Laser Sport series- Info?

[Mike Price]

It would seem that this series has all but been forgotten now. I'm hoping that some of you might be able to help me.
I have recently purchased a TX3i which I have been lead to believe was a race car from early on and I'm wondering if perhaps it was a Laser Sport series car or B&H car.
Are there any results/photos out there?? Any information would be great. CheerS!!

[Mike Price]

I understand it was also owned by Richard Lester and may have been one of his driving school cars? Is Richard on here??

[conrod]

Memory is a bit vague, but I thought the TX3i was the facelifted version, and the Laser Sport was the first generation? Our prime minister of the day David Lange raced in the Laser Sport series.

[Shoreboy57]

Mike - yes he is

[seaqnmac27]

The Laser Sport series initially replaced the Escort Sport series, I am guessing, in 1982 or 83. The 1979 Escort series, I will check, also had Desire Wilson as a guest driver.

[Growler]

I remember that series with David Lange coming last...ummm racing with the pack.
I did a quick google search and only found this.
http://www.motorsport.org.nz/content/discontinued-race-championships

[Mike Price]

I remember David Lange racing one, did he just do one round or the series?

[Kwaussie]

Lange was a bit like Kevin Rudd - had to be on the Auckland TV News every night.
Low point in NZ Motorsport - now if Len Brown raced off with John Banks in the ill fitting undergear that would be about the same!

[Mike Price]

Ha Ha, A bit of Winston Peters telling the flag marshall that he has waved the flag wrong.

[Malcolm McLeod]

I'm sure Johnsy (Neil Johns) used to race one before he got his Corolla, you might want to contact him Mike, he might know something.

[Rod Grimwood]

I remember David Lange racing one, did he just do one round or the series?


He did a few races. Nickname was mobile chicane. There was a joke in pits that everyone should all dish in and get another (hard case bugger) competitor to T-bone at hairpin and that would solve most of the countries problems.
He had pretty good humour and laughed about some of the comments from people.

He took up 2 pit areas with his family and ontourage. Funny how it was situated very close to the ice cream store.

[John McKechnie]

Not only that , he was our Patron at the Mangere BMX Club.......and, no, no one offered him a ride on any racing bike!!!!!!!!!!

[Oldfart]

Did he enjoy his racing? Tick
Did he bring publicity? Tick
Can't all be bad!

[Rod Grimwood]

Nothing bad about at all, was good publicity stunt at time. Did bring its humour with it.

[Mike Price]

What year did they run the last B&H series?? Would any TX3's have run or is that too late?

[Kwaussie]

In an interveiw at the time David Lange said that taking part in motorsport was the first sport he had ever felt comfortable with.
He went on to say that he was overweight at school and was bullied when he tried to take part in any sort of schoolboy sport.
Motorsport gave him some sort of self worth and in his 'own way' said that having PM1 as his rego number helped!
It was sad that not more was made of his time racing - but I guess if he had started winning it would have been a very different story.

At the time I had a 'Ski Lange' sticker on my car, so I guess pollies were fair game!

[Powder]

What year did they run the last B&H series?? Would any TX3's have run or is that too late?

The B&H Endurance series in late '86 included a few TX3i's and for the following summer series ('86/'87) they had their own class which replaced the Laser Sport series from earlier years. This TX3i class is what PM Lange raced in.
In Jan '88 & '89 the summer series was sponsored by B&H, but it was mostly (only?) sprint races, so although it was called the B&H series it isn't what most people remember the 'B&H Series' as. The TX3i class raced in the Jan '88 series but not the '89 series.
So your TX3i might have had a couple of summers racing in front of the big crowds. I've had a look through the entry lists and haven't spotted Richard Lester's name amongst them so perhaps he bought the car later. I can post the entry lists if it's any help.

[Steve Holmes]

Sorry Mike, not Lasers, but these are kind of related, as the Laser Sport series superceded the Escort Sport series. Like the Laser series the Escorts put on some pretty dramatic racing. This is a photo by Graeme Bennett.

22218

[Mike Price]

The B&H Endurance series in late '86 included a few TX3i's and for the following summer series ('86/'87) they had their own class which replaced the Laser Sport series from earlier years. This TX3i class is what PM Lange raced in.
In Jan '88 & '89 the summer series was sponsored by B&H, but it was mostly (only?) sprint races, so although it was called the B&H series it isn't what most people remember the 'B&H Series' as. The TX3i class raced in the Jan '88 series but not the '89 series.
So your TX3i might have had a couple of summers racing in front of the big crowds. I've had a look through the entry lists and haven't spotted Richard Lester's name amongst them so perhaps he bought the car later. I can post the entry lists if it's any help.

That would be great thanks, I think Richard bought it later on. The rego number was mQ3590 if there are any photos floating about.

[Powder]

Manfeild B&H 19 Oct 86
22294

Pukekohe B&H 11 Nov 86
22295

Pukekohe 4 Jan 87
22296

22297

22298

22299

[Powder]

Manfeild 3 Jan 88
22300

Lyn St. James !!! ... the US Indycar driver (way before Danica). Surprised to see her name on the list.
For some reason her Wikipedia page doesn't mention TX3i racing in NZ :)

[Mike Price]

Hey thanks!! Ive been away on holiday, great surprise

[Shoreboy57]

[QUOTE=Powder;35044]Manfeild 3 Jan 88
22300

The last of Murray Starnes sponsors sounds just a bit dodgy. Mind you the waterbeds weren't much better..