4 replies to this topic

[George Kimber]

Ron Spencer was one of the top UK 1/24 scale racers of the Tottenham Era between 1968 and 1972.

 

He won a couple of Tottenham Opens and was a regular finalist up against the legendary Barry Magee and Bob Hallums. The Tottenham Opens would often attract over one hundred entries. Tottenham was the UK's major raceway in Hammersmith, London.

 

It will always be remembered for the famous routing of the UKs best slot racers by Bob Emott, who sailed over to the UK from the US and showed how good he and the US pros were in 1968.

 

Ron had rekindled his interest after many years and attended North London Retro Club and met up with Bob Hallums and Mickey Graves. He planned to race at Millstream but after one brief visit sadly never returned and passed away.

 

In a tribute to their father his family decided to stage a memorial race at Millstream Raceway, near Bournemouth, England. Twenty0ne drivers attended including four racers from Raceway 81 who made 700 mile round trip. The cars had to represent the '60s  to early /70s era .

 

 

L to R, Ron Spencer, Eddy MacDonald,  and Mickey Graves.

 

The track, a 205-foot Ogilvie-constructed Daytona. 

 

 

The race format consisted of each driver racing in two segmented races each of four lanes with the overall laps counting, with the top eight drivers racing in the Main Final with choice of lane. Local driver Anthony Raine looked to be favourite some way ahead, George Kimber made his long journey worthwhile by qualifying third with Mickey Graves, Robert Henderson, Adrian Gay, and Richy Kettleson also making the Final.

 

The pre-race photo shoot.

 

 

The Final.

 

The first corner was to prove costly to favourite Anthony Raines when he tangled with a couple of deslotted cars and gave George the opportunity to gain a half lap advantage which he maintained to the end of the fifty-lap final, despite Anthony piling on the pressure. Adrian Gay took the final podium position. 

 

 

George's reverese Iso frame.

 

 

Second place frame as used by Anthony Raines (not quote early '70s). 

 

 

 

That winning moment, some 50 years on from his first National title in 1965! 

 

The cars in scrutineering

 

 

The trophy presentation by Ron's daughter with Adrian Gay (L) and Anthony Raines behind George.

 

 

The legend Bob Hallums (on right) talking to past Tottenham Raceway manager.

 

 

Nice shot of a Tottenham chassis.

 

[TSR]

George,

 

Thanks for the report. Great stuff! I wish I could have been there...

 

The late 1960s were really a very special time for slot car racing at the top level. Nice that many of the "old guys" are still around, except of course for Ronnie, RIP.

[Matt Bruce]

Great run, George!

 

I like that frame.

Matt

[Gator Bob]

Way to go, George!

 

It was a real treat to race with you even if it was only once.

 

All the cars you brought over with you were wonderful and the one you signed for me is a trophy.

 

Congratulations, it is great to see you this happy.

 

[George Kimber]

Philippe, Matt, and Bob,

 

Thanks for your interest in the UK racing scene.
 
As you guys know, it is all about the quality of the car and now and again you get a car where everything is right.

The motor, handling, and traction combine to give you a winning car. You are driving at 90% while your competitors are flat-out. Of course you still have to bring it home and for me at 65 I would have expected to have lost the reactions. So to beat the young hot shots as well as the oldies on their own track is as good as it gets.

 

Thank you, Bob, for your kind words. I will be over in July and hope to get across to Tampa for a bit of Retro racing so maybe we will catch up again!
 
Found these images in a Slot Magazine article for the Ronnie Spencer Memorial Event which includes a picture of a young Ronnie after a Tottenham Raceway victory!