Photos: The Ian Peak Collection - Part 3

[Steve Holmes]

19007

It's been a while since I finished uploading Part 2 of the Ian Peal Collection, so figured it was time I got started on Part 3. This part centres mostly around the 1970 racing season, in New Zealand, and at Teretonga, the worlds most southern race track.

The images Ian captures here are completely fascinating, as much for the background, including the incredible make-shift grandstands built by the local race fans, as for the cars themselves.

Most of the images were taken during the Teretonga round of the 1970 Tasman Series, which was the first for New Zealand under it's newly adopted Formula A/Formula 5000 rules. There are also some fantastic saloon car rcaing photos to accompany the single seaters.

I'll ID the drivers and cars as much as I can, but as always, appreciate and welcome input from those more knowledgeable than myself.

Anyway, here it is folks, enjoy!

[Steve Holmes]

I'll kick things off here with the Lola T142 driven by Welshman, Derrick Williams. Williams qualified about mid-pack, but came through to finish a good 6th place after several of the faster cars had dropped out.

19008

[Steve Holmes]

This is Mike Goth's, much modified Surtees TS5, which qualified on the front row at Teretonga, alongside pole man Graham McRae. Goth eventually finished 3rd, behind McRae and Ron Grable. Note the crew member using the Surtees as a table to organise the roll-up tent front.

19009

[Steve Holmes]

Graham McRae's beautiful black and gold Crown Lynn McLaren M10A, which took pole position and victory at Teretonga.

19010

[John McKechnie]

This is the ultimate F5000, absolutely stunning to look at , and a total rocket ship.

[Steve Holmes]

Ron Grable was a popular figure in the 1970 Tasman Series with his much modified McLaren M10A, and its patriotic stars and stripes colour scheme. The McLaren featured a sharp nose, quite different to standard McLaren fare, and with the radiator moved to the rear. He qualified back in 8th, but worked his way forward to lie 2nd, and hunting McRae, who appeared to have the race in hand. However, the gap reduced to just 5sec, as McRae began to struggle with a sticking throttle, but then Grable also ran into trouble, as a deflating tyre slowed him, but he still finished 2nd.

Note the big Chevy Impala in the background. Did Grable send this across from the US to use while in NZ?

19011

[Steve Holmes]

What a stunner! The beautiful Lola T190 of Swede Ulf Norinder. This was the latest and greatest from Lola, and packed with an Al Bartz built Chevy. I'd read that this car was the T190 prototype, before Norinder took it over. Is this true? Also, where is the car today?

19012

[Steve Holmes]

And here he is, the man himself.

19013

[Steve Holmes]

This is the Eagle of Bill Simpson, of Simpson Performance Products fame. Simpson's company is best known for their racing safety belts, helmets, gloves, etc, but I only recently found out Simpson was also responsible for coming up with the idea of fitting a driver operated parachute to the rear of a drag car.

Simpson was a non-finisher at Teretonga, after having started 10th.

19016

[Murray Maunder]

Beautiful cars, lovely shots from a pivotal year in the Tasman series. Graham McRae was magnificent, aggressive and very hard to beat when the car was reliable. Keep those photos coming Steve.

[Steve Holmes]

Mike Campbell's Forsgrini

19024

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the distinctive Grable McLaren. Maybe someone can explain what is happening in this photo? Looks like Grable is climbing either in or out of the car in the infield. He finished the main race, was this during practice?

19025

[Steve Holmes]

The two Begg FM2's of Russell Thomsonand Geoff Mardon.

19026

[GD66]

Pierre Phillips drove #24, Steve.

Russell Thomson drove a Begg 1600.

[Steve Holmes]

Oh yeah, sorry, you're quite right.

[David McKinney]

I'd read that this car was the T190 prototype, before Norinder took it over. Is this true? Also, where is the car today?

19012
No, not the prototype. No.2.
It was written off after Ulf took it back to Europe

[Steve Holmes]

Great! Thanks David. Too bad about its fate, though.

[Steve Holmes]

Now, it was typical that there be a couple of short preliminary races, with the field split into two, prior to the main race. I suspect this image might be from the second preliminary race, as Graham McRae and Mike Goth shared the front row, from Graeme Lawrence and Kevin Bartlett, as can be seen here.

19060

[Steve Holmes]

Meanwhile, this appears to be the rolling warm-up lap for the main race. Its an amazing sight to see this full field of thundering race cars, while just off to the side of the track are all those temporary grandstands, and apparently nothing in between!

19061

[Spgeti]

The grandstands are just amazing....what neat photos

[Grant Sprague]

Spgeti...... yes so cool eh........... If you can cast your eyes at the flag marshall standing by those 44 gallon drums [which was used in that time] he would be standing on the wrong side or 2 close to them lol, probably filled with water , looks like the elbow bend that had caught many out , & look at those people looks like a time warp , not sure what year a car went into the cattle truck & trailer & people lost their life, great piks guys thank you ............

[Rod Grimwood]

Grant, bet you got a good haul of empty bottles from under those trucks for you pocket money.

[Allan]

But please note that the Mk 1 Consul from previous pictures is missing.

[Grant Sprague]

Yep , flag marshall there on warm up lap only ??. 2nd pik shows suspension cranking on cars... Roddy ummmmm you see I used to get $1 a week for cuuting fire wood , bringing up the cool & mowing lawns true story , so when we went to motor racing weekends I was hunting for empty fizzy bottles lol & I saved , my XU1 I did a few super car races in plus 3.3 victor hill climbing in early 70,s were on tik [HP] I worked at freezing works & carted hey in weekends to fund my drug habit [car racing]....... This is not a special poor me story cause I know for sure most of you did the same thing I did ok considering as you all did & do ..... but interesting eh ..... the mustang was the money eater engines now 40k a pop silly pre 65 rules dont get me going on that one lol

[Rod Grimwood]

Yep , flag marshall there on warm up lap only ??. 2nd pik shows suspension cranking on cars... Roddy ummmmm you see I used to get $1 a week for cuuting fire wood , bringing up the cool & mowing lawns true story , so when we went to motor racing weekends I was hunting for empty fizzy bottles lol & I saved , my XU1 I did a few super car races in plus 3.3 victor hill climbing in early 70,s were on tik [HP] I worked at freezing works & carted hey in weekends to fund my drug habit [car racing]....... This is not a special poor me story cause I know for sure most of you did the same thing I did ok considering as you all did & do ..... but interesting eh ..... the mustang was the money eater engines now 40k a pop silly pre 65 rules dont get me going on that one lol

Yep the old apprenticeship during day and then work in takeaway bar from 7 in evening until 1 in morning Thurs, Frid, play rugger on Saturday afo and then into shop for night and then after awhile have the money to buy a good car and then the ones you have been serving all hours, pissed, etc say ' nice car, your lucky'. Remember my old man telling me to get just a old shitter and then stop worrying about where you park etc. And he wanted his garage back.

[Steve Holmes]

Graeme Lawrence winds up the ex-Amon Ferrari on his way to a well earned 4th place.

19083

[Steve Holmes]

Grable leads Norinder, Max Stewart, and Pierre Phillips.

19084

[Steve Holmes]

Ron Grable

19289

[Steve Holmes]

Geoff Mardon in the Begg

19290

[Steve Holmes]

Neat pit photo.

19482

[Steve Holmes]

Early race battle, with Mike Goth leading Graham McRae, Kevin Bartlett, and Graeme Lawrence.

19483

[Steve Holmes]

Ummmm, a Formula Libre race, maybe? Other than Jim Boyd in the beautiful T70, who are the others?

19579

[Steve Holmes]

And again, is that Grahame Harvey in the Elfin?

19580

[John McKechnie]

Yes- in its very early colour of light blue . Probably still has the big block 396 in it

[GD66]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;31101]Ummmm, a Formula Libre race, maybe? Other than Jim Boyd in the beautiful T70, who are the others?

19579[/QUOTE ]



Well the second car is the JRM sports of Bob Hyslop, and I think the Lotus XV may be John Armstrong. Interested to find out who is the Gold Leaf-liveried #70.

[Kwaussie]

Well the second car is the JRM sports of Bob Hyslop, and I think the Lotus XV may be John Armstrong. Interested to find out who is the Gold Leaf-liveried #70.
Kelvin Cameron BT21 ?
Cheers

[Michael Clark]

Was this qualifying? G Harvey and J Boyd did not like one another - I think this was Boyd's final season...and it was all on!

[Steve Holmes]

Hey guys, thanks for that. Michael, I didn't that about Harvey and Boyd.

[Steve Holmes]

Can anyone help here with ID's?

19659

[Kwaussie]

Can anyone help here with ID's?

#67 is Graham Baker #15 is Wayne Murdoch [as seen in the pit shot your post #30 Steve, with Kelvin Cameron car #70]

[Steve Holmes]

This is Graham McRae, and his McLaren M10A, celebrating his victory parade on the back of a trailer being pulled by a tractor, having just won the Teretonga round of the 1970 Tasman Series. Ron Grable and Mike Goth are also pictured on the trailer next to McRae's car, having finished the race in second and third positions


The crowds were let out onto the edges of the track to cheer on the drivers.

19698

[Steve Holmes]

And again, moments later.

19699

[Rod Grimwood]

? is that Graeme Lawrence sitting on front leftwheel

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, looks like it Rod. Maybe he was awarded with first Kiwi resident driver home?

[John McKechnie]

If he was first Kiwi home, then he would be entitled.

[Steve Holmes]

He finished 4th outright, but I'm only making a guess he was awarded first Kiwi driver. Was McRae classified as an international driver in 1970?

[Steve Holmes]

Continuing on from the two photos posted above, the crowd here disperses as the parade lap moves on.

19798

19799

[Steve Holmes]

Some tin top action. Grady Thomson in the Monaro, who appears to be in a sort of allcomers race. John M, you'll know more about this than me, was Thomson not allowed to run in the NZ Saloon Car Championship races, or were the South Island allcomer/OSCA cars allowed IN to the NZ Saloon Car Championship race? Anyway, chasing Thomson is (I think) Gary Sprague in the orange Anglia. Who are the others?

19902

[Steve Holmes]

Red Dawson overcooks the Mustang.

19903

[John McKechnie]

Steve H- The saloons here were racing in the contravercial but highly successful Mercury $1000 Series.
Imagine racing for money now.
A.B. assures me that there is at least 30 metres between the cars and the spectators, the camera lens focusing on the cars makes the background appear closer.
No green MK 1 Consul on the road here.
Still the only colour pic I have of the car.
The colour of the pix are absolutely fantastic, the cars look as if they are right in front of us right now.
These spoil me , I want to see more............please.

[Grant Sprague]

Peter Kocis , driving ex Sprague Anglia , as he painted it orange soon after he purchased it actually it looked better in his colours. RIP Pete

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for this Grant. Are you able to help with the other drivers? The second Anglia looks like the old Fahey car?

[Steve Holmes]

Steve H- The saloons here were racing in the contravercial but highly successful Mercury $1000 Series.
Imagine racing for money now.
A.B. assures me that there is at least 30 metres between the cars and the spectators, the camera lens focusing on the cars makes the background appear closer.
No green MK 1 Consul on the road here.
Still the only colour pic I have of the car.
The colour of the pix are absolutely fantastic, the cars look as if they are right in front of us right now.
These spoil me , I want to see more............please.

Ahhh, thanks John, now it all makes sense. So this wasn't taken at the same weekend as the Tasman Series pictures above?

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of Dawson, this time being harassed by Brian Crosbie.

19967

[John McKechnie]

Steve- Yes , same weekend as the Tasman, Saloons ran their own class at the same time as Tasman
When Tasman cars went to Aus, the saloons kept racing the Mercury Series.
Following year-1971- Fahey ran Escort in NZ Saloon Car series at Wigram and the Mustang in the Mercury Series at Wigram on the same weekend.

[Grant Sprague]

Brian seemed [to me as a kid] to come out of no where , & showed a clean peer of heels , I did not know much about him . came up to Levels to prove a point in super cars .. was very fast considering .... in a firebird , Look at the attitude of Red,s car big weight change [burning outside tyres] , Brian,s car like a trained marching girl ............. Beaut piks really cool to see these thank you

[John McKechnie]

Brian bought an excellent well sorted car compliments of Dave Simpson when it was Lexington . The Firebird is a sad story, according to A.B, should have been a dream , but no and that was it.. He used to race a Renault Gordini , quite well too.He and Kocis- both fast.
I telephoned Brian to see if he had any pix of he and Grady, answer was no, gave him the TRS thread hoping he would come on board, but nothing...so far.

[Kwaussie]

The DKW Junior that he raced prior to the R8 & R10 Gordini's was a good car as well.
I do not think that Brian Crosbie bought the Escort from Dave Simpson rather it was his brother Bill.
Was his last race in the Firebird at Timaru? Great photo in Motorman at the time with wheels in the dirt but kept it together to carry on.
The Firebird was sold by W.F. and Brian Crosbie rocked up at Wigram expecting to race a new Z28 which was onsold on the eve of the race!!

[Oldfart]

The Crosbie R8 still lives in a collection in Christchurch. Possibly almost a hoarder.

[John McKechnie]

Hardly surprising it has been hoarded.
We had one of the standard Renault R10 as a family car and they were a rocket.
Do you have the specs on this Gordini , Rhys- as a genuine thing it must be a rare car, or did he modify a normal car?

[Oldfart]

Hardly surprising it has been hoarded.
We had one of the standard Renault R10 as a family car and they were a rocket.
Do you have the specs on this Gordini , Rhys- as a genuine thing it must be a rare car, or did he modify a normal car?

From what I am told, they bought a Gordini (remember no such thing as an R10 Gordini) in South America, or Mexico as they were made over there too. It was then dismantled and the mechanical bits which differed from a standard car were brought in, and assembled into a standard shell. It would not (probably) have the G strengthening bits in the shell, although they are possible to replicate. I believe it's a 1255cc 5 speed, 4 rear shock version.
Now, John, stop spending so much time on here and get out into the shed and work on the car.:cool:

[John McKechnie]

Rhys- just got back from 2 hours walking the dogs.
My panel beater was working all the time here while I was out.
When he is here, I must not be there to disturb him.
.

[Steve Holmes]

More sedan action from Teretonga. Jack Nazer in the Escort leads Grady Thomson in the Monaro, chased by Brian Crosbie and Peter Kocis in the Breadvan Anglia.

20088

[Michael Clark]

Breadvan?

[John McKechnie]

Steve- sorry mate, Kocis /Sprague not a Breadvan. Surprised Grant isnt here already.

[Steve Holmes]

Breadvan?

Sorry, my mistake, former Breadvan, this being the ex-Dave Simpson 1966 championship winner.

[Steve Holmes]

Thomson again in the Monaro, this time chasing Lyn Neilson's top-chopped Mini.

20135

[Steve Holmes]

I suspect Ian took this photo of the Teretonga car park to show how full it was, with hoards of race fans pouring in to watch the action. For us, however, 40-something years later, its really more fascinating to to view the transportation Kiwis chose at the time. I can see a Skoda, a '56 Chevy, and a couple of early Holden's but overall, its a sea of British cars. And can you find a single Japanese car in here?

20172

[grelley]

I am not sure that "chose" would be the correct word. You very much took what you could get. Very few imports and to buy a new car generally involved a waiting list or having overseas funds which favoured farmers. Whetever you drove you generally looked after. It would be quite easy to name all the cars that are in the photo, something that would be difficult to do with a carpark full of Jap imports

[seaqnmac27]

Possibly a Bluebird near the back on the right of the pic. Second last row in what could be a dark blue or gray

[Rod Grimwood]

See a black 58 Goldflash in very back right. A Mk111 Zodiac in middle, now that must have been new like Cortina in front of it.

[GD66]

Nearly every model of Vauxhall, and a mob of Hillman/Humber/Singer designs. And is that a Vanguard ute ?

And looks like a collie on the roof of that Consul 315.

[Grant Sprague]

I suspect Ian took this photo of the Teretonga car park to show how full it was, with hoards of race fans pouring in to watch the action. For us, however, 40-something years later, its really more fascinating to to view the transportation Kiwis chose at the time. I can see a Skoda, a '56 Chevy, and a couple of early Holden's but overall, its a sea of British cars. And can you find a single Japanese car in here?

20172Never thought these old cars would be worth so much now , wouldnt mind them sitting on my yard to day lol

[John McKechnie]

Grant- this is a bit like looking at Horopito Wreckers

[SPman]

Possibly a Bluebird near the back on the right of the pic. Second last row in what could be a dark blue or gray
Nah - Rootes group - possibly a Singer SM1500, or an earlier Minx/Humber 80

[Spgeti]

1967/8 Hillman Hunter and a HD/HR Holden station wagon. What year was this taken Steve ? John they don't have rust on them......

[John McKechnie]

1967/8 Hillman Hunter and a HD/HR Holden station wagon. What year was this taken Steve ? John they don't have rust on them......

Actually just making a joke that if you went past Horopito Wreckers now, the cars there are these models.
Or you could also say its like looking at the Galaxy of Cars show at Western Springs.

[Steve Holmes]

1967/8 Hillman Hunter and a HD/HR Holden station wagon. What year was this taken Steve ? John they don't have rust on them......

Bruce, I can't say with 100% certainty. Some of the photos were in folders labelled for each year, while several were just loose. The race photos that were loose can be pinned down to a particular season because of the cars and colour schemes etc, but I'm not sure about this carpark shot. It could either be 1968 or 1970. I don't think its later than that. But I notice there aren't any Escorts in the photo, and I would have thought if this was 1970 there would at least be a couple as they were pretty common.

[Robert Bailey]

And no Humber Super Snipes.

[GD66]

Good call. Same for Kingswoods, Mk 4 Zephyrs etc. It's a riveting pic !

[Robert Bailey]

I would have though that in NZ in the 60s,with her close ties to the UK,farmers ect that a few Humbers or Jaguar saloons would have been in a photo like that.

[Grant Sprague]

Either way very cool pik, I remember visiting there about t:confused:hat era in a 105 Anglia fitted with a 1200 cc Cortina engine [But yep prb about mid 60,s], it was my mums car , my 2nd car up rated from my E93 a pop , paid $150 for that one lol [the ford pop] from lawn mowing money & serving gas after school , it had a burnt out valve & needed painting , but had green leather upholstery, no hand outs in the Sprague family lol

[Steve Holmes]

I can see a couple of hot looking Ford's in there Grant, the red Anglia looks like its had the wheels widened, while further back is a beige coloured MkII Zephyr with blue stripe running across the top. These were the boy racer cars of their day!

[Steve Holmes]

A couple of quite historic Anglia's here, in the ex-Dave Simpson and ex-Paul Fahey machines, which battled like this for the 1966 NZ Saloon Car Championship. Kerry Kocis is in the ex-Simpson car, who is driving the former Fahey car? The photo is marked 'Kocis and Rutherford Anglias'. Wouldn't be Ron Rutherford would it?

20208

[John McKechnie]

Talking of 1966 and Anglias , I have been sent this gem -
Anglia with widened steels, there were probably more anglias with widened wheels than stock in southland at that time!! and as for events we did them all for the most part with the same car, raced them, hillclimbs, bent sprints, club days, gravel sprints, grass track races, snow, mud, seal, standing & flying 1/4 miles, monthly car trials that bordered on rallies ( if we had only known what a rally was in 1965?), gymkanas.

[Steve Holmes]

Superb shot here, with Dawson leading Fahey, Riley, and Collins. Fahey is pushing hard, the inside wheel is well off the deck.

20288

[Steve Holmes]

This next batch are all from Wigram, 1970, kicking off here with Fahey, Dawson, and Coppins drag racing off the line.

20289

[Steve Holmes]

And here are the same trio, battling for the lead with Dawson in front. By the end, though, it would be the Escort driver who beat all the V8s.

20290

[Steve Holmes]

And further back, the battle for the minor places, with Brian Crosbie leading John Riley, Grady Thomson, and Clyde Collins.

20291

[45DCOE]

A couple of quite historic Anglia's here, in the ex-Dave Simpson and ex-Paul Fahey machines, which battled like this for the 1966 NZ Saloon Car Championship. Kerry Kocis is in the ex-Simpson car, who is driving the former Fahey car? The photo is marked 'Kocis and Rutherford Anglias'. Wouldn't be Ron Rutherford would it?

20208

Kevin Rout ???

[Steve Holmes]

John Riley in the Mustang gets harassed by the twin-cam Escorts of Brian Crosbie and Gary Sprague. Crosbie locks a brake in his efforts to keep the pressure on Riley. The Mustang (ex-Fahey) is now in the Bowden Collection in Queensland. Where are these two very quick little Escorts now?

20325

[John McKechnie]

Spragues ended up with Stan Baird in the L&P team.
Just had this posted to me by an impeccable source-
Ex Crosbie escort went first to Henry Hammond ( Winton, north of Invercargill) as OSCA car ( Although Crosbie did a Silver Fern Rally in it on race tires ), then on to David Sharp Gore as a Rally Car with 1300cc pushrod, dont know where it went from there

[tonttu]

....
Although Crosbie did a Silver Fern Rally in it on race tires

Well not quite, it blew the engine near the end of the first stage (northern part of the Summit Road above Christchurch) of the 1970 Shell Silver Fern and wasn't seen again on the rally. Those with the magazines refer to the September 28th 1970 issue of Autonews and the November 1970 issue of Motorman.

[Robert Bailey]

Whats the history of the John Riley mustang?

[John McKechnie]

I think there may be a thread on that- Geoghegan 1965 Mustang

[Robert Bailey]

OK would explain its nice flat cornering.

[Steve Holmes]

I think there may be a thread on that- Geoghegan 1965 Mustang

No, the Geoghegan Mustang went to Rod Coppins, then Riley, but this isn't it in the photo. The Mustang in the photo is the ex-Paul Fahey Shelby built Mustang, which Riley raced after his brief time with the ex-Geoghegan/Coppins car.

[GD66]

That would still explain the flat cornering stance, Robert, as the Fahey car was a great handler.
More on Mustang ownership here :
http://www.nzmustang.com/Images/History/Racecars/NZRacecars.htm

[Robert Bailey]

Thought the same,nice set of sway bars/springs and Koni's re-valved.

[Oldfart]

Thought the same,nice set of sway bars/springs and Koni's re-valved.
I believe re-located suspension pick ups may have had a bit to do with it too??

[Rod Grimwood]

Thought the same,nice set of sway bars/springs and Koni's re-valved.

That's only part of it.

[Robert Bailey]

yep having built one up and raced another a Boss 302......lots of little things one can do.

[Steve Holmes]

What year Mustang was it you raced Robert, '69?

[beggze]

I should now that me in picture beside geoffs car on the right that was a few years ago

[David McKinney]

Is this the photo you mean?

[beggze]

yes it is George is my uncle

[Kwaussie]

beggze,
Be very proud of your uncle, he built 18 great race cars and always will be remembered in the history of New Zealand car constructors & entrants.
It would be great if you have a few family photos of your uncle George and his cars to share with the members here.
I have sent you a private message - click notifications beside your sign on name at the top of the page.
Cheers

[beggze]

I am very proud of him haven't got many photos our home burnt down a few year back

[wombat]

I worked on this car on the Australian side of the Tasman as the gofer. Bill Granger was the Chief mechanic. Brian Andrews was the 2 mechanic. They had a ton of spares. Engines wheels bodywork suspension. All in a big rent a truck. Fun times.