13/09/2022

MIKE BLANCHET

An appreciation by Bob Marston.

It was a great shock to hear of Mike's passing last week. Although he had a serious medical problem for most of his life, it was never obvious even to those of us that worked closely with him. Marcus Pye has written an excellent obituary in Autosport recalling Mikes racing successes so I will confine my remarks to the impressions made over the 13 or so years that we worked together. I first met Mike when he was driving a F/Ford as a privateer and he came up to the Lola factory in Huntingdon to have a look around. If I remember correctly, Derek Ongaro, our sales manager at the time was leaving Lola’s to take up the job of F1 Race Starter with the F.I.A hence a vacancy was imminent in the sales department. Mike obviously convinced Eric Broadly that selling copying machines, Mike's then current occupation, was excellent training for selling cars, as soon after Mike joined us as Derek's replacement. Having a resident test driver proved very advantageous to all concerned, especially myself since the majority of track testing and development came within my remit as Chief Engineer with Eric having overall control. As an engineer primarily, I relied heavily on driver input to solve problems and in this Mike excelled, especially in the later years when he had experience from testing and developing the vast range of cars that we produced. Frank Gardner took over the testing of the bigger cars eventually, Can-Am and Indy for instance, and I am sure Mike learnt even more of the art of setting-up a car from him. In all the years that I knew Mike, I never remember him being particularly annoyed when things were not going right - he always seemed to maintain a positive attitude and happy demeanor. Similarly I do not know of anyone in the Lola community that had anything but kind words to say about him. He was, in my opinion, a perfect gentleman and joyful character to be with. I feel privileged to have considered him a friend.

Bob Marston
Chief Engineer
Lola Cars 1968/1981

Click HERE to read Marcus Pye's Autosport article on Mike.

All pictures Lola Heritage



Mike took 5 wins in the 1978 FFord 2000 T580.

Mike at Brands Hatch in a T594C in the 1984 Thundersports Championship. He took a win at Donington sharing with Bob Juggins.

The 1980 F3 T770/2, Mike took a couple of podiums in the early season until financial problems restricted outings.

Mike sitting in the 1987 F1 Larrousse Calmels T87/30 with Eric Broadley on the left and designer Brian Simms to the right.

Mike the "diminutive Jerseyman" as he was often described sharing a joke with Gerrit van Kouwen and James Weaver.

Mike, Teddy Pilette and Bob Marston at the Lola 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Mike sharing a T492 with Bob Marston at the 50th Anniversary.

Mike and Bob ready for the display of Lola cars on the streets of Huntingdon.

More 50th celebrations, John Surtees, Eric Broadley, Peter Ashdown, Bob Marston and Mike.

Mike shaking hands with Raymond Baxter when Lola won the 1990 Export Award for Smaller Business.

Eric Broadley and Mike show Norma Major, the wife of then Prime Minister John Major, the cockpit of the T87/30.