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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2013 => Topic started by: nicanary on September 06, 2013, 11:04:34 AM

Title: Solved NIC #21 - 1954 Mike Appel Special driven by Hilton Gray.
Post by: nicanary on September 06, 2013, 11:04:34 AM
Year, car and driver required for one point.
Title: Re: NIC #21
Post by: nicanary on September 12, 2013, 10:45:38 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: NIC #21
Post by: richard cuyler on September 14, 2013, 08:07:20 PM
South African? Based on a Fiat Topolino? Check out the understeer! :D
Title: Re: NIC #21
Post by: nicanary on September 15, 2013, 06:03:20 AM
Quote from: richard cuyler on September 14, 2013, 08:07:20 PM
South African? Based on a Fiat Topolino? Check out the understeer! :D

It is indeed South African. I have no details of the car's construction, but the point's yours if you can name the car and driver, and the date of the race.
Title: Re: NIC #21
Post by: richard cuyler on September 15, 2013, 10:49:46 AM
Got it!  :) It's Hilton Gray driving a special built by Mike Appel during the Easter races at the Pietermaritzburg Roy Hesketh Circuit in 1954. Initially I thought it was at Gunner's Circle in Cape Town, but something about the background didn't look right, so I checked Hesketh Circuit photos and there it was. This was an enormously popular venue from the 50s to the 80s, when it closed. I recall Mike Hailwood and Bruce Johnstone were regular competitors and the variety of cars was vast, from home-built specials to factory team cars. This was really close and enjoyable racing in the days prior to the all-electronic circus of today - and much the better for it, in my opinion. ;)
Title: Re: NIC #21
Post by: nicanary on September 15, 2013, 11:21:45 AM
Wow ! Well done - that's a very complete answer, and of course absolutely spot on. It was one of those puzzles where you need to know where to look, and I thought it would hang around for a while. One point for you.
Title: Re: Solved NIC #21 - 1954 Mike Appel Special driven by Hilton Gray.
Post by: richard cuyler on September 15, 2013, 11:23:36 AM
Yay! Finally a point! 8)