Neil Wood
“My earliest memories of the HRSR were in late 1987 when my dad (Barry) purchased the Mike Crabtree Lotus Cortina.Dad had been racing since the early sixties in various categories known most notably for his exploits in the works Ginetta G15 to great success.
The first meeting with the Lotus Cortina was in early 88 at Snetterton and a certain Sir John Whitmore was on pole, dad finished 2nd to John that day…..we were both hooked. What a brilliant race series we thought, a fantastic group of fellow enthusiasts led by Glenn Maskell of which many of the fellow racers made us feel most welcome.”
Geoff Divey
“Some great memories of racing with the HRSR over some 8 years.
Highlight (lowlight!), a 10 lap door handle to door handle race with Andy Colley (Imp) and my Abarth 100TC at Castle Combe. We were fighting over last place and Andy beat me by a cars length after many swapping of place.
Many great overseas races – Hockenhiem, Rouen, Le Mans Bugatti circuit, Croix en Ternois.”
Joe Gomm
“One story that comes to mind was a Silverstone meeting on the National circuit. Having finished the Qualifying, I was parked up next to (the Late) Peter Ergis. He was looking a bit despondent and I questioned why? He said he was not happy with his lap times and could I give him any advice? I said “Pete as an observer I think you’re going in to hot and you’re slow coming out, so my advice is ‘Slow in Fast Out’”
Tony Castle-Miller
“It gives me great pleasure to see the re-launch of the HRSR website and I hope it helps to maintain the HRSR, as a racing series, into the future. I understand that the HSCC is, in effect, re-launching the Historic Racing Saloons. If the ‘originals’ can assist the HSCC and HRSR effort, it can only be a good thing – best of luck.
It’s now some 25 years since my last circuit race, but in some ways it seems like yesterday. At the recent HRSR lunch, around three dozen ‘old’ HRSR drivers turned up and it reminded me how much fun we had years ago and what great memories were made.
John Searby
“Whilst driving a fast A40 road car I read an news article in the club magazine by David Lewis saying he was going to race in a new Historic series – so I joined him and entered my car in the HRSR.
It was to be a huge learning curve as I had never raced before. I drove my A40 to Mallory Park for my first race and I was rubbish – but I persevered and kept improving my lap times and gradually added faster race tweeks to the car.”
Peter Wray
“I had raced special saloons (Ford Anglia Lotus twincam and Ford Escort FVC) with my brother, Chris, from 1966 until 1977 when we ran out of money with having young families to support. About 10 years later I noticed in the motoring press that the HRSR saloons were at Cadwell Park so I trotted along to watch. The sight of Glen’s red Anglia chasing Bob Sherring’s red Galaxie up the mountain and trying both sides to get past in to Hall Bends (he never quite made it) got my juices going and I found an advert for a Lotus Cortina for sale near Northampton.”
Phil Wight
“I have very fond memories of racing in the HRSR meetings in the 80’s and 90’s. It attracted some very well known drivers such as, Gerry Marshall, Tony Lanfranchi, Sir John Whitmore, Mike Crabtree, Les Nash, Peter Baldwin, Rod Birley and George Polley. In 1986/87 I enjoyed racing my Lotus Cortina and am indebted to Simon Holland for all his help in building, race preparing and attending the race meetings with me.
From 1988 to the mid 90’s I got the chance to race an Anglia, a Mustang, a Mini Cooper S and a Fiat Abarth 850TC and I am extremely grateful to Steve Warrior and Tony Castle-Miller for letting me loose in their lovely cars.”