The Mike Feisst Collection - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

643

Some years ago I received an email from a fellow called Mike Feisst, who’d read a few historic motor racing magazine articles I’d written, and wanted to send me some cd’s containing photos he’d taken that I might find useful. To any historic anorak, these sorts of emails are pretty exciting, as no matter how large or small the collection, there is always something of use.

Eventually, the cd’s turned up, and to say I’d underestimated the extent of Mikes collection, would be a massive understatement. Mike (Roaring Season member kiwi285) is a racing enthusiast like no other. He is still as passionate about racing now as he was as a youngster in the ‘60s, and is always accompanied by his trusty camera hanging around his neck.

Mike’s cd’s span the late ‘60s through the early ‘80s, and include everything from Tasman cars, to Formula 5000, and the formative years of Formula Atlantic/Pacific, of which the early cars are some of the most beautiful race cars ever built. Also included are several junior formula, plus saloons, including Group 5, and Sports Sedans, and Australian Improved Production, from his visits across the Tasman. And there is also a smattering of Sports Car shots, rallying, and even a few hot rods.

I’ll be posting Mike’s entire collection from each of the cd’s, of which there are five. Each cd will receive its own separate thread, just so nothing gets lost in the sheer scale of the collection. Also note, the photos are posted in the order they’re saved on each cd, so are not in chonological order.

It’ll take some time to post the entire collection, so be patient, but its worth the wait.

[Steve Holmes]

645

647

646

648

649

[Steve Holmes]

650

652

651

654

653

[Steve Holmes]

655

658

659

656

657

[Steve Holmes]

660

662

663

661

664

[Steve Holmes]

665

667

666

669

668

[Steve Holmes]

670

673

674

671

672

[Steve Holmes]

675

676

677

679

678

[Steve Holmes]

680

682

681

684

683

[pallmall]

Thanks Mike for allowing these to be posted and Steve for posting them. Almost makes up for all my early stuff being lost.
Wow, what a trip down memory lane.

[Steve Holmes]

Almost, but not quite. Your collection would have been fantastic to see Gavin.

[Steve Holmes]

689

687

686

685

688

[Steve Holmes]

694

692

691

690

693

[Steve Holmes]

695

698

699

696

697

[Steve Holmes]

This is the last batch for Part 1 folks, but stay tuned for Part 2 as soon as I get time to resize them all.

707

705

704

706

[Bruce302]

Fantastic. Thanks Mike for the great photos and especially allowing us all to share them.

Thanks to Steve for the scanning and uploading, that is a ton of work.

Bruce.

[GD66]

I don't think it would be in any way an exaggeration to say, "Bloody Hell !"

Thanks for sharing !

[Steve Holmes]

We're just getting warmed up boys, got another four parts to go. Fortunately Bruce, Mike already had them on cd, so all I've had to do is re-size them. Still takes a bit of time though. Theres quite a lot of them.

[RSROGER]

My Jaw dropped when I was privaliged to receive a copy of these photos off Mike a couple of years ago, Mike is a true Motorsport enthusiast and these photos are some of the best period images I have ever seen especially as they cover our local scene and the international imports that we all remember so well. You can see as many of these cars in a current restored classic race shot as you want, but these period shots are so superior in every way. Having seen most of Mikes collection I can assure you that you are all in for a treat as Steve uploads them. Well done Mike and thanks for sharing them, they are truly amazing.

[Murray Maunder]

My jaw dropped when I saw this collection. It brought back so many memories of Baypark and Puke and in some way revived my memories of cars and drivers and races in that colourful era. Thanks so much to Mike for having the dedication to keep and then "digitise" the films, and for making them available to us through this terrific forum. Outstanding!

[kiwi285]

Hi Guys, I am more than happy to share these photos with everyone. I must admit that I still enjoy loking thru them again and catching up with background info that I have missed before. It very interesting to look at the backgrounds as well to see the what things were like 40 odd years ago (vehicles, clothing etc).

Looking at some of the other photos that have appeared I have wondered if I was actually standing beside the other photographers. I hope that these will encourage other so share their photos so that we can all gain knowledge and enjoyment from them all. What is the use in having them and never sharing them. As usual now I wish I had taken many more, but at the time I couldn't afford more than about two 36 exposure 35mm films per weekend.

Cheers Mike

[Greg Stokes]

655

658

659

656

657

With regards to the Kirk F. White open wheeler - I emailed Kirk as I got to know him a few years ago while in the USA. He had just had SO-CAL Speed Shop finish him a '32 roadster. He was blown away to see these pics and this site for that matter - he said the trip was arranged via one phone call. I have asked a few more questions so stay tuned.....

[kiwi285]

Amazing that someone knows someone who knows the driver of a car from 40 odd years ago. Great work, would be interested to hear what he has to say

[Grant Sprague]

Thanks Mike ............. great photos , love them all , especially Roly,s car

[graham donaldson]

what a great selection of photos.thanks.graham

[Grant Sprague]

Mike enjoy your time in Europe..........will be thinking of you at Goodwood speed fest ...dont forget to sample the English beer in Chichester next door village just to the south ps some pretty nuses there lol, mind you that was 30 plus yr ago .. Grant

[Rod Grimwood]

Mike you deserve a good trip mate, enjoy and keep me updated. Any lady approach's you looking like a ex nurse and asking 'do you know Grant' just look straight ahead and reply 'no'

Cheers

[Jeff]

25145

I spotted this photo of Bob and John Couch's Escort taken at Mystery Creek in '78.
Mike Marshall was driving the car for the Motogard event as Bob had been in the States and wasn't sure if he would have time to prepare for the rally when he returned ( although he did return and drove Stu McBride's Escort ).

I asked Bob to send me his memories of this photo and he thankfully obliged...

" Memories indeed !
I had been in the States & got back about 2 weeks
before the start of rally nz
by which time MM had the drive of my car with my bro as co-driver. They
were running really well
until Mystery Creek where MM decided on a shortcut & was according to
brother John going real quick when they went in as MM had accelerated hard upon sighting
the ditch to apparently
try for the big jump ... didnt work! John was a couple of days in
hospital as was the car.
I got to drive Stuart McBride's 2 litre escort -starting car #76 (last car)
as a late entry. I actually
believe we went onto being in 7th
place overall on the second
day,despite visiting a farm through a fence somewhere outside Puke, when
the front struts on Stu's
car suddenly cried enough and we skidded to a halt on the sumpguard on
some gravel road down
country. Despite this it was one of my most enjoyable and memorable
events.
Im sure it was for
Stuart too !! "

[Kwaussie]

With regards to the Kirk F. White open wheeler - I emailed Kirk as I got to know him a few years ago while in the USA. He had just had SO-CAL Speed Shop finish him a '32 roadster. He was blown away to see these pics and this site for that matter - he said the trip was arranged via one phone call. I have asked a few more questions so stay tuned.....
Kirk F. White has a great ebook going, here is a link http://www.dontwashmine.com/ - it is copyright so careful where you post it.
Best to read only.
It is up to chapter 11 with more to come after July 12.

[Oldfart]

I have spent nearly all day reading that "Don't Wash Mine". Thnaks for posting the link, it's fantastic.

[Kwaussie]

My wife read it first and kept saying 'you have got to read this - it is great and you will really enjoy the way Kirk tells his story'
I got around to reading about two months ago and like you kept up for a day and a half. Very good story with a connection to New Zealand racing.

[Kwaussie]

Two more chapters added since end of June - great stuff!
http://www.dontwashmine.com/

[Oldfart]

Brilliant, yet again! I am waiting for the next chapter!

[Kwaussie]

OF - Chapter 15 is in, have you seen it?
It is very, very good!
Cheers

[khyndart in CA]

Laguna Seca. August 2016.
The name of Kirk F. White on one of the best looking cars there. Sunoco Penske 1970 Ferrari 512M.
37225

(Ken Hyndman photo )

[Terry S]

Laguna Seca. August 2016.
The name of Kirk F. White on one of the best looking cars there. Sunoco Penske 1970 Ferrari 512M.
37225

(Ken Hyndman photo )

I remember in a Sports Car Graphic mag of the time a detailed description of how much work the Penske Team did to bring up to their acceptable standard. This included things like completely rewiring the car. It impressed me at the time just how professional they were.

[Steve Holmes]

I remember in a Sports Car Graphic mag of the time a detailed description of how much work the Penske Team did to bring up to their acceptable standard. This included things like completely rewiring the car. It impressed me at the time just how professional they were.

Yes you're right Terry. Mark Donohue gives a fascinating account of the struggles the Penske team had with this car in his book. They received very little support from the factory, even though they were paying full retail for replacement parts. The parts were slow in coming, or didn't arrive at all. They were constantly frustrated, but they regularly out-paced the factory cars.