Memories of the Birmingham Superprix

[KA]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes Whale entered an M3 in prodsaloons/Grp N for a few seasons, but it's not likely he'd have entered a standard car in the Bham BTCC supporter? I wonder if he'd hired a Grp A car though.

I'm sure he drove one of Chris Hodgetts Corollas at somepoint?

That's why I was wondering- as far as I remember, the Motoring News report never actually said what he drove- it certainly wasn't unknown for some of the Prodsaloon boys to put a set of slicks on the car (and sometimes some upgrades to something closer to Group A) for the occasional BTCC outing, particularly at the GP support meetings, but hiring a Group A car like a CHMS Corolla seemed more likely

[bigears]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I agree with what's been said so far, it was an excellent event, and one hell of a spectacle.
Just picking up on a few of the points raised so far...
I remember the original Martin Hone idea being publicised, I don't remember when this was, but to help date it, Midlands TV News used Stirling Moss driving around the proposed circuit in a Triumph Stag! (And it did the whole lap without head gasket failure!)

Could anyone put a date on what VIVA said here? I got nothing about Moss lapping the proposed circuit. Anyone?

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by bigears

:P

When I saw that camera filming the BSP photos, I recognised the 1987 Julian Bailey and the Fiesta photos!

It was a very interesting programme, plenty of unseen footage there.

Hope someone will take notice of the programme and makes things happen again.

I taped this programme and recently watched it again when looking for something else-it reminded me of something I had forgotten to do-resign from 'Friends of the Earth'

Hope that something positive happens soon-we coul do with somewhere interesting to go racing in UK.

[ken herd]

Originally Posted by bigears

Hello, I have just registered in this forum because I am an avid fan of the Birmingham Superprix so I am hoping to find more information from you. In the past few years, I have been collecting and researching information relating anything about the Birmingham Superprix.

I have used the search function and PMed some members here but one person suggested to me that I should set up a thread to get more response from you guys about what you know about or your experiences of attending the Birmingham Superprix.

A little snippet of information here:



I took some photos of the old street track and put them up in this website.

I got a lot of photos and even video footage from 1985-1990. So if anyone need their memory jogged up, let me know so I can post a relevant photo! So hopefully you can share your experiences in this thread.

Thanks

Hi there, would like to get pics or video of Pier Luigi Martini RT21 if possible

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by bigears

Could anyone put a date on what VIVA said here? I got nothing about Moss lapping the proposed circuit. Anyone?

Just to clarify what I posted earlier. The time I'm thinking of was well before the actual Superprix was held, plus the circuit used (suggested?) at the time was (I'm sure) not the one eventually used for the Superprix, I'm sure it was more central and involved more "notable landmarks". Again, IIRC, the idea was being touted as a venue for a Grand Prix with the idea of making Birmingham the Monaco of the Midlands!

[bigears]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Just to clarify what I posted earlier. The time I'm thinking of was well before the actual Superprix was held, plus the circuit used (suggested?) at the time was (I'm sure) not the one eventually used for the Superprix, I'm sure it was more central and involved more "notable landmarks". Again, IIRC, the idea was being touted as a venue for a Grand Prix with the idea of making Birmingham the Monaco of the Midlands!

I know what you mean, it might be in a Motoring Festival in 1970 or 1972 or 1975?

Or even in the 'On The Streets' parade in 1978 or 1980 or in the Chequered Bitter run in 1984?

[bigears]

Originally Posted by ken herd

Hi there, would like to get pics or video of Pier Luigi Martini RT21 if possible

I will have a look and see what I have got tonight.

[the sniper]

I was reading Philippe Adams page on F1 rejects, it says:

"In 1989 he competed in British F3 in a Bowman Racing Ralt RT33 with a VW Speiss engine, finishing 6th in the championship with one win at Brands Hatch and two 2nd place finishes at Silverstone and the Birmingham Superprix."

I was not aware that there was an F3 race at the Superprix , was there?

@Bigears: Do you have any idea if/when you'll be able to update your Superprix page. I have been looking forward to seeing:

1989 - Birmingham Superprix saved by the FISA
1990 - The last ever Birmingham Superprix
1991 - The demise of the Birmingham Superprix
1992 - Final hopes but it is all over for Birmingham

Loved your work so far.

Also I said a while ago I was going to send you some picture's my day took of the superprix, unfortunately are scanner went out of action shortly after I said this so I couldn't get them to you.

[Paddockman]

Few Pics from 89.

[Mallory Racer]

Originally Posted by verglas

gfm, you are nearly right, but the best bit of your story, and what can clearly be seen in the later photos is that Russell Spence's car was was hoisted above everyone with him still securely strapped in! What a prat, but full marks for trying!! I marsahlld at 3 BSP's, with loads of good memories. Paul Stewart in his FF1600 crabbing all the way up Belgrade Middleway having deranged his rear suspension on the unforgiving Armco, spending a whole weekend standing in the middle of a dual carriageway (how weird was that?) and voting the caff in the fruit and veg market probably the best breakfast ever!!

Hi, Paul Stewart's deranged suspension was due to him crashing into the back of me during the 1st lap of that race!! He got black flagged and I ended up in the armco. I think I might have been the 1st retirement!!! Mark Bryan

[bigears]

Welcome to this forum.

It is good to see you posting in here.

You got a private message from me by the way.

[bigears]

I am pleased to announce that I have written a book and worked in partnership with S.S Collins (of Autodrome fame) about the Birmingham Superprix:



It is ready for pre-order from the Amazon.co.uk and Waterstones.com websites.

There are more information about the book itself from Veloce Publishing.

[nycuk]

Originally Posted by bigears

Or even in the 'On The Streets' parade in 1978 or 1980 or in the Chequered Bitter run in 1984?

I remember this - yes it was either '78 or '80.

Look forward to reading the book by the way - congratulations on getting it out there!

[the sniper]

Congratulations Bigears, I'll definitely be buying your book.

[shambles]

Great! Look forward to this book.