Circuit Cars racing on the Quarter Mile

[225sloper]

Have started this thread as there were many times in the early days when circuit drivers would take there cars to the dragstrips arround the country.I have found a few pics will post some now and more later.Anyone alse have any please post.The earlyist i have found is 1971 drag racing at Wiri,photos by Allan Porter NZ Hot Rod Magazine.

[225sloper]

17802178031780417805

[southspeed]

Photos taken at a standing quarter held by Eastern Southland Car Club in 1973. River Street, Gore. Not much in the way of OSH rules and regs - don't recall anyone being run over!!!!!!!!!! 2 photos of Stewart Quertier in the Stuart Ford V8. Others I don't know, perhaps Stewart or JacMac could hep. Have others from this event but they are just locals having a go - not what the subjects about.1780617807178081780917810

[Jac Mac]

Yellow #25 is Elin Mini sports, was owned by Ortons from Clinton & Alec McClennan Riversdale- 1275 Mini Cooper power ( Car was designed /built in Dunedin, cant remember guys name, but he built several cars), Viva is David Brown- 3liter Ford V6 with Lucas injection. Motoring Center Mini might have been Athol Warnock, not sure on that though. Sprint was 400 meters IIRC, looks like that one was a saturday morning event, we also held it on a midweek day during festival week from 5pm onward.

[Steve Holmes]

Hey these are great!

[woody]

Jac Mac, Yellow #25 was built by Wop Amos. Stated building them in Otematata while with the NZED. Later shifted to Ocean View near Dunedin.

[Paul Wilkinson]

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay19851_zpsb923ba1c.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay19851_zpsb923ba1c.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay19852_zpse540efc1.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay19852_zpse540efc1.jpg.html)

[Paul Wilkinson]

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/NZHotRodMay1985_zps034d6457.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/NZHotRodMay1985_zps034d6457.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay1985pg29_zps20c4b1f4.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay1985pg29_zps20c4b1f4.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay1985pg30_zps8e1c68fa.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/NZ%20Hot%20Rod%20May%201985/HotRodMay1985pg30_zps8e1c68fa.jpg.html)

[Rod Grimwood]

Was there that day when Jim ran the Monaro, was good to watch, as at the end there was a sweeping right hander and all the others were hard on brakes but Jim just kept it up and majic power slides.

Also Tony Rutherford held that record a number of years, and also won a good bet with Mr Hot Rod mag Rob Campbell that day.
Maybe Tony will extend on that.

[225sloper]

Good stuff guys,awesome pics Southspeed osh would go nuts with all those kids that close today,you could feel the racing back then. . . .Tony Rutherford had one quick little Mazda 11.9 at 122mph awesome

[MarkQ]

Stuart Ford V8 managed a 13.92 that day.
Must of been just after the beach racing in Nelson as the extra large "beach proof" roll bar is still fitted.
Rear tyres were the fronts off Graham McRae's Crown Lynn McLaren.
Dad bought them off George Begg for $30 and he still has them.

[928]

I have seen a photo of the Heron Daimler V8 winning the port road 1/8 mile drags in wellington. some time in the 70's I think

[southspeed]

Just a follow up to post no 3 above - for those "older" members of ESCC the rest of the photos are posted on the net at the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/southspeed/sets/72157630243523832/with/7422905046/ After a phone call from Stewart Quertier last evening he has assisted with naming some of the photos and also included some of the times recorded. There is even a photo of JacMac.

[225sloper]

Two photos from Ardmore drags featured in NZ Hot Rod Magazine June 72 photos by Allan Porter,sorry no times with these photos.A great photo of Allan Boyle in Viva and the neat Sidchrome Imp.1785517856

[Jizim]

Was there that day when Jim ran the Monaro, was good to watch, as at the end there was a sweeping right hander and all the others were hard on brakes but Jim just kept it up and majic power slides.

Also Tony Rutherford held that record a number of years, and also won a good bet with Mr Hot Rod mag Rob Campbell that day.
Maybe Tony will extend on that.

Well I never knew about the photo in NZ Hot Rod Magazine until now. (thanks Paul) In fact I have a full collection of these magazines from the very first one right up to the 90's so I must have that one! Yeah Rod I managed to hold that record for fifteen years and it did make me wonder what I could have gotten the times down to if I had not used my old used up circuit slicks. I recall at the end of the Dragstrip there half a dozen guys down there who's job it was to retrieve the chutes of the top fuel dragsters. Well after each run I came back along the return road which ran parallel to the strip. These guys were so excited and going totally nuts because I would see how high I could get the right front wheel in the air as I did a u turn onto the return road.. The car is currently being restored back to how I had it in Brisbane and Scott (new owner) is coming back to reside in Gisborne soon and will bring the car back. .....
Rod....you have me wondering whether I did pick up my "winnings" from my dear friend Rob Campbell. Thanks guys and kind regards, Tony R.

[Paul Wilkinson]

Tony, Let me know if you don't have a copy. I'll stick it in the post....

[225sloper]

A photo here of Ron Sylvester in the Chev Coupe at Ruapuna Drags,not sure who the photographer is June 72 NZ Hot Rod Mag.

[225sloper]

Two photos here of Brent Thorpe in his Chevy powered MK3 Zephyr.Both photos taken by Richard Neale first photo from Sept 72 NZ Hot Rod Mag second Dec 72.1804818047

[Rod Grimwood]

That is one mean looking MK111, what ever happened to it. Did he use it in OSCA. 327 good conversion for these cars along with 289

[225sloper]

That is one mean looking MK111, what ever happened to it. Did he use it in OSCA. 327 good conversion for these cars along with 289Dont know anything about this car,it does have that OSCA look about it,can anyone else add any info

[Howard Wood]

In the '70s the Dunedin Festival of Speed was a simple quarter mile drag on one of the streets in the industrial part of town.

The Formula Pacfic cars I drove were owned by former Dunedinite John Anderson. We always took full advantage of various workshop facilities etc being offered in Dunedin by his mates during the South Island leg of the series and one year as a "thank you" to some particularly helpful help we ran the car in the Festival particularly as all these facility owners were also the Festival organisers.

No doubt someone here will know, but I can't recall if it was the March or the Lyncar nor the year. I do recall lining up in the final with local OSCA driver Kevin Haig who was in a thumping great, ground shaking 7 litre Camaro which rather dwarfed the Pacific car alongside it.

I also can't recall the final result or any other details other than that the road was incredibly bumpy and just after the finish I ran over a man hole cover which tore the rear suspension bracket off the bottom of the Hewland gearbox which of course required more local help to repair.

[Rod Grimwood]

May have the answer to OSCA as i am certain i have heard of Thorpe years back think he raced a Monaro. Or is this Lynn Neilsons example

[woody]

Rod, This is Lyn Neilson's Zephyr Corvette. He ran this car for one season. Mechanical problems meant he hardly ever finished a race. Vogue Motors was owned by Barry Vuyk.

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod, This is Lyn Neilson's Zephyr Corvette. He ran this car for one season. Mechanical problems meant he hardly ever finished a race. Vogue Motors was owned by Barry Vuyk.

Thanks Woody, Did Thorpe race in OSCA at some stage.

[shellsport]

Thanks Woody, Did Thorpe race in OSCA at some stage.

I think he ran a OSCA Monaro in Sydenham Park signage around the same time as his altered which he he had over here for a standing and flying at Orwell Creek Rd , Ahaura and if I recall was named " Wynns Wynder " , however this would have been forty years ago .

[225sloper]

Ruapuna dragstrip again NZ Hot Rod Magazine Sept 73,no other info but this photo,could of been taken by Norman Lee18151

[Bruce302]

I was talking to Robin Tanner who had the Firebird after Coppins and he took that down the strip in the low 12's also.
It was running in E/gas. I may be able to scan the time slip.

Bruce.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce- was it a special event or were there other race cars also?
Also what is E/gas

[Bruce302]

I'm not sure of the exact rules, but you must know what a "gasser" is. It is probably the most advantageous class for Robin to enter at the time. It probably would have fit into Super Stock, or Pro Stock, but they were hot classes then too.


Bruce- was it a special event or were there other race cars also?
Also what is E/gas

[225sloper]

NZ Hot Rod Magazine Feb 74.Red Dawson takes his Camaro to Meremere drags runs low 12s makes it to the final and wins.1843818439

[225sloper]

NZ Hot Rod Magazine April 74.Reg Cook in the Mini at Meremere also has a good day making his way through the feild,not sure the final result of this.18440

[225sloper]

Ruapuna drags NZ Hot Rod Magazine May 74,no other info photos taken by Norman Lee186231862418625

[John McKechnie]

Any one got pix of Graham Williams giving the Team Cambridge Camaro death at the drags Teretaunga 1970?
Graham was Rod Coppins mechanic, set fastest time. day before race meeting.

[zombie289]

Ruapuna drags NZ Hot Rod Magazine May 74,no other info photos taken by Norman Lee186231862418625
What can you guys tell me about the Cortina in the background of the middle shot??...

[225sloper]

Only info i could get was guys name was Richard Moon and Cortina had a Ford 289 power

[zombie289]

Cool....

[John A]

In the '70s the Dunedin Festival of Speed was a simple quarter mile drag on one of the streets in the industrial part of town.

The Formula Pacfic cars I drove were owned by former Dunedinite John Anderson. We always took full advantage of various workshop facilities etc being offered in Dunedin by his mates during the South Island leg of the series and one year as a "thank you" to some particularly helpful help we ran the car in the Festival particularly as all these facility owners were also the Festival organisers.

No doubt someone here will know, but I can't recall if it was the March or the Lyncar nor the year. I do recall lining up in the final with local OSCA driver Kevin Haig who was in a thumping great, ground shaking 7 litre Camaro which rather dwarfed the Pacific car alongside it.

I also can't recall the final result or any other details other than that the road was incredibly bumpy and just after the finish I ran over a man hole cover which tore the rear suspension bracket off the bottom of the Hewland gearbox which of course required more local help to repair.

It was indeed the Lyncar on its second visit to NZ. We were running an engine borrowed from Reg Cook after blowing our only remaining engine. The jetting was way rich but we did manage to take fastest time of the day and yes the manhole cover about stuffed the tub and damaged the rear skid plate as I recall.

[225sloper]

Wow thats amazing a manhole cover all sorts of obstacles on the street.I went to a street drags in Wanganui over 20 years ago and a dog ran out in front of a motorbike near the finish line it was only share luck that the rider missed it.

[225sloper]

Meremere dragstrip Jack Nazer in the Victor as shown in NZ Hot Rod Magazine June 75 photo by Allan Porter.18791

[stubuchanan]

Only info i could get was guys name was Richard Moon and Cortina had a Ford 289 power

Sign on Cortina's door reads "Winter Garden Motors". Can't make out bottom line but doesn't look like Christchurch. ? Ring a bell anwhere around NZ??

Stu

[225sloper]

Sign on Cortina's door reads "Winter Garden Motors". Can't make out bottom line but doesn't look like Christchurch. ? Ring a bell anwhere around NZ??

StuPretty sure that Cortina wasnt a circuit racing car,sponsership on door suggests it was built for some drag action.It just so happens to be there the same day as these circuit cars turned up at a real drag meet.

[shellsport]

Only info i could get was guys name was Richard Moon and Cortina had a Ford 289 power

Richard was a regular campaigner at Ruapuna back then . I remember being told that it was based on a real Lotus shell .

[225sloper]

So was Richard Moon a regular campaigner at Ruapuna dragstrip just drag racing or was he a regular campaigner at Ruapuna circuit.

[shellsport]

Not a " Roundy " racer as such .

[225sloper]

Thats what i thought to,thanks shellsport

[225sloper]

Heres a shot of Brent Bullivant's Capri photo by Tim Burns in NZ Hot Rod Magazine Feb 77.18933

[225sloper]

Photo here of the Rob McElrea in his Cortina at Ruapuna drags in NZ Hot Rod Mag August 82 issue,photo taken by John Daley19075

[paul lancaster]

Looks like he's lined up beside john Osborne in his Capri

[TonyG]

The ex John Goss McLeod Ford GTHO was a regular at Meremere when my brother was running his E49. They used to travel down together. That HO was the car that scared the c..p out of me when Brian Bowater took me for a ride in it down the Puni straight. I swear the power poles were like fence posts. Still had the cage in it at that stage. Was taken out shortly after.

[225sloper]

Yes it is quite amazing how many racecars have had a play on the dragstrip at some time.Not so much now days.A couple of years ago i did see the Glenn Allingham 68 Camaro Big Block turn up at the Fathers Day Drags at Meremere.

[225sloper]

Here is a few more from the south drag racing at Ruapuna.NZ Hot Rod Magazine feb 85,photos by John Daley.1913619137

[225sloper]

Steve this is the car you asked about if still arround in another thread not that long ago.Steve Vigurs Celeste and Ian Munts Capri.NZ Hot Rod Magazine June 85.1913819139

[Rod Grimwood]

Looks like he's lined up beside john Osborne in his Capri


Yep, that be right Paul

Good photos

[bry3500]

I posted these on the Christchurch Drag Racing thread. Good to insert again here. Ian Munt in the blue Capri..

[bigbanger]

I posted these on the Christchurch Drag Racing thread. Good to insert again here. Ian Munt in the blue Capri..

The blue (was later black) Capri was Graham Clark, powered initially with a Leyland P76 4.4 litre V8 and later a Chrysler 340 (5.6 litre) V8. It ran in a number of classes, sometimes OSCA, mostly Clubmans Saloons. Ian Munt is of course in the black/green Waterbed World Capri Chev in the the foreground.

[bry3500]

The blue (was later black) Capri was Graham Clark, powered initially with a Leyland P76 4.4 litre V8 and later a Chrysler 340 (5.6 litre) V8. It ran in a number of classes, sometimes OSCA, mostly Clubmans Saloons. Ian Munt is of course in the black/green Waterbed World Capri Chev in the the foreground.

oops , sorry of course - should have double checked.. Anyone know who/what the red and white car is?

[bigbanger]

oops , sorry of course - should have double checked.. Anyone know who/what the red and white car is?

Steve Vigurs, Mitsubishi Celeste which initially had a Buick V6 turbo, before reverting to a 355 Chev V8.

[Rod Grimwood]

Clarky shifted up Mount way later on, remember going for play in Capri one night at Matamata when he came over the hill with us for a decompression session in the bar of a well known establishmnet in Matamata after a meeting. It had the Chrysler in it then and was quick, he ran a few times at Bay Park. It was a blue with yellow colour then. He was a real smart mechanic and a good bugger but also a bit of a wag, not like us quiet types.
Now there could be another story for another thread.

[225sloper]

Jigger Jones in his Commodore Sports Sedan racing at the Whangarei 3/16 street drags.NZ Hot Rod Magazine July 1989.20832

[Bruce302]

Here is a pic of Robin Tanner in the Firebird and looks to be up against John Windleburn in the Pontiac GTO convertible.
I have a certificate naming Robin as the winner of E/gas.
pic courtesy of Robin Tanner.

http://i42.tinypic.com/4puvpk.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Wow!!! That is a really great photo Bruce! Did Robin supply you with that one?

[Steve Holmes]

Here is a few more from the south drag racing at Ruapuna.NZ Hot Rod Magazine feb 85,photos by John Daley.1913619137

I'm loving all these old clippings you've been posting up here sloper. Interesting to see the Kennard Cortina in its early guise with the different paint scheme and no big rear wing. Looks good like this!

[Bruce302]

Wow!!! That is a really great photo Bruce! Did Robin supply you with that one?

Yes, he did, I spent the day with him and have some great material.
Bruce.

[Bruce302]

http://i41.tinypic.com/28icdqp.jpg


Here is a pic of Robin Tanner in the Firebird and looks to be up against John Windleburn in the Pontiac GTO convertible.
I have a certificate naming Robin as the winner of E/gas.
pic courtesy of Robin Tanner.

http://i42.tinypic.com/4puvpk.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

What sort of times was it doing Bruce? Must have been in the 12s?

[John McKechnie]

Bruce- this is 19 January 1975, was this before the very wet GP meeting at Puke ?

[Bruce302]

What sort of times was it doing Bruce? Must have been in the 12s?

No time slips but typically the circuit sedans were doing mid to low 12's.

Bruce- this is 19 January 1975, was this before the very wet GP meeting at Puke ?

This was the week after the Jan 12th Pukekohe GP meeting, and the same day as the Wigram event, the 3rd of the 4 Peter Stuyvesant NZ meetings that made up the local part of the trans Tasman series.
Bruce.

[225sloper]

I'm loving all these old clippings you've been posting up here sloper. Interesting to see the Kennard Cortina in its early guise with the different paint scheme and no big rear wing. Looks good like this!

No problem guys,its all history and every little bit helps . . Love this site.

[Lindsay G]

From the Feb 89 HRM.finished up getting a 14.3 @ 100 mph.23941

[SPman]

Yes, he did, I spent the day with him and have some great material.
Bruce.
Did Robin tanner used to work for the Post Office as a Clerk of Works? We did a job down at Paengaroa, laying telephone cable, and I'm sure the CoW was Robin tanner - I'm sure he said he had a Firebird he raced......