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tjackson
Australia
105 Posts |
 Posted - 05/01/2017 : 05:39:42
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In 1941, Squadron Leader Tony Gaze OAM DFC flew out of Westhampnett in West Sussex for 610 Spitfire Squadron. Tony and fellow pilots enjoyed racing their sports cars around the perimeter track of the airfield and after the war Tony Gaze was to be a prime mover in the establishment of the Goodwood motor racing circuit through his friendship with the Duke of Richmond. Tony went on to be a Grand Prix driver debuting at the Belgium GP in June 1952 driving an ex-Stirling Moss HWM-Alta, and back in Australia raced the ex-Ascari Ferrari 500.
Tony Gaze would visit his girlfriend driving from Westhamplett to the coast in his M.G. J2. Fuel was in short supply and the story goes that and one night he ran out at a railway crossing and had to borrow some kerosene from the crossing gate lamps to get back to base. No doubt the skills learnt by a 21 year old Tony in the J2 well equipped him for a motor racing career.
More information on Tony’s wartime adventures and post war racing career can be found online (http://www.tonygaze.com/).
Does anybody have any information about Tony’s J2? Does it survive?
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MaGic_GV
United Kingdom
868 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2017 : 15:48:37
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Sadly I can find no car connected to Tony Gaze, perhaps if we had a pic showing registration number?
Triple M Registrar
Regards,
Graham
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tjackson
Australia
105 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2017 : 22:43:02
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Thanks Graham, unfortunately no photos, rego or chassis numbers. I was hoping that someone may recognise the name from the previous owners of their car. Alternatively, there are lots of photos of Tony so if anyone has a J2 photo with a WW2 pilot I am sure we could identify the driver.
Cheers, Tim |
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mgmike
New Zealand
39 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2017 : 22:54:24
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| There is a Tony Gaze website offering prints of his aviation and motoring days, including a print of him racing his J2 around Westhampnett. The registration showing on the print is MG2080, not sure if this was artistic license for the print or was accurate. |
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Brian Kelly
USA
526 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2017 : 23:39:30
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Thanks for posting this, Tim.
There's a fabulous 25 minute interview. Don't miss it.
Brian. |
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MaGic_GV
United Kingdom
868 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2017 : 16:36:28
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The number MG 2080 is probably artistic license, I have no record of it...
Regards,
Graham
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LewPalmer
USA
3210 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2017 : 18:08:59
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Although not recorded, MG2080 does fall well within a range of MGxxxx plates issued through University Motors to J2s and J1s. The range runs from MG1939 (28-Sep-32) to MG2335 (31-Mar-33)with only a few other MGs L, K, etc. and a couple of other marques represented.
Lew Palmer
PA1169, PB0560 |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1481 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2017 : 10:24:43
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I don't go with the "artistic licence" thing. My notes (which came via Nike Hawke) show that MG2076 was allocated to J2486, MG2077 went to J2793 and MG2090 went to J2761. I think it is most likely to have been allocated to a J but it hasn't survived. Or possibly it is mouldering in a shed on the edge of Westhampnett Airfield (now Goodwood Circuit !)
Colin B. |
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JMH
United Kingdom
911 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2017 : 14:32:52
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I checked & the notes were still the same Colin!
JH
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