1960s

1959 – The start

1959 David Marshall and Ian Fraser, junior analytical chemists for the steel company, Richard Thomas and Baldwins, decide to build a Go-Kart – then a new sensation from the USA. They purchase the engine for 30/- (£1.50 in today’s money), then representing 35 per cent of their weekly salary.

They use sawn-up old bicycle frames for the basis of the machine and bring David's brother Stephen (Ginger) and friend John Hancock to help with additional manpower and transport.

On testing at a local aerodrome, it becomes clear that Ginger is a natural driver with David and Ian as engineers/mechanics.

1960 – On the grid

1960 Easter Bank Holiday – they enter their first race and are sufficiently enthused to start a full season of racing and developing their own machine.

Winter 1960-61 – the team decide to make another Mk II Kart, more along the design lines of the Keele GP Kart, but with innovative sliding pillar front suspension – the design proves heavy.

MK I

MK II

1961/62 – Kart Mk III

Winter 1961-62 Mk III is lighter and the team put more effort into tuning the 197cc Villiers engine. This was raced throughout 1962, both as an individual entrant and as part of a team entered by the Aylesbury and District Kart Club.

MK III

1963 – Kart Mk IV and first race win

Winter 1962-63 – the team develops a Mk IV Kart – very much lighter in weight and with a better-engineered, geodetic space frame. In 1963 it provides Ginger with a race winning machine at last and a successful season of racing.

MK IV

1964 – Kart Mk V Bultaco power

Winter 1963-64 – Mk V exploits a loophole in the class construction regulations whereby Marshall & Fraser engineers modify the Villiers crankcase to accept the Bultaco crank, rod, piston and cylinder barrel and hence race in the Villiers class with Bultaco power!

1964 provided another successful racing season, but the additional power from the Bultaco proved too much for the Villiers transmission being used.

MK V

1965 – Mk VI to Minis

Winter 1964-65 – Mk VI more innovation came in the space frame chassis with unique road holding flexibility built into the design. This kart was sold to fund other activities.

At about this time the team was joined by Ginger's brother-in-law Brian Davies who provided expertise in both aerodynamics and electronics from the aviation industry.

1964 into 1965 – David and Ian co-write a book 'BMC Minis; Maintenance Tuning and Modification’ based on the team's experience of maintaining and tuning their own road cars.

1st 850 Mini

A second book, 'BMC 1100s: Maintenance Tuning and Modification’, is produced late in 1965. Following the success of the books and experience gained on their road cars, the team investigates racing an 850 Mini under the fairly relaxed regulations of the Special Saloon class of races.

1966 – Mini tuning and racing begins

1966 – an old 850 Mini is purchased (which happens to be British Motor Corporation Surf Blue. This results in it becoming the team colour). This was lightened by fitting aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid. The engine was mildly tuned and the team's saloon car racing was underway. By taxing and insuring it, the team could experiment and fine-tune the engine and test it on the road.

September 1966 – the Mini is entered into races at Silverstone.

1967 – the team enters races at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Silverstone with little success but gaining much driver and team experience.

1968 – the team races at Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, Thruxton, Croft, Cadwell Park, Silverstone and Oulton Park with best results being a couple of second places and a third.

1969 – First Championship Win

Winter 1968-69 – a Mini bodyshell was lightened by replacing all of the steel panels of bodywork with aluminium sheet glued and riveted into place. This was fitted with the M&F-tuned 850cc engine and the team pursued a heavy season of racing achieving 13 first places, 3 seconds and one DNF. This resulted in the 850cc class win for the BARC Osram-GEC Special Saloon Championship.

Lightweight Mini 850