SKOPE & SFOS meetings @ ChCh, Levels,& Teretonga - Photo Thread.

[Jac Mac]

Well, I see friday practice times are up on mylaps, looks like good numbers for all categorys this year. Feel free to post any pics or video links that you stumble across & hopefully Dale from Tauranga will be able to contain himself this year after becoming so excited about the 'new' classic BMW Minis seen at last years events.

[car mad]

it would be nice to see a few of the north island classics continue down to Invercargill .........It amazes me that some car owners can ship their classic car overseas to aussie but cant be bothered to travel down the south island ...........

[Kiwiboss]

Well, I see friday practice times are up on mylaps, looks like good numbers for all categorys this year. Feel free to post any pics or video links that you stumble across & hopefully Dale from Tauranga will be able to contain himself this year after becoming so excited about the 'new' classic BMW Minis seen at last years events.

Im so impressed with this new form of classic racing Jac that im coming for a look myself, such a trend overseas in classic racing and that you southerners have cottoned onto it so early its a must see!!LOL

Car mad, its cheaper to ship and race in Australia than going south, I know as I've crossed to the "mainland" several times. But not only that, historic racing in Australia is more categorized hence one can race against similar cars and really Queensland is just like being in NZ anyway. And as a matter of interest, when I shipped my Mustang up to California back in 2010 it was only marginally dearer than doing all 3 rounds down south.

Over to you "Jac Mac"

Dale M

[ERC]

When I made my only trip to Invercargill there were 15 of the Auckland/North Island regulars from our own series alone competing but as Dale says, the costs for those north is huge. We could do a 14 day Baltic's Cruise (ignoring airfares) for the cost of doing one south island event. Guess which Mrs ERC would prefer?

With an ageing group of drivers (many of ours are now Gold Card holders!) and money being tight, although many would like to do the Southern series, for those who do do it, it is usually a one off event that costs more than a whole season locally.

The summer season is quite busy as it is, with grumbles from some quarters, that there is too much racing in a condensed period of time, which is why we and one or two other series, try to restrict events to six or seven a season and a month apart.

Rejoice in the difference between the cars seen in the north and the south. Dales group only do about 4 meetings a year in NZ now, so adding in a South Island event would probably mean dropping at least one of those, otherwise it is just too expensive.

[Jac Mac]

Im so impressed with this new form of classic racing Jac that im coming for a look myself, such a trend overseas in classic racing and that you southerners have cottoned onto it so early its a must see!!LOL

Car mad, its cheaper to ship and race in Australia than going south, I know as I've crossed to the "mainland" several times. But not only that, historic racing in Australia is more categorized hence one can race against similar cars and really Queensland is just like being in NZ anyway. And as a matter of interest, when I shipped my Mustang up to California back in 2010 it was only marginally dearer than doing all 3 rounds down south.

Over to you "Jac Mac"

Dale M

Maybe you need to look into just shipping the car south in a container then Dale, drop it off in ChCh & pick it up in Bluff, only thing might be that reef just out from Tauranga.:). IIRC your car seemed to lose performance down south though, perhaps our air is better quality, less polluted with BS & all in spite of the influx of NI dairy people. :) I see Mr Hoffman figuring in the mylaps.
Jokes aside, it costs just as much if not more for southerners to venture north for events and its interesting to note the difference between airfare costs from say Wgn to Akl vs Ch Ch to Inv.
Ive always wondered why MSNZ are paying for stewards & drivers observers from down our way to attend tier 1 events in the NI, do you not have suitable people in your region to do those tasks?

But enough of that, back to pics n videos fom Skope & others.

[paul lancaster]

Anyone got any formula libre footage from sfos 2013 at levels?..hope you can help

[Kiwiboss]

Maybe you need to look into just shipping the car south in a container then Dale, drop it off in ChCh & pick it up in Bluff, only thing might be that reef just out from Tauranga.:). IIRC your car seemed to lose performance down south though, perhaps our air is better quality, less polluted with BS & all in spite of the influx of NI dairy people. :) I see Mr Hoffman figuring in the mylaps.
Jokes aside, it costs just as much if not more for southerners to venture north for events and its interesting to note the difference between airfare costs from say Wgn to Akl vs Ch Ch to Inv.
Ive always wondered why MSNZ are paying for stewards & drivers observers from down our way to attend tier 1 events in the NI, do you not have suitable people in your region to do those tasks?

But enough of that, back to pics n videos fom Skope & others.

I’ve long looked in the container idea and several of the Central guys have done just this for the Cromwell/Skope club meetings hence I do know the actual cost, maybe you need to check the facts rather than blow ass here on the forum and now here you are having a go at MSNZ, WOW you no know bounds my man Jac Mac, such a wealth of knowledge(and opinion)!! But no matter the cost there will always be some guys that have enough wealth that they just don’t care, or the NI guys you currently have down there as a quick walk through the Central pits would tell you so. Unfortunately im just a broken ass mechanic and don’t have that affordability hence I do my historic racing where I see the most value for money and this is usually at proper controlled historic events with regulations like the recent Ferrari Festival or in Australia. I see you mention Mr Hoffman on mylaps, not sure if this is a typo or what but doesn’t everyone at this weekend’s Skope club event feature on mylaps???

I gotta ask Jac, for such a knowledgeable guy when did you last race?

:) Dale M

[Jac Mac]

Dale, I dont know why your crying croc tears about being a broken ass mechanic, I reckon Ive got a few years more than you on that score!
Was not having a go at MSNZ, just questioning the expense of flying people the length of the country to perform tasks that could be done by someone in the area, do you not care about how your club membership $$ are spent?
When did I last race ~ in a Southern 200 endurance event somewhere in the early eighties IIRC, that was a one of as I had sold the OSCA Cortina in 82 and it had been parked up for a year or two then.

[crunch]

Dale, I dont know why your crying croc tears about being a broken ass mechanic, I reckon Ive got a few years more than you on that score!
Was not having a go at MSNZ, just questioning the expense of flying people the length of the country to perform tasks that could be done by someone in the area, do you not care about how your club membership $$ are spent?
When did I last race ~ in a Southern 200 endurance event somewhere in the early eighties IIRC, that was a one of as I had sold the OSCA Cortina in 82 and it had been parked up for a year or two then.

Hi Jac Mac
If you are referring to the Chief Steward who attends the Summer Series (Toyota) Rounds, it is simply because he heads the Stewards panel as he has the most experience. It's just his bad luck he lives in the deep south....:o

What other ones are you concerned about?

[Jac Mac]

Hi Jac Mac
If you are referring to the Chief Steward who attends the Summer Series (Toyota) Rounds, it is simply because he heads the Stewards panel as he has the most experience. It's just his bad luck he lives in the deep south....:o

What other ones are you concerned about?

Hi Crunch, no it was not the Chief Steward, but one of the 2? driving standards observers for NZV8's in past years, currently a member of your Historic Committee IIRC, possibly others that Im not aware of. This will probably cop me a lengthy visit from the said person!:)

[fullnoise68]

Jac Mac, a lot of us guys running in HMC would love to come down south to run at a couple of classic meetings and get to experience some of that fine southern hospitality, and with the South Island interest in our class that makes it more of a possibility. But, we are about getting a good grid together of period correct big bangers first and foremost so we can put on a show for the punters, and believe me, they appreciate what we have achieved as a group so far. Trust me, the day HMC rocks up in your neck of the woods, you`ll be impressed!

[Jac Mac]

Jac Mac, a lot of us guys running in HMC would love to come down south to run at a couple of classic meetings and get to experience some of that fine southern hospitality, and with the South Island interest in our class that makes it more of a possibility. But, we are about getting a good grid together of period correct big bangers first and foremost so we can put on a show for the punters, and believe me, they appreciate what we have achieved as a group so far. Trust me, the day HMC rocks up in your neck of the woods, you`ll be impressed!
I will look forward to that, Im apparently very hard to impress these day's:)
Basicly I think the concept of HMC is a good one, I just feel that many folks conception of a Muscle Car would suggest that you could spread the net a bit wider, where do I get that from, not from me but the number of folk who have considered racing in your series until they find out that the car they have in mind is not eligible and the only answer I can give is that your group has decided they wont be, call it drawing a line in the sand whatever.
However I look forward to your appearance, dont be shy & call in on your way thru gore if you have the time & convince me I need to come & watch:)

[GD66]

Speaking from the outside, I think a formulated set of rules for these classes has been well overdue, a reminder of the old-time BNSW saloons vs OSCA days. All prospective participants, North or South Island-based, are encouraged to submit an outline of their proposed build and the HMC guys will determine the eligibility of that proposal : seems rational and logical. It's not a situation of us-v-them, North-v-South, or anything equally sinister.
As far as I can see, so far all the participants in this class, including the 3-litre kids, are happy to be involved under these rules, so if there's to be any probability of getting the HMC guys down South, surely a long-term goal should be established, and some constructive dialogue forthcoming. Not very constructive to jus sh1t-can a class you don't approve of/agree with.
People don't want to see a hotch-potch conglomeration of ill-defined saloons of questionable origin bashing round together, so a little more support would be welcome Jac-Mac, instead of just firing up against a bloke who's run himself ragged setting up an entire international race series off his own bat.
Just my 2c worth...

[John McKechnie]

I was hoping to see pics and read info on this event and the competitors, but only see that you dont need a boat to go fishing.
Can someone please let us know the action at this major meeting.

[Jac Mac]

+1.

[rf84]

Thank you John. A part of the title of this thread says "photo thread". Which is the reason why I started the historic racing classes thread.

[Carlo]

http://www.race-monitor.com/ Will give you live timing.
http://www.mylaps.com/en/search?q=&sport=Car&country=NZ&__ncforminfo=c3LByJqbMVoYezqYIoImkx_iZiKNKO460QzC6FinM2htLALzNFmOFk9H0jpyG_vZ_STDyk45sHVCQLUUmTzwl39XzQWtCVVz2YHVtJdGCCCQSIFmIVgPIC22OivHrhspsAVj1m7ZmmY1ryVSmmbjwqfG87shpeQFfKaeCQ3vwYlYjq4249P7t5qIvGhDpVIuXdKXBGGDYoOOLFEAF-GfeGvuGWTiEPE9Da_A_t3YtM0%3D will give you results

Hopefully some kind person will post photos tonight

[CUSTAXIE50]

How did last weekend pan out for you Kiwiboss.

[Jac Mac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vGfmqKunk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BxmSVg7nDQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ngngpQF78o

[car mad]

thanks for sharing Jac Mac .this is what I "be moaning" about missing out on :-)

[bry3500]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reu3wv6PscI

[AMCO72]

Well, apparently Carlo there are no kind people in ChCh who are going to post photos on this thread. Or maybe there are no RS members in ChCh who were there.

It could be, that as several photographers on the roaringseason have pointed out, photography opportunities at most tracks round NZ are dismal, unless you are an approved operator, or have a media pass to allow you access to parts of the track denied to most of us.

This is where HD scores so well, even though as a regular spectator, a bit of leg work is required.

There were some good battles going on in most of the classes at Skope, but the closest finishes were with the Harold Heasley saloons where the Sylvester Chev and the Amco mini crossed the line in two of the races with less than a 1/4 of a second between them. The Chevy having just too much grunt down the front straight. Hope someone has this on film.

[Shoreboy57]

AutonewsNZ's facebook page reported excellent crowds and has some great pics. If that was the case hopefully more pictorial coverage to follow. By the look of it some really interesting machinery which I would love to see in action, so I'm thinking one weekend at Hamptons and one at Ruapuna next year (for me).

[bry3500]

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279152852237812.1073741936.238723802947384&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279140265572404.1073741934.238723802947384&type=1

[Snoozin]

I have about a zillion shots from the Skope Classic, just got back into Auckland now I have to go to my day job... will post some later this week.

I had fun. Nice laid back feel to the meet, bunch of good buggers just fanging their cars around Ruapuna.

Cheers, Richy

[Rod Grimwood]

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279152852237812.1073741936.238723802947384&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279140265572404.1073741934.238723802947384&type=1


Bry, where you there, and if so bugger because would have liked to catch up.

Big fields, interesting cars and with interesting extended grid starts on Sunday that made for some good stuff. Most behaved and gave each other room and was a good show put on by 'Central' crews.

Have some static photos, but just got home so will be a bit.

[bry3500]

I wasn't there Rod, just watching with much interest from over here. What was the story with that Breadvan Anglia? Yes, it would be great to have a catch up mate, any plans of coming over to Phillip Island this year?

Bry, where you there, and if so bugger because would have liked to catch up.

Big fields, interesting cars and with interesting extended grid starts on Sunday that made for some good stuff. Most behaved and gave each other room and was a good show put on by 'Central' crews.

Have some static photos, but just got home so will be a bit.

[CUSTAXIE50]

Still trying to work out what this gent said after saying ,Well,Well,Well after the Custaxie went passed him can anyone put some light on what he said.The car looked good out there and sounded like she was running on full song,we may get to see this car at manfeild this weekend.

[John McKechnie]

Custaxie50- have given him an invite for our Legends of Speed, March29-30

[CUSTAXIE50]

It looked like a good meeting,i see HD is running a meeting on the same dates,the thing is can you tell me what this gent said thanks.

[Snoozin]

Here's a start:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/12284489585_6759c4023a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284489585/)
IMG_7006 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284489585/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/12285249664_21530f0925_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12285249664/)
IMG_5397 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12285249664/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/12284808115_f1c90be30e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284808115/)
IMG_5529 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284808115/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/12284826595_bea467916b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284826595/)
IMG_6879 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284826595/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/12284826325_34324a50b1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284826325/)
IMG_6915 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12284826325/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/12285044906_d057e1b3f8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12285044906/)
IMG_6719 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12285044906/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, superb photos Richy! I love the shot of the two Jags. But the PDL II shot with the Don Grindley Buick V6 RX7 is just fantastic! What great cars those are.

[crunch]

I remember the Prince/Hourigan Package Express Jag at the Wellington Street Race (first or second one) parked up in the concrete wall by my flag point.

[Racer Rog]

Weather fine and clear at Levels this morning, big crowd of racers aready camped onsite. Documentation started yesterday and have audited about 30 cars so, people just starting to move around the site and have breakfast, so far no problems, while all not quite going to plan still all good

[stirlingmac]

I remember the Prince/Hourigan Package Express Jag at the Wellington Street Race (first or second one) parked up in the concrete wall by my flag point.

LIke this???? 23579

[crunch]

LIke this???? 23579

Yep! And the noise it made about a second later when it slapped the concrete wall fully side on and facing the wrong way.....ewww

[crunch]

You can see the damage on the left rear that it incurred when it hit the wall on the outside of the kink about 3 seconds before this photo was taken and it ended up against the wall in your photo which was on the outside. That corner also claimed Graham Camerons (CanAm Construction) flash Porsche 944 the same day and a Commodore that I cant remember the driver of...

[Jac Mac]

More pics, I see the black fastback anglia that someone was asking about appears to have a Ford Smallblock in it

http://oldschool.co.nz/2011/forum/index.php?/topic/42256-2014-skope-classic-ruapuna-chch-pics-thread/

[4cam]

Here are a few images from the Skope meeting
235912359223593235942359523596

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LWkNMNGUwk

[4cam]

A few more
235972359823599236062360723608

[Oldfart]

Great pics, thanks

[4cam]

And some muscle cars236002360123602236032360423605

[Frosty5]

And some muscle cars236002360123602236032360423605

How kosha is that Camaro in Cambridge colours???

[CUSTAXIE50]

Was at manfeild friday,could not have been any more boring then seeing the cars out there, that are to run in the NZ GRAND PRIX on sunday,they had them on tv last week and today running at HD, you have to be joking for what this cup stands for is this the best we can do i dont think so.We all know what we want to see cars that are in the photos above.

[ERC]

Is Dr John's Torana the same car as he raced previously, the orange one, or is this a different car?

[Jac Mac]

Going by Levels results on MyLaps there seems to be a lot of 'non-starters', any reason for this- attrition from Skope, incidents, COD compliance, whatever?

[Kiwiboss]

How kosha is that Camaro in Cambridge colours???

Belongs to Bruce Kett outta Auckland David, built to the Central rules and a cool looking car, I luv it that he hasn't put all those big spoilers and scoops on it!! Dale M

[Racer Rog]

No Compliance issues' its just about over for the weekend, sorry no photos my camera has shit itself, or seems to have battery problems, but very good racing all weekend, quite a it of mechanical attrition, could do with more of the bigger engined classes next year, our small saloons have a full grid, good support from the Rennsport Class and very good racing in the VCC and Histiric grid.
Going by Levels results on MyLaps there seems to be a lot of 'non-starters', any reason for this- attrition from Skope, incidents, COD compliance, whatever?

[Grant Ellwood]

Was at manfeild friday,could not have been any more boring then seeing the cars out there, that are to run in the NZ GRAND PRIX on sunday,they had them on tv last week and today running at HD, you have to be joking for what this cup stands for is this the best we can do i dont think so.We all know what we want to see cars that are in the photos above.

From where I have escaped to the other side of the world, the TRS series appears to be a very popular event for hungry drivers wanting to get track miles in single seaters before contesting major series in the northern hemisphere summer. There is surely room for both the historic races and the TRS series down-under and both get great write-ups in the international motorsport press. And it must be better having TRS cars racing for the NZGP trophy than Formula Fords, no disrespect to that class either. As far as spectating goes, I'm on your side Custaxie50, I attend historic racing in North America regularly, occasionally an Indy race just because Scott Dixon is there and I can wave the Kiwi flag (with the silver fern, another topic for discussion...).

[Bryan]

From where I have escaped to the other side of the world, the TRS series appears to be a very popular event for hungry drivers wanting to get track miles in single seaters before contesting major series in the northern hemisphere summer. There is surely room for both the historic races and the TRS series down-under and both get great write-ups in the international motorsport press. And it must be better having TRS cars racing for the NZGP trophy than Formula Fords, no disrespect to that class either. As far as spectating goes, I'm on your side Custaxie50, I attend historic racing in North America regularly, occasionally an Indy race just because Scott Dixon is there and I can wave the Kiwi flag (with the silver fern, another topic for discussion...).

The grids for TRS are as big as (or bigger than) I can recall seeing for the 5000s or Pacifics at Wigram, and the racing closer and more frenetic. As long as the racing is exciting, then I love 'em all - muscle cars, TRS, V8s, FFs at their best.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/th_IMG_1884_zps31d9043f.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/IMG_1884_zps31d9043f.jpg.html) http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/th_IMG_1663_zps5610f471.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/IMG_1663_zps5610f471.jpg.html) http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/Pukekohe%20V8s/th_IMG_2507_zps7052d81f.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/Pukekohe%20V8s/IMG_2507_zps7052d81f.jpg.html) http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/Pukekohe%20V8s/th_IMG_2319_crop2_zps8c9a0c91.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/Pukekohe%20V8s/IMG_2319_crop2_zps8c9a0c91.jpg.html) http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/Pukekohe%20V8s/th_IMG_2315_crop_zps4e851d2d.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/Pukekohe%20V8s/IMG_2315_crop_zps4e851d2d.jpg.html) http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/locost_bryan/Pukekohe%20V8s/th_Winterbottomtyre_zps9aa1f478.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/locost_bryan/media/Pukekohe%20V8s/Winterbottomtyre_zps9aa1f478.jpg.html)

(Apologies for hijacking the SKOPE thread with pics from the public spectator area at the Pukekohe V8s)

[Snoozin]

Nice photos 4cam! Solid pans too!

Were you the gentleman out shooting at the same time as myself and Euan on the Saturday afternoon?

Cheers, Rich

[Snoozin]

This car I think is such a fantastic looking thing... yes I realise it's a replica/tribute or whatever but golly I like the look of it.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/12405183474_b4058caf4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/)
IMG_5819 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/12406825754_71a8db587e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12406825754/)
IMG_7804 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12406825754/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/12302276235_833446c13e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12302276235/)
IMG_7953 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12302276235/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/12404743015_a2a2444ab9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12404743015/)
IMG_5557 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12404743015/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/12405206754_6d62783e39_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405206754/)
IMG_5584 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405206754/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

[Bryan]

Great photos, Snoozin. :cool:

[Kiwiboss]

[QUOTE=Snoozin;37972]This car I think is such a fantastic looking thing... yes I realise it's a replica/tribute or whatever but golly I like the look of it.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/12405183474_b4058caf4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/)
IMG_5819 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

Snoozin, thanks for the pic as that's a great looking Mustang, just looking at this picture i can see great attention to detail, hopefully its not too modernized underneath? but a replica or whatever will just do as we all know the real one can never be owned, good on them for building it. Were is it based? Dale M

[Carlo]

[QUOTE=Snoozin;37972]This car I think is such a fantastic looking thing... yes I realise it's a replica/tribute or whatever but golly I like the look of it.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/12405183474_b4058caf4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/)
IMG_5819 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

Snoozin, thanks for the pic as that's a great looking Mustang, just looking at this picture i can see great attention to detail, hopefully its not too modernized underneath? but a replica or whatever will just do as we all know the real one can never be owned, good on them for building it. Were is it based? Dale M

Mike Small, Timaru

[Steve Holmes]

This car I think is such a fantastic looking thing... yes I realise it's a replica/tribute or whatever but golly I like the look of it.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/12405183474_b4058caf4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/)
IMG_5819 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405183474/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/12406825754_71a8db587e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12406825754/)
IMG_7804 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12406825754/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/12302276235_833446c13e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12302276235/)
IMG_7953 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12302276235/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/12404743015_a2a2444ab9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12404743015/)
IMG_5557 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12404743015/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/12405206754_6d62783e39_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405206754/)
IMG_5584 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/12405206754/) by SnoozinRichy (http://www.flickr.com/people/snoozinrichy/), on Flickr

Wow, just fantastic images Richy, thanks heaps for posting these. You are a bloody talented photographer!

Whose is that red Alfa? Its fricken beautiful!

[Steve Holmes]

How kosha is that Camaro in Cambridge colours???

Dave, its a cool car, and looks great in those colours, but I don't think I'd even call it a replica. I was involved with CMC when Bruce was in the early stages of building this car. We'd just been to Aus for the first time when CMC raced at the Muscle Car Masters in 2007. Several of the Kiwi CMC cars featured replica paint schemes of famous cars from the past, and the Aussie punters really took to this, and Bruce saw this and really wanted to have the Camaro painted in a tribute paint scheme.

He and I spoke about it and he said he was thinking of doing it in the colours of the Spinner Black Camaro (Lexington). I suggested if he wanted to do a tribute paint scheme he should go with something that had won a championship, such as when Spinners Camaro went to Rod Coppins and ran in the Cambridge colours. Hence he went in that direction.

Bruce's Camaro is a '68, whereas the Coppins car was a '67. Bruce runs 17" wheels, big hood scoop etc, so its not really a replica, as other than the paint scheme it doesn't really bare any similarities to the original car. But it does look fantastic, and goes like a rocket.

[Snoozin]

Cheers Steve, the sentiment is much appreciated and I'll continue to post as long as I can get to historic motorsport!

The Alfa is Lindsay O'Donnell's according to the programme, I used to pine over this car when I was a young Alfisti!

[CUSTAXIE50]

From where I have escaped to the other side of the world, the TRS series appears to be a very popular event for hungry drivers wanting to get track miles in single seaters before contesting major series in the northern hemisphere summer. There is surely room for both the historic races and the TRS series down-under and both get great write-ups in the international motorsport press. And it must be better having TRS cars racing for the NZGP trophy than Formula Fords, no disrespect to that class either. As far as spectating goes, I'm on your side Custaxie50, I attend historic racing in North America regularly, occasionally an Indy race just because Scott Dixon is there and I can wave the Kiwi flag (with the silver fern, another topic for discussion...). You have to give it to America ,they know how to do motorsport and do it well.

[crunch]

You have to give it to America ,they know how to do motorsport and do it well.

Hi Custaxie, Im at Teretonga over the weekend and if you are there I would appreciate the opportunity to catch up and discuss your thoughts.
That goes for anyone else as well, please just come and intro yourselves and fire the comments and questions at me.
I'll be the fat guy with a MSNZ tie on!

[Jac Mac]

More pics found on old school site
http://oldschool.co.nz/2011/forum/index.php?/topic/26947-skope-classic-now-with-pics/

over two pages.

[Kiwiboss]

Enjoyed my weekend at Teretonga, caught up with a few persons and me mate JacMac, arm wrestled with him and lost(see pic) but really did enjoy catching up with you Jac, a wealth of NZ motorsport knowledge you have!! certainly the southern hospitality is a live and well and outstanding with Colin Dawson lending me his 2011 Camaro to drive!! I don't have any on track pics but sure others will have and post them. Dale M

[Kiwiboss]

Enjoyed my weekend at Teretonga, caught up with a few persons and me mate JacMac, arm wrestled with him and lost(see pic) but really did enjoy catching up with you Jac, a wealth of NZ motorsport knowledge you have!! certainly the southern hospitality is a live and well and outstanding with Colin Dawson lending me his 2011 Camaro to drive!! I don't have any on track pics but sure others will have and post them. Dale M

Pics added now!!

[richiev8]

Need to work on those guns Dale:)

[Kiwiboss]

Heres a few other pictures, yesterday the weather was fantastic, was starting to believe the sun never comes out down there?!!

Dale M

[Kiwiboss]

Motorsport scribe Allan Dick and our Historic and Classic commission chairman Crunch Bennett caught solving all MSNZ's problems. Dale M

[Racer Rog]

Pics added now!!

Now you said the photos were over exposed, but a couple of fine out standing men there, out standing in the pits!!!!
Roger

[Kiwiboss]

Shots to prove it? Teretonga's one day per year of perfect fine weather!! Dale M

[Jac Mac]

Just got back from Physio getting my shoulder put back in place... noticed Dales camera did not pic up some details etc, all fixed now:)23719

[kiwi285]

Great photos Dale and good to be able top put a face to the name and RS member.

How did the drive go Dale ?

[Grant Sprague]

Gee Guys, I wil have to read the regs & rules on this one , a bit of a weight disadvantage , a bit of horse power advantage , plus age.....a very odd set up on the two vehicles as well , looks like some one jumped the start .... hehehehe , good one guys thats what it all about ........

[crunch]

Motorsport scribe Allan Dick and our Historic and Classic commission chairman Crunch Bennett caught solving all MSNZ's problems. Dale M


Who said black was a slimming colour? Two exceptions to the rule?
How stupid was I...taking a bulky jacket to Invercargill! :cool::rolleyes:

[Jac Mac]

Went looking for you Crunch, they told me you were being treated to some southern comfort at the top story of the control tower, last time I climbed that many flights of stairs I needed oxygen so had to give it a miss!:)

[Mini.Mad]

Took nearly 1000 photos over the weekend, was luckily enough to be able to go up on the flag marshall point with the photographer for the photoshoot of the Minis
23720

This was my 4th Speedfest, absolutely love the event!

[CUSTAXIE50]

Motorsport scribe Allan Dick and our Historic and Classic commission chairman Crunch Bennett caught solving all MSNZ's problems. Dale M Allan,looks to me you are not looking after yourself, its been a number of years would have been when i came into your new office was it just down the road from Greenlane,you had just got back into nz.Before you came out Kate came out to check me over,she must have been to every town in nz at one time would that be right, hope things are coming right for you today Allan.Its been a laugh and i have had some fun over seeing Cus2 out there when i over hear others talk about the old car,i recall the first day i talked to you it was late one night on Radio Pacific and we talked about cus1.Later on you rang me and we put a story together for nz auto news may 94.All the best to you Allan.

[Kiwiboss]

Saw this Anglebox at Teretonga, very nice restoration and not over done, period under the bonnet and wheels, don't see them like this up north. Dale M

[Steve Holmes]

Just got back from Physio getting my shoulder put back in place... noticed Dales camera did not pic up some details etc, all fixed now:)23719

Ha ha ha, this is brilliant!

[Steve Holmes]

Took nearly 1000 photos over the weekend, was luckily enough to be able to go up on the flag marshall point with the photographer for the photoshoot of the Minis
23720

This was my 4th Speedfest, absolutely love the event!

Awesome photo, can you post up more? Would love to see more of the cars that were at this event.

[AMCO72]

Mini Mad.......Private message sent. [notifications]

[Rod Grimwood]

How is that Angle Box, what a darling.

[Steve Holmes]

Agreed! Beautiful little car.

[Mini.Mad]

Sorting through some of the on track photos - here's a few of them

23748

23749

23750

23751

23752

23753

[Mini.Mad]

23754

23755

23756

23757

23758

23759

[Mini.Mad]

Seeing the Ferrari F1 car running was awesome, the V12 was one sweet sound!
23760

The Vitesse crash wasn't good to see, hit the bank that hard, I felt it through the bank and I was about 20m away. Was great to see that Angus came back to see if the driver was okay
23761

[CUSTAXIE50]

I like the starlet and that cortina,is that a chick driving that mk2 cortina,you folks down that way put on some great meetings and you can see it all.This friday and saturday you fine folks in Christchurch are running the nz sidecar champs at your speedway,at last count there are 44 chairs that will be there on the night,if you want to see some wild racing thats the place to be this weekend.

[Jac Mac]

I like the starlet and that cortina,is that a chick driving that mk2 cortina,you folks down that way put on some great meetings and you can see it all.This friday and saturday you fine folks in Christchurch are running the nz sidecar champs at your speedway,at last count there are 44 chairs that will be there on the night,if you want to see some wild racing thats the place to be this weekend.
Post #66 pic #3 for photo of Dianne, Vittesse was also driven by a 'chick' ( your words not mine:) , end result of that slide was not pretty as Mini- mad pointed out. Brendan Mason also came off second best in the Camaro after a bit of a 'real estate' dispute with Inky, think I saw Dale taking a pic of that but wouldnt blame him for not posting, mainly f/glass etc which always makes things look worse than they really are, but wouldnt be surprised if its a little tweaked around the front end .)

[CUSTAXIE50]

Post #66 pic #3 for photo of Dianne, Vittesse was also driven by a 'chick' ( your words not mine:) , end result of that slide was not pretty as Mini- mad pointed out. Brendan Mason also came off second best in the Camaro after a bit of a 'real estate' dispute with Inky, think I saw Dale taking a pic of that but wouldnt blame him for not posting, mainly f/glass etc which always makes things look worse than they really are, but wouldnt be surprised if its a little tweaked around the front end .) If you get the time get along to your speedway when they are running there big sprintcar meetings,i take my hat off to the one who gets out there and knows how to drive a sprintcar and does it well.

[Kiwiboss]

Post #66 pic #3 for photo of Dianne, Vittesse was also driven by a 'chick' ( your words not mine:) , end result of that slide was not pretty as Mini- mad pointed out. Brendan Mason also came off second best in the Camaro after a bit of a 'real estate' dispute with Inky, think I saw Dale taking a pic of that but wouldnt blame him for not posting, mainly f/glass etc which always makes things look worse than they really are, but wouldnt be surprised if its a little tweaked around the front end .)

Too rite Jacmac, don't feel the need to post and I know Brendan pretty well, as bad as it looked you are correct in it was mostly fibreglass bits and he may have tweeked the front end a little but an easy fix id say, unlike the Vittesse, that one was OUCH, but as long at the girl(driver) is doing OK that's all that matters.

Mini.mad, got any of Colin Dawson's Camaro pre his little bingle saturday, lost all my sat pictures, damn camera!!

Dale M

[Mini.Mad]

Too rite Jacmac, don't feel the need to post and I know Brendan pretty well, as bad as it looked you are correct in it was mostly fibreglass bits and he may have tweeked the front end a little but an easy fix id say, unlike the Vittesse, that one was OUCH, but as long at the girl(driver) is doing OK that's all that matters.

Mini.mad, got any of Colin Dawson's Camaro pre his little bingle saturday, lost all my sat pictures, damn camera!!

Dale M

I've got one in the pits and one on track I think, also have one on track after him and the pink XU1 had the coming together

The only pre-crash photo I have of it on track, not the best shot
23782

And after it ran up the back of the XU1
23783

I also have a photo of Brendon Mason's Camaro and the Vitesse post-crash, both weren't looking too good but hopefully both will be rebuilt (the Camaro just looked like a heap of broken fibreglass)

[bry3500]

Thanks for the pics Mini.Mad. Great stuff - really cool to see the Clyde Collins Farina in there. Any more?

[Mini.Mad]

I took nearly 1000 photos over the weekend, of the pits, on track and also from the carpark (some real nice cars showed up too)

Here are a few more;

23788

23789

23790

23791

23792

23793

[Jac Mac]

Some more pics on this link, first few are 2013... http://oldschool.co.nz/2011/forum/index.php?/topic/42395-classic-speed-fest-teretonga-1516th-feb/

[ERC]

How many cars entered at the meeting? How did that compare to previous years? Just trying to get a grip on current trends.

[AMCO72]

ERC........there were about 90 competitors, give or take a couple, which compares with what was racing last time we were down there in 2010.
The breakdown is as follows.........
Classic saloons 2500cc+ 11
Classic saloons up to 2500cc 15
Vintage 9
Formula libra 11
Clubmans 24
Historic touring cars 8
Sports cars 7

As you can see some of the fields were a bit thin, but there was still some damn good racing.

[AMCO72]

Now, compare that to Skope and there is a big difference......234@ Skope

Breakdown....

Central Muscle. 33
Harold Heasley saloons 45
Mainland muscle 27
Formula libra 30
Ron Sylvester saloons [large]32
Sports & GT's 28
F5000 14
Vintage 25

Good racing here too. If you haven't raced on Teretonga, I suggest you put it on your bucket list. It is without doubt my favourite track.
As someone said....pity it's so far away.

[Mini.Mad]

Wow was it that long ago you were down? That was the first Speedfest I went to
23805

[kiwi285]

Last time I was at Ruapuna there was a gentleman running an Alan Moffat Coke Mustang look alike. Does anyone have any photos as I have lost mine of that car.

[Kiwiboss]

Now, compare that to Skope and there is a big difference......234@ Skope

Breakdown....

Central Muscle. 33
Harold Heasley saloons 45
Mainland muscle 27
Formula libra 30
Ron Sylvester saloons [large]32
Sports & GT's 28
F5000 14
Vintage 25

Good racing here too. If you haven't raced on Teretonga, I suggest you put it on your bucket list. It is without doubt my favourite track.
As someone said....pity it's so far away.

As i've found out personally Gerald, getting to Skope is one thing, getting to the bottom of the SI to Invercargill is another!! I too prefer Teretonga just wish it was a bit closer but did fly down for this event and prefer there low-key style and fantastic no stress racing, even as a visitor i had lots of fun and managed to "hob-knob" it with a famous racing driver from up north!!(yes i know but it is a big) LOL

Dale M

[Jac Mac]

Last time I was at Ruapuna there was a gentleman running an Alan Moffat Coke Mustang look alike. Does anyone have any photos as I have lost mine of that car.
Try the link on post #62 of this thread, some pics in there IIRC

[AMCO72]

For most NI people, a trip to the South Island to do the SFOS is out of the question. You really have to combine it with a holiday, as you can be away for a month or more if you do all three events. There did used to be Waimate as well, which really was the icing on the cake. Another factor to take into consideration is race car reliability, and/or accidents. These can really throw a spanner in the works if you don't have back-up down there.
We are very very fortunate in having Gary Johnston as a friend in ChCh where we can stay the night or 3, store cars and get the use of trucks, trailers, utes and whatever else is required. Gary of course has a trucking business, BRENICS TRANSPORT, so is in the business of moving things round the country.....mainly bananas, where he has a niche market. Nothing is too much trouble for Gary and his very supportive family, and I would just like to acknowledge their help during our forays in the SI. Gary of course races the TWR XJS and owns the white ex Wellington street race XJS that Angus drove at Teretonga. Was a busy lad jumping from Jaguar to Mini.

The trip from ChCH to Invercargill is a long haul.....7 to 8 hours usually, and there is a not inconsiderable cost involved, and of course the same back, then we still have to get from ChCh to Picton, across on the ferry, and then the haul from Wellington to Cambridge/Auckland. Whew!!!!!! By the time your home again you definitely need a holiday.

This year Angus flew home in between meetings to continue with business up here.......more costs with airfares etc, so we are ramping up the price of this little break considerably. Added to that we had issues with the car after Skope, where the Mini ripped a couple of teeth off the drop gears. Another SI friend came into play here........Chris Charles who lives at Darfield on the Canterbury plains, and ex Bruce McLaren mechanic, was on hand to strip the engine, find the problem and report back to Angus, who organized parts then flew down again a week later to reassemble the engine. Then it was the long haul to Invercargill!!!!

So you can see it was not just a matter of zooming down, doing the business and returning. All sorts of factors come into play.
I'm not trying to put people off here, but you need to do your sums very carefully, because you may be paying off the credit card for a few months.

Was it worth it.........you bet, no hesitation, and if your even thinking of doing it, start saving. You wont regret it.
I should also mention that you need an understanding spouse. Whether you leave her at home or take her with you, just kid her along with the promise of visiting all those wonderfull shops on the Mainland!!!!!!The fellas wont miss out on the shops either. Invercargill has that hardware store to beat all hardware stores.....E Hayes & Sons Ltd.....home of the Munro collection and lots of other automobilia. They also know a thing or two about screws, where the young assistants at your local Bunnings only remember the activities that took place on Saturday night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kiwiboss]

For most NI people, a trip to the South Island to do the SFOS is out of the question. You really have to combine it with a holiday, as you can be away for a month or more if you do all three events. There did used to be Waimate as well, which really was the icing on the cake. Another factor to take into consideration is race car reliability, and/or accidents. These can really throw a spanner in the works if you don't have back-up down there.
We are very very fortunate in having Gary Johnston as a friend in ChCh where we can stay the night or 3, store cars and get the use of trucks, trailers, utes and whatever else is required. Gary of course has a trucking business, BRENICS TRANSPORT, so is in the business of moving things round the country.....mainly bananas, where he has a niche market. Nothing is too much trouble for Gary and his very supportive family, and I would just like to acknowledge their help during our forays in the SI. Gary of course races the TWR XJS and owns the white ex Wellington street race XJS that Angus drove at Teretonga. Was a busy lad jumping from Jaguar to Mini.

The trip from ChCH to Invercargill is a long haul.....7 to 8 hours usually, and there is a not inconsiderable cost involved, and of course the same back, then we still have to get from ChCh to Picton, across on the ferry, and then the haul from Wellington to Cambridge/Auckland. Whew!!!!!! By the time your home again you definitely need a holiday.

This year Angus flew home in between meetings to continue with business up here.......more costs with airfares etc, so we are ramping up the price of this little break considerably. Added to that we had issues with the car after Skope, where the Mini ripped a couple of teeth off the drop gears. Another SI friend came into play here........Chris Charles who lives at Darfield on the Canterbury plains, and ex Bruce McLaren mechanic, was on hand to strip the engine, find the problem and report back to Angus, who organized parts then flew down again a week later to reassemble the engine. Then it was the long haul to Invercargill!!!!

So you can see it was not just a matter of zooming down, doing the business and returning. All sorts of factors come into play.
I'm not trying to put people off here, but you need to do you sums very carefully, because you may be paying off the credit card for a few months.

Was it worth it.........you bet, no hesitation, and if your even thinking of doing it, start saving. You wont regret it.
I should also mention that you need an understanding spouse. Whether you leave her at home or take her with you, just kid her along with the promise of visiting all those wonderfull shops on the Mainland!!!!!!The fellas wont miss out on the shops either. Invercargill has that hardware store to beat all hardware stores.....E Hayes & Sons Ltd.....home of the Munro collection and lots of other automobilia. They also know a thing or two about screws, where the young assistants at your local Bunnings only remember the activities that took place on Saturday night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well put Gerald as it is just fantastic down there alright!! and I have a new mate in JacMac who's offered for me to stay, use his workshop, mess the house up and clean his fridge out, LOL but as long as he doesn't make me chop firewood to power the generator that runs his computer i'll be OK, LOL.

Garys a really cool guy, ex Te Puke and hooned around in our cars together when we were younger, he had a hotrod Morris Oxford called "Baby Blue" so had some great laughs at Rick and Fiona Michels Friday evening dinner party along with Angus.

Teretonga is on the plans for myself next year, pinky Paul Burnet railed his Torana around all the tracks and I think that is a good idea.

Dale M

[Bryan]

A guy I work with (in Auckland) packed his car into a container and entrusted it to Kiwirail:eek: to deliver to the three SI meetings. Got to all the meetings on-time and in one piece.:D Didn't get much change out of $4k, with airfares and rental car on top of that.

And he enjoyed the racing, especially Teretonga.:D

[Carlo]

And you are forgetting that the Timaru ENZED meeting fits in between Ruapuna and Teretonga, Look there is plenty of people with storage / workshop space available, likewise bed space just the same as it was when we were all competing seriously in our younger days.
Just like the old days if you need to duck home between Chch & Timaru someone will bring your rig south & store it for you and we can be pretty sure that one of the southerners will get it to Invercargill if you need to go home again. For those who stay and make it a vacation well you just never know who might be able to take you up river in a jet boat or out to the river mouth trying to catch a salmon, then there is the lakes too along with a short time in Central Otago or down through the Catlins.

Try it, you may never want to go back home again

[Rod Grimwood]

Love Teretonga, 2 year ago after travelling down (towing car in trailer) on the Thursday from Christchurch after Ruapuna we left for home on Monday Morn after meeting, we left about 6:30am and headed back for Christchurch got there about 2:30pm quick shower at mates and then off to ferry, then Wellington airport at 3:00am to drop me off for flight home but not open until 5:30 so sleep in van (lucky its a Chevy and big enough for 3 to sleep alright). 5;30 boys left me and headed to Rotorua. That's a good haul and we not young fellas no more but it keeps us that way.

[Kiwiboss]

This posting got me thinking, didn't the original SFOS start with Teretonga first, then Timaru and Skope last? that way one could travel the furthest distance and work there way back, seems more sensible?!!

The Hampton Festival is a must for us historic guys up north but then to race down to Skope a week later is tuff$$, and then to carry on down south is another story, hmmm, oh well I don't seem to have the answer!! but I will be doing what Bryan pointed out and containerise in the future.

Couple more pics for you guys

Dale M

[AMCO72]

Still think towing a trailer down is the cheapest option. I would be worrying like hell wondering whether the container was off loaded at a port somewhere and was bound for India on the 'RENA'!!!!!!!!!!

Really need a covered, lockable trailer, as the Mini got covered in shit on the journey down. With todays fuel efficient diesel 4 by 4's the fuel bill is not too bad. What you do need is time........

The drive down the south island is a real treat and so different from the north island. And straight from the horses mouth......Rod G has done it in his old age, so if he and I can survive, anyone can.

With all this publicity we might bolster the numbers at Teretonga next year by 50%.......wouldn't that be great.
Teretonga is a simple looking track but get the important corners right and big gains can be made........get em wrong and you loose out big time. And it really is as good as everyone is saying............and there is NO 'yeah right' after that.

[Jac Mac]

Yes had some visitors on Tuesday who mentioned the rotating date thing, might have only happened once , I can remember Levels being after Teretonga myself somewhere around 2004/5,was supposed to be shifted around amongst the clubs each year, but seems to have halted, things have changed as we no longer have the Dunedin street race or the mid week Coronet Peak hillclimb either, food for thought & further discussion?

[Horizon]

I,ve done the SFoS 3, times now, coming from Seattle. The first time, we put the race car (lister) on a car carrier truck to each race meeting. Started at Christchuch, then I think it was ether Dunedin , then the Hill Climb in Queenstown, onto Invercargill. Second time we came down, rented vans and trailers from Warren Bert,in Timuru (ch-ch,levels,Tere) and in 08? we had 6 cars down. This time, used shipping containers over land between each track. This worked the best. Dont have worry about about your gear beween races, cover when it rained and shade when needed. Barry Leitch provided great support and assistance.

if I were to do it again, the containers are the deal, especially the ones with doors at each end.

Tony Garmey

[ERC]

This is all great stuff and I know the SI hospitality is legendary, but judging by grids at most meetings this last season or two and the advancing ages of both drivers and cars and diminishing incomes, maybe a co-ordinated blitz on the South Island for say 2016 or 2017, with a reduced North Island programme at that time of the year, might work, though the HD Festival is already working on Porsche for 2016.

I am not sure that it would ever be within my own budget, but I do know that every year, there are always North Islanders making either plans or dreams of doing the SI series, or part of it, maybe only once.

As AMCO points out, a month away is not exactly easy to manage and I am pretty sure that having toured the SI (including a visit to a very soggy, cold, wet Teretonga) in 2005, my wife would not be to keen on doing it all again. (We have a winter cruising addiction to finance...)

Car reliability is a huge problem and whereas it might be relatively straightforward to find Mini bits in a hurry, or for those with a bucket load of spares they can carry, I am not too sure about the availability of old Volvo engine spares in a hurry - even if there was the expertise around that I don't possess!

Many locals seem to be missing for several meetings with car problems these days, even the hardened regulars, sometimes even for a season - and that is without their mangled backs, necks, knees, hips and shoulders...

We have a combined grid of 37 cars for Pukekohe this weekend, one of the best of the season, but it does look as though we'll be combining our grids next season.

[AMCO72]

Ah yes........the WEATHER...We have all been dreaming of sunny skies, gentle breezes and bikinis, with a spot of motoracing thrown in. Unfortunately it is not always like that, but looking at the images posted on this site, you could be forgiven for thinking it was.

I know the weather can get shitty anywhere, but Invercargills grey drizzly days, with the wind straight from the south pole seem that much worse. Nothing we can do about that, and we were fortunate on the two occasions of our visits the weather was nice.
Is there anywhere worse on a rotten day than a motorace circuit!

Makes that winter cruise sound very attractive.

[Rod Grimwood]

Also as mentioned before by some one, South island is a pretty place to travel and Invercargill buildings are very pretty and period with history all round. Been there couple times of late and lucky with weather and it was great. One trip years back when it was not so good with a southerly and rain, Remember one of the boys reckoning it should have been called Inveergigggle as he was shivering and stuttering with cold.

[Barry]

One thing you all seem to forget is that when we travel to the north Island the distance is very similar. When you are away racing no matter what island it is there is always plenty of help from fellow enthusiasts. Finally, is there any where worse than a race track on a wet day, anywhere is worse, the race track is always the best place to be especially when all of your friends are there as well.

[Kwaussie]

One thing you all seem to forget is that when we travel to the north Island the distance is very similar. When you are away racing no matter what island it is there is always plenty of help from fellow enthusiasts. Finally, is there any where worse than a race track on a wet day, anywhere is worse, the race track is always the best place to be especially when all of your friends are there as well.

I think Barry that Jafas were taught that nothing was south of the Bombay Hills so to get to Teretonga they had to drive north. I think that there was a sign up near the top that indicated that to go south you had to turn around and go back thus it was always further their way - we learnt to live with that.
Must say that Teretonga from the photos on here, is looking great with smooth green grass and not many lupins! Great circuit and a club that has seen the highs and lows of NZ Motoracing. Cheers

[beowulf]

Still think towing a trailer down is the cheapest option. I would be worrying like hell wondering whether the container was off loaded at a port somewhere and was bound for India on the 'RENA'!!!!!!!!!!

Really need a covered, lockable trailer, as the Mini got covered in shit on the journey down. With todays fuel efficient diesel 4 by 4's the fuel bill is not too bad. What you do need is time........

The drive down the south island is a real treat and so different from the north island. And straight from the horses mouth......Rod G has done it in his old age, so if he and I can survive, anyone can.

With all this publicity we might bolster the numbers at Teretonga next year by 50%.......wouldn't that be great.
Teretonga is a simple looking track but get the important corners right and big gains can be made........get em wrong and you loose out big time. And it really is as good as everyone is saying............and there is NO 'yeah right' after that.
I'm with AMCO. The SFOS is a great experience. New tracks, new and different cars and drivers, Southern hospitality, fabulous scenery, and great empty roads. ERC go South young man, a much better experience than a cruise.
Yes it is expensive, and yes you are away for a month, but you are a bloody long time dead.
I have been down twice and had a ball both times. Raced at the last ever Wigram meeting, what a mighty track.
Dunedin street races, i'd go down for that alone. What other town would close part of it's CBD, SH1 motorway so we could do skids. Truly fabulous. I doubt if we will see it again in action.
Put it on your bucket list, give up something, beer? and go. You won't regret it. Oh and take the dearly beloved there is some great shopping so I am told.

[Jac Mac]

Why does it have to take you NI guys a month? the meetings are held over three consecutive weekends, so even with a slow trailer that should only be a bit over 18/19 days tops.

[Oldfart]

I think Barry that Jafas were taught that nothing was south of the Bombay Hills so to get to Teretonga they had to drive north. I think that there was a sign up near the top that indicated that to go south you had to turn around and go back thus it was always further their way - we learnt to live with that.
Must say that Teretonga from the photos on here, is looking great with smooth green grass and not many lupins! Great circuit and a club that has seen the highs and lows of NZ Motoracing. Cheers
Come on, most of them think there is nothing North of the Brynderwyns either.

[Spgeti]

It use to be North of the Harbour Bridge...

[AMCO72]

I would like to think that these 'JAFA's' that a few posters are taking cheap shots at, don't actually belong to the roaring season fraternity, so their comments are falling on deaf ears.

We were having a friendly discussion on the problems and logistics of the North Island racers to get themselves and their cars to the South Island. I did not forget that South Islanders also come north, and therefore have the same set of problems/expenses etc, but at the time we were discussing the traffic from North to South.

And Barry, you are right when you say that the distances travelled by the south island brigade to come north, are 'similar' to the distances travelled by the north island brigade to go south. I have looked up in my Collins Road atlas of NZ, and what do you know........they are so 'similar' that they are exactly the bloody same!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thread started out as a photo record of the SFOS events. Unfortunately, apart from a couple of 'snappers' there don't seem to be people like Kiwi285 and others down there. Maybe all the postings are on Facebook or Twitter, which I don't subscribe to.

[ERC]

ERC go South young man, a much better experience than a cruise.
Put it on your bucket list, give up something, beer? and go. You won't regret it. Oh and take the dearly beloved there is some great shopping so I am told.

You've met my dearly beloved Beowulf and I thought she did well to put up with us at Monaco! However, like many ladies, she is not into shopping.

As for a better experience than a long cruise? Hmm. Not at all sure about that and the cruise food is much better than living on grossly overpriced chips, soft drinks, tiny over priced coffees etc. Also, you don't get speeding tickets, parking tickets, water bills, paper bills, traffic jams, panel damage and phone calls - or even relatives you are not keen on.

A wet day at a race track without your own campervan, shelter or shade is indeed a miserable experience. In comparison, our growing number of cruise buddies is such that it now exceeds the number of motorsport buddies.

Maybe if I was 30 years younger, I'd give it a go as a competitor.

So, which is the best south island meeting/track for an amateur photographer? Sorry, but I don't think I'd go back to Invercargill for a field of 90 cars. Skope always sounds like a great meeting, as does Philip Island, but I'd still want to know what the spectator access is like - and PI is probably cheaper to get to than Teretonga. (Love Melbourne.)

Jacmac - sorry, but I couldn't do it from here and back in less than 22 days. I wouldn't expect to drive to Wellington from here, with a trailer, catch a ferry, drive back from Invercargill to Picton and then back to North of Auckland, in less than 4 days, at my age! Equally, I wouldn't be racing if I felt in any way stuffed by the journey down either.

Unlike some on here, there is far more to our lives than cars and motorsport.

[Jac Mac]

Gerald, as a 'Southerner' I have been to Auckland-once- was after one of the Wellington Street races & took my son up to visit my sister during the week, also wanted to find out what had happened to the GT40 kit supplier up that way, after putting about 300km on a rental 'looking' for the outfit & getting interrogated by virtually every building owner/previous address lessee as to why I was looking for the outfit ( and if I might be in any way financially involved/liable ) I never did find them ( TGFSM ) I headed for home thinking this is a very unfriendly place....never felt the need to return since....

[John McKechnie]

Heres my 2 cents worth-
The Team Cambridge Monaro will be finished this year.
It last ran in the South Island in the Mercury series in 1970 and did all the tracks at the time.
Quite a suitable time for it come back and revisit the remaining tracks that it made its name on-except for Wigram, as its not there, cant recreate the magic spin ending between the hanger buildings.
BayPark, Taupo and the old, big circuit at Puke are all gone, therefore 45 years later it needs to revisit these southern circuits .
How I get there, where I stay, the trip time, even the racing itself means nothing.
All I want to achieve is to reunite this car with those who loved it then as nostalgia is to be shared not kept in a garage.

[Spgeti]

If my comment has offended any one, my apologies. I have visited Skope 2005 and Waimate in the early to mid 90s and enjoyed every moment of the events. Well worth the trip, the quality of cars competing and the hospitality. I have also enjoyed the HD festivals and must admit it is a hard choice for all to make which events to attend as a competitor or a spectator.

[ERC]

Gerald, as a 'Southerner' I have been to Auckland-once- was after one of the Wellington Street races & took my son up to visit my sister during the week, also wanted to find out what had happened to the GT40 kit supplier up that way, after putting about 300km on a rental 'looking' for the outfit & getting interrogated by virtually every building owner/previous address lessee as to why I was looking for the outfit ( and if I might be in any way financially involved/liable ) I never did find them ( TGFSM ) I headed for home thinking this is a very unfriendly place....never felt the need to return since....
I arrived in Auckland 31 years ago and was staggered at just how friendly everyone was.
equally, I was working in Christchurch each week, for a fair period in 1988 and thought the people there were fantastic too - and Napier, Whangarei, Hamilton, Cambridge...
As a Pom, I only ever found Londoners difficult to get to know. It just took time.
There are people everywhere who are friendly and there are people everywhere who are not, but I would never judge a place on a single visit.
Motorsport people world wide share a common bond and interest, but the logistics and costs of competing on distant tracks are very tangible and are not subjective, they are objective.

[Racer Rog]

I would not pump for Porsche, we put a lot of time and money into running Porsche as the main Marque for this years ENZED Classic, after being asked by some of their club members, to say it was a disappointing turn out, would be a understatement, and had no support from the local dealer, who seemed to be more interested in showing their cars at Waimomo, (not sure of spelling, but big farmers field days just out side Gore) we were supported by 9 Porsche drivers, most who were our own club members, so it would appear that most Porker owners are now cow cocky's and they are used to bring in the cows.
Roger


This is all great stuff and I know the SI hospitality is legendary, but judging by grids at most meetings this last season or two and the advancing ages of both drivers and cars and diminishing incomes, maybe a co-ordinated blitz on the South Island for say 2016 or 2017, with a reduced North Island programme at that time of the year, might work, though the HD Festival is already working on Porsche for 2016.

I am not sure that it would ever be within my own budget, but I do know that every year, there are always North Islanders making either plans or dreams of doing the SI series, or part of it, maybe only once.

As AMCO points out, a month away is not exactly easy to manage and I am pretty sure that having toured the SI (including a visit to a very soggy, cold, wet Teretonga) in 2005, my wife would not be to keen on doing it all again. (We have a winter cruising addiction to finance...)

Car reliability is a huge problem and whereas it might be relatively straightforward to find Mini bits in a hurry, or for those with a bucket load of spares they can carry, I am not too sure about the availability of old Volvo engine spares in a hurry - even if there was the expertise around that I don't possess!

Many locals seem to be missing for several meetings with car problems these days, even the hardened regulars, sometimes even for a season - and that is without their mangled backs, necks, knees, hips and shoulders...

We have a combined grid of 37 cars for Pukekohe this weekend, one of the best of the season, but it does look as though we'll be combining our grids next season.

[Carlo]

ERC, Quick solutions for you. (a) send wife on cruise. (b) then escape with you mates both old and new to the South island and hire a camper van (c) starting at Ruapuna camp at the circuits during the meetings and catch up with like minded people (d) Spend time to look at the post earthquake Chch and absorb what has happened and how people are rebuilding their lives. (e) visit inland Sth Canterbury/Mt Cook and catch a salmon (f) take in the Timaru meeting then head south via the Catlins (g) take in Teretonga (h) after a day or so on Stewart Island and enjoying fresh Blue Cod travel back north via Tuatapere, Manapouri including taking in trip to the west arm power station, them Milford Sound taking an early morning cruise, Queenstown, Haast and back up the coast via the glaciers etc then over Arthurs Pass and drop the camper off at Chch before flying back north.(i) on your arrival home mow the lawns and tidy the house before going to pick the wife up as she returns from her cruise and ask her if she enjoyed herself having a girls month away.

Photos, yes you can get quite close to the action at all circuits to the point that at Timaru there are positions built into the safety fence where you can take shots unobstructed by wires or barriers. Pit access is excellent at all circuits and until you have tried Teretonga Tasties as made by the wives and girlfriends who make up the ladies committee you have not lived in a motorsport world

[Carlo]

23842 23843 23844 23845 23846 23847

Just some of the cars on display at the ENZED Meeting along with the ex Jim Kennedy Capri and then there was a rig who's driver could not read and left it parked there for most of the Sunday afternoon while the meeting was still in progress.

[AMCO72]

Are you in the travel business Carlo........if not, you should be!!! If that doesn't set the heart racing, nothing will. I presume someone else is towing the race car.

Can testify to Teretonga tasties.....bacon and egg toasties, mousetraps, spaghetti or corn buns, salad buns etc etc etc., with all proceeds going to future developments....and all done by volunteers, for the SSCC.....

Maybe the Porsche owner also had shares in the track!!!! One of the few Porsches that turned up to the event.

[crunch]

Pit access is excellent at all circuits and until you have tried Teretonga Tasties as made by the wives and girlfriends who make up the ladies committee you have not lived in a motorsport world

Oh;...my mistake...I thought the sign Teretonga Tasties referred to the ladies serving....:cool:

[worsel]

Oh;...my mistake...I thought the sign Teretonga Tasties referred to the ladies serving....:cool:

No Crunch, they are the Teretonga Tasties tarts hahaha

[ERC]

ERC, Quick solutions for you. (a) send wife on cruise. (b) then escape with you mates both old and new

Photos, yes you can get quite close to the action at all circuits to the point that at Timaru there are positions built into the safety fence where you can take shots unobstructed by wires or barriers.

Thanks Carlo!!! Am I the only one on here who actually likes his wife? She'd hate to go on what you might call a ladies' escape. She wouldn't even consider a girls' weekend let alone cruise. We are very happy spending time together. Having already done several items on your list anyway and what I haven't, generally, doesn't really appeal that much anyway - sorry! (I have never fished, don't want to fish so zero appeal there.) You tried hard Carlo but you can't win them all...

As AMCO says, you are forgetting about the car. I'd probably consider flying down and back as a spectator if I really thought it was worth it and I could get a decent air fare in advance, but I have been going to race tracks, hill climbs, sprints and various other events since 1951 and since 1970, involved heavily enough in motorsport to have experienced a fair bit - not just on both sides of the fence but the organisational side too, so I think I have lived in as much of a motorsport world as most.

Only the Goodwood Revival Race meeting ticks ALL the boxes nowadays and at my age, I can afford to be very, very picky!

[Carlo]

Are you in the travel business Carlo........if not, you should be!!! If that doesn't set the heart racing, nothing will. I presume someone else is towing the race car.

Can testify to Teretonga tasties.....bacon and egg toasties, mousetraps, spaghetti or corn buns, salad buns etc etc etc., with all proceeds going to future developments....and all done by volunteers, for the SSCC.....

Maybe the Porsche owner also had shares in the track!!!! One of the few Porsches that turned up to the event.

4 to 6 cars and spares well packed can probably fit into a 40' container.
No shareholders in the track, the circuit, buildings and land is 100% the property of the South Canterbury Car Club Inc. I don't think he is a SCCC club member because if he was he wouldn't be game to park there.
Those bacon & egg toasties first thing in the morning, bloody magic. It was interesting to see so many of the TRS mechanics all lined up waiting for them to open in the mornings this year, it appears that their fame had spread.

Tourism no Gerald, just like showing people around my patch of our countryside. Don't forget to throw in a flight around Mt Cook and landing on the Tasman Glacier in a ski plane, a trip up the Haast river in a Jetboat and a Helicopter ride up onto the Fox and/or the Franz Josef Glaciers


We need to remember that things happen for reasons not excuses and one should find reasons to do things rather than excuses not too.

[AMCO72]

ERC........do you only LIKE your wife.......I would have hoped that you LOVED her!!!!!! I'm going to have a chat to Paula.......

These ventures that we used to take for granted when we were younger, suddenly become too hard as we get old. Even more do we need to follow Carlos advice and not give excuses for not doing things.

[ERC]

ERC........do you only LIKE your wife.......I would have hoped that you LOVED her!!!!!! I'm going to have a chat to Paula.......

These ventures that we used to take for granted when we were younger, suddenly become too hard as we get old. Even more do we need to follow Carlos advice and not give excuses for not doing things.

Yes AMCO, I do love her to bits - still! (And she knows it.) You also know why we go cruising because Carlo, you are 100% right. We have to do what we can, whilst we can. That is why we can manage long cruises together and are still speaking at the end, looking forward to the next.

All sounds good for some Carlo, but just step back a bit and price out what you are suggesting. My days of roughing it finished when I finally packed up the Scouting. Nowadays, I can think of nothing worse than being cooped up in a camper van when I could be in 4 star luxury travelling the world, waited on hand and foot and with the woman I love by my side. Just remember, you never know when you'll lose the one you love.

PS: Disneyworld is still on my extremely short bucket list, ahead of SFoS.