Memories of the Birmingham Superprix

[Gerry Taylor]

Originally Posted by davemorganfan

Gerry is right to say that really the whole thing was the inspiration of Martin Hone. Martin had been punting this idea around for a few years before Gerry's car was involved in the demonstration run in Brum - I remember it featuring quite prominently in MN and Autosport in around 1971. It really is a shame that all his hard work lead to no personal involvement in what eventually transpired.

I gather that in more recent times Martin has been involved in organising rallies in Britain on behalf of the Jewish charity JNF, which is concerned with environmental projects in Israel.

Hi Dave, Gerry here again. yes Martin does a lot of work for the Jewish people I believe. He found religion in a big way I am led to understand. No the Opposite Lock club has long gone. I am so pleased that people do remember Martin Hone in his racing days, he really is the father of the Birmingham Race Scene. He should never be forgotten. Incidentally does anyone have any photographs or video of that day in the 1970s that started it all off? I would pay of course. It was a day to remember, and possibly never to be repeated. Any info drop me a private line. Gerry SWISH Taylor.

[bigears]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

Big Ears - are you planning a book, or something. If not, why not? You certainly have a great deal of information from your own research and this post - and I bet you could get more if you applied to, say, the teams involved at the time (or members thereof).

I am pleased to announce in here that I am currently constructing a website devoted to the history of the Birmingham Superprix:

http://8w.forix.com/bsp.html

Please do continue to contribute in this excellent thread, there are a lot of information that I will be willing to use for the Birminhgham Superprix years page in the website.

I am currently looking for photographs from spectators like you, so please PM me or posting in here and to enable me to have permission to use the photos in my website.

I am still on the lookout to ask more comments especially from drivers that have actually driven on the circuit so if you know anyone who does then please point it out for me.

Thank you.

[Andrew Kitson]

Don't forget it was Martin Hone who introduced modern day motor racing to the Middle East. It was him who thought of, planned and organised the Dubai Grand Prix in 1981 - years ahead of his time as racing is only just (in recent years) catching on in the region now. The main event was a racing 'celebrity' race in standard Citroen's, won by Bruno Giacomelli. Others in the field included Moss, Bell, Salvadori, Gurney, and other modern day F1 drivers at the time. Gerry Marshall won the big banger sports car race in the Lola T70,
John Watson demonstrated a contemporary 1981 McLaren, there was also a run by the F1 Theodore ( Kennedy?). Derek Bell also demonstrated the ex-Fangio 1955 Mercedes.

[Thundersports]

Birmingham superprix= wet THUNDERSPORTS qualifying no race and lots of damage.................

[gfm]

Can't remember if I've contributed to this thread, but certainly did to earlier threads on the Superprix and currently can't load page 4, but ...
I raced there in Thundersports, well - qualified, first year and a Class B Porsche the following year. I have great memories of the event and having just come back from a couple of seasons in the US and enjoyed my first experience of street races, it really is my favourite form of racing. You need considerable commitment, and fine car control plus the experience of dealing with wet manhole covers, greasy uneven white lines and road surfaces that catch your attention at 120 mph!
In the Porsche I was just pipped for the win (though I still claim Robinson used the final lap yellow to jump me) and was very proud of the fact that my two wing mirrors were scored from kissing the armco, the rest of the car untouched! Made me jump when they kissed though!

[bigears]

gfm, thank you for your fantastic contributions to this thread!

Your perspective of the circuit will help me a lot and I can add it into this page.

http://8w.forix.com/bsp-quotes.html

May I ask what is your name? (or if you prefer to PM me your name if you want to!) so I can add your quotes into there.

Do you have any photos or know anyone else that may have took part at the BSP?

Members, please keep contributing into this thread!

[Ben77]

I'm working at the BBC Inside Out programme, and we're thinking of doing a piece on the Superprix and its possible revival.

I'm keen to track down people to speak to, memories, footage and photos - I'd be grateful for any advice.

There's already plenty of interesting stuff on this fourm.

Any other suggestions welcome - thanks, Ben

e-mail: ben.laidlow@bbc.co.uk

[kurtiejjj]

I'm sure a lot of the members on here can give some memories.

I can't, it have never been there but from what I've seen on tape, it must've been a great event. Mostly because of the contrast: expensive racing machinery at one side and on the other council houses, industry and scruffy buildings!

[John Turner]

I'll stick this one for a while Ben, in the hope that draws attention. (and welcome!).

[bigears]

Thank you John for sticking this thread so hopefully we can get more responses about the memories of the Birmingham Superprix.

I have made the most of today by emailing different people about their experiences of the BSP and what is happening in the future particularly with the rumoured revival.

[spider]

Wasn't the BSP rumoured to be reviving in 2004? It was an amazing event, an ex's dad (Simon Sabel) raced in the Honda CRX race, and successfully rolled it...nice.

[bigears]

There was an article in the Autosport magazine about a possible revival in 2003. But in 2004? That's sort of news to me.

But then there have been always a lot of rumours since the BSP died in Decemeber 1990.

Simon Sabel rolled his Honda CRX? That must have happened in 1989 according to the entry list. Could you shed any more light into the incident and the race itself?

The Autosport article doesn't mention anything on the roll, maybe it might have happened during qualifying?

[gfm]

Just in case some of you guys miss it, Youtube has now a whole bundle of good Birmingham Superprix stuff including good in-car footage.

[bigears]

Originally Posted by gfm

Just in case some of you guys miss it, Youtube has now a whole bundle of good Birmingham Superprix stuff including good in-car footage.

I uploaded those video clips.

Just search for 'Birmingham Superprix' and there will be about a dozen video clips there.

[nycuk]

Anyone remember ITVs live transmission of the 1990 event? Shambolic to say the least I remember, with an ad break just as the race was being started! Jim Rosenthal was anchor with guest 'pundit' Nigel Mansell. There must have been some sort of off-air contretemps between the two of them as the on-air chemistry was decidedly frosty, as I recall.