| The Turner Sports Car Rally took place at Bantock
Park on 21st August, 2005. This was the first time that the
event had been held there and judging by the steady stream of
visitors throughout the day, it was a great success. We hope
that the organisers will consider using the venue again.
Rally Report by
Russell Filby, Turner Registrar.
Bantock House in the heart of the city of Wolverhampton was
the venue for our second UK Turner gathering this year to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jack Turners first production
sports cars and once again glorious sunshine came out to greet
us at this wonderful venue. |
| Jack Turner
talking to Stuart Bennett in July 2005. He is the proud
owner of this early 1951 Turner racing car. Courtesy of
Russell Filby. |
|
We were joined on the day by three Former Turner
employees, Maslen Thomas, Laurence Davies and Ken Robbins who
provided ‘Works Support’ in Jack Turners absence spending
considerable time sharing their recollections of the production
years at the company with owners enthusiasts and the general
public.
The event attracted an impressive 12 cars on the day including
an early Turner racing car, two A30 Sports, four MKI, three MKII
and two MKIII including a variety of Climax B.M.C. and Ford
engine versions – Both road and race prepared. |
| The famous Tatty Turner stole the show, looking
far from what it’s famous nick-name suggests as Tatty has been
completely renovated by DWR (Dave Whitehurst Racing) and fitted
out with a state of the art Coventry Climax engine.
Tatty Turner will very soon be taking the back on the
historic racing scene and will I am sure be setting the pace
again just as it did back it its heyday with Pat Ferguson and
Warwick Banks at the wheel. |
| The "Tatty" Turner
with Warwick Banks at the wheel. Courtesy of Russell
Filby. |
|
| The "Tatty" Turner
with Pat Ferguson at the wheel. Courtesy of Russell
Filby. |
|
The day was rounded off by a number of cars and
owners taking in a road run around the various sites of the
former Turner works, accompanied by Ken Robbins and Lawrence
Davies , we headed in procession to Seisdon for a photo shoot
outside the Old Smithy which still looks very much as it would
have during those early days, then on to the former Merridale
Street location (Now a fire station) and on then to Pendeford
business park which is built on the site of the former Pendeford
Airport works for a final photo opportunity. |
| The day was certainly a terrific success and no
doubt gathered together the largest number of Turner cars in
Wolverhampton since the Pendeford works closed for the last time
back in 1966.I would like to personally thank Brian Shaw and Ken
Robbins for all their help in both arranging the event and
suggesting such a fitting location for the gathering. |
Some of the cars on the road run parked
opposite the Old Smithy at Seisdon. Courtesy of Russell Filby. |
| Cars in
attendance at Bantock House August 21st 2005: |
| John Kenyon (004) MAB 121 |
Bill Sherras (30/040) TSV 483 |
| Brian Shaw (30/095) 959 CMB |
James Bilderbeck (60/289) KJE 460 |
| Nigel Taylor (60/291) 700 AOV |
DWR – Tatty Turner (60/369) 678 ERC |
| Derek Bentley (60/375) 2 RTD |
Ray Jones (61/475) PBF 570 |
| Pip Greasley (61/494) 838 BWB |
Russell Filby (62/563) BTU 737B |
| David Valsler (65/631) YRD 518C |
Brian Shaw (66/656) GOK 444D |
The cars lined up
on the former Pendeford airport site.
Courtesy of Russell Filby. |
|
| View some photographs
taken at the rally |
 |
We would like to thank Russell Filby and Brian Shaw for their help in
producing this report.
 |
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Return to the
list of rallies |
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