Photos: The Steve Twist Collection - Part 7

[Steve Holmes]

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OK, new collection here from Steve Twist. As most of you will have seen from the older collections posted on this site, Steve began snapping photos in the mid-1960s as an amateur enthusiast, while living in New Zealand. He continued on into the early '70s, before taking a break, returning in the early '80s before moving to the US where he still resides.

This latest batch are all production touring car related, and all from the Benson & Hedges endurance series, which replaced the single 500 mile race, that had traditionally been held at Pukekohe since the 1960s. The last 500 mile B&H race was held in 1980, and won by Rod Coppins/Jerry Clayton, in a Holden Commodore SL/E.

From 1981, the B&H endurance classic became a 3-race series, taking place at Pukekohe, Bay Park, and Manfeild, all North Island race tracks. The first season was a closely fought contest between the hottest (for want of a better term!) locally assembled production cars; the Ford Fairmont Ghia, and Holden Commodore SL/E. Remember, only New Zealand assembled cars could enter the large capacity class, and although neither the Fairmont Ghia nor the Commodore SL/E were ever intended to go motor racing, they were the best local option available. The Fairmont Ghia was powered by a 302ci V8, the Commodore SL/E a 308ci V8. Both featured automatic transmissions.

After the 1981 series was won by Leo Leonard in his Fairmont, General Motors New Zealand decided up the game, and took advantage of a loophole which required only 25 homologation models be locally produced to be eligible for the series. And so GM-NZ, through their competition department, headed by Robin Curtis, set about building a small production run of just 30 special SS Commodore's, specifically designed to win the B&H series. Peter Brock was brought in as a hands-on consultant, and his company supplied some of the parts. The Commodore's featured a 4-speed manual gearbox, limited slip diff, stiffer suspension, 15" Simmons wheels, and an increase in power, by about 70Kw.

Unsurprisingly, the new Commodore's cleaned up the next couple of years, eventually requiring a rule change to further open up the regulations, and bring the Fords back into contention.

Steve's photos cover both that 1981 season, and then the following two seasons, and are all based at Pukekohe. He has focused more on the outright contenders, and in particular, the Commodore's.

Its not a big collection, only 20 photos, but they still capture this interesting period in NZ production car racing, as the long-held concept of racing strictly stock-standard vehicles was coming to an end.

[hilstwist]

IS IT JUST ME? i CAN ONLY GET ONE PHOTO IN THIS.i wanted to ask if anyone knew who was racing the Statesman and how it did in the race?

[Steve Holmes]

Sorry Steve, my fault, I've been away working on a book the last couple of months, things have been a bit hectic. I'll continue with your collection in the next couple of days.

[seaqnmac27]

IS IT JUST ME? i CAN ONLY GET ONE PHOTO IN THIS.i wanted to ask if anyone knew who was racing the Statesman and how it did in the race?

John Windelburn??

[Rod Grimwood]

John Windelburn??


Think John was in a Premier

[Steve Holmes]

Here is the Statesman in question. Pretty sure this is the Windleburn/Windleburn car?

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[Rod Grimwood]

Here is the Statesman in question. Pretty sure this is the Windleburn/Windleburn car?

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I get mixed up with the Statesman and Premier.
Yep that looks like the old fella, second thoughts it may be Shane driving, ah buggered if I know with them. Be a lot easier to tell now. May be worth a thread on John and his history one day, he been around a wee bit.

[Steve Holmes]

Here is an email I received today from Shane Windleburn about the Statesman:

Steve Noticed that Statesman picture on the website. I think that would be the 1981 B&H. We did run it in the 1982 B&H as well but it developed a bad oil leak after an hour or so, and we had to abandon it. We finished the 1981 race, but it had brake troubles, and that cost a bit of time, along with the fuel churn that we used, that was Phil Kerrs, which was worse than dreadful, it was so slow. It was good fun though. The car was a bit soft, but it was fast and could pass the Commdores down the back straight, but had to brake early because the pedal was so soft. It also got fuel surge when the level was low. I wish we had some of the knowledge then that we have garnered in the time since, as that was a good car choice for Puke’ circuit, and could easily have been on the pace. Good days back then

[Steve Holmes]

OK, here are some new updates to this thread. Steve took pics from the B&H endurance series over the span of about three years, from what I can tell. So I'm going to try and put these in some sort of order. I'm afraid I don't have any written material to hand that can help ID the cars from the 1981 series, as follows, so if anyone can jump in here and help, that would be great.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

This one I do know: Radisich/Radisich

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[hilstwist]

I am pretty sure that its Tim Bailey who was the owner of Continental car services, driving the red Golf. I really liked to watch the racing at that old part of the circuit. The Statesman has just exited the loop.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Steve, that little VW must have seemed quite exotic compared to the usual Falcadores and Japanese econo-boxes.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Rod Grimwood]

I am pretty sure that its Tim Bailey who was the owner of Continental car services, driving the red Golf. I really liked to watch the racing at that old part of the circuit. The Statesman has just exited the loop.

Statesman onto back straight i would ahve thought, but bloody great photos.

[John McKechnie]

Statesman onto back straight i would ahve thought, but bloody great photos.

Rod- you are correct pix#6 and 7 are Statesman , they had their own style rear quarters, Premier had usual sedan

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod- you are correct pix#6 and 7 are Statesman , they had their own style rear quarters, Premier had usual sedan


Right John, was really trying to work out the position on track, out of Railway onto back straight had fence like that, but think similar fence from loop upto Railway, but can not remember the concrete strip on loop during club circuit.

[seaqnmac27]

So the majority of these are from 1980/81? or 81/82? I am guessing the latter as there is, what appears to be, a Yellow first generation Ford Laser in the background of #17.The Telstar would be 83/84? I have a vague memory that October 83 was the Telstars competition debut, this would be Dave McMillan given the number in #12, if I am right, then I think Dick Johnson also drove one, I have a very vague memory that his car was #43

[seaqnmac27]

Nope completely wrong, #12 is 83 but drivers are Phil Myhre and Dave Slater.

[seaqnmac27]

I am pretty sure that its Tim Bailey who was the owner of Continental car services, driving the red Golf. I really liked to watch the racing at that old part of the circuit. The Statesman has just exited the loop.


Tim Bailey and Paul Curin?

[Grant Sprague]

Half right , Dick & Gary.. shared a ford telstar & won their class ...... the ford was prepared by Ray Stone.....

[hilstwist]

On second thoughts I think I remember taking them coming on to main straight? I was surprised to get in that possie as it was restricted and i now remember expecting someone to come and tell me to piss off!Can anyone identify any of the blue Commodores and the Auckland Gold Bullion car {gold}

[Steve Holmes]

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Thanks to Shayne Windleburn for confirming this is from the 1981 race. This sounds right to me as General Motors New Zealand built their special batch of 30 SS Commodores specifically for this series in 1982. Shayne has also confirmed the leading Commodore in this photo is George Bunce, with (probably) David Oxton chasing in the GM Dealer Team car.

[Steve Holmes]

Brilliant shot here of the Statesman getting all crossed-up.

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[Steve Holmes]

This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.

The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.

In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!

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[Steve Holmes]

Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.

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[seaqnmac27]

This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.

The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.

In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!

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The car in 5th is the Lorimer/Lawrence Escort

[seaqnmac27]

Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.

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Would be probably 83 Steve because of the Telstar, It may be the Myhre/Slater car previously shown looking at the colours. Will have a look at the relevant Motoring News issues.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks heaps for this Sean. I do have a couple of photos taken from the same spot in the 1983 race, so wasn't sure where the 626/Telstar image fitted in.

[seaqnmac27]

This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.

The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.

In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!

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Brock Oxton, Wilkinson Chrichton, Rod McCallum Wayne Jones, Janson Hulme, Morton Lowe would probably be the 5 Commodoreas and Bruce and Wayne Anderon in the Fairmont. The fastest Fairmont was Gary Sprague and Leo Leonard, but they refused to take part in the one lap dash for qualifying so started 10th.
Interestingly it was a fastest 14 in that one lap 'Hardies Heroes' style dash.
From the other pic, it would definitely be 83 as this race held 14/11/82 still had Cortinas, plus, now I will stand to be corrected here, but the 626 wasn't introduced, like the Telstar till early 83. Essentially the same cars of course.

[seaqnmac27]

Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.

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The only 2 626 teams I can find from 83 are Graeme Bowkett/Bill Leckie and Ken King/Alwyn Marshall. I would add that I do not have the Pukekohe issue of Motoring News, rather the Manfield one.

[Steve Holmes]

Great work Sean, many thanks.

[Steve Holmes]

Now, more from the 1983 series (1983/84 NZ racing season). Although the series is still being dominated by the SS Commodores, now most teams have painted them up in their sponsors colours, rather than just applying sponsors decals to the standard SS colour scheme as had been the case the previous year.

This is the Neville Crichton/Wayne Wilkinson car.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is the Ray Smith/Denny Hulme AC&B Commodore which won the 1983 series.

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[Steve Holmes]

Now, I assume this is Trevor McLean?

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[Steve Holmes]

Mike Price, current owner of the Janson/Hulme GM Dealer Team SS Commodore from the 1982 series has confirmed that this is the Midgley brothers car leading here. The Midgley's bought the car following the 1982 season. I need to ask Mike what the situation was with the Midgley's. They're Mormons, and therefore couldn't attend the racing on either Saturday or Sunday. It could be that they missed Saturday qualifying at each event. But they were very competitive in this car.

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[fullnoise68]

Now, I assume this is Trevor McLean?

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That`s right Steve, this, and another previous side on photo earlier in the thread, is the Trevor McLean / Alan Kemp `Papakura Wreckers' Commodore. The day Alan Kemp got his competition licence on the club circuit in his V8 Chevette was one of the best out of control saves I have ever seen! Rod Grimwood may have been there, but Kempy was late getting out for his race, and by the time he came around by Railway to head back towards the stables he couldn`t see any of the other cars in his race. So thinking they must be doing another warm up lap, he gives the Chevette a real shoeful..... only to arrive at the corner of the stables to find his opposition lined up in their starting order, right in front of him! What could have been a horrendous crash turned into one of the funniest `chase the steering wheel' demonstrations I have ever seen. The late Noel Goodwin was rolling around on the ground beside me pissing himself with laughter.
Graham Mortenson, in his official capacity, couldn`t see anything funny at all! Definitely a bit of humour!

[Rod Grimwood]

Yep, remember that, we all looked in the mirror in unisone, and I know I thought 'What the f$^k is Kempy up too'. Steve that Chevette was a hard case thing, and would have been a handfull any way but with Kempy it was never staright. The officials frowned on some of the behaviour back then, like the time I backed out onto the grid and 'Qacker" comes up and asked what was going on and I answered 'you said it was a reverse grid start' another telling off, but Goody loved it (he dared me) Good days then.

[seaqnmac27]

Did Kemp take the Chevette down to Ashley Forest?

[fullnoise68]

Did Kemp take the Chevette down to Ashley Forest?

Yes he did and the late Kim Austin drove it. In later years Kim also drove Don Hickmans Donovan V8 powered Starion there as well.

[Steve Holmes]

That`s right Steve, this, and another previous side on photo earlier in the thread, is the Trevor McLean / Alan Kemp `Papakura Wreckers' Commodore. The day Alan Kemp got his competition licence on the club circuit in his V8 Chevette was one of the best out of control saves I have ever seen! Rod Grimwood may have been there, but Kempy was late getting out for his race, and by the time he came around by Railway to head back towards the stables he couldn`t see any of the other cars in his race. So thinking they must be doing another warm up lap, he gives the Chevette a real shoeful..... only to arrive at the corner of the stables to find his opposition lined up in their starting order, right in front of him! What could have been a horrendous crash turned into one of the funniest `chase the steering wheel' demonstrations I have ever seen. The late Noel Goodwin was rolling around on the ground beside me pissing himself with laughter.
Graham Mortenson, in his official capacity, couldn`t see anything funny at all! Definitely a bit of humour!

Thanks Steve, great story!

[Steve Holmes]

Can anyone help ID the owner of this car? This is the 1983 series, so this SS Commodore is quite rare in that it still retains its factory paint scheme.

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[fullnoise68]

Steve, I would say with `Shotover Jet' on the car, Jim Boult from Queenstown would have had something to do with it, or would at least know whose it was. At a guess it may be Rod Collingwood, possibly Trevor Crowe?.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Steve, thats a good point. There is also another shot of the car from the back showing its licence plate. Maybe the driver can be ID'd from the rego number?

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Last photo in this collection, folks! This is the Robbie Francevic/John Morton Commodore SS during the 1983 season. They finished second in the championship behind the Smith/Hulme SS. Francevic and Morton teamed up for a couple of seasons, moving on to a Falcon XE the next year, before then going their separate ways when Francevic teamed up with Michel Delcourt in the Mark Petch owned Volvo 240T and Morton teamed up with Frank Sytner in the BMW at the 1985 Wellington Street Race. Incidentally, it was these two drivers who fought over the lead during the closing stages of that race.

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