The Meissner Thread

Any discussions about the history of the road going cars
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Hi-Fi
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Hi-Fi » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 08:02

:arrow: Henry, this one is for you, boet......................

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henryk
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by henryk » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 08:38

Thanks Hi Fi

Appreciated
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Killarney Racer
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Killarney Racer » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 09:19

Ferreira always had well turned out cars that were always very quick. The car in the picture would be a treasure today. I remember in the 9hr one year in the rain he was running in 5th place and making monkies of all the exotic machinery.

What happened to that car Henry?

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henryk
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by henryk » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 09:43

The car was destroyed in the Kyalami accident that cost Brian his life.

They were practicing for the 9 hour. In a cloudburst a retaining wall broke allowing water to rush across the circuit down the main straight. The Mini was actually lifted by the amount of water and slammed against the barrier at the side of the track.

This was apparently not that serious but as Brian was unbuckling himself to get out of the car it was hit from behind by the Toyota Celica of Scamp Porter. This car had hit the same river of water causing it to crash into the back of the parked Mini. The fuel tanks apparently exploded on the Mini causing critical burns to Brian. He passed away in hospital the next day.

Quite ironic that both him and his "driver" at Meissner Peter Gough had to suffer fatal and near fatal fire related accidents.

But that's life.


I heard the wreck of the Mini was returned to Cape Town but was broken up and useable bits went to other Mini racers. Sad but true.
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Killarney Racer
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Killarney Racer » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 09:55

Yes Henry, I remember that incident well. I think a lot of people were shocked. I didn't realise he died as a result of burns, I thought it was impact. Such a pity both from the driving and mechanical skills point of view.

It is a strange irony that both Gough and him suffered similar tragedies

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Hi-Fi
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Hi-Fi » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 13:19

The touch of another genius...................

Sorry about the quality.

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henryk
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by henryk » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 13:30

Where on earth do you guys find these pictures.

Another one for the scrapbook.


Thanks
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Wingwalker
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Wingwalker » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 13:49

Henry... saw that Brian Ferreira was mentioned... I can remember a race at Killarney where he in wet conditions managed to keep up with the Peranas... actually had a pic of this, but like most of my old racing pics it was destroyed when our storageroom was flooded and the roof ripped off during a rainstorm
"And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear.
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon."

Also known as Cape Town

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henryk
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by henryk » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 14:01

Correct

The Peranas were driven by Koos Swanepoel (The Basil Green car) and Basil v Rooyen in n the Superformance car.

Brian ran the Mini on SP73's and gave the Peranas a hard time in the rain.

Somewhere I also have a picture. Think it was in a Racing Mirror, supplement to Motoring Mirror.
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Hi-Fi
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Re: The Meissner Thread

Post by Hi-Fi » Thu 27 Mar 2008, 14:58

I remember that race well. Didn't Brian run out the winner? Or he was very close to it. He ran on standard rims and smashed the opposition on their fat takkies.

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