OK everyone, this is my first thread.
I'm currently nearing the end of a restoration of a 1969 Nike Formula Ford which I bought from Bill Dolson Racing in the States two years ago. Now, I'm in contact with Ken Nicholls of Nike down in Devon, but I have absolutely NO information on the cars or the marque. Can anyone help? I have the Nicholson 'History of Formula Ford' book and Nike get about one and a half paragraghs and a pic. Anyone know anything else about them, or has any literature at all?
Anything would be appreciated.

Gary:
Check this links out:
http://www.retro-racing.co.uk/frominternettoracetrack2.htm
http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/saleslit/nike.html
http://www.retro-racing.co.uk/features.htm
Regards,
cjpani
p.s. Welcome!!!!

Hi Cjpani, thanx for those links. Just to let you know, I'm one of the two guys who run the RetroRacing site!

lol....
not a deep research from myself....
well; no harm done.

regards,
cjpani

Welcome Gary. Love your site

Marcel, thank you indeed

There's a little bit in the Motor Racing Directory (the first one) p34. I'll scan it for you tomorrow if nobody beats me to it.

Allen

that would be brilliant Allen!

OK, here goes. I haven't tried posting an image before.



It may be a bit big but I wanted to make sure you didn't have any trouble making out the text.

Here's the URL in case I haven't done it right.

http://www.oldracingcars.com/images/nike.jpg

Allen

Fantastic Allen, many thanks!
Anything else anyone??

Allen, I've seen the Motor Racing Directory of 1979 and 1981 offered for very little money (3 GBP each). What's the difference, is there a point in ordering both?

I have both and as you say they aren´t too pricey.
The 1981 version is an update of the 1979 so if you would go for one, then that´s the one.
It is interesting to read about the not-yet-so-famous drivers in their infancy.

The information is not identical, and much of it are found elsewhere. But I have enjoyed my both books.

Rainer

Michael

I'd agree with Rainer. There are different features in the 1981 book and some of the details on obscure British series - from Kettlewell's own research - cannot be found elsewhere.

I'd guess they are 80% duplication but, for £6, I'd get both.

Allen

Just thought I would ressurect this thread in case any 'newbies' might have any info. With any luck, I'll be out for the first time at Silverstone next Sunday the 18th.

Presume you have a Mk4 , the majority of the dozen or so made making their way across the pond. The 1970 Mk 6 was a redesigned '4 allowing for the use of a Hewland 'box. These were sold Stateside via Jim Baker of Atlanta, Ga. Hence they were also known as "Bakers".

A photo of the Mk 6 appears in Georgano's encyclopaedia (p555) with the Lotus-esque F5000 Mk5 in the background.

actually Bill, my car is designated a 'Mk4/6' (I have chassis no.6), is there any chance you could scan that page from the Georgano book for me??

Caldwell used the name 'Nike' in the US as well (I think he kept renaming his cars because they didn't exactly have a good reputation). His F5000 Nike Mk 1A appeared just once, Laguna Seca 4 May 1969, finishing 10th, four laps down

Compared with the UK Nike Mk 5, this was major success! The poor Mk 5 was one of the most unsuccessful F5000 ever built. It appeared four times in 1970, failed to start three times and retired on the first laps of its only start. I don't have any further record of it - not even a hill climb.

Allen

Strange coincidences department. I was looking through the first edition of the Motor Racing Directory last night, came accross the Nike section, started thinking about a couple of things and now I go and find a scan of it on this thread.

Firstly, the Nike mk 10. I remember an immaculate dark blue one being driven rapidly, and with a quite a few wins to its credit, by John Simpson. This was in the mid-70s and mainly oop north, but I remember been taken with the novelty of the thing (there weren't many Nikes about) and the fact that it was a very nice looking and obviously competitive car so I was surprised that we didn't see more of them.

Secondly, this intriguing mk 8 monocoque car with a rotary engine, for use on the hills. Can anyone tell me more - one for Steve W perhaps?

Blimey!! My first ever thread on TNF, resurrected after six years!!!

I only did it for you, Gary, no other motive!

And apparently the first time I ever posted an image on TNF as well. How time flies!

Thank you, Ian!

Hi, I hope that this might help...
The picture is the Nike MK8, raced by Ray Davis in various events during the season ( I meet him at hillclimbs in Italy every year ). The picture was taken at Valsaviore Classic hillclimb last July.

Another one after the finish line :


But, as you will notice, no more rotary engine on board !

Well, isn't that marvellous. Thanks Ralf! Shame about the engine, though.

Ray Davis' Nike has really got me going........

I think Ray raced the car with the HSCC about 3 times in 2001...............haven't seen him since.

Funny...he more often sang about Lolas....

I have to say - it is one of the best looking Formula cars I have seen - and Ray looks the part at demonstration events ( as they are officially called in Italy - means no timing but full throttle nevertheless ) with blue racesuit, open faced helmet with balaclava and goggles.
As for the engine change - I remember Ray telling me the story - but ( shame ) I do not remember. It is all written on the board in front of the car in the paddock photo, though.
I will ask him about the story, but you might have to wait until June/ Italy !!!

Ralf, go to these pages on my website for a look at my car :

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2...e_pix/index.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2..._2001/index.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2..._2002/index.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2..._2003/index.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2..._2003/index.htm

all the best!