Falken Mod Prod Cars

[Les Dalton]

Bon Jour John ( Hammersley) I think you were one of the instructors when I spent a couple of days with the Aintree racing drivers school, before you moved up to Wigan.
I actually nearlly bought a BMW M5 race car from you in the late 90s!!
I am attaching a page from the 1996 motoring News which shows my race winning BMW M5 and also Gerry Cains mighty race winning 5 litre Rover at Croft, we both won our races at Snetterton a while later as well, he actually tried to sell it to me at that meeting.
It is an awful bloody shame if that car is gathering dust, because in those days it was immaculate, I remember his mechanic was a fairly old guy, very quiet, but kept the Rover running superbly.
Kind regards from France,
Les Dalton.

[Al Weyman]

Don't worry Les I am in regular contact with Gerry and I can assure you the old Rover is not gathering dust, its in a secure workshop and is lovingly dusted down regularly and started up. It is actually race ready and I am trying to get him to come out with me in Bernie Kodash's V8 challange in October. Gerry's man is Basil and a little genius as it happens and they prepared my Camaro IROC-Z's rolling chassis.

[micky rason]

Hey John i havent done anything im afraid. still have the mini in the garage exaclty as it was when last raced at brands in 1996/7 (will have to look at scrut ticket still in window lol) it was when the drop gears let go in practice. Long story but the engine went walkies between a convicted fraudster and the engine builders. Funds disapeared when made redundant, took over business then evicted by council for redevelopment.
So.... if you know of any one looking to sponsor a car.......

[John Hammersley]

Hi MIck and Les, good to hear from both of you - amazing the interest still in the old Mod-prod series! Ah well, off to the garage now to do a bit of Astra prep for the Future Classic series. (You'd think I'd know better at my age wouldn't you?)

[Al Weyman]

I tell you who is having a lot of success in a Mini Mike, Roger Ebdon who used to race the Fiestas. He has been doing a few races with Classic Touring Cars Pre 66's and others and is right bang on the pace for overall wins.

[Al Weyman]

I forwarded your cutting on to Gerry Les, he was very touched people still remember the championship and his exploits in the mighty Rover with fondness.

[micky rason]

Hi Al yes Roger also raced a mini in the mighty minis series not to sure how he did though. i really must come and see some racing again and perhaps speak to Roger, i understand my other mini compadre Keith Calver hasnt had much luck...
only prob i have is the spec of the car shell MK4 so to late for pre66 if i get some backing i will look more seriously.

[micky rason]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Gerry's man is Basil and a little genius as it happens .

nothing Fawlty about him then?

[Al Weyman]

No he is the man and is going to corner weight my car soon.

[Sarnie]

Would be good to see Gerry and the Rover out again, was a formidable pairing. I remember the Croft race well as I think that was the only time I fought Gerry for the lead, managing to get along side a few times but never quite getting my nose in front, eventually crossing the line 0.41sec behind.
I think Croft then with the 2 chicanes suited the smaller more nimble cars as Fiesta's came 3rd & 4th (see time sheet)

I should be out next year in my now V8 Capri if Gerry can come out to play

[Mike Higgs]

Blimey, this takes me back. I never thought anyone would even remember the Falken Tyres Mod Prods/Slick 50/Truseal saloons etc. Somewhere in my loft are loads of photos, race results, a video or two. Ill dig them out and see if any are worth uploading. Here is a picture of my 1988 Class C winning Truseal Prod saloons Fiesta. It eventually became blue and white. My then business partner, Shaun Blake, also bought John Hammersley's Championship winning Orange/White fiesta which we raced without much success. Great days, much missed. A friend of mine Mick McGovern also raced a British Racing green Lotus Sunbeam, had a massive stack at Pembrey. I won a damp race at Snetterton once. Ill post again with more pictures. Mike Higgs, Brighton UK

http://flic.kr/p/aaP9e3

[Al Weyman]

Hi Mike and welcome to thread/forum, yeah lets see some more pictures please.

[Mike Higgs]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Hi Mike and welcome to thread/forum, yeah lets see some more pictures please.

Hi Al, remember your name for sure, and the canary camaro. Any idea what happened to Dick Whittington who prepared that lovely yellow Ford Escort. See him mentioned in a few posts. Also searched but never found any mention of Al Daly, used to run a Mk3 escort, had lots of battles with Al, him and Roger Ebdon. I still regret selling my Mk1 Fiesta Strange the things we wish we could change if we could turn back the clock.

[Al Weyman]

Roger Ebdon is out with us in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club driving an indecently quick Cooper S in the pre 66 races. I last spoke with Al Daly a few years back I think I may have supplied him some graphics, nice bloke as well. Ilsa Cox and hubby Brian have recently this year joined CTCRC and are sharing a car in Classic Thunder I think its a Seat Cupra car.

[John Hammersley]

Count me in! Won at Anglesey yeserday in CSCC Tin-Tops (Civic R) and class win in CSCC Future Classics (Astra GTE - remember them!) Where are you all? (C'mon Andy Clarkin, Joe Ellis, Richard Woodland,Phil Rowley, Mike Helm, Etc.- all you guys who made my life so hard in Falkens).

[andypipe]

Originally Posted by John Hammersley

Count me in! Won at Anglesey yeserday in CSCC Tin-Tops (Civic R) and class win in CSCC Future Classics (Astra GTE - remember them!) Where are you all? (C'mon Andy Clarkin, Joe Ellis, Richard Woodland,Phil Rowley, Mike Helm, Etc.- all you guys who made my life so hard in Falkens).

John, I keep trying to get Andy Clarkin back out. I have succeeded with Ray Donner and Craig Davies, but Andy is the only one who hasn't taken the bait

[John Hammersley]

Just tell him from me - "You're too old and too slow to beat a younger, better looking Astra driver"! Let's face it Andy, if that doesn't work nothing will! Good to see you still keep the faith.

[Al Weyman]

Well done on your win John.

[John Hammersley]

Thanks Al, every one means just as much as the first one! Now, how are we going to convince Andy Clarkin to come out and play again?

[Al Weyman]

He is probably playing with power boats or something, you are not at Mallory are you as I want to be there maybe in swinging 60's in my older car if they will let me have a taster an the car is OK after Thruxton this weekend.

[micky rason]

Originally Posted by John Hammersley

Count me in! Won at Anglesey yeserday in CSCC Tin-Tops (Civic R) and class win in CSCC Future Classics (Astra GTE - remember them!) Where are you all? (C'mon Andy Clarkin, Joe Ellis, Richard Woodland,Phil Rowley, Mike Helm, Etc.- all you guys who made my life so hard in Falkens).

Oi what about me?

[John Hammersley]

Hi Micky - sorry to include you as an Etc! It's good to see that a few of us old-un's are still at it! (I only know of Craig, Al, and Andy Pipe who are still racing). Where are the rest of you?

[Al Weyman]

Will you be at the CSCC Octber meeting at Snett John? If so I have entereded bernies V8 race and will see you there, man thats gonna be some BHP lining up isnt it?

[John Hammersley]

Hi Al, yes we will be doing Tin-Tops and Future Classics at Silverstone (17th Sept), Oulton (1st Oct), and the the Snett 200 on 22nd Oct. Good luck at Mallory (if you are doing it that is!), see you at Snett.

[Al Weyman]

No I decided not to do Mallory I would have done if I knew someone to do a relay with me with another car but don't want to do a 40 minute race on my own in my car or share my car with someone as that can end in tears and its not the easiest thing to drive. I will be at Snett on the 23rd but will come up the day before, see you there.