Simon EVERETT Castrol/autosport Championship 70's

[mountune]

Hello,

First,sorry for my approximate English but i'm living in Belgium and it's not easy for me to speak and write your language. I hope you'll understand my request !!
At the beginning of the eighties, an English rally driver, totally unknown in our country, took part at Belgian rally Championship. In 1980 and 1981, he drove a group 1 Escort RS 2000. The follow season, he drove cars as Vauxall Chevette, Nissan 240 RS and Lancia 037. His name is Simon EVERETT. Before coming in Belgium, he first came in what was the Castrol/Autosport national championship. I think he was part of a two car team with John CLEARY in group 1 RS 2000 sponsored by TW Robinson Démolition.
I'm looking for anyone who can tell me about Simon in England.
Perhaps have you got papers, photos or information about this man ??

I'd be very happy to hear from you soon.

Eddy

[McTaff]

Maybe you could contact him if he is still around, otherwise I think Andy Dawson may have run him in Belgium. Wasn't he sponsored by Tuborg in the Chevette?

[imull]

thats the one martin

[MJW]

check this outhttp ://www.everettaviation.com/ - Simon moved to Kenya some years ago, and used to hire his helicopters as spotter aircraft for the WRC teams on the "proper" Safari Rally - I'm pretty sure TTE chartered craft from him and also maybe SWRT.

[FAL]

I ran in some of the same rallies as Simon in Belgium in 82/3. He used a Blydenstein Chevette HSR in 82 and the Nissan 240RS in 83 before hiring a TreGazelle Lancia 037 later on in 83 and blowing his budget. I understood he was not always popular in Belgium because he obtained the Tuborg money (learning French to negotiate with Tuborg) when some thought it should have gone to Jean-Louis Dumont.
His Gp1 Escort was very much the "ultimate" Gp1 RS2000 and had a few problems with scrutineers in Belgium (Marcel Servais at Ypres in 81?). There was a fundamental difference in outlook between the UK and the rest of Europe in Gp1 rallying (RS2000s in particular) which I encountered with some scrutineers later on in Gp A and B (the Gp1 spec RS2000 was homologated in GpB and could still win when the BDAs broke). UK drivers would build a Gp1 car from a bare shell rather than convert a road car, as was usually the case with German TUV laws etc. His last GP1 RS2 was built for the 1980 RAC Rally and went to Belgium for 81. He hit a log and bent the axle on the 80 RAC and Julian Raymond won Gp1, after a Finnish RS2 (Anteiro Laine?) was excluded at the finish for having a worked head). Since he had said it had been built on credit, with Gartrac etc supplying parts he would pay for when he sold it, I never understood how he managed to keep it!

[mountune]

Yes Simon hired a Lancia 037 for just a rally. It was during Bianchi Rally 1983, the rally he prefered. He injected a great part of his budget un this Lancia, he thought he'd win with this car. The dream was only for 3 special stages !!
It's a disaster for him and his sponsor (Tuborg). To defend him, he saw some spectators put down gravel on the road. It's not a certitude because others pilots were before him and they haven't accident. More think Simon was a winner and he drove faster than reason.
Simon was very popular near spectators but not with autority and some others pilots. Do you know there is a legend near some people !!
Simon always told he had a small budget for his rallies but he was seen a night in recce with .... a Rolls Royce !! Some people told it's the car of his father. I haven't see that, then I think it's a legend but it's possible with this nice man.
I wrote an email to Simon in Kenia just a week ago but I didn't erceive any answer. Perhaps he is too busy with his work but i sincerely hope he'll send me some words soon.
Can I ask you a question Fal ??
What's is your real name if it's not a secret ??
Wich rallies do you run in Belgium ??

Eddy

[noel157]

Eddy, I watched Simon Evertt several times on the Irish tarmac championship in the late 70s and early 80's in the Mk I and a Mk 2. Here's some pictures:
http://www.rallyretro.com/searchresu...eField223.y=13
When he was sponsored by TW Robinson the team had 2 "chase" cars, black Porsche 911s with gold alloys and it's possible that the Roll Royce was used too.
Hope this helps. If I can find any more info I will let you know.

Rgds

Noel

[Steve Boyd]

I serviced for Simon on the 1980 Circuit of Ireland & there were no Rollers or Porches involved. There was a Granada estate from Roscoe Engineering & a transit van of Simon's.

I also serviced for him on the Welsh International when I believe he was the first driver to start a British international rally in a Subaru, long before the manufacturer was involved. The car came from Tony Maslen and was described as the "poor man's quattro" as it was the only other turbo 4wd car you could get at the time.

[noel157]

I serviced for Simon on the 1980 Circuit of Ireland & there were no Rollers or Porches involved. There was a Granada estate from Roscoe Engineering & a transit van of Simon's.

I also serviced for him on the Welsh International when I believe he was the first driver to start a British international rally in a Subaru, long before the manufacturer was involved. The car came from Tony Maslen and was described as the "poor man's quattro" as it was the only other turbo 4wd car you could get at the time.

I'm referring to Donegal 79 or 80. I have pictures somewhere.

[kyosti]

Simon Everett used also a Lancia rally 037 during the 1984 Circuit des Ardennes. Retired-half shaft.