www.rivers-fletcher.com
The Croft, Lighthorne Rd, Kineton, Warwick CV350JL
Tel: 01926 642313, click on the link below to e-mail me
Jane Farthings Force PT
Mike White in the MG Special
Steve Hemingway in the 2 litre Pilbeam
My Nephew William in his father’s Lotus
My brother Peter and I at Prescott. Mark 1 Sprite
Jane receiving a BWRDC
Trophy from Derek Bell
Lee Shardlow in his Caterham Road Sport which I look after
Now in my sixth decade, I realise how lucky I have been to drive, test and race some cars not owned by me. People met at racing venues have become lifelong friends and none better than Jane Farthing and her partner John Jordan.
Jane is a fearless and very fast hillclimb driver, who had a Caterham when we
first met her. After her testing the Triumph and enjoying it, she and John raced
it at Loton Park while Yve and I raced the Royale. It was a wonderful weekend,
much laughter and fun, with a separate class for the women in the BWRDC so
Yve and Jane were trying their hardest.
Years later, Jane reversed the situation and asked me to co drive her very quick
Force PT at Llandow sprint. With no chance to test, I had a hugely steep learning curve. A motorbike engined lightweight specialist sprint car, stunningly quick and
on a demanding track. I just loved the experience, sequential gearbox, 0 to 60 in
less than 3 seconds, brakes that hurt you and grip to cause G force. I couldn’t do justice to the car, but Jane made FTD and another wonderful weekend had been
spent in the company of mad but lovely friends.
I’ve been privileged to test some great cars. My brother Peter’s Lotus 51, Steve Hemmingway’s 2 litre Pilbeam, Kathy and Richard Warner’s 2 litre Westfield, Mike White’s MG special, and Leigh Shardlow’s Caterham Roadsport are among some
of the many cars that I’ve driven, as well as my father’s Bentley, Alvis and Jaguar racing machines. My work caused me to drive Ferrari and other lovely marques.
I have been veryl ucky.
All lined up for the Austin J40 Pedal car race
At Silverstone
In the 1950’s
Receiving my 3rd place Trophy from Le Mans winner Tony Rolt