Chequered Flag exclusive

[Media]

A friend of mine sent me these remarkable photographs of the Chequered Flag Per-Ing Walfriddson crash on Brechfa in 1976.

Doing 100mph he clipped the bank and the car went into the air. As it touched down the filler cap flipped up, and the fuel vortexed into the engine which created a huge ball of fire. Roger Clark sportingly helped to ensure that the occupants were safe. It came to rest upside down. Both driver and co-driver were pulled clear.

[chris.richard]

Yikes! :eek: Those are historic photos.
My researches indicated that the car had ended up on its side following the accident - certinly the presumably first pic of the car with all the lights on shows it on its side, and then it falls on its back as the fire progresses.
This is where the Stratos Enthusiasts Club Chequered Career Trophy was forged.

[Media]

Apparently Chris, I've heard that a few of the locals that were there that night collected a few lumps off the Stratos, and the cherished memories of that night is held forever within these blobs of metal, which was all that was left of the car. :)

[chris.richard]

This is the SEC Trophy, before the plates were attached to the plinth.
I still have another bit.

[Elliott.L]

This is the SEC Trophy, before the plates were attached to the plinth.
I still have another bit.

What's the story behind that? :eek:

[Chris J]

What's the story behind that? :eek:

Elliott,

It's the largest of three or four bits of melted alloy that were collected by 'Yuk' Hodgson who was servicing for 'Piggy' Thompson (James Thompson's dad) on the same event back in 1976. I think Piggy had retired on the same stage, and Yuk was collecting Piggy's car.

Yuk sold the bits of alloy on ebay a few years ago. Chris R. did the deal for the SEC (or bought it and donated it?). I think that's the story, but Chris will know the full details.

What you're looking at is a Dino cylinder head and/or the gearbox casing!

[strat6v]

The chequered career trophy is presented each year to the individual who has the most badluck in the previous twelve months.

now residing with lionel gooch. :D Clincher for last years presentation was a front wheel falling off the evo the day before the judging was decided on.

[chris.richard]

I bought the lump of melted alloy off Yuk. I wasn't sure what to do with it, then had the idea of creating an award for the club along the lines of the Darwin Awards. I got a local artist/cabinetmaker to make a plinth, had a couple of plaques engraved for it, then bolted part of the junk to it. I donated it to the club and it's first recipient was Dave Watson at the AGM in ?2003.

Apart from this melted alloy, the only other bit of the car that still exists is the rear number plate, which Ron Pellat has. He brought it with him when he addressed the AGM the same time as the award was first presented.

[Chris J]

Apart from this melted alloy, the only other bit of the car that still exists is the rear number plate, which Ron Pellat has. He brought it with him when he addressed the AGM the same time as the award was first presented.

Was it an Italian plate Chris?

[chris.richard]

Yes: TO something