RIP Baby Bertha - for now

[big andy]

Al in 1973 when big bertha(which donated its engine and box to baby bertha) was built what else was available?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Moby

Yeah, we did try to sneak that one through, but the FiA wasn't too keen!!

I don't remember that many problems with the old esses - that was Robyn's brick wall minus the spikes I guess.

A bit close to the pit entrance and a tad problematic if anyone spun wildly on the way out of the esses or went for an extreme cut across the grass but otherwise did it produce greater problems than a gravel trap?

That's not trying to say nothing should have changed. Just observing that sometimes (actually quite often these days in a lot of 'environments' an enforced change, even with the best of intentions and plenty of thought given to it, is far from guaranteed to produce a totally beneficial result.

[Al Weyman]

I did say fair play to berthas owner for running the Muncie if that's what was originally fitted but I guess it brings us nicely back round to what you will and will not allow to run in what was essentially an anything goes historic series.

[terence]

Just to be clear,that box has been in the car from day 1.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by David Stallard

Warning: if you are a real fan of Baby Bertha and are of a nervous disposition I suggest you look away now.

Hear a missed gear from somewhere and the next thing is Mr Ward has caught the the grass in Bertha and is spinning towards the Foggy Esses (re named a couple days before - sorry missed the new name) and the next thing. . .



I'm shouting 'noooooooo' by this point but in true photographer style I fight through the tears. . .



By now Pete Stevens in the Carlton has gone leaving the carnage behind him


I managed to speak with Joe on Sunday morning and it seems that he found a handful of neutrals (which is what I heard) had to really stamp on the brakes, touched the grass and that was it - 3 seconds later and it was all over.

He did however confirm that it looks a lot worse than it really is (on first inspection) and luckily he has the original molds for the bonnet etc and that the motor etc is fine, although he was a little miffed that the new radiator he had fitted for this season is destroyed.

For me - at least he was okay and BB can and will be back next season.

.DAVID.

"Cosmetic David...build a bridge...she wil be out there again no time!

[Al Weyman]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Just to be clear,that box has been in the car from day 1.

As noted and as I said good on him for keeping it original I would have done exactly the same. An interesting fact I read about the close ratio Muncie box. it was the closest ratio gearbox ever fitted in a road going car at least at the time I dont know whether thats still the case but I wouldnt be surprised, with this box Terry and I believe you used to own one, think BSA Rocket Goldstar ratios! This is why I had a fall out with our friends at Cadwell one year as I simply couldnt get off the track and into the paddock at a crawl and had to take a run up the hill.

[Mike Bell]

Saw Joe at Spa and he confirmed that apart from obvious front body damage BB will need OSF suspension parts, and as previously mentioned, another new radiator!

Serious enough but not tooooo serious.

[Peter Mallett]

Yup I spoke to Joe too, he said she'd be back next year.

[terence]

Just had a look at Bertha,really not so bad,broken steering are,repair/replace front end with ANOTHER ing radiator, just a few days work.

[David Stallard]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Just had a look at Bertha,really not so bad,broken steering are,repair/replace front end with ANOTHER ing radiator, just a few days work.

Great to hear - I know it always looks worse than it is 'most of the time'

.DAVID.

[Al Weyman]

When the whole front end is Fibre Glass its always going to look bad in a shunt, If it was metal it probably would have finished the race lol!