Jeff Uren

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Jeff Uren (17 October 1925 – 6 April 2007), was a British racing driver, team manager and tuning expert, who won the 1959 British Saloon Car Championship.[1][2] His most notable tuning conversions included the V6 three litre (modified by Weslake)[3] Ford Cortina MkII Savage,[4] and the BOSS 302 5.0 litre race engined Ford Capri Stampede[1][5] developed through his company Race Proved Performance and Racing Equipment Ltd, of Hanwell, who specialised in Fords.

1969 Ford Cortina Mk II Savage V6 (47052597092).jpg

He was also involved in motor-sport as a team manager for Ford of Britain, AC Cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1964,[6] and later the Willment team along with John Willment.[1] Uren was responsible for the development of the Willment Sprint GT Mk1 Cortina.[7]

After being involved in racing he also worked in industrial engineering and commercial building design.[8]

Racing career[]

Jeff Uren started racing at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1954 which he entered with his brother Douglas in Douglas' Armstrong Siddeley. They both moved on to saloon cars from 1955. Douglas remained an amateur and they often raced in the same races; however, Jeff became a professional.[1]

Jeff drove in the inaugural season of the British Saloon Car Championship in 1958, finishing sixth on points and achieving the first win in a Ford at Mallory Park. In 1959 he became champion in the second year of the BSCC driving a group C Ford Zephyr, finishing ahead of the works Ford drivers. Ford then decided they wanted him with them not against them.[1]

He raced competitively - in saloon and GT events - until 1964, racing in various Fords including Anglias, Prefects, 100Es, and Cortina Mk1s. He held class lap records at Aintree, Goodwood, Brands Hatch and Snetterton in his Zephyr.

Jeff competed in various historic race events until 2000.

Race Proved Vehicles[]

Uren created Race Proved Performance and Racing Equipment Ltd in 1967,[1] developing the following vehicles with the Ford lettering on the bonnet being replaced by UREN:

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Page. J (11 August 2020). "The unique Ford Capri that's also a work of art". Classic and Sports Car.
  2. ^ "Jeff Uren". Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "The U - Cars Are Coming". Worthpoint. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "3 litre V6 Miscellany". Motorsport Magazine. November 1969.
  5. ^ a b "How the Ford Capri made its Mark". Borders Vintage Automobile Club. 20 May 2019.
  6. ^ Trevor Legate (5 October 2015). Cobra. The Real Thing. ISBN 9781874105053.
  7. ^ Boddy. B (September 1967). "The Race Proved Savage". Motorsport Magazine.
  8. ^ Richard Keyes (4 August 1986). "Interview with Jeff Uren".
  9. ^ "FEATURE - 1968 Ford Cortina Mk2". just cars.com.au. 17 April 220.
  10. ^ a b Stewart Anderson (15 June 2017). Performance Mk1 Ford Escorts 1968-1974. ISBN 9781445667126.
  11. ^ "Around and About". Motorsport Magazine. March 1974.

External links[]

Sporting positions
Preceded by British Touring Car Champion
1959 		Succeeded by
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