ce la vie

[Jamie]

Oct 2, 2019 20:06:44 GMT chrisb said:

Hello Jamie,

no I decided against it, I just haven't ridden this one enough this year to really justify getting another one, I am hoping if the weather holds to ride down to Donington Sunday for the BSB - I have my ticket so fingers crossed

I totally agree that Fitz book looks great but at £225 I am sorry I may pay that for a book on Jimmy but not that amount for Fitz, although Gordon Murray was one incredible talent and cool dude but would I buy his book? no

me too Jamie, I went to a lot of these races especially at Brands, and it was fantastic, I must dig out the programmes at some stage, - and sadly you are quite but regrettably right , we will never seen their like again, although wouldn't it have been great if instead of packing it in a couple of years ago had Audi and Porsche sold their cars and built some more customer cars, then we would have had some fun. ce la vie

Indeed Chris, unfortunately the WEC seems set on destroying itself in yet another cycle of boom and bust....sports car racing was ever thus I suppose.
America is sports prototype racing’s natural home now, though IMSA has its issues, it’s still the best out there at the moment.
Not sure the new WEC hypercar formula will rock my world to be honest but hope I’m pleasantly surprised.
Enjoy the BSB at Donnie.....still a great circuit.

[chrisb]

too true Jamie,

what I have seen of the IMSA racing it seems a whole let better than the Euro series, but as you say we have these cycles with sports car racing, I do like the prototypes but how sustainable are they? [no real pun intended]

the new formula sounds technically interesting I vaguely remember, the difference for me is if the factory teams make cars available to private teams, that is where I always felt yesteryear was so successful, Porsche sold loads of cars so anyone really had a bit more of a chance, and as did Ford and Ferrari before that, the more cars available the better the chances of some decent racing, but for sheer spectacle and vision those great Group C cars will take some beating in the future

weather forecast not looking good for Sunday and riding 5 hours in rain and wind isn't a whole lot of fun, but I'll make that decision Sunday morning  

[charleselan]

Have to agree wholeheartedly chaps about WEC. It was/is way too complex and prices everything out of the market at LMP1 level. Nothing will ever replace Group C in the more modern times it evolved into a truly brilliant category after a very quiet beginning. The customer car scenario was what helped make it into the success it was with all of those very professionally run Porsche 956/962's, some of which were quite capable of beating the factory team.

Two of my greatest memories were the 1990/91 Le Mans 24 Hours that I was privileged to have been able to cover as a photographer. being on the grid as the cars assembled was like nothing I have ever been on and that includes many GP's, a truly grand occasion. I was never a fan of the 3.5 litre, two seater GP car, formula which was a move brought about by the "poison duo" who could see how popular Group C had become with the big turbo cars and the manufacturers that it had attracted.

With regard to book prices, there is no way on this earth that i would pay that kind of money for a book no matter who wrote it or the subject. I had to take a deep breath in paying £70 for the Jim Clark book by Tremayne. John Fitz was a great driver and character and a book by him would be brilliant but at £225........What! I appreciate that book publishing is expensive and a limited market makes it even more so, but that is unreal. The same goes for Professor Gordon Murray, I would purchase a book on him in a trice bit not at over £200, sorry Prof.

The strange thing is that i can go to one of the online Photobook producers and get an 80 page full colour hard back top quality book made for less than £65 and when they do offers (which is frequently) less than £30 it makes one think. Bear in mind that multiples of the same book and the cost comes down as well.