Mike Street joined the 750 Motor Club in the 1950s and living in Thornton Heath he became a stalwart of the South London Centre as they then met in Streatham. In the following 60-plus years of membership he organised hundreds of events for the the Centre. Talks, quizzes, film shows, gymkhanas, treasure hunts, interesting car nights, bring and buys, visits to racing workshops for example, and for many years put on the Centre’s splendid Annual Dinner for the benefit of 750 Motor Club members and guests.
Mike also had more than a passing interest in the competitive side, and early on he fitted a Ford 10 engine into an Austin Ruby to take part in navigational road rallies and driving tests and became a force to be reckoned with in the South East - either winning them or organising them. He then progressed to sprints and hillclimbs building a side-valve Ford Rochdale GT with his younger brother Ray.
He caught the circuit racing bug and purchased from the Conrad brothers the DC 750 Formula car, built by Peter Danby. Using the expertise gained working for the MOD Armament Research Establishment he modified it with his brother Ray and the DC ‘Plus’ proved to be the car to beat. In a four-year stint he finished third once, second twice and then won the 750 Formula Championship in 1971.
For 1973 he prepared a Merlyn with Ray for the 1200 Formula Championship which Ray got to race a few times, but sadly he died suddenly at which point Mike gave up racing. Still enthusiastic about all things 750 Formula however, Mike continued to meet up with old friends and competitors at 750 Formula races at circuits around the country.
At the same time as chasing the 750F Championship he - with three other South London Centre members - Ted Minter, Tony Chew and Eric Hall, represented the 750 Motor Club in the BP 1970 National Car Club Championship. Again, his meticulous preparation and practice resulted in them easily winning the preliminary heats, assembling a Mini kit in the shortest time, and finished second overall in the final held at Crystal Palace race circuit. They should have won but the organisers changed the criteria at the last minute.
Over the decades Mike was a Centre Committee member, Competition Secretary, Centre Secretary, Bulletin scribe, Race Reporter, Formula Representative and an indispensable part of the 750 Motor Club.
By Mike Peck