GINETTA THE RACING G15`S (PICTURES & INFO)

[spyder]

I thought it would be good to get a post going for those interested in the cars & the drivers that made the G15 famous out on the track, like Alison Davis, Barry wood, Mark Smith, Andy Woolley, Bill Hunt, David Beams, Ron Woods etc.

I have started this thread with a picture of my own car "RDH 472K".
This G15(chassis 263) was campaigned by Andy Woolley through "Prodsports" in the early 80`s & later in 750 motorsports with success.

Here is the battered RDH 472K (No77) playing "Follow my Leader" with the G15 of Terry Gorval (No79) at Snetterton circuit on the 30th June 1990. You can just make out the split rear wing above the wheelarch on No77. This Mark 2 car is also fitted with a later Mark 1V nosecone & airdam after an earlier shunt



Many thanks to Geoff Butcher, Andy Woolley, Bill Hunt, Siggy, Robert Knox & Spadge Hopkins
who have supplied many of the pictures for this thread

DICING G15`S AT SNETTERTON JUNE 1990

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[spyder]

Driver:ANDY WOOLLEY
A night time shot of a G15 (No38b)in the pits on the 1980 "Willhire 24 hour Relay race" at Snetterton Race circuit.
The driver again was Andy Woolley.
Note the "Night light" taped to the door handle, used for illuminating the race numbers.
The car is running on Exacton wheels.

In this race the "Mark Smith car ran as No38c" the "Bill Hunt car ran as No38a"
Pictures of both of these cars appear on page 16 of this thread

WILLHIRE 24HOUR RACE

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[spyder]

Below are the race results for the "DB MOTORS Production GT Championship"(Sunday 5th April 1981)Donnington Race circuit


From a field of 18 starters (mostly MGA`s & MGB`s) the G15`s Took 4 out of the first 5 places. The MG`s were no competition against these amazing little cars.

1st ALISON DAVIS (No63)
2nd ANDY WOOLLEY (No95)
3rd MARK SMITH (No75)
5th BILL HUNT (No68)

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[spyder]

Pictures of RDH 472K as purchased from Andy still wearing it`s Exacton wheels shod with 185 Yokohama tyres. Check out the battered lightweight shell & the cracks! It was a hard life out on the track. These early G15`s had thinner guage fibreglass shells compared to later cars.
I did not need to remove the body during restoration as the chassis had been plated, stove enamelled & filled with Waxoyl many years ago.
What a pity Ginetta did not carry out this proceedure from new.
100`s of hours & gallons of resin have gone into the body repair on this car but the cracks keep coming back.
Steering brakes & suspension finished. The engine overhaul is next.
New panels include Bonnet & Bootlid

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[spyder]

18 months later & here is the same car. Getting there slowly!
The colour has been changed slightly from "Ford Atlantic Blue to Gulf Blue & Orange". The Exacton wheels have also been painted in Satin Black & Orange
I think G15`s look nicer without the boot!

To help gain more speed, this car was fitted with a "Flat floor" under the chassis. Another mod for racing was to strengthen the inner sills with bonded sheets of plywood. This stopped the car from flexing & the doors flying open on fast corners.

Original race engine mods include
Big oil cooler
Twin DCO40`s on a four branch Janspeed manifold with K & N`s
Block strenghtening kit
Big sump
Ported sport head
Wills rings
R21 cam
1.4 inlet valves
Cosworth Big end bolts etc

[spyder]

Driver: JOHN SAMBROOK
G15`s were not just raced in the UK.
Here is one from over the pond, the G15 of John Sambrook racing at Steams Corner, Ohio, USA
John has owned this car since 1970

Photo courtesy of Flicka.com

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[spyder]

Driver: ALISON DAVIS
Here is probably the most famous G15 driver of them all. Alison Davis & her second G15, the yellow Prodsports car competing at (Silverstone Race circuit) October 1980.
After many victories in this car Alison went on to become "Lady National Race Champion"

Photo courtesy of Geoff Butcher
alisondavis(33).jpg

[spyder]

DRIVER: ANDY WOOLLEY
RDH 472K Again. This time being chased by a MG Midget at Mallory Park May 1980. Note the smoke as she burns out of a corner.
In this picture the car is wearing its original nose cone & there is no front air dam.

[spyder]

DRIVER: BARRY WOOD
Another very successful G15 driver. Barry Wood racing the ex "Alison Davis" repainted "Femfresh" car at Snetterton Circuit. The time & date are unknown.



Photo courtesy of Geoff Butcher

G15 OF BARRY WOOD SNETTERTON CIRCUIT

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[spyder]

DRIVER: MARK SMITH
Snetterton again. This time the G15 driver is Mark Smith.
The venue is the 1980 WILLHIRE 24 HOUR RACE.

This car now resides in Japan

Photo courtesy of Geoff Butcher

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[Debs]

To help gain more speed, this car was fitted with a "Flat floor" under the chassis.

A 'Mod' I plan for mine - albeit I'm thinking about a rear diffuser.

Original race engine mods include

R21 cam

Hmmm, when I was racing Andy in the late '80s he had an R22 cam, while I ran on an R23.

[spyder]

DRIVER: BILL HUNT
Here is the first picture on this site of Bill Hunt. (Brother in Law of Andy Woolley)
Crossing the start on the 1981 Willhire 24 hour race
There is not a lot of room left on this car for many more stickers!

photo courtesy of Bill Hunt

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[spyder]

DRIVER: DAVID BEAMS
This picture shows ex BARC sprint & hillclimbing champion David Beams cornering his freshly painted G15 at Mallory Park in 1976





Picture courtesy of Geoff Butcher
jpg[/attachment]

[silverg15]

Hi Spyder,

Rather than explaining - suggest you look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffuser_(automotive)/ for an explanation of diffusers, they do a much better job than I can.

I love the pics, keep the coming and a big thanks to your source as well. In the picture with the midget in the background I particularly liked the G taped on the headlamps - these should be mandatory for all Ginetta Heritage events !

A very new to the board
Kevin

[spyder]

Hi Kevin

Thanks for email. Yes I have a good source for these unseen pictures & should have a load more to add.
Figure the "G" would be a good idea!

Spyder