The world’s finest collection of significant and authentic racing Ford GT40s will be gathered at the 2013 Goodwood Revival (13-15 September) for an exceptional one-model race; the first time in history that a dedicated competition has ever been held for these iconic Ford racers.
The 2013 Revival’s Whitsun Trophy race will mark 50 years since the genesis of the Ford GT40 programme. Although the first GT40 wasn’t completed until early 1964, the Ford project actually began a year earlier in 1963, when Henry Ford II - snubbed by Enzo Ferrari over the sale of his company to the Michigan-based automotive giant - set out to beat ‘il Commendatore’ at his own game, with sights set firmly on victory in the Le Mans 24Hours race.
The GT40 was a development of the Lola Mk6 GT that first raced in 1963, engineered by Eric Broadley’s specialist team in England. The resulting GT40 was created to meet with new manufacturer prototype regulations at Le Mans, and the Ford went on to become an endurance racing icon, winning the 24 Hours race at la Sarthe four years in a row, from 1966 to 1969.
The Whitsun Trophy race promises to make for an intriguing spectacle and a fitting tribute to one of the world’s most revered sports car with a long association with Goodwood, both at the Motor Circuit in period, plus the Goodwood Revival, with examples racing here since the first event in 1998.
The most outstanding motoring journalists in the business were honoured at The Guild of Motoring Writers’ annual Dinner and Awards at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, on Thursday 6 December.
The much-anticipated event at the exclusive venue saw Guild members welcome sponsors, leading members of the automotive public relations industry, motorsport stars plus up-and-coming writers, to mark the presentation of awards to writers, editors, broadcasters, bloggers and photographers for their work. Among those who were on hand to congratulate the winners were rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen, chairman of Magma Group Dr Martin Leach, BRDC secretary Stuart Pringle and Michael Quinn, grandson of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons.
For 2012 there were more prizes than ever, representing a wider diversity of activities undertaken by motoring journalists today. Winners received cash and trophies – and Commended citations were made in many categories. Prize money totalled more than £23,000.
Photo: Jeff Bloxham
The Guild also presented its prestigious Driver and Rider of the Year awards, chosen by the Guild's own motorsport experts. These went to British Formula Three champion Jack Harvey and World Superbikes star Tom Sykes respectively. Motorsport engineering legend Patrick Head received the President’s Trophy from Nick Mason.
The evening’s most coveted prize, the Renault UK/GoMW Journalist of the Year award, is bestowed on the writers judged to have made the most outstanding journalistic effort in any medium during the past 12 months. Traditionally this been restricted to just Guild members – but this year it was decided to open up a chance at the title to anyone in the industry and to create three awards. Read on to see who won these, and the other GoMW accolades…
Justin Allsion, author of Alfa Mail - open letters from a part-time petrolhead had orginally envisaged his book as a 'paper and cardboard one', as he puts it. However, he soon realised going digital and straight to eBook could have its advantages. Justin explains how in this video interview recorded at Veloce House last week. He also tells us that Alfa Mail is not just for the Alfisti out there, along with a terrific reading from the first chapter of the eBook.
"Combines scholarship with unbridled prejudice. Occasionally makes Clarkson seem strangely reasonable." - AH Davis
Alfa Mail is about Alfa Romeos. What made them great – and what will probably make them extinct. It’s also about other cars too – great, good, bad and appalling – plus planes, bikes, places, people, prejudice ... and tractors. Motor vehicles are the greatest practical enablers of the 20th Century (even IT can’t physically take us to Hollywood or hospital), and stir our emotions like few other man-made creations. Artefacts and their creators make history. Thus, this book is also about great endeavours and sad whimpers. About inspired artists, dedicated engineers, reckless drivers, and intellectually barren marketing people. Fortunately, for sanity’s sake, this book is also quite happy to take the piss. And Alfa enthusiasts are used to jokes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Justin Allison grew up in Dorset, England, among cars, planes, motorbikes and tractors – as well as guns and horses. Leaving a local public school at 16, he spent his Old Boys membership fee on a well-used Triumph Tiger 110, a motorcycle 99% as fast – and 45% as stable – as a Bonneville. His varied background has seen him study architecture, service electric milk floats, work in a scrapyard, and rebuild a 1934 AC Roadster. Joining a famous London advertising agency in 1970, Justin has won several awards, both as a freelance copywriter and as a creative director. His writing covers journalism for publications such as Alfa Romeo Driver; poetry, for which he has been commended by the Thomas Hardy Society, and limited edition art books, such as Relatively Virginal.
This month's winner of the Essential Buyer's Guide of his choice is Gabe Gibbany from Harrison, Arkansas USA. Gabe wins a copy of Harley-Davidson Big Twins - The Essential Buyer's Guide for sending us these pictures of his 1949 Harley Pan-Shovel Boneyard Chopper. Please keep your entries coming in, and you never know, it could be YOU in this space next month!
Here's proof that you can build a classy vintage chopper with virtually all used parts hustled up from locals and swap meet finds ...
After selling my 1937 80" ULH Flathead, I was on the search for my next project. I started gathering up some miscellaneous parts for the vision in my head. I knew I was looking for a Pan-Shovel for this build. The only problem was finding one in my price range. The Chopper Gods do exist because I was offered a 49 Pan-Shovel project while pumping gas. Now I was set.
I brought her home and started the total dis-assembly. I completely rebuilt the engine with new bearings, Jim's crank pins and lifters, 9:1 Weisco pistons, Andrews J grind cam and S&S carb. The girder front-end was a local swap meet find and the dual discs on front really help it stop! The engine is linked to a 1936 HD tranny via BDL belt drive in a custom primary cover. The frame is a 1951 HD Wishbone.
I used a Baas Metalcraft seat pan and covered it with a butchered set of saddlebags. All work was done by myself in a backyard shack except the paint, which was courtesy of a good friend, Jim Crabb.
I am currently building a 1918 Harley T, and we are finishing up the wife's 56 Panhead and her "secret" chopper project. Gabe Gibbany
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of Harley-Davidson ownership, learn how to spot a bad bike quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right bike at the right price! More info.
Do you have an unusual car/motorcycle with a story to tell? We want to see it! Send photos & description to prize@veloce.co.uk We will pick one a month, and any we feature will win an Essential Buyer's Guide (worth £9.99 / $19.95) of your choice. Click below to browse the whole series.
trequarti-frontale.JPG)
