Earlier news items

DRIVING IN FRANCE - STOP PRESS.

It is already a LEGAL requirement in FRANCE to carry a red warning triangle.

After 1st July this year, yellow warning tabards [hi-vis waistcoat/vest] for the driver and each passenger must be AT HAND INSIDE THE VEHICLE and must be worn in the event of a breakdown. Failure to have, or to wear these tabards when necessary, can result in an on-the-spot fine; gendarmes will be carrying out spot checks.

Check out www.hivis.net for cheap hi-vis vests - currently from £1.29!

Incidentally a spare set of bulbs for your vehicle is NOT a legal requirement in France, just ‘recommended’

Tony Hunt

Need garage assistance at Le Mans?

A new member has offered his services for any GT40 club member who runs into trouble at Le Mans. Fortunately the garage is close by at Arnage!

Contact Tony Hunt to find details.

AutoGlym HSCC Historic Festival

The spectacular amphitheatre of the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit will once again see genuine F1 cars in fierce competition, at the Autoglym HSCC Historic Festival on 28th and 29th June 2008. The Festival’s headline event is the FIA Historic Formula One Championship, reliving the glory days of F1 from 1966 to 1985. The competing cars are just as they were when driven by such heroes as Gilles Villeneuve, Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi.

Click here for full details of special offer

Contact Dave Hensley if you want to go.

Silverstone Classic RetroRun

Silverstone Classic RetroRun - Saturday 26th July. This is on the weekend of the Silverstone Classic, if anyone would like to do this please find the attached details and get in touch with them direct on www.silverstoneclassic.com for entry forms and time table.

Dave Hensley

Le Mans Classic: Travel and Accommodation

The GT40 Enthusiasts Club has fully sold its set of tickets. Those wishing to attend can obviously still book directly with 'Le Mans' to attend the main event.

We have information on some packages from Grandstand Motor Sports which are on special offer to Club Members.

Please view the information (PDF)

Le Mans Classic 2008 - update

This is the 4th Le Mans Classic and the GT40 Enthusiasts Club has attended every event - mainly thanks to Roy Snook who has organised each one - no mean feat given that we are a replica marque.

The 1st year (2002) we were only 6 GT40s and 11 people from the Club but at the last count for 2008 there appears to be 57 GT40s (with 54 booking track time!) and 190 people attending this event - even outstripping 2006 by a good margin.

Castle Combe Action Day - June 15

If you are interested please contact Dave Hensley - he is looking to sign up 10 cars.

Le Mans Classic 2008 Limited Edition Clothing

The Club has asked me to again organise the clothing for this year's Le Mans Classic. I have attached pictures of the new 2008 logo in two versions, one to go on Navy and Black items and a second version for white, light blue and light grey garments.

Please fill out the Excel order form which you can email to shop@gt40enthusiastsclub.com or print out the PDF and send the completed form with a cheque or credit card details to the club treasurer whose address is on the form. All orders must be on the official form. To ensure that everyone receives their order in time there is a strict cut-off date.

ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY
MONDAY 2 JUNE LATEST

Brian Magee

2008 AGM Stoneleigh

The AGM was duly held last Sunday and well attended as usual despite variable weather conditions.

Click here to view committee changes.

Shakespeare County Raceway

Complete Kit Car has joined forces with the owners of the Shakespeare County Raceway to offer us a day to try the drag strip on Saturday 17th May, in just 10 days time! Its a great day out for the whole family. 

Visit the events page here... If we can get at least five people within the club to commit to running, then they'll even throw in a trophy for the fastest car within club. Please let Dave Hensley know if you are interested.

Alastair's MDA GT40 Build

Alastair Ward has updated the website of his MDA build. There is simply an amazing amount of information and photographs please take a look.

Click here: fp.gt40mk1.plus.com

GT40 TRACK DAY AT GOODWOOD

At last weekend's committee meeting it was decided to postpone the mooted Goodwood track day until 2009. There was a tight deadline to confirm the October date and an event sometime in 2009, perhaps earlier in the year, will give everyone more time to ensure it is a first time success.

COUGH 'N' SPIT - 2008

Now it's 1 April, we can think seriously about putting our GT40s back onto the road. Here is a perfect opportunity to give them a Sunday run, get their fluids circulating and check that everything is still working.

We have organised our usual Spring Cough 'n' Spit trip to Warwick Bean's pub on Sunday 20 April at The Castle Inn, Millers Lane, OUTWOOD, Surrey RH1 5QB . It should be a reasonable run round the M25 to J6, then through country lanes via Godstone and Bletchingley to Outwood.

Last year's event was a great success, with a number of other car clubs showing up for what turned out to be one of the warmest days of the year. Take a look at the April picture on your Club calendar.  This year, Warwick has very thoughtfully laid on a Hog Roast at a special rate of around £6 a head, providing the weather is favourable. We will be welcome to arrive from 11:30.

Please let me know if you are planning to come, so I can give Warwick some idea of the numbers, but if you are passing, you are still very welcome to drop in. And you don't need to be in a '40; please come if you just want to look at the cars.

Tony Hunt      e-mail      Tel: 01494 813222
Membership Secretary & Fortyfication Editor
GT40 Enthusiasts Club

Hants and Berks - New Venue

The Hants and Berks regional monthly meetings will now be at The West Meon. The pub has a large car park and the manager has set aside a corner for us in the restaurant.

The address is The West Meon, Alton Road, West Meon, Hants GU32 1JX and is situated at the junction of the A32 & the A272.

Meetings are still the 3rd Tuesday in the month starting at 7.30.  Area rep. Brian Magee.

Classic Racing Cars Open Day

Gary Spencer of Classic Racing Cars, opened his doors to the GT40 Enthusiasts Club on January 26th. In pride of place was the first David Brown replica monocoque from New Zealand. CRC have the UK concession for these chassis and they are claimed to be accurate enough to qualify for FIA approval. The workshop was a veritable Aladdin's Cave of original GT40s, Mustangs, Cobras together with a T70 and Chevron.

 

 

Le Mans Classic. July 11-13, 2008

Time to take action if you plan to attend the Classic next year. The dates are July 11, 12 & 13. After only three previous events it is already THE GT40 event on the calendar.

Please print and complete this attached booking form and return it to Roy Snook. If camping there are limited space available via the Club in the Club area and so you need to get your form in promptly.

Note that booking via the Club for circuit access does normally save you money as opposed to going via your own preferred travel agent.

Invicta Car Visit Report

The Club visit the Invicta Car in November.

Read Dr. John's report here ...

 

 

 

GT40 Enthusiasts Club Database

Tim Martin will be re-issuing the comprehensive GT40 database in the early part of 2008. This is a cherished catalogue of every car which has been associated with the Club at some point in its history. Naturally its greatly enhanced if we good photos of all the cars listed. With those who did not have images last issue or who wish to send extra images please do so before the end of this year. Please e-mail them or send them to Tim directly.

2008 Membership open!

Join now and receive an extra issue (the Christmas Edition) of Fortyfication. Also if you're quick you may receive the Classic Le Mans DVD and/or the poster of Claude Nahum's 1966 Le Mans MkII GT40. There hasn't been a better time to join!

Please note that everyone planning to attend the 2008 Classic Le Mans event with the GT40 Enthusiasts Club MUST have a 2008 subscription.

2008 CALENDAR

The new 2008 GT40 Enthusiasts Calendar will be available at the end of October. Please send your orders by cheque or credit card to Tony Hunt at the usual address. The price is an amazing £8 (last year it was £13.50) plus 75p  total packing & postage in UK, £1.50 overseas.

More information...

Surrey Area Pre-Christmas Dinner

For those attending please review the menu and send you choice to John Christian.

Click here for the menu.

Click here for the RSVP form to send to John.

Plans are being made to hold the annual Surrey Area pre-Christmas dinner at The Barley Mow, 181 The Street, West Horsley, Surrey, KT24 6HR on the evening of Saturday December 15th, 2007.

We will be dining in our own private function room which will have its own bar. Please make a note in your diaries.

NEC Classic Motor Show
- Sporting Bears Dream Rides

A very successful Sporting Bears Dream Rides event was held at the NEC Classic Motor Show.

Pete Bryant and Paul Brameld held up the honour of the GT40 Enthusiasts Club offering their cars for rides throughout the show's three days.

Altogether £30,000 was raised to support the Children's Hospice. Read more ....

Invicta Visit - Nov. 24th 11:00 am

The club has an offer to visit the INVICTA sports car factory near Chippenham, Wilts by the director Michael Bristow. This visit will be on Saturday November 24th at 11:00 am.

Take a look at www.youtube.com and search " Invicta S1". There is a short film made by the Dutch magazine GTO.

If anyone would like to join the visit please contact Dave Hensley for the day and date which is currently pending until numbers interested are established.

How to get there ... Instructions .. Google Map.

Performance Ford Magazine

Look out for the latest issue which has an excellent article on several members GT40s. Tim Martin's was Car of the Night.

Late season run to Donjohn at Wadhurst

The run to the Donjohn at Wadhurst on Sunday 14 enjoyed magnificent weather. Thirteen GT40s plus Cobra and MGB made the trip, which is excellent for late in the season. More...

NEC Classic Motor Show

This year's NEC show is coming up fast. Nov 9, 10 and 11. Follow this link to the advert. We have John Wisher to thank for three very special exhibits on the stand which reflect the show's theme of firsts and lasts. Firstly, this is the last year John is organising the event after many successful shows.

There will be one of the very first GT40s in 111, a roadster that was crashed at the Targa Florio by Bob Bondurant and has been recently rebuilt; 1089 which is the last GT40 built in the orginal run; and a Gelscoe Motorsport example which is the first and only continuation to obtain official FIA papers. Clearly an opportunity for a close look at some spectacular '40's.

Also read the theme for this year.

Marcadier - a 1980's French manufacturer

A recent e-mail revealed a manufacturer new to me at least.

Although apparently orginally specified to use V6 PRV 2.7 litre engine, an owner from Vichy in France has sent me some photos of his Ford V8 powered model.

Follow this link for more images.

 

Anyone for Angouleme?

Paul Kinghan with GT40 will be at the 'Rallye des Charente' on 15th Sept in Angouleme.

Message from Paul: The closing date for entry is coming up in a couple of weeks. Entry price is expensive at 350Euro per car but is a nice day out (that is assuming the weather will be better than last year!). I have been speaking to the organisers about possibly having a couple of GT40's on display in the city centre and maybe a gentle parade around the street circuit before the racing starts - we are still not sure if this is possible but in case anyone wants to put there name down then let me know asap and send photos of the car so I can forward to them next week once I am out there.

Contact Paul Kingham as soon as possible.

Goodwood Revival

August 31 - September 2nd. This year's event seems earlier than normal, or am I just enjoying myself too much this year! Anyway, as I am sure everyone knows this is a brilliant classic racing event on an historic circuit for we GT40 lovers.

17th Annual Knebworth Classic Motor Show

This coming Bank Holiday weekend you can pop along to Knebworth for a classic car event. Always an interesting show with a good autojumble. I have seen the odd GT40 including a few years back when 4 club members made the trip.

Wings and Wheels at Dunsfold

There is an interesting event at Dunsfold aerodrome (home of Top Gear studios) on August 26th.

See here for more details

Cranleigh Classic Car Show - Aug.19

As an alternative to the cancelled Donington event there is this Classic Car in Surrey on Sunday 19th August - not exactly the same locality we realise.

 

Follow this link for details and booking form

 

 

GT40s at Bruntingthorpe July 29th?

Regular organiser Pete Bryant is looking for a stand-in at the above event for this year. There is apparently very little organisation needed other than managing a 'gate' of cars for the charity runs as 'GT40 team leader'.

Click here to view the publicity poster for the event. The charities support Children with cancer and include Rainbows and 'Memphis' Laros.

There will be clearly lots of activities to engage the whole family and it would be a very worthwhile event to support. Bruntingthorpe is in Leicestershire and has plenty of space and length to exercise your GT40 to the full - its a win-win situation.

Please call Pete on 02476 715715 (work) or 02476 468373 (home) if you can help or wish to take your GT40.

Prescott Hill climb events

Dave Hensley is organising a couple of interesting events at Prescott.

1. A day out on Sunday, July 22nd with a GT40 Enthusiasts Club area near the action. Tickets £12 per person.

2. A day out at the Hill Climb Drivers School using your own GT40s which will take place on a Wednesday, August 1st. The cost of this would be £175 for a full day of tuition with 6 to 8 runs up the hill.

This is a fantastic opportunity to try this type of sport in the company of like minded enthusiasts - please contact Dave as soon as possible to book a place.

EVO August Issue - Oulton Park

Look out for an article in this August's Issue of EVO magazine. It covers the GT40 Enthusiasts Club trip to Oulton Park

GT40 Enthusiasts Club AGM

About 25 cars attended Stoneleigh on Sunday in typical May Day weather. Click here for more on the AGM and views of most of the GT40s.

Bob MacDonald's much lauded burgundy GT40 won best presented car of the day. If you get a chance you need to see the standard of detail internal and external - truly first class.

 

 

OF Racing Club Event - May 18 2007 at Brooklands

Not many of you will be aware of a private racing club entitled OF Racing.  The president of the club is Sir Stirling Moss and the chairman is Dr John. The club is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary by holding a private Car Meet at Brooklands on Friday 18^th May.  The two GT40 clubs are invited to join the Old Farts for a memorable day of indulgence. Read more here .....

Spring Cough and Spit

The Castle, Outwood (postcode RH1 5QB for satnav owners) has been booked for Sunday, 15 April for the annual Spring Cough & Spit.

Sweep away those winter cobwebs and get your motor running for the full 2007 season. If we get there for 12.00, Warwick will keep the space in front of the pub clear for us.

Rumour has it that Warwick's own 40 has had major winter rebuild, sounds very interesting! Please contact Tony Hunt and let him know if you intend going

 

Ford GT40 & GT Ultimate Portfolio 1964-2006

Another GT40 book has just been published. The cost is £16.50 to club members (normal price £19.95), post free.
To obtain a copy cheque to Desmond at The Soap House, Ripley Lane, West Horsley, Surrey. KT24 6JS - payable to The GT40 Enthusiasts Club

- click for more info...

 

Claude Nahum's GT40 at Le Mans - DVD gift

We have a real bonus. Tony Hunt asked Claude Nahum for permission to distribute copies of his video made at the Le Mans Classic last year. Not only did Claude agree, he also offered to foot the bill for a copy for each 2007 member, which will be distributed with the next Fortyfication, due out at the middle of March.

If you haven’t renewed yet, there will be no DVD with this, your final copy of Fortyfication. If you renew straight away your copy of the DVD will be mailed to you separately.

If there any GT40 Enthusiast 'waverers' out there it would be a very wise move to join the Club - this is a once-off opportunity to see racing video from inside the actual GT40 which came third at Le Mans in 1966!

Ford GT Register section

The GT40 open register (available via the menu on the left) now has a Ford GT section. The register is open to anyone wishing to send their car details for all to view. The ultimate register of replica GT40s is available via the Members Area - this is the magnum opus of Tim Martin who is building a definite history of replicas, road registered and under construction.

GT40 Enthusiasts Club 2007 Calendar

Your industrious committee has pooled resources to bring you a very special 2007 Calendar. You will be relieved that it's not in the style of theNorth Yorkshire Women's Institute (there is certainly no truth that Desmond wanted to pose as Mr. July) but instead it is full of GT40s in various seductive places. See sample teaser images below and cover image above :

To obtain supplies of these excellent stocking fillers at only £13.50 delivered (UK mainland - other rates by application) send a cheque or credit card details to Tony Hunt (see Fortyfication for the address or e-mail Tony on membership@GT40EnthusiastsClub.com. Our thanks to Dr John for the majority of images.

NEC Show Report

A personal account of the highlights by Dave Champ.

Three GT40 stands, a new ally monocoque option for builders.

Lots of shiny cars.

Click here for the full text ...

Donington Poster -

Claude Nahum's gold GT40

The poster to the right (23"x16½") is now available to all at only £1.50 including P&P to anywhere in the UK mainland. Posters are pre-folded to A5 as supplied by the event organisers.

All those who attended the Donington Kit Car Show may still apply for one free of charge.

If interested please contact Tony Hunt.

NEC Classic Motor Show 27, 28 & 29 October

Bear Necessities at the NEC

John Wisher is looking for more volunteers to take their GT40s to the NEC to support Sporting Bears organisation. You give the general public a thrill with a quick blast up and down the car park, they in turn make a donation which goes to an approved children's charity. If you can help please e-mail him on john@carcraft.fsworld.co.uk. To check out the activities of this organisation please follow this link ...

RMA Donington Track Day - NO NOISE RESTRICTIONS

Owing to a cancellation, on Tuesday 24th October (next week) RMA will be organising a track day at Donington race circuit. It costs £250 (with a 10% reduction if you are a fortunate enough to be a RMA Paddock Club or Circuit Club member). To book your place please call Donington direct on 01332 810 048. RMA members will be required to quote their numbership number when booking.

GTD 40 Car Club AGM

The GTD 40 Club is the other GT40 related club located in the UK. The AGM is to be held at the same place as last year (Andrew Fordyce's home in Hampshire). Everyone is welcome, though naturally you cannot vote if not a member. E-mail Andrew for directions and to give him a good idea of total numbers attending.

Link to previous AGM.

2007 Membership starts TODAY (October 1st)

Donington Poster

All those attending the Donington Kit Car Show were expected to receive a superb poster of Claude Nahum's gold GT40 but for some reason this didn't happen. If you went and still want a poster, please contact Tony Hunt - I hope you kept your ticket stub!!

Classic and Sports Car - GT40 feature

Get a copy of this months title and you will find a major feature on the GT40. This includes interviews with Membership Secretary Tony Hunt and Paul Walton one of our Tech Support committee members. Well worth the read.

The Chairmans BBQ

Another enjoyable day at the Soap House - click here ...

 

 

 

 

Donington Kit Car Show - Saturday September 16, 2006

Donington free Poster Offer!

Everyone attending the show will receive an A3 poster of a GT40, an advertisement for the Club, view the FREE A3 POSTER here.

We will have a Club Display too. Contact Dave Hensley on 01179 407652 to register your interest.

Click one of thses two links for details of our invitation including opening times and camping and a circuit map.

'ASDA' day at Bruntingthorpe - August 20

The "ASDA" day is organised by ASDA employees with a view to raising money for charity. The event itself is illustrated in the enclosure and is a good family day out.  People who would like a ride in our cars are organised by the local Air Training Corp at a fixed price of £5.00 a lap. Bruntingthorpe is quite good with a fast right hander, a chicane leading to a long straight (150mph possible) then a fairly tight right hander back to pits straight.

Drivers are free to do as many rides as they would like, there is no minimum requirement. In the past Bob Charlton, Dick Townsend, John Wisher and Pete Bryant have taken part and thoroughly enjoyed the day. This is good way for free track time but more importantly is for a good cause.  Pete can be contacted at sales@mercurygauges.co.uk or work 02476 715175, home 02476 468373 

Chairman's BBQ - Sunday August 20th

This is a reminder that the Chairman's BBQ this year will be held on Sunday, 20 August, starting at 1.00pm.