Tag: Birmingham Superprix

Radio WM’s Stuart Miller at the Birmingham Superprix

Photo by Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radio WM engineer, Stuart Miller, at the controls for the coverage of the first Birmingham Superprix road race in 1986.

Thanks to Rod Fawcett for sharing the photo.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Andy Walters: ‘Would it surprise you to know we still have that mixer and DK monitoring unit at WM?’

Rod Fawcett: ‘Wow yes a little surprised!! But it was well built and I think flight cased to protect the gear…’

Iain Betson: ‘All standard BBC LR issue OB kit. MX6/2, DK2/21, ASC mod’ed PR99. It just worked. I know, I used it a lot!’

Andy Walters: ‘I must admit it gets little use but does still work. Must be thanks to the flightcase as my OB kit was stored in the garden shed on the car park at Pebble Mill for years.’

Malcolm Hickman: ‘Stuart was a great guy. I first met him when I was attached to P&ID building the Comms Centre in 1971. Radio Birmingham were in the building before it opened. There was no restaurant, but we had a kitchen and the lads came in to use the kettle.’

Keith Conlon: ‘Stuart was a great man when I was working for BBC Radio Birmingham then BBC Radio WM as a freelance Station Assistant. Very helpful offering advice with my live music sound mixing.’

Colin Pierpoint: ‘I worked with Stuart many times when he was in Radio OBs and I was in Radio 4 Midland continuity (previously the Midland Home Service). Afterwards when he was Radio Birmingham Engineer (later Radio WM) we cooperated one evening when there was a fault on air on Radio WM. He was at home and asked me to go into an unstaffed Radio WM Ops room, he then talked me round the equipment to make the necessary adjustments. That was in the days when the phone I was using to hear Stuart had a wire attached!’

Pete Simpkin: ‘Stuart was a real pioneer. Together we did the first…and… as far as l know…..only complete broadcasts for Radio Birmingham/WM of Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish worship on any radio station in the country….one of them live. It involved complex rigging and audio balances and observation of the customs and traditions of the various communities.’

John Taynton at the Birmingham Superprix

Photos by Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photos show Radio WM presenter, John Taynton at the Birmingham Superprix circa 1986. The top photo is of John with his production team, and he is interviewing Councillor, John Charlton, in the second.

Thanks to Rod Fawcett for sharing the photos.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Lynne Smith: ‘I think the woman on the right is Jane Stanton.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘Yes its Jane alright-the guy in the blue with glasses is Steve Woodhall.The super prix had such bad luck especially with the weather but it was an exciting time for the city nonethgeless.I was pleased to meet one of its great supporters Martin Hone at Ed Doolan’s funeral earlier this month.’

Gordon Astley: ‘I think the other two are Steve? and Catherine? I’m just aiming for half marks here !!’

John Taynton Technical Rehearsal at Birmingham Superprix

Photo by Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photo shows Radio WM presenter, John Taynton, in a technical rehearsal for the radio station’s coverage of the Birmingham Superprix, in the mid 1980s. The pit lane was alongside Bristol Street Motors, which was the central hub. The street circuit race ran for several years.

Thanks to Rod Fawcett for sharing the photo.

Birmingham Superprix, Gina Campbell interview

Copyright Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photograph shows Gina Campbell being interviewed by John Taynton, for Radio WM, during the Birmingham Superprix, circa 1987. Gina comes has a long racing pedigree, her father was Donald Campbell CBE, and her grandfather, Sir Malcolm Campbell. Gina won the UK Off-shore Boating Champion in 1984, as well as holding the Women’s World Water Speed Record, in 1984 and again in 1990. She was obviously affiliated to the Renault team at the Birmingham Superprix.

Thanks to Radio WM engineer, Rod Fawcett, for sharing his photograph.

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Pete Simpkin: ‘John Taynton was a great interviewer and human being and is greatly missed.’

Radio WM at the Birmingham Superprix

Photos from Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission. Bristol St Motors garage, 1986. Rod Fawcett: “This was the first race back in 1986 – you can see a few damp jackets in the pic, due to the heavy rain that fell on that day.”

Rod Fawcett: “Ivan Capelli coming into the temporary pit lane area – it’s 1986 – look at the rain on the track! Also, Ivan is driving with one hand on the wheel! He went on to drive in Formula 1 for Ferrari in 1992.”

Rod Fawcett: “This is 1987 I would say – note the completely dry tarmac! Here Bristol Street Motors is being used as a temporary pit lane area.”

Bristol St Motors, Superprix garage. Rod Fawcett: “Great atmosphere – I particularly like the temporary electrics rig on the upper left of the pic! This is 1986 the cars have full ‘wet tyres’ for racing.”

Bristol Street Motors, Superprix garage. Rod Fawcett: “The race mechanic really getting into the maintenance work here!! This is the 1986 event.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos from Radio WM engineer, Rod Fawcett, are of the Birmingham Superprix race circuit from 1986-7. Bristol Street Motors provided the garaging area.

Radio WM were given access to the race, and broadcasted from the circuit.