The Lancashire Automobile Club Ltd

Once again we had yet another motor sport icon as our guest. For our 5th luncheon, the Club was delighted and honoured to have, probably motor sports most versatile exponent, Vic Elford, flying all the way from Florida to regale us with stories from his illustrious past.

There can be no other motor sport personality, Stirling Moss included, who has had such a span in our cherished sport. Not many will know this, but Vic’s career started as a ‘humble’ navigator on British club rallies. He was lucky to sit aside the late David Seigle-Morris, who later became a reputable ‘works’ rally driver himself and no doubt he learnt a thing or two from him. But Vic always wanted to be a driver and no doubt he will tell us how his transition from navigator to ace driver came about.

Vic’s ability as a rally driver soon became evident and works drives with Triumph, Ford and ultimately Porsche came his way. He was a very fast driver and victories on many International events soon followed. In 1967 he became European Rally Champion. However it was 1968 that he had his crowning glory by winning the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally. Vic would be the first to say that you don’t win rallies just as a driver, you need a good co-driver sitting next you and it was David Stone who helped him to victory on the Monte along with many other events. Up to now he is the last British driver to win the Monte Carlo Rally.

However Vic is probably better known as a racing driver, following the Monte victory in 1968 his racing career took off. Having already a Porsche rally contract, the management soon recognised that here they had a potential racing driver and if we look at an extract from his own biography for what he claims was his most successful year we get a good idea of what a brilliant driver he was.

‘Vic’s 1968 season began with his win on the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally followed by a win the next weekend in the Daytona 24 hours. He was second at Sebring a month later, then in May scored an epic victory at the Targa Florio, which is considered the greatest win in Targa history. Two weeks later Vic won the Nurburgring 1000 kilometres. Then in his first F1 race in July, Vic took a badly out-classed Cooper T86B to a stunning fourth-place finish in the soaking-wet French Grand Prix’.

Although he raced 5 years for Porsche (he was the only driver to race every version of the Porsche 917), he also raced for Ford, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Chaparral, Shadow, Cooper, Lola, Chevron, Subaru. He also drove McLaren in F1 and CanAm, Chevrolet in TransAm.

Lap records include: Targa Florio, Nurburgring, Sebring, Norisring, Monza, Buenos Aires, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca, Riverside…and at Le Mans – where he was the first driver to lap at over 150mph in the Porsche long-tail 917 in 1970.

4th Motorsport Luncheon - Dave Richards - Report

Apart from winning six World Rally titles with Subaru, Prodrive have been involved with BMW, Alfa Romeo and Ford, winning five British Touring Car Championships, they also managed a class win at Le Mans with Ferrari. However David is presently better known for his involvement with Formula 1 after spells in charge of Benetton (1997-98) and BAR (2002-04) when BAR finished as runners up in the 2004 F1 Constructors Championship. At the moment, if the motoring press is anything to go by, it would seem that Prodrive and David Richards are gearing themselves up for a full F1 assault, possibly scheduled for 2008.

Mike Broads David Richards

Auction Presentations

EVENT REPORT (2003)

MOTOR SPORT LUNCHEON
Stirk House Hotel
Sunday, 23rd November

Without doubt, this has been acknowledged as the best social function the Club has ever organised for many years.

A total of 312 motor sport and non-motor sport people, including willing Club members who helped on the day, were seated at Stirk House for a three course Sunday lunch. Obviously it wasn’t just the food and dare it be said, drink, that this number came for. It was the chance to meet old friends and more importantly, listen to the Guest Speaker and local hero, Brian Redman. It was the measure of Brian’s popularity that, within three weeks of the tickets going on sale at the beginning of September, the event was a complete sell out. No need to advertise, word of mouth throughout the year ensured the organisers had a reasonably easy time almost two months before the actual event.

Brian was born and brought up in Burnley, but he and his wife Marion, plus two children, left our shores to take up permanent residence in Florida, USA in 1982 – the UK’s loss, America’s gain. Brian has driven with formidable success in F1 and Sports Cars throughout the world, particularly during the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. Over this time, he has accumulated a wealth of interesting experiences. Just over twelve months ago a telephone call was made to his home in Florida inviting him to be Guest Speaker at the 2003 motor Sport Luncheon and relate some of his racing tales. An invitation which thankfully he accepted.

As I mentioned earlier, it was not only the many motor sport, rallying and racing enthusiasts who attended, but also old friends and relations, many travelling great distances, who came along to listen to him and experience the day. It certainly was a great day and the weather helped by being dry and sunny. The sunshine certainly helped, as we had a Gulf GT40 replica and a Chevron B16 on display outside. These two cars were later complimented by an ex Targa Florio 911 Porsche and a couple of new BMW Minis provided by our sponsor, Mini Sport of Padiham. All these vehicles looked magnificent and it didn’t go unnoticed that many envying eyes were being cast over them The doors were open at 10.00am and by 11.00am people were beginning to arrive. By 12.30pm just about everyone had arrived and the job of getting them to their tables began. By about 12.50pm everyone was seated and event organiser, Mike Wood, was called upon to guide Brian and Marion to their table.

Vice President, David Taylor, as always, was the MC for the day and, as is normal at these luncheons, he introduced the various Motor Clubs that were represented and also ex-racing personalities who had come along. Amongst those personalities were, Richard Attwood, winner of the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hour Race. David Piper, 5 times winner of the Kyalami 12 Hour Race. Barrie Williams with sidekick Norman Grimshaw both of giant killing Mini fame. Peter Proctor, ex-Sunbeam and Ford etc works driver. Lady racing driver Helen Malkie, John Burton ex-Chevron driver and a host of local ex-racing drivers such as Keith Francis, Ted Worswick, Geoff Breakell and our own committee member and Vice President, Anthony Taylor, still competing today on Historic events. Just before coffee was served, David Taylor called upon Club President, Alwyn Davis, to give the Loyal Toast. Following this, and as a nice innovation, the President asked everyone to remain standing to give a further toast to the victorious English Rugby Team on winning the Rugby World Cup the day before. This went down extremely well with a loud cheer resounding round the room.

Once the meal was finished and after a short 20 minute break, Mike Wood was called upon to introduce the Guest. For an hour and quarter, it could have gone on longer, Brian held everyone spellbound – no notes, just off the cuff. The stories and humour of past experiences were unforgettable and it was a very sad moment when it all came to an end. A measure of the endearment that everyone present had for him was he received two standing ovations. There have been two previous Motor Sport Luncheons (separated each time by three years) and whilst each event has been its own success story, this is the first time the Guest has had not one, but two standing ovations.

Following Brian’s presentation, it was with regret that Mike Wood had to bring the stage proceedings to a close. In doing so, he thanked Brian for such an entertaining and informative speech. When all the applause had finished and with everyone, more or less settled down, it was onto the raffle draw, with Brian Harper of Mini Sport being called upon to hand out the prizes. Following this, all that remained was Vice President, Chris Lee, being asked to wind-up the whole afternoon on behalf of the Club. He started by introducing a surprise. He called upon Commander Eoin Sloan, of the Porsche Club of GB, to present Brian Redman with his Life Membership of the Club, which they had been waiting to hand over since the 1970’s! Following this, our own President was asked to come forward to present gifts, to Brian and Marion Redman, as momentos of the day. He then asked Mini Sport Chairman, Brian Harper, to say a few words. Finally, after thanking those involved in the organisation, he wished everyone, on behalf of the LAC, for attending, linking this with a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year and a safe journey home.