Old Speedway Photos

[Steve Holmes]

I've been inspired to start a new thread, thanks to a batch of cool old New Zealand speedway dirt track photos posted on Facebook by Dale Mathers from the scrapbook he created when he was a young bloke. While The Roaring Season seems to cover many aspects of motorsport history, the glaring omission is speedway.

So, if you have any old speedway pics, be they dirt track, or paved oval, post them up here.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[bry3500]

Check this thread here http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?446-Templeton-Speedway-1960s-and-70s&highlight=speedway

[Kiwiboss]

A few more from my scrap book!! Dale M

[Kiwiboss]

OK, try again, a Few more form my scrap book, Dale M

[TonyG]

OK, try again, a Few more form my scrap book, Dale M

Big Bad Charlie Bernstein from Wanganui although Palmy based by the look of the number in this shot.

My hero back in the day, Sam Ferabend.

Second to last shot is 88H, Dayne Plummer from Hamilton with his purple beast.

[TonyG]

First shot in thread looks like Gene Welsh.

[GD66]

That weapon of Dayne Plummer's used to sound superb !

Is 1M Don Peck ? I used to work with him on the NZR locos.

[Rod Grimwood]

First shot in thread looks like Gene Welsh.


Your right

[fullnoise68]

First shot in thread looks like Gene Welsh.

That's him Tony, Gene Welch, he came to NZ three times, first was with the `68 Camaro, then a `70s Camaro, and finally with a super quick Chev Vega V8 hatchback. Poles apart performance wise than the Kiwis at the time but with him coming out here the whole local speedway saloon car class lifted its game.

[TonyG]

Sure did Steve. Really enjoyed watching him race all 3 times he was out.

[Jeff]

I recall seeing Gene Welch and his team mate ?? ( can't remember) at Waikaraka Park in the '70 Camaro.
The cars were immaculate as all U.S visitors cars were in those days. Had a poster for years of the '70 Camaro - it was a mean looking car.
When they toured Australia I remember there being quite a stir regarding their "dirty" driving tactics.... but great entertainment.

[Steve Holmes]

Not sure where I got these, might have been from Gavin Evitt, as he was a real speedway enthusiast. But here are some old saloon car racing pics from around New Zealand. I always loved the saloons, particularly when they were built out of real cars.

This is Gary McKelvie. He recently built up an HT Monaro to race in Central Muscle Cars. A long time Monaro enthusiast.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is Ian Easton (Jack Jack) with his '70 Camaro. I don't know much about this car. Maybe someone can fill in the gaps? Check out those injector stacks!

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is John Scott, with his Firebird. Pretty sure he ran out of Waikaraka Park in Auckland.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is Ian Taylor with his Camaro. Note it appears to be right hand drive. I think this was built from a written off road car that Rod Coppins had previously competed with in a production car endurance race at Bay Park. Steve Elliott may be able to confirm this?

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[Steve Holmes]

Jim Richards in the Sidchrome HQ Monaro. This was actually the Monaro raced by Neville Crichton in the Castrol GTX production road racing series in 1973/74, which Mark Sheehan ended up driving into a river. It had to be written off, and was converted into a speedway saloon for JR to race out of Waikaraka Park.

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[Kiwiboss]

That weapon of Dayne Plummer's used to sound superb !

Is 1M Don Peck ? I used to work with him on the NZR locos.

Yes GD66, 1M is Don Peck and thats how my dad got started in Stock Cars through Don Peck and Ray Morrow!! Great years for sure!!

[fullnoise68]

Here is Ian Taylor with his Camaro. Note it appears to be right hand drive. I think this was built from a written off road car that Rod Coppins had previously competed with in a production car endurance race at Bay Park. Steve Elliott may be able to confirm this?

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That's right Steve, the then Auckland based McConnachie Bros built the car using the damaged bodyshell of Rods Glenvale Camaro. The Pontiac Firebird that John Scott ran, was originally built by our next door neighbour, the late Eddie Sutherland, when I was a youngster, for American Ronny McDowell to come out and race. It was also driven by Ron Kendall, as it was owned at that time by Cowan Black Promotions.

[TonyG]

I remember Ian Easton more for his polished alloy 32 Ford Stockcar powered by a Gurney Eagle motor. Man that thing was quick. Caught my mate at Waikaraka half way down the front straight and bent the left rear bumper corner around enough to pop the wheel guard and probably what saved him from a more serious injury, broke the seat away from the floor causing him to fall backwards with the impact before sending him straight through the concrete wall on Cemetery Bend. Gary was lucky to get out of it with bruised ribs, sprained ankle and severely bruised spine in the lower back area. Never forget that night or the hours required to rebuild the heap of crap that car was. lol Good memories though.

[TonyG]

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The Ian Easton car I remember . Photo posted by Pallmall on the Macgor Proboard Forum.

[TonyG]

Ray Wright and his Wedge Outlaw Saloon on the Meremere highbanks.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Outlaw%20Speedway%20at%20Meremere/MOL015.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/Outlaw%20Speedway%20at%20Meremere/MOL015.jpg.html)

Assd saloons at Meremere
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Outlaw%20Speedway%20at%20Meremere/MOL040.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/Outlaw%20Speedway%20at%20Meremere/MOL040.jpg.html)

[TonyG]

Richard Bennett Falcon Coupe, Waikaraka Park.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR473_zpsb216862c.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR473_zpsb216862c.jpg.html)

Rowan Geck Falcon and Lance Jennings Torana at Waikaraka Park
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR474_zps0fa21787.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR474_zps0fa21787.jpg.html)

Lance Humphries MG V8 Waikaraka Park
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR480_zpse00a83ce.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR480_zpse00a83ce.jpg.html)

[TonyG]

The very first photo I ever took with my xmas present at the time at Waikaraka Park. Was about 10 yrs old and the camera was an old Plastic Diana. No idea who the drivers are now.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg.html)

[Frosty5]

The very first photo I ever took with my xmas present at the time at Waikaraka Park. Was about 10 yrs old and the camera was an old Plastic Diana. No idea who the drivers are now.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg.html)

#75 is Peter Howarth

[Frosty5]

The very first photo I ever took with my xmas present at the time at Waikaraka Park. Was about 10 yrs old and the camera was an old Plastic Diana. No idea who the drivers are now.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR475-5_zps46d5bc9c.jpg.html)

#75 is Peter Howarth

[John McKechnie]

Dave- he ran 75 on his EH Holden in early 70s, was this his regular/favourite number?

[Kiwiboss]

Found these in my scrap book also, very faded so hope it can be read. Dale M

[Steve Holmes]

That's right Steve, the then Auckland based McConnachie Bros built the car using the damaged bodyshell of Rods Glenvale Camaro. The Pontiac Firebird that John Scott ran, was originally built by our next door neighbour, the late Eddie Sutherland, when I was a youngster, for American Ronny McDowell to come out and race. It was also driven by Ron Kendall, as it was owned at that time by Cowan Black Promotions.

Thanks Steve, great info. Just out of interest, do you know where the Firebird was sourced from that McDowell raced? Firebirds would have been few and far between back then in NZ, and much too expensive to turn into a speedway car. Was it another write-off road car?

[Steve Holmes]

Richard Bennett Falcon Coupe, Waikaraka Park.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR473_zpsb216862c.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR473_zpsb216862c.jpg.html)

Rowan Geck Falcon and Lance Jennings Torana at Waikaraka Park
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR474_zps0fa21787.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR474_zps0fa21787.jpg.html)

Lance Humphries MG V8 Waikaraka Park
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR480_zpse00a83ce.jpg (http://s448.photobucket.com/user/TGPhotography/media/NZ%20Speedway%20Stockcars/MR480_zpse00a83ce.jpg.html)

I'm loving these pics Tony! Rare to see a Falcon hardtop speedway saloon.

[Steve Holmes]

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Dale, did you ever drive this car, or was this before your time?

[Steve Holmes]

This is Steve Millen, driving the same HQ Monaro posted earlier, driven by Jim Richards. This would have been after JR moved to Australia in 1975. Note its been updated with HJ nose. Great looking car!

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[seaqnmac27]

This is Steve Millen, driving the same HQ Monaro posted earlier, driven by Jim Richards. This would have been after JR moved to Australia in 1975. Note its been updated with HJ nose. Great looking car!

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Which is also the Bill Dorn car you posted first.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, thats right Sean, it became the Bill Dorn car, painted up in his red/white/blue stars and stripes colour scheme that was used on all his cars. He raced it out of Palmerston North.

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[fullnoise68]

Thanks Steve, great info. Just out of interest, do you know where the Firebird was sourced from that McDowell raced? Firebirds would have been few and far between back then in NZ, and much too expensive to turn into a speedway car. Was it another write-off road car?

I can check with Warren Black, but I`m pretty sure it was built from a semi burnt out insurance write off. Like you say they were all still relatively new - and valuable - cars at that time........

[Steve Holmes]

This is the same Monaro again. Ian Easton also had a turn racing this car. I think though he may have raced it before Dorn bought it.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot during the Dorn ownership.

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[fullnoise68]

I`ve got probably 200 old programmes and a bunch of photos from when Waikarakara Park opened in `69? through to the late `70s but I wouldn`t have a clue how to put them on here. Andre Ruiterman was the original track photographer and there are some real cool photos.

[Steve Holmes]

If you're ever able to scan them Steve, email them to me and I can post them up.

[fullnoise68]

Bloody computers, that`s why Bill Gates has got what he`s got, and I`ve got what I`ve worked for..........!!

[Steve Holmes]

Ha ha ha, yep, that sounds about right. Mind you Steve, you have a race car, and I don't, and I work on a computer all day, so I'm really doing something wrong!

[Rod Grimwood]

Jim Richards in the Sidchrome HQ Monaro. This was actually the Monaro raced by Neville Crichton in the Castrol GTX production road racing series in 1973/74, which Mark Sheehan ended up driving into a river. It had to be written off, and was converted into a speedway saloon for JR to race out of Waikaraka Park.

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Got some info on this car and predecessor soon Steve

[Rod Grimwood]

I can check with Warren Black, but I`m pretty sure it was built from a semi burnt out insurance write off. Like you say they were all still relatively new - and valuable - cars at that time........

Correct Steve, and finished of in Belmont Motors on North Shore by Mr Kendall, painted yellow and test drive up back road in wet was a hoot, Mr Kendall giving a boot full and yours sitting in right side on floor to check traction.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, if you want I can scan/size and post for you if you like. maybe courier them back and forth.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, if you want I can scan/size and post for you if you like. maybe courier them back and forth.

[Frosty5]

Hi guys. I'm trying to track down Phil Joyce who raced at Western Springs and the came to Waikaraka Park, raced a 100E bodied stock car with Kimba on the boot. Had a PM from his grandson but nothing since. Used to own Otara Panel Beaters opposite Foodtown at Otahuhu. Can anyone assist.
Cheers Dave Graham

[Rod Grimwood]

Here you go on 'test day' Mr Kendall checking it out.

[Rod Grimwood]

The first night Ronnie McDowell ran and introduction and photo time with Ron Kendall impersonating photographer in car.

Then what happened when McDowell went home Ron Kendall played for a little while and then along came Scotty and rest is history.

[Rod Grimwood]

Ok, here's one for the boys to sort out, was 1969, had Mays head, etc. looks nice and tidy here.
Waikaraka, brothers were/are hoons.
Not McConnachie boys

[Rod Grimwood]

Tony G and Steve E, Gene Welch in blue machine, he was quick with good gear. It screamed.

[John McKechnie]

Rod- Thunderbird Service Station and Ranger Signs-its ringing some bells.

[fullnoise68]

Tony G and Steve E, Gene Welch in blue machine, he was quick with good gear. It screamed.

Thanks Rod, I`ve got some other photos of this car. This car was miles outside the rules at the time - even in the US - as Gene Welch built it specifically to bring to NZ and Aussie. It was basically an offset sprint car - note the knock on hubs all round - with a`73 Camaro body panels attached. The car was so short that the back edge of the door formed the front of the rear wheel arch! It had the engine set right back and was bloody fast. When he took the car to Aussie after NZ, some of the top locals at one of the tracks refused to race against it, so he did a deal with the promoter were he`d start off the back, a lap down in the 25 lap feature. By about 2/3 race distance he was on his way through the field, lapping them for the second time!

[fullnoise68]

One of the photos I`ve got is Gene Welch and the late Kevin Bates from Hamilton, with the Gene Welch Trophy, which he had done as an incentive for the kiwi driver who got the most points against him during his visit to NZ. He was a true professional. As a young teenager I got him to sign the front of my programme which had a photo of his family on the cover, `not a problem' he said. I still have that programme today.

[Rod Grimwood]

yep, a real nice guy, and not a spring chicken either. Car was certainly a 'special' not anything like what had been seen before.

[Steve Holmes]

Awesome stuff guys, these photos are great! The Gene Welch Camaro looks incredible. I'd only ever seen one photo of that car before, but it was mostly from the front, and didn't show how short it was. So its great to see that pic.

Can you remember roughly when the '69 Firebird was built up for McDowell? The early photos of it show it with quite narrow wheels, even on the right side.

[fullnoise68]

The Firebird first raced in the `72-`73 season. Ronny McDowell only ran the one meeting and the 3 speed Chev gearbox shit itself during one of the races. Rod, in my 1969 programmes it says John Hayman had #20 Zephyr.....??

[Kiwiboss]

One of the photos I`ve got is Gene Welch and the late Kevin Bates from Hamilton, with the Gene Welch Trophy, which he had done as an incentive for the kiwi driver who got the most points against him during his visit to NZ. He was a true professional. As a young teenager I got him to sign the front of my programme which had a photo of his family on the cover, `not a problem' he said. I still have that programme today.

Is Gene Welch still us these days? if so he'd be getting on now!! Dale M

[John McKechnie]

When he drove the shortened Camaro here, it left everything for dead. Straight line speed was unbelievable, but the corners were something else.
I remember being told it was shortened, did not know till now, that it was a body on a racing chassis- no one over here was doing that then for the saloons.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, Think he may have taken it over, built by The Banner brothers Paul and Ron, right humerous toe rags and continue down that path today, they are major share holders in 'Lion Breweries'. Paul said when they first built it he turned rack upside down for left drive and when he turned left it went right etc and took a bit of modifying. Not sure if he is sure which way is which still.

[fullnoise68]

Is Gene Welch still us these days? if so he'd be getting on now!! Dale M

Dale I was talking to Warren Black earlier today, and when Gene Welch raced the Chev Vega here in 1975 he was 58 years old. Warren went to his house in Sacramento in the late `80s for a bbq, but over time lost contact with him. The maths don`t look good.......

[Kiwiboss]

Dale I was talking to Warren Black earlier today, and when Gene Welch raced the Chev Vega here in 1975 he was 58 years old. Warren went to his house in Sacramento in the late `80s for a bbq, but over time lost contact with him. The maths don`t look good.......

Yeah figured as much, forget as we age ourselves those guys fall of the edge!! we're next buggar.

Dale M

[Steve Holmes]

Dale, this is one of your mates isn't it? I can't recall his name, but I think this was a brand new Holden Torana that he built up into a speedway car.

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[fullnoise68]

Ray Wright, the bodyshell was brand new, the story at the time was that he`d bought a brand new LH Torana off the showroom floor. Not the case. Ray and his dad Ambrose played a major part in when the club took over the track from Cowan and Black Promotions.

[Steve Holmes]

Ahhh, thanks Steve.

[Oldfart]

Ray was round for years. The Golden Kiwi was pretty kind to him too I think

[Kiwiboss]

Dale I was talking to Warren Black earlier today, and when Gene Welch raced the Chev Vega here in 1975 he was 58 years old. Warren went to his house in Sacramento in the late `80s for a bbq, but over time lost contact with him. The maths don`t look good.......

I quick Google Steve and Gene Welch would be 97 today but couldn't find whether he's still with us or not!! I found he has a son Mark that features at Stockton 99 speedway and a grandson Shane!!

Dale M

[Frosty5]

Dale, this is one of your mates isn't it? I can't recall his name, but I think this was a brand new Holden Torana that he built up into a speedway car.

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This photo was taken at his brothers (Joel) place in Luke St,Otahuhu. The tannery is in the left background. My first introduction to diffs. Welded up the spider gears of a 52 Vanguard diff for my stock car at 17 yrs old. Joel was watching and making sure I didn't catch the crown wheel. Great times.
Dave Graham

[fullnoise68]

Not quite Dave. This photo was taken in the pits at Waikaraka Park. The building behind the Torana is the old hall that used to be against the stone wall on Neilson Street. It was built by the US serviceman that were based at Waikaraka Park during WW2, as was the grandstand. Ray is related to Joel but they aren`t brothers.

[Frosty5]

Not quite Dave. This photo was taken in the pits at Waikaraka Park. The building behind the Torana is the old hall that used to be against the stone wall on Neilson Street. It was built by the US serviceman that were based at Waikaraka Park during WW2, as was the grandstand. Ray is related to Joel but they aren`t brothers.

Well buggar me. It's the dead ringer of Joel's garage and the roof of the building in the left background is very similar to the tannery building. Ray seemed to regard him as his brother and I guess that's what we picked up on. Must be an age thing!!!!!

[TonyG]

Awesome stuff guys. Lots of great memories here. Thanks for the Peter Howarth name on my photo Dave. Brought back lots of good memories.
I wonder what happened to the Ex Bruce Taylor Torana (Ex Hamilton then Waikaraka based). I know Chris Butler had it at one stage after Bruce gave it away but not where it went then.

[GeebeeNZ]

We really miss Pall Mall on this site. Gavin was the guru on all this sort of stuff. His photos and other pictures from Waikaraka Park regularly appeared in NZ Hot Rod mag. There is so much happening in the Hot Rod scene nowadays that they don't feature that sort of thing any more. Luckily I still have a number of those old mags and although I was not a regular attender at Waikaraka Park I still have access to some of that history.
Graeme

[John McKechnie]

Was Wrecker Wrights Torana-#70, a normal floored car, or was it a space frame? I remember he did better in this than the 65 Mustang that he got after Kendall drove it.
I know Evan Watsons Monaro was space frame, but was made to put a normal floor.
Also with his Commodore-was that normal floor or a proper space frame?
When the V8s saloons really started, Kingswood/Belmonts were the usual- Evan Watson, John Scott, Terry Costello, loved those battles.

[fullnoise68]

It was a floor pan car John, the Commodore was his first space frame car built by Gary Harris - who also raced it for a while. Going through some of the original programmes and photos the other night - that I`m getting scanned to post on here - made me think how many of the guys I was reading about are no longer with us. Byron Shreeve also raced that Mustang too.

[John McKechnie]

Steve- thanks for that.
I basically never missed a Saturday night there from 1970- 1974,great time to be a teenager, always involved with a team, always a party in the pits afterward
Byron Shreeve lived a few doors up the road from me in Waimate St, Otara in 71, remember he was a truck driver , had the red 105E which he later put a supercharger on. Then got Peter Haworths EH, and progressed, as you said, to the Mustang.
Used to work with Cyril McConnachie at Motor Specialties and he loved talking about his boys, the grasstrack, Waikaraka,hot rodding, he even drove the Pop to work once. He had a nice electric blue MK 1 Zephyr. I thought he looked a deadringer for the Charger driver in Bullit.

Out of all the stock car racing , I think the best was the NZ champs the year Lou Wymer driving Bob Clarksons 105E Yankee Clipper won.
Dayne Plummer-Mustang power, Laurie Hines, Graham Mitchell, Phil Joyce( Kimba)and so many others
There were some real heavy hitters out there that night-has anyone got any pics of that?
Wymers car had stars and stripes on it.

[fullnoise68]

Its funny you mention the Dodge Charger driver in the movie `Bullit' John, I was reading an article about the making of that movie a while ago and the actual driver of the Charger during the filming was Ron Grable........

[John McKechnie]

Steve- I read in Motorman that it also was Ron Grable,
Bruce 302, who knows Ron Grable well, will say 100% was not him.

[fullnoise68]

According to Wikipedia the Dodge driver was a stuntman by the name of Bill Hickman. Warren Black told me a funny story yesterday about a NZ v Aus v USA stockcar race at Forest Lake years ago. They had no USA driver so they invented `LeRoy Jones' to drive a locally owned car. The guy was actually Graham Jones, a sharemilker from Morrinsville who had never driven a stockcar, nobody knew him at the track, and he didn`t talk much........!!

[John McKechnie]

Luv it.
Warren has a lot of stories, he probably has told me more on the Monaro than Spencer.
LeRoy..-.The King.-
It seemed then as if all USA drivers had exotic names like LeRoy, Ronny, Donny, BillyBob............
Anyway, Im gone, Monaro is calling me till Im finished.

[seaqnmac27]

Some shots my father took at Stratford, would be either 70 or 71 at a guess

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[seaqnmac27]

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[Oldfart]

Love the old Auntie Rover ute for the lead car.

[Spgeti]

That auntie ute is amazing....

[seaqnmac27]

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[seaqnmac27]

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[seaqnmac27]

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[seaqnmac27]

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[GeebeeNZ]

its interesting to see the wide variety of saloons that were raced. Had they not been turned into speedway cars most of them would have been eligible for Olfdarts new Pre 61 class

[Steve Holmes]

Awesome photos Sean, thanks for posting. I love the exhaust system of the Jaguar in post #82!

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the former Richards/Millen/Dorn etc Monaro. This is pretty late in its career, and its looking fairly old and tatty here. Its a real shame this car didn't survive. I did some investigation work on it some years ago. When Streetstock racing was first introduced to Palmerston North speedway in the early 1990s, a racer wanting to get involved with the class convinced the person who owned the Monaro to sell it to him so he could Streetstock it. By this time everyone in saloon car racing had gone to space-frame cars with plastic bodies on top, so the old Monaro was really outdated.

I actually remember seeing this car race as a Streetstock at one of the earlier events in Palmy when the class was first introduced. At first I was amazed to see that someone had turned a Monaro into a Streetstock, but then noticed it was left hand drive, and the alloy sheet inside the cockpit was all still intact from its saloon racing days. It was painted matt black and basically got beaten to death. At the time I had no idea of its history.

I grew up in Palmy and remember riding my push bike when I was about 14 in the mid 1980s along behind a wreckers yard with a buddy of mine. On top of a stack of cars at the back of the wreckers was another HQ Monaro speedway saloon that was waiting to be crushed. It was painted cream with an orange stripe, and #13 on the door. When I saw it I assumed it was the ex-Dorn car, but it turns out this was another Monaro again. They made for pretty popular speedway saloons.

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[Rod Grimwood]

Actually Steve, I think it looks not too bad in this photo, she got tatty a few times. This is after another rebuild I suspect.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah you're right Rod, its not too bad, though definitely not as nice as earlier in its career. Looks like its starting to rust in the lower bodywork, though this may just be mud. The number looks like its made from masking tape, and the stars are gone from the paint scheme. Note its fitted with a rear facing cowl hood scoop here, and the tall fuel-injection stacks are gone. I assume this is a different motor, probably topped with a 4-barrel.

[Steve Holmes]

A few guys built and raced these Sunbeam Tigers, with mixed results. They were light, but had very short wheelbase. I spoke with Kevin Gimblett a few months back about the one he raced. He said he did his wrong, in that he put a big motor (351 from memory) in it for more power, when he should have run a lighter 302 or 289. All that weight over the front axle in a short wheelbase car made it difficult to drive.

One of you guys will know who this is. Possibly Kevin Fillingham?

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[Rod Grimwood]

As you can see, early on she got knocked around, one of the early times Steve Millen drove and he obviously was ordering a double drink from 'Wrecker Wright'

[seaqnmac27]

Another shot of the former Richards/Millen/Dorn etc Monaro. This is pretty late in its career, and its looking fairly old and tatty here. Its a real shame this car didn't survive. I did some investigation work on it some years ago. When Streetstock racing was first introduced to Palmerston North speedway in the early 1990s, a racer wanting to get involved with the class convinced the person who owned the Monaro to sell it to him so he could Streetstock it. By this time everyone in saloon car racing had gone to space-frame cars with plastic bodies on top, so the old Monaro was really outdated.

I actually remember seeing this car race as a Streetstock at one of the earlier events in Palmy when the class was first introduced. At first I was amazed to see that someone had turned a Monaro into a Streetstock, but then noticed it was left hand drive, and the alloy sheet inside the cockpit was all still intact from its saloon racing days. It was painted matt black and basically got beaten to death. At the time I had no idea of its history.

I grew up in Palmy and remember riding my push bike when I was about 14 in the mid 1980s along behind a wreckers yard with a buddy of mine. On top of a stack of cars at the back of the wreckers was another HQ Monaro speedway saloon that was waiting to be crushed. It was painted cream with an orange stripe, and #13 on the door. When I saw it I assumed it was the ex-Dorn car, but it turns out this was another Monaro again. They made for pretty popular speedway saloons.

24668

Steve we were both in Palmy at the same time, now you posted the pic of Ian Easton in the Monaro, I have a vague recollection that there were 2 Monaros there the first time I went to Palmy Stocks, that would have been early 81. Also with the Tigers, there were 2 in Palmy, one was Kevin Fillingham, car #61, can't for the moment remember who drove the other one, although I was at a meet there when there was a crash at the west end of the circuit and one of them ended up in the catch fencing above the concrete.

That aside didn't Mike Wemyss replace the Vedette with a Tiger?

[Steve Holmes]

I can't even remember when I started going Sean, my father used to take me, but he didn't much care for speedway, so it wasn't as often as I would have liked. But the saloons were my favourites, and all the cars then were built from original road cars, then heavily modified. I was born in '71, so I guess it must have been early 1980s when I first started going. But I think you are right, there were at least two Monaros racing then. After a few years the space-frame cars began appearing. These were mostly Monzas and Toranas.

Here is the Wemyss Tiger. Note its right hand drive.

24692

[Steve Holmes]

1967/68 Mustang fastback. One of you guys will know who this is? Nice looking car. Looks like its from Stratford. Skinny Colson usually raced as #66, but I don't know if he ever raced a Mustang?

24693

[seaqnmac27]

I can't even remember when I started going Sean, my father used to take me, but he didn't much care for speedway, so it wasn't as often as I would have liked. But the saloons were my favourites, and all the cars then were built from original road cars, then heavily modified. I was born in '71, so I guess it must have been early 1980s when I first started going. But I think you are right, there were at least two Monaros racing then. After a few years the space-frame cars began appearing. These were mostly Monzas and Toranas.

Here is the Wemyss Tiger. Note its right hand drive.

24692

Steve I think you will find that this his the Vedette, not a Tiger.

[seaqnmac27]

Here you go Steve, one of those Monzas. Gary McKelvie

24696

[225sloper]

The Mustang 66s in post #99 is Colin Peirce beside him in the Volkswagon is Alan Jago they were regular visitors to Wanganui Ocean Veiw Speedway on a Sunday afternoon.

[225sloper]

The stockcar number 91 in post #83 is Harold Bulldozer Kells this car had bulldozer steering two sticks no steering wheel,must of been really differcult

[Kiwiboss]

1967/68 Mustang fastback. One of you guys will know who this is? Nice looking car. Looks like its from Stratford. Skinny Colson usually raced as #66, but I don't know if he ever raced a Mustang?

24693

WOW great picture of the Mustang Steve, it has the Shelby bonnet and side scoops and i can tell its a 68 so i'd say that possibly, just possibly this is the Ex Trevor Gray Shelby mustang race car that he built out of a genuine 68 Shelby GT500 that was written off and sold as a wreck around 69/70 or 71? Brett Wilson ended up with the twin 4 barrel 428 cobra jet engine and trans in his drag race T-bucket!! As kid i watch this car get built here in Tauranga and Dick Davidson motors just up the road from the parents house fitted the Ex Urquhart Miss Coventry 427 Cammer engine, i always remembered the garage pit in DD motors was full of beer cans, thought that was pretty cool!! said one day im gunna get me one of those fang-dangled Mustang as i pedaled of on my chopper bicycle, LOL

Dale M

[Rod Grimwood]

WOW great picture of the Mustang Steve, it has the Shelby bonnet and side scoops and i can tell its a 68 so i'd say that possibly, just possibly this is the Ex Trevor Gray Shelby mustang race car that he built out of a genuine 68 Shelby GT500 that was written off and sold as a wreck around 69/70 or 71? Brett Wilson ended up with the twin 4 barrel 428 cobra jet engine and trans in his drag race T-bucket!! As kid i watch this car get built here in Tauranga and Dick Davidson motors just up the road from the parents house fitted the Ex Urquhart Miss Coventry 427 Cammer engine, i always remembered the garage pit in DD motors was full of beer cans, thought that was pretty cool!! said one day im gunna get me one of those fang-dangled Mustang as i pedaled of on my chopper bicycle, LOL

Dale M


Imagine now Dale, it would have been rebuilt most probably, they are so rear. Its a pretty car.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, the gentleman that built the beautiful space frame Commodore Sports Sedan that you loved, built the first frame saloon for speedway a Torana I believe. He was very involved in speedway and won NZ Stock car champs. One night he won Championship, his wife won the ladies, and son (who drove the Sport Sedan Commodore and now F5000) won the Junior.

Got some photos to load from the Glen Jones collection.

[225sloper]

This is the Kevin Fillingham Sunbeam Tiger.24699

[225sloper]

Harold Bulldozer Kells car.24700

[225sloper]

The Harold Kells car is still arround,these photos taken just a few years ago.2470124702

[fullnoise68]

Steve, the gentleman that built the beautiful space frame Commodore Sports Sedan that you loved, built the first frame saloon for speedway a Torana I believe. He was very involved in speedway and won NZ Stock car champs. One night he won Championship, his wife won the ladies, and son (who drove the Sport Sedan Commodore and now F5000) won the Junior.

Got some photos to load from the Glen Jones collection.

Rod, that Mr Willis is a very clever man, was a very good peddler in his day, and his son has carried on the genes.....

[Kiwiboss]

Imagine now Dale, it would have been rebuilt most probably, they are so rear. Its a pretty car.

Quite a story went with this Shelby Rod, the accident was apparently new years eve 69/70 or 71 on Chapel rd, East Tamaki , which would have been out in the country then, the road drops away and comes back up with a old church of to one side, the story goes they sailed the Shelby straight off at high speed killing both driver and passenger, remember this would have been a near 3 year old newish hotrod back then and expensive!! Trevor Gray never like to race it on a new years events due to superstition i believe!! others may have better info than me!! Strangely enough about 10 years ago parts like the tail lights, trim, etc came up in a garage sale said to be from this Shelby, would luv to know its VIN number but long gone on doubt.

Dale M

[Oldfart]

I had an email from Blondie Chamberlain yesterday. He tells me that he ran a Standard 10 with Vanguard/Fergie motor (his words) at Stratford for 3 years, it may well be the one appearing in a couple of the earlier photos.

[fullnoise68]

I had an email from Blondie Chamberlain yesterday. He tells me that he ran a Standard 10 with Vanguard/Fergie motor (his words) at Stratford for 3 years, it may well be the one appearing in a couple of the earlier photos.

Oldfart, there`s another guy who in later years showed more fancied and funded competitors the way around a speedway track. Whether in the Torana, Rover or the Corvette, Blondie was good to watch....

[Oldfart]

Oldfart, there`s another guy who in later years showed more fancied and funded competitors the way around a speedway track. Whether in the Torana, Rover or the Corvette, Blondie was good to watch....

You are not wrong. He was always good to watch whatever he was in.

[Parnelli]

Quite a story went with this Shelby Rod, the accident was apparently new years eve 69/70 or 71 on Chapel rd, East Tamaki , which would have been out in the country then, the road drops away and comes back up with a old church of to one side, the story goes they sailed the Shelby straight off at high speed killing both driver and passenger, remember this would have been a near 3 year old newish hotrod back then and expensive!! Trevor Gray never like to race it on a new years events due to superstition i believe!! others may have better info than me!! Strangely enough about 10 years ago parts like the tail lights, trim, etc came up in a garage sale said to be from this Shelby, would luv to know its VIN number but long gone on doubt.

Dale M
The dip in the road, the bridge , the stream and the old church are all still there. Didn’t here of the Shelby crash , but a group of my friends in a ’67 Barracuda ended up in the same spot late one night in the mid ‘70’s. One died and the others crawled out in various states of repair. Barracuda was a write off. R.I.P. Murray – Not forgotten.

[225sloper]

Blondie Chamberlins Standard 10 was powered by Massey Ferguson only it was supercharged,a very quick car,won 40 races straight at Wanganui Ocean Veiw Speedway

[225sloper]

Blondies Standard 10 battling with Peter Sloman in his SLR5000 Torana.24703

[Steve Holmes]

Steve I think you will find that this his the Vedette, not a Tiger.

Thanks Sean, yes you are right. It looks a lot smaller than it is in the picture.

[Steve Holmes]

WOW great picture of the Mustang Steve, it has the Shelby bonnet and side scoops and i can tell its a 68 so i'd say that possibly, just possibly this is the Ex Trevor Gray Shelby mustang race car that he built out of a genuine 68 Shelby GT500 that was written off and sold as a wreck around 69/70 or 71? Brett Wilson ended up with the twin 4 barrel 428 cobra jet engine and trans in his drag race T-bucket!! As kid i watch this car get built here in Tauranga and Dick Davidson motors just up the road from the parents house fitted the Ex Urquhart Miss Coventry 427 Cammer engine, i always remembered the garage pit in DD motors was full of beer cans, thought that was pretty cool!! said one day im gunna get me one of those fang-dangled Mustang as i pedaled of on my chopper bicycle, LOL

Dale M

Good info Dale, wow that is cool! I'd heard about the Shelby Mustang that was put on the speedway, but didn't realise this was the one.

[bigbanger]

Blondies Standard 10 battling with Peter Sloman in his SLR5000 Torana.24703

I think the Torana in the picture might be a LC or LJ six cylinder? Did Peter Sloman run one of these prior to the LH SLR5000?

Regarding Blondie's Standard Ten, the engine was the 2.1 litre 4 cylinder Standard Vanguard engine that was also used in the Ferguson TE20 tractor. With a supercharger, power output was considerably more than the original 948cc 4 cylinder as factory fitted to the Ten. Looking at the photo, I think Blondie is also using a beam front axle 'sprintcar style'. Trevor Gray used to do the same with his early Vauxhall sedan.

Speedway Saloon rules of the day (and until quite recently) required engines to be of the same number of cylinders and from the same manufacturer as the body, although a fairly wide interpretation of 'manufacturer' was applied by competitors and allowed by the then Speedway Control Board.

For example General Motors was considered as one manufacturer and that's why Chev engines were seen in V8 bodies by the likes of Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Holden to which Chev V8's were never fitted. But more than a few competitors pushed the barrier including Mike Weymss' Simca Vedette which ran a Ford 302W. How a French car that had a French built 2.3 litre V8, based on, but with few parts interchangable with the old Ford V8 60 motor, and whose manufacturer 'family' wise was actually part of the Chrysler group, could legally under the then rules run a Ford small block certainly puzzled a few. Perhaps the later change of body make to the Sunbeam Tiger, which was actually produced with a Ford 260W was a follow on from this?

[bigbanger]

Blondies Standard 10 battling with Peter Sloman in his SLR5000 Torana.24703

I think the Torana in the picture might be a LC or LJ six cylinder? Did Peter Sloman run one of these prior to the LH SLR5000?

Regarding Blondie's Standard Ten, the engine was the 2.1 litre 4 cylinder Standard Vanguard engine that was also used in the Ferguson TE20 tractor. With a supercharger, power output was considerably more than the original 948cc 4 cylinder as factory fitted to the Ten. Looking at the photo, I think Blondie is also using a beam front axle 'sprintcar style'. Trevor Gray used to do the same with his early Vauxhall sedan.

Speedway Saloon rules of the day (and until quite recently) required engines to be of the same number of cylinders and from the same manufacturer as the body, although a fairly wide interpretation of 'manufacturer' was applied by competitors and allowed by the then Speedway Control Board.

For example General Motors was considered as one manufacturer and that's why Chev engines were seen in V8 bodies by the likes of Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Holden to which Chev V8's were never fitted. But more than a few competitors pushed the barrier including Mike Weymss' Simca Vedette which ran a Ford 302W. How a French car that had a French built 2.3 litre V8, based on, but with few parts interchangable with the old Ford V8 60 motor, and whose manufacturer 'family' wise was actually part of the Chrysler group, could legally under the then rules run a Ford small block certainly puzzled a few. Perhaps the later change of body make to the Sunbeam Tiger, which was actually produced with a Ford 260W was a follow on from this?

[Oldfart]

Not quite right Bigbanger, as the Chrysler acquisition of Simca was well after the period when Vedettes were made with what was essentially a Ford. (Who owned Sunbeam?? Part of the same group as Simca actually) Yes I know they had a Ford 260.

[225sloper]

Peter Sloman's Torana started out as this wreck.24715

[225sloper]

And was then built into this car.24716

[225sloper]

His first Saloon was a Chev Nova,the Torana came after the Nova.2471724718

[225sloper]

After the Torana came the Monza and then a few Corvettes.24719

[bigbanger]

Not quite right Bigbanger, as the Chrysler acquisition of Simca was well after the period when Vedettes were made with what was essentially a Ford. (Who owned Sunbeam?? Part of the same group as Simca actually) Yes I know they had a Ford 260.

Good point Oldfart, the Vedette seems to be a second generation body manufactured between 1958-63 and it was 1970 before Chrysler bought Simca. Of course their were other interesting interpretations of engine eligibility such as V8's in Ford Capri's on the basis of the Basil green built Perana in South Africa producing that model, Mustang III's with inline 6 cylinder engines when only produced with V6 as well as in line 4 and V8 engines, and the wide interpretation of BMC, BLMC and Leyland Australia being the 'same' manufacturer.

[TonyG]

1967/68 Mustang fastback. One of you guys will know who this is? Nice looking car. Looks like its from Stratford. Skinny Colson usually raced as #66, but I don't know if he ever raced a Mustang?

24693
From the Macgors Board forum;
"66S Barry Rickard and the late Colin Pierce, (dad to Craig, Muzz and Bunter),
also in the picture a bearded Alan Jago along side his first VW, that later went to Brian Jenkins of Nelson, next to that is Neil Cowley's A9X Torana, Folklore has it that the Mustang once belonged to the late Trevor Morris'"

[fullnoise68]

From the Macgors Board forum;
"66S Barry Rickard and the late Colin Pierce, (dad to Craig, Muzz and Bunter),
also in the picture a bearded Alan Jago along side his first VW, that later went to Brian Jenkins of Nelson, next to that is Neil Cowley's A9X Torana, Folklore has it that the Mustang once belonged to the late Trevor Morris'"

If it was the Mustang that Trevor Morris was killed in, that accident happened on Neilson Street about 500 metres east of Waikaraka Park.

[Jeff]

I recall that accident so well even though I was 11 years old.
He died Dec 22nd 1977 and I recall seeing the mustang on tv being towed away from the scene.
I work in Onehunga and always knew it happened on Neilson St but always wondered where. Am I correct at remembering he hit a power pole ?
I notice that his old radiator repair business in Onehunga has only just stopped using the name "Trevor Morris" radiator repairs.
If it was the Mustang that Trevor Morris was killed in, that accident happened on Neilson Street about 500 metres east of Waikaraka Park.

[fullnoise68]

Yes Jeff, it happened on the bend heading down from Church Street on the left hand side where the entrance to the Railfreight yard now is. Yes, Mustang versus power pole. Another real talented guy gone before his time.....

[Jeff]

Thanks for that fullnoise , I had always wondered but never knew who to ask. Does anyone have a newspaper clipping etc ? As full on speedway fans , Trevor Morris was a big deal.
There is some footage of him at Western Springs in '76 on this old film of mine.
To those who don't know , thats him in the first scene with the beard and the Chevy 2 powered #58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h3FQplQ1vk


Yes Jeff, it happened on the bend heading down from Church Street on the left hand side where the entrance to the Railfreight yard now is. Yes, Mustang versus power pole. Another real talented guy gone before his time.....

[Oldfart]

Brilliant stuff Jeff, thanks.

[Rod Grimwood]

The Mustang Trevor Morris and his young apprentice died in was a yellow Mach1 and he had only just bought off Warren Priest who had a panel shop in Barry's Point Rd and also ran a very quick mk3 Cortina with a turbo Falcon 6 at Waikaraka and other tracks that John Butler (from Manon & Butler motors fame) looked after and developed. John was also pretty smart with suspension set up.

[Steve Holmes]

Cool looking Charger here, of Mike Whale.

24729

[Steve Holmes]

Ron Kendall in the Mustang.

24749

[Steve Holmes]

Looks like possibly the same Mustang, but with a different owner?

24750

[John McKechnie]

Same car Steve, Seagers- he was always there helping.- on the side means it could be Byron Shreeve.
Terry Costello with his yellow HK-Mission Bay Motors in background.

[Kiwiboss]

Looks like possibly the same Mustang, but with a different owner?

24750

Luv the big ol front bumper! maybe thats what i need when the Aussies come back over next year, LOL

Dale M

[Herman2]

This is the Kevin Fillingham Sunbeam Tiger.24699

Kevin sold this car to Geoff Williams who raced it for 2 seasons. Geoff also ran a 351 in it. Short wheel base plus big grunt equals sideways turns. I took a photo of the car with Geoff driving it around the pit turn in his first season. You could only see the front of the car with the tyres poking out both sides. Looked quite spookie as the signwriter had painted cats eyes into the headlights! Geoff onsold this car to Mike Laird who extended the centre section to make it a Mustang. Not sure if it was ever finished.
The Mike Wemyss Tiger ended up as a Streetstock. I last saw this car in the hands of Richard Houstan from Hawkes Bay. Think it was running a 289 then as Streetstocks were only allowed 290 cubes max.

[Herman2]

Another shot of the former Richards/Millen/Dorn etc Monaro. This is pretty late in its career, and its looking fairly old and tatty here. Its a real shame this car didn't survive. I did some investigation work on it some years ago. When Streetstock racing was first introduced to Palmerston North speedway in the early 1990s, a racer wanting to get involved with the class convinced the person who owned the Monaro to sell it to him so he could Streetstock it. By this time everyone in saloon car racing had gone to space-frame cars with plastic bodies on top, so the old Monaro was really outdated.

I actually remember seeing this car race as a Streetstock at one of the earlier events in Palmy when the class was first introduced. At first I was amazed to see that someone had turned a Monaro into a Streetstock, but then noticed it was left hand drive, and the alloy sheet inside the cockpit was all still intact from its saloon racing days. It was painted matt black and basically got beaten to death. At the time I had no idea of its history.

I grew up in Palmy and remember riding my push bike when I was about 14 in the mid 1980s along behind a wreckers yard with a buddy of mine. On top of a stack of cars at the back of the wreckers was another HQ Monaro speedway saloon that was waiting to be crushed. It was painted cream with an orange stripe, and #13 on the door. When I saw it I assumed it was the ex-Dorn car, but it turns out this was another Monaro again. They made for pretty popular speedway saloons.

24668




Pictured as raced by Glen Larsen who brought it off Chris Dorn who owned the car which brother Bill drove. Glen sold the car to Trevor Adamson who turned it into a Streetstock running 202 and three speed box. He had to change it back to right hand drive after his first season with it and continued to race it until it got to bent to be effectively repaired. I think he kept the roof with the intention of making a sedan into a Monaro again.

[Rod Grimwood]

Some very early shots from the Glen Jones (Jigger) collection. Glen did a bloody lot in the time he was with us and it is hard to think 20 years have gone past since he left us, still can see the cheeky grin and the it can be fixed attitude.

[Rod Grimwood]

Some other action shots of Glen from early days.

[Rod Grimwood]

A NZ Champion (14) getting the shove and by the look of it he is remembering who, and would no doubt have repayed with credit. Lindsay Willis was/is well known in all forms of motorsport and very handy car builder along with it.

[Rod Grimwood]

More action from Rotorua and Glen Jones collection. Just a wire fence, then wood rail and then spectators, oh yea.

[Rod Grimwood]

Who remembers when these appeared on the scene, they changed the whole speedway scene. Glen was at the fore front and they suited his press on style of driving.
And you just changed suspension settings and off to grass track on Sunday.

[seaqnmac27]

Kevin sold this car to Geoff Williams who raced it for 2 seasons. Geoff also ran a 351 in it. Short wheel base plus big grunt equals sideways turns. I took a photo of the car with Geoff driving it around the pit turn in his first season. You could only see the front of the car with the tyres poking out both sides. Looked quite spookie as the signwriter had painted cats eyes into the headlights! Geoff onsold this car to Mike Laird who extended the centre section to make it a Mustang. Not sure if it was ever finished.
The Mike Wemyss Tiger ended up as a Streetstock. I last saw this car in the hands of Richard Houstan from Hawkes Bay. Think it was running a 289 then as Streetstocks were only allowed 290 cubes max.

So did Fillingham have 2 Tigers then? The one sold to Williams and a second one? I ask as I recall them racing together, Williams being the other Tiger in Palmy that I always forget.

[seaqnmac27]

A few guys built and raced these Sunbeam Tigers, with mixed results. They were light, but had very short wheelbase. I spoke with Kevin Gimblett a few months back about the one he raced. He said he did his wrong, in that he put a big motor (351 from memory) in it for more power, when he should have run a lighter 302 or 289. All that weight over the front axle in a short wheelbase car made it difficult to drive.

One of you guys will know who this is. Possibly Kevin Fillingham?


24676

Paul Hoggard, this ended as a Mik Wemyss' car

[seaqnmac27]

I can't even remember when I started going Sean, my father used to take me, but he didn't much care for speedway, so it wasn't as often as I would have liked. But the saloons were my favourites, and all the cars then were built from original road cars, then heavily modified. I was born in '71, so I guess it must have been early 1980s when I first started going. But I think you are right, there were at least two Monaros racing then. After a few years the space-frame cars began appearing. These were mostly Monzas and Toranas.

Here is the Wemyss Tiger. Note its right hand drive.

24692

Steve, the second Monaro I remember would have been Benny Boerbohm.

Nev Brickley drove one as well which may have ended up as that one. My uncle was Brickleys mechanic

[seaqnmac27]

Ok so without slandering anyone and with just a suspicion that this is the correct story. If I am right, this photograph is from the 83 National Saloon champs at Riverside in Invercargill and its from the final race of the night. IIRC Blondie was if not the absolute favourite, then one of the favourites for another national title. In race 1 very early in the race he was punted, pushed, describe it as you will into the wall on the city end of the circuit. damaging the car beyond immediate repair and as a result did not compete again until the last race of the night. Allan Jago is the 4th car I do not recognise the other 2 cars.

24811

[fullnoise68]

A NZ Champion (14) getting the shove and by the look of it he is remembering who, and would no doubt have repayed with credit. Lindsay Willis was/is well known in all forms of motorsport and very handy car builder along with it.

Rod, as I said earlier, Lindsay is a very clever guy and Brett has benefited hugely from inheriting the skills and knowledge throughout the years.

[Dave B]

Ok so without slandering anyone and with just a suspicion that this is the correct story. If I am right, this photograph is from the 83 National Saloon champs at Riverside in Invercargill and its from the final race of the night. IIRC Blondie was if not the absolute favourite, then one of the favourites for another national title. In race 1 very early in the race he was punted, pushed, describe it as you will into the wall on the city end of the circuit. damaging the car beyond immediate repair and as a result did not compete again until the last race of the night. Allan Jago is the 4th car I do not recognise the other 2 cars.

24811
http://macgor.proboards.com/thread/3980/mgbgtv8-saloon-car?page=2#page=1
Think the second car is a MGBV8.

[seaqnmac27]

http://macgor.proboards.com/thread/3980/mgbgtv8-saloon-car?page=2#page=1
Think the second car is a MGBV8.

Dave it is over 30 years ago now, however I do not remember there being an MG at that particular National Champs. I miss Pall Mall!!!

[seaqnmac27]

Some colour shots

24816

24817

24818

24819

24820

24821

[seaqnmac27]

24822

24823

24824

24825

24826

[Dave B]

Ok so without slandering anyone and with just a suspicion that this is the correct story. If I am right, this photograph is from the 83 National Saloon champs at Riverside in Invercargill and its from the final race of the night. IIRC Blondie was if not the absolute favourite, then one of the favourites for another national title. In race 1 very early in the race he was punted, pushed, describe it as you will into the wall on the city end of the circuit. damaging the car beyond immediate repair and as a result did not compete again until the last race of the night. Allan Jago is the 4th car I do not recognise the other 2 cars.

24811
The car at the rear of the pack is the Alan Jago VW
24861
Still working on the others (its bugging me now lol)

[Rod Grimwood]

http://macgor.proboards.com/thread/3980/mgbgtv8-saloon-car?page=2#page=1
Think the second car is a MGBV8.




The number 77 'Rover' of Blondie think this car came up north (Kaikohe and raced in Auckland) to Ray Jordan, got photo somewhere, sure he got his 'Rover' off Chamberlain.

[Dave B]

The car at the rear of the pack is the Alan Jago VW
24861
Still working on the others (its bugging me now lol)
OK. Rumor and some digging with some mates has the second car being the 6s Rowan Julian MGBGTV8 just not in this color scheme
24862
And the third car being Alan (King) George in his 99s Commodore super.
Happy to be proved wrong though

[fullnoise68]

The number 77 'Rover' of Blondie think this car came up north (Kaikohe and raced in Auckland) to Ray Jordan, got photo somewhere, sure he got his 'Rover' off Chamberlain.

That`s right Rod, and also the MG V8 could be Lance Humphreys from Auckland, but I`m not sure if he ventured that far south. I`ll ask him next time I see him.

[Jac Mac]

I wondered if the 2nd car behind Blondie might be Don Black in his Torana Hatch, IIRC it used to be dark green colour base.

[seaqnmac27]

That name sounds familiar Jac, it is certainly not an MG. If its a Commodore, then it could be either Allan George or Peter Woods. I do not remember Woods Commodore's colour, Jac may know, it was quite new at that stage and Woods won the title. There are very few cars I remember, Chamberlain, Jago and Woods stand out, there were an A9X and SLR 5000, Tony Cardwell should have been there in a Pontiac TransAm but I don't remember him being there, as Dave Sangster in his Monaro was another who was definitely there.

The NZMN article able the champs says.
Peter Woods Commodore won the title from Doug Smith Monza, Dave Sangster Monaro and Lance Jennings Torana A9X. Woods won race 1 from Evan Jeffs Camaro and Ron Taylor Mustang.
race 2 Jennings from Woods and Cardwell Pontiac 3rd
race 3 Jennings, Woods and Sangster.


This shot is from the Woodford Glen Saloon car series it shows Chamberlain and Sangster, Smith and Jennings and Warwick Leech and Tony Cardwell. Sorry about the quality of the shot, but looking at the shapes I wonder if the second car is Lance Jennings' Torana
24865

[Jac Mac]

Commodore of P. Woods was metallic blue/silver/white with red highlights IIRC, his cars all used to be 'vermillion fire' or orange thru the Customline & early Mustang era ( he insisted on 'cheap' dulux paint jobs which I ended up doing as we were always running out of time once he started on the Woodford Glen trips:)). I soon got sick of that with the signwriter literally running out the door alongside the trailer to finish it up while the paint was still semi wet!, so while he was in the USA one year I decided the Mustang needed a colour change along with a Dulon paint job, first meeting he 'T' boned Wayne Andrews stalled Capri which was surrounded by its own dust cloud @ Beachlands and I had to redo the whole front end the next Monday, all done in half the time the Dulux work was taking previously, must have liked the colour as it endured thru the Mustang, Firebird and Commodore, though the Commodore might have reverted to Red in later years.

[225sloper]

OK. Rumor and some digging with some mates has the second car being the 6s Rowan Julian MGBGTV8 just not in this color scheme
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And the third car being Alan (King) George in his 99s Commodore super.
Happy to be proved wrong though
Here is the Rowan Julian MG in two more colour schemes2486624867

[225sloper]

Steve, the second Monaro I remember would have been Benny Boerbohm.

Nev Brickley drove one as well which may have ended up as that one. My uncle was Brickleys mechanic

Benny Boerboom in the Big Block Chevy Monaro.2486824869

[Steve Holmes]

Benny Boerboom in the Big Block Chevy Monaro.2486824869

Wow, just awesome!

[Steve Holmes]

Some colour shots

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These are great! Interesting to see speedway taking place in the rain.

[Steve Holmes]

Pictured as raced by Glen Larsen who brought it off Chris Dorn who owned the car which brother Bill drove. Glen sold the car to Trevor Adamson who turned it into a Streetstock running 202 and three speed box. He had to change it back to right hand drive after his first season with it and continued to race it until it got to bent to be effectively repaired. I think he kept the roof with the intention of making a sedan into a Monaro again.

Thanks for that great piece of info. Damn shame it didn't survive.

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the Boerboom Monaro. Note its a four door. Could well have started life as a standard HQ Kingswood, rather than four door Monaro.

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[bigbanger]

Boerboom's 'Monaro' appears to have started it's speedway career as RHD before conversion to LHD based on the photos.

Interesting too, that although a few competitors chose big block motors over the years, none were as competitive as small block engined cars.

[Rod Grimwood]

The number 77 'Rover' of Blondie think this car came up north (Kaikohe and raced in Auckland) to Ray Jordan, got photo somewhere, sure he got his 'Rover' off Chamberlain.

Here you are at Kaikohe Speedway, easy change of number and way we go. Ray was quick in this car. Remember a couple of faces on bank in background as well. This would be around 91/92 I think. I was running a little Mazda (target) for some in c grade. (which was standard class) yea right.

[225sloper]

The Blondie Chamberlain Rover is sitting at Huntly Speedway it is Nissan powered now and they use it for wheel packing,have photos of it,well dig them out soon

[bigbanger]

In Blondie's day, the Rover was powered by a fairly potent Leyland P76 V8.

I recall at least one version of it having a Harcourt intake manifold (made in Chch by Rover/Olds/Buick alloy V8 guru and former OSCA champion John Harcourt) with 'spacer' plates between the manifold and heads to accommodate the gap created by the taller and hence wider Leyland deck height.

Does anybody else have anybody else have any info on Blondie's motors as used in the Rover?

[Kevin Hirst]

Here you are at Kaikohe Speedway, easy change of number and way we go. Ray was quick in this car. Remember a couple of faces on bank in background as well. This would be around 91/92 I think. I was running a little Mazda (target) for some in c grade. (standard) yea right.

No Rod, we were usualy targeted by you, cheers Kev,

[Rod Grimwood]

No Rod, we were usualy targeted by you, cheers Kev,

Kevy, you no return serve is always a better shot. Now be careful, I have found some old photos.
I do remember one end of season prizegiving getting a can of 'Black Flag' flyspray for a prize.

Hey Kevin didn't Ray Jordan put the Nissan in that car.
And he has a new one now with Nissan.

[Kevin Hirst]

Kevy, you no return serve is always a better shot. Now be careful, I have found some old photos.
I do remember one end of season prizegiving getting a can of 'Black Flag' flyspray for a prize.

Hey Kevin didn't Ray Jordan put the Nissan in that car.
And he has a new one now with Nissan.

Only remember it with big inch P76, lot of money went into that motor, Ray always started from the back of the grid &just went around the outside of everybody, neat car &well driven.

[Oldfart]

I reckon you are right about Ray and the Nissan Rod, I will be seeing him tomorrow so will ask.

[BMCBOY]

I don't really remember much about these photos I was asked to take back in 1982, but it was a final of some sort that they wanted some photographs of, and I was asked at short notice. So I also took a few shots of the racing, but I couldn't stand close enough for effective flash photography without being in a dangerous position.
I thought some people may be interested and could bring back a few memories.

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[BMCBOY]

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[Herman2]

So did Fillingham have 2 Tigers then? The one sold to Williams and a second one? I ask as I recall them racing together, Williams being the other Tiger in Palmy that I always forget.

No, Kevin built the 80's Mustang when he sold the Tiger. You might be thinking of the Mike Wemys 27B tiger which often raced at Palmerston North. This car mentioned earlier.

[Herman2]

The number 77 'Rover' of Blondie think this car came up north (Kaikohe and raced in Auckland) to Ray Jordan, got photo somewhere, sure he got his 'Rover' off Chamberlain.

Andre Blinkhorne also had an ex Blondie Rover that he raced out of Palmerston North. Not sure if it was this one or not. One of Blondie's Rovers had a wing built into the roof, ie the top panel of the roof was the top surface of an aircraft wing with the inside paneled to make the wing shape. The car was jacked up at the rear to make the 'wing' the right angle to provide downforce. Not sure if these cars were going fast enough to have the desired effect.

[Rod Grimwood]

22 Cortina is Ron Willoughby with his trade mark hair and was a very quick car, running a very hot Falcon 6. Ron built alot of engines for people over the years.
Notice last photo with Ron kneeling beside car the silicone on sidewall of tyres, this was to assist with brush's from other wheels etc, a few tried it after Tony Valente had been out and did this to his Monza.

[225sloper]

The Ex Blondie Chamberlain Rover,Nissan powered here sitting at Huntly Speedway gets used for wheel packing before a meeting.photo taken April 2011.2499524996

[Oldfart]

I spoke with Ray Jordan today. The Huntly car is not an ex Blondie car according to him. The easiest way to differentiate is the chassis tubes. Blondies/Rays car was rectangular and square with only round tube in the cage. Ray sold it with the Repco motor still in it.

[Oldfart]

Pellow Bros Escort was turboed, lots of HP. They told a great story of it getting loose on the dyno!
Query re effective aero. I built a full aero calculated wing for Dave Brays DX Corolla bodied Modified, and calculations for that, later checked in a wind tunnel gave approx. 480lbs downforce at 70mph which was checked as achievable with a borrowed transport dept radar gun at Waikaraka. What we did not understand at the time was that the sails on the sides were more important!

[Jeff]

This pic was taken at the "Bug In" at Meremere dragstrip in the early 80's
Who's is the Vee Dub ? Is it the Jago car ?
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[Rod Grimwood]

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Found couple more old photos from Waikaraka, Rod Millen with flag which was common, and other with Jim Richards and Monaro in pursuit not long after it was put on track, think this might have been the '30 lap GP' which was raced on Saturday night as a feature after practice for GP at Puke, and this went on for many laps with Millen winning, he just held pole line with front left wheel and made it as wide as possible. The old Capri went alright.

[Rod Grimwood]

The remains of the RX3 being put onto trailer after a hefty shunt into wall with assistance from a Torana (not uncommon) in Auckland championship race final. Ron Kendall at front and yours truly guiding it onto trailer. a lot of work and she was back the next week to take it to them at Te Marua for NZ Championship meeting. Car actually stayed in Wellington.

[Rod Grimwood]

No Rod, we were usualy targeted by you, cheers Kev,


Now, Now, look what I found. Same old number being 'turned' by an assortment of 'Big bullies' and even a little mate (RX2) having a serve.
All good fun, and it was good stuff back then and close racing, as this was not the norm.
The little Mazdas when wound up went good.

[Rod Grimwood]

Just in wrong place at wrong time, don't remember what happened here your honour

[Kevin Hirst]

Just in wrong place at wrong time, don't remember what happened here your honour

My word that car seems to be facing the wrong way a lot Rod, it didn,t seem to do that with the previous owner, perhaps he drove it a bit faster, cheers.

[Rod Grimwood]

He was quick, he had to be to keep away from the bullies.

wish was as quick as yours cobber, that was a neat car your RX2

[Steve Holmes]

The McConnachie brother Mustang fastback

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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks to Steve Elliott who went to the effort to scan a bunch of old speedway programmes so the images could be posted on here. There are loads of them, which I'm really looking forward to sharing on here.

First up is this great shot of Gene Welch, in the wild little Sprintcar based Camaro. This side shot really shows how short the car was compared to a standard Camaro. Note also the centre lock spin-off wheels.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another nice looking HQ Monaro, this one John Hayman's racing out of (I assume) Waikaraka Park.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another from Steve E. This is the Allen Ford Monaro. This car has to be one of the nicest cars ever to race on a dirt track speedway. Check out the attention to detail, and the high quality finish. From the chrome wheels, to the nicely flared wheel arches etc. Just a stunning car. How much would those genuine fluted GTS front mudguards be worth now! Note it appears to have a full mesh windscreen.

Someone on our Roaring Season Facebook page commented that Allen Ford also built the HQ Monaro raced at Waikaraka Park by Jim Richards.

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[225sloper]

And here is a great shot of it in colour2516525166

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, outstanding pics! And the bonus is Jim Richards in the ex-Neville Crichton Castrol GTX HQ Monaro. Thanks for posting.

[fullnoise68]

I`m pretty sure both Allen Ford and Dennis Short built the HQ Monaro with Jerry Clayton paying the bills. I see Allen quite often so I`ll ask him.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info Steve. Rochelle Ford, Allen's daughter, said on our Roaring Season Facebook page that Allen is wanting to build a replica of his championship winning Monaro. I think they're looking for a donor car. Would be great to find out more about that next time you speak to him.

[Impala 65 SS]

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[Impala 65 SS]

:cool:
Tony Baker

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[Impala 65 SS]

25185 Tony Baker. :cool::confused:

[Impala 65 SS]

25186 The boys with the stock cars A framed from Auckland to P/North & return.Must be early 1960s.
as it looks like a TK Bedford unloading fuel at the servo.

[Rod Grimwood]

Great colour photo of Ford and Monaro, they were a great combo, see quick Humber 80 of Ray Chatfield in back ground and Ray Wrights XU1. Chatfields Humber was a very clever car and he was a damn good mechanic/fabricator. Worked for the Scott's and looked after Ash's Victor and Johns Firebird along with his car in between keeping the trucks going. Nice guy's.

[Steve Holmes]

25186 The boys with the stock cars A framed from Auckland to P/North & return.Must be early 1960s.
as it looks like a TK Bedford unloading fuel at the servo.

Awesome pics. This one is outstanding! I'd love to get my hands on that nice '37 Ford coupe.

[Steve Holmes]

Hopefully someone can help me with these two pics. Couple of neat looking Chevelles from the US, for Donny Graham and Jim Hopkinson. Are these two different cars racing at the same time, or the same car visiting on two different occasions with two different drivers?

Thanks to Steve E for the pics.

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[Steve Holmes]

Maybe this should also go in the 'Old Road And Race Cars Ads' thread? This is one of the scans Steve E sent me from various old speedway race programmes. Makes for interesting reading. Check out the price for the Mercury Montcalm. You could have bought a house for that sort of money in 1975. And I reckon a nice '73 Montcalm would struggle to make 12.5K in todays money! So probably not a great investment for whoever stumped up the cash.

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[225sloper]

Does any one know who raced this car has Invercagill on it,is it the Peter Woods car as he was from Gore?25196

[fullnoise68]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;41408]Hopefully someone can help me with these two pics. Couple of neat looking Chevelles from the US, for Donny Graham and Jim Hopkinson. Are these two different cars racing at the same time, or the same car visiting on two different occasions with two different drivers?

Thanks to Steve E for the pics.


They were both here racing at the same time Steve.

[fullnoise68]

Does any one know who raced this car has Invercagill on it,is it the Peter Woods car as he was from Gore?25196

Email the photo to Tony Cardwell at Cardwell Race Supplies, he`ll probably know.

[seaqnmac27]

Jac Mac will know for certain as he worked with Woods, but I am certain that reads Peter Woods under the window front left. I saw a pic of Woods' Mustang in a MotorAction just the other day will look and confirm

[Racefan]

Cars were here at the same time remember it well one of the cars had a cartoon of a child with a meat cleaver with it finger cut off car was called the butcher. I was in the pits one of the American driver was try to pull a local drivers pant down "to see how hairy these kiwis are"

[Steve Holmes]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;41408]Hopefully someone can help me with these two pics. Couple of neat looking Chevelles from the US, for Donny Graham and Jim Hopkinson. Are these two different cars racing at the same time, or the same car visiting on two different occasions with two different drivers?

Thanks to Steve E for the pics.


They were both here racing at the same time Steve.

Thanks Steve

[Jac Mac]

Email the photo to Tony Cardwell at Cardwell Race Supplies, he`ll probably know.

Merv Nelson Invercargill, chassis built by Don Black, think AB might have been part of the build as well , later went to Ron Omelvena, cant remember where from there..... not Peter Woods Car.

[Steve Holmes]

Cars were here at the same time remember it well one of the cars had a cartoon of a child with a meat cleaver with it finger cut off car was called the butcher. I was in the pits one of the American driver was try to pull a local drivers pant down "to see how hairy these kiwis are"

Ha ha, cool story!

[Steve Holmes]

Does any one know who raced this car has Invercagill on it,is it the Peter Woods car as he was from Gore?25196

Yes, Peter Woods, and also went through several others drivers too. Ended up with the Boultons. They raced it like this for a while, then cut the body off and replaced it with a (then) modern '90s Mustang body. The original body they then buried in one of their farm paddocks.

[seaqnmac27]

Merv Nelson Invercargill, chassis built by Don Black, think AB might have been part of the build as well , later went to Ron Omelvena, cant remember where from there..... not Peter Woods Car.

Thanks Jac, I actually looked at the sponsors and thought that Woods would not have had Invercargill sponsors when he was from Gore. This would be somewhere around 79-80? Didn't Woods win his second title in a Firebird? Just looked at picture from Feb 80 and I can't be certain but it looks like it says Pontiac on the front right.

[Jac Mac]

Thanks Jac, I actually looked at the sponsors and thought that Woods would not have had Invercargill sponsors when he was from Gore. This would be somewhere around 79-80? Didn't Woods win his second title in a Firebird? Just looked at picture from Feb 80 and I can't be certain but it looks like it says Pontiac on the front right.
Yes, memory kicked in, from Omelvena it went to Dave Baird in Dunedin, think it also got rebodied by him with 90's Mustang panels, then raffled and won by Graeme Young from Pukerau ( north of Gore ), he raced it for a few seasons before getting into one of Woods Commodore/Corvette cars IIRC.
Stretching my memory in regards to dates now, but I think Woods won one NZ champ in the mustang, then lost at the next year in the Mustang again. Mustang was sold first to Ron Winton ? Dunedin. Firebird was built on a USA chassis kit, all new stuff went into the motor, Firebird just to be different, amusing story [now] about the Monday after that cars first appearance, but my slow typing speed would time out if I tried to post it:)!

[seaqnmac27]

I found the article about Woods winning the 79/80 SI Saloon title when I have a moment I will type it out as it does not scan well. It is very interested due to the conversation elsewhere regarding NASCAR engines.

[225sloper]

Peter Woods won the NZ champs driving the Mustang at Ocean View Speedway in Wanganui,i remember this as i was there and it was the only time i ever saw the Mustang.

[Merv]

225sloper I owned mustang 31 Merv Nelson sold the car to Ron Omelvena he sold it to Ron Taylor Beachlands Ron put the mustang 2body on it he raffled the car Graham Young won the raffle he raced it for a couple of years don't know what happened to car after that I will contact Graham car 31 had Woods motor,gearbox,diff,and most of the front end out of his mustang. In it as for Woods mustang what was left of it was sold to Ron Winton from Bwachlands then it went to Dave Baird, what happened to it after that some one from the Beachlands track like Wayne Andrews might be able to fill the missing holes but the Peter Woods mustang was a very rare car it was a Shelby KR which he found out a few years after he sold it but that's another story Woods himself can tell you that I know it's true as I had all the running gear out of that car Woods and me have a good laugh about that now or a cry Tony Cardwell might know the story as well

[Merv]

More about mustang 31 Alex Brown Was the guy that built the mustang he done the lot it was at the time the first a grade saloon car(as they were called at that time)to run stagger in the South Island I don't know if any body in the north island was doing it, it wasn't that we wanted to run stagger it was a case if we wanted the car to stop spinning up then we had to do itas there was a slight problem with the car build other than a complete rebuild of the chassis we run the stagger, to find out if it was going to work, I got my mate who said that it would never work to be the first person to drive the car around riverside at speed so Peter Woods Jump in done 15 laps was lapping very very close to the times he put his mustang around riverside came back in and said that the car done what. He wanted and we should tighten the back end a bit and throw away the small steering wheel and put a falcon one on Don Black was the guy that found that the car wasn't quite square Allan Shuttleworth was the guy that came up with the idea of running the stagger and he worked how much was needed as at the time shuts was running a midget and was involved with sprint cars so all in all things work out ok hope this helps sloper

[Merv]

Steve this is Merv Nelson I put my reply to you and sloped on what I thought was this page about my mustang 31 but some how it seems to have gone onto page 12 I'm new to this so must have pushed something I shouldn't have sorry about that but what is there should answer all the questions that is required about this mustang 31 and Peter Woods mustang 21

[Habu]

225sloper I owned mustang 31 Merv Nelson sold the car to Ron Omelvena he sold it to Ron Taylor Beachlands Ron put the mustang 2body on it he raffled the car Graham Young won the raffle he raced it for a couple of years don't know what happened to car after that I will contact Graham car 31 had Woods motor,gearbox,diff,and most of the front end out of his mustang. In it as for Woods mustang what was left of it was sold to Ron Winton from Bwachlands then it went to Dave Baird, what happened to it after that some one from the Beachlands track like Wayne Andrews might be able to fill the missing holes but the Peter Woods mustang was a very rare car it was a Shelby KR which he found out a few years after he sold it but that's another story Woods himself can tell you that I know it's true as I had all the running gear out of that car Woods and me have a good laugh about that now or a cry Tony Cardwell might know the story as well

If the Peter Woods car is the one I am thinking of, wasn't it an early and very desirable Shelby GT350R? If so, I'm pretty sure the remains were tracked down and possibly salvaged.

[seaqnmac27]

Steve this is Merv Nelson I put my reply to you and sloped on what I thought was this page about my mustang 31 but some how it seems to have gone onto page 12 I'm new to this so must have pushed something I shouldn't have sorry about that but what is there should answer all the questions that is required about this mustang 31 and Peter Woods mustang 21

Do not be concerned Merv, the way this site works, you have responded to a thread, that thread being Old Speedway Photos, within that thread there is capacity for 20 posts per thread, like items on a page in a book, so when that page is full, it just goes onto the next page, rest assured the continuity is fine.

[225sloper]

Thanks Merv for letting us know the facts about your Mustang number 31,a great looking car,interesting about Peter Woods car being a Shelby.From what i have heard on a number of times is that the body got cut up and dumped on Boultons farm.

[Merv]

Merv here I'm very glad all you guys are interested in my mustang,I must admit it really looked a nice car, but I had a lot to learn about driving it, I was and never would be a Peter Woods ,but I loved the sport and the people I meet in this sport, and it thought that if you are going to race with these guys then you needed a car that was up there with theirs , hence putting Peter Woods in the car as soon as we finished it, if he could drive it as quick as he could in his own mustang then you had the car, but like I said before, there are drivers and other drivers, I'm the first to admit I'm not a Peter Woods, Tony Cardwell, Skinny Coleson, Don Black,Dennis Bolt, these guys know how to drive a saloon car, and I believe if they came back into the sport today the would be up there with the best of them,as for one of the other questions about Woods mustang when me and Peter were. Talking about his mustang I was told that the car was a Shelby 500 how we found out how rare his car really was (I'm in two minds to say any more but I don't think Peter will mind) was a number of years after the car was sold when a guy phoned Peter from the states wanting to buy shares in his mustang, this guy was speaking on behalf of this group of four guys, Peter being Peter never let on that. He had cut the car up into three cuts in the states and shipped it back to NZ and also didn't tell them he had mad it into a speedway car, they asked him if he knew what his car was, Peter said that he had a Shelby, that was the only badges the car had on it when it was driven into the junk yard that Peter worked out of in Los Angeles, there was no other markings on the car at all so this guy from the states then went on and told Peter what kind of Shelby He had, these guys tracked the car down through the vin numbers.and the last owner of the Shelby, so these guy as I said told Peter what kind of Shelby he had and what the car was worth on the US car market at that time, When Peter found out that he just told the guy that if the car was worth that much he had no intensions of selling the Shelby, so that's how we found out what kind of Shelby it was, it was a Shelby 500kR, and was a very lot of money way into the thousands, any body that follow the car auctions in the states would know around about what it was worth , Peter told me all about his talk with these guys in the states as I was the one that brought all the running gear out of that mustang of Peter Woods we had to have a good laugh over this, so if the Boultons have the remains of Peters car that's some thing I don't know but it would take a lot to even think of getting that car back to what it was,near impossible I would say hope this clears up most of. The questions thank you and keep asking the questions as there is a lot of history out there in NZ speedway thanks Merv nelson

[Jac Mac]

[B][COLOR="#0000CD"]Need tocorrect/clarify a few things here.

Woods Mustang #21 was built from the front half of a locally pranged 65 /66 mustang fastback and the rear half of the aforementioned 65 shelby fastback, the front half of which followed the next year.

1.The car was initially raced with the Hi-Po 289 from the Shelby for a few meetings before a piston pin seized, broke the piston & kicked what was left of pin/rod thru the bore.

2. That HP 289 was replaced with a 351w with 289 heads & offy 360° intake that had spent some time in Kevin Woods super mod. We rebuilt that engine after first season with full floating pins etc. This is the motor sold to Merv for car #31

3. I had begun building a 351w replacement for that earlier motor with aria's pistons, ported 351w heads, GT40 valves etc, This motor remained in the car when Ron Winton bought the car. The block had to have a sleeve fitted during build due to a machine work error, I now have this block and bored it to 0.040" OS.

4. I also bored/honed a spare block for the car during Woods ownership, this was never used in Peters car, but I used it to build a new engine for Ron Omelvena when he bought Mervs #31 car.

The stock car was built on the basis as above from 65/66 fastback parts.
Where Merv & Peter may be getting things crossed up was the Shelby GT500 road car that Peter owned several years prior to this ( 428 CJ ) & then sold to Dr Alastair Reekie of Invercargill.

[Jac Mac]

Man this PC is driving me nuts!!

[Merv]

Well that's cleared up a few things for me as well Jac I thought Woods was talking about his race car forgot about the Shelby that he owned well it's all sorted out now, I must say that the motor that I did end up with was a good one you made a good job of building it,I'm sorry if I lead you astray but what I did say was what I was lead to believe was the truth never mind that was years ago and now we all got the story straight,in the end,

[Steve Holmes]

Fantastic info on the Mustangs Merv, thanks so much for posting. Thanks also Jac for clearing up my confusion regarding that photo posted earlier of Merv's Mustang which I assumed to be the Peter Woods car. Amazing to think there were multiple 65/66 Mustang fastbacks competing in speedway at the time, given how rare and desirable they would have been as road cars. Awesome stories though, keep them coming!

Re the demise of the Woods car, several years ago I created a t-shirt design for the Boulton family (through my custom t-shirt company Monster Race Wear), and through doing a bit of research, I was scouring through their old website, which featured profiles of all the racing Boulton's, and older racing photos of each. For Bruce Boulton, who was the first of the family members to get involved in speedway, there was a photo of a 65/66 Mustang, painted black. Then there was another photo next to it of a newer mid-90s shape Mustang, with a caption saying this was the car pictured earlier, now fitted with a new body.

I asked Josh (I think) Boulton if this was the old Peter Woods car, to which he replied that it was. I asked what happened to the old fastback bodyshell, and he said they buried it in one of their farm paddocks when they replaced it with the new shell. Remember, this was several years ago so my memory may be a little off, but I'm sure he said there had been a few speedway enthusiasts come out to their home and ask if they could dig it up. But I think its still out there.

The Boultons don't seem to have a website anymore, only a Facebook page, but maybe its worth asking about this? Would be interesting to know.

[Merv]

Yeah I for one would love to know if it was Peter Woods car that they put in a hole on there farm,the Boultons would be the only people to ask if it's there, all the talk around Peters mustang is saying that it is in a hole on the Boultons farm,it's a shame if that is true as that mustang was a fantastic car, mind you in saying that I believe the Woods mustang had the very best driver in the country at that time behind the wheel,I doubt if any one would disagree with that statement, we were both members of Riverside Raceway, here in Invercargill, and quite close friends,I also had the pleasure to travel to the states with Peter and his wife Sarah in the mid sixties, they took us to quite a bit of speedway on these trips,and to a number of race car builders shops a very interesting trip, it was here that we got to see the type of new race car that Peter was planing to build,(the firebird) but Peter was held in high regard at Riverside and every one in the club followed his exploits on the race tracks around New Zealand,there was one season that he won every title in New Zealand,the NZChamps, the North Island and South Island champs, the NZ Grand Prix,the South Pacific champs, the Coca Colo 500,the Southland champs, the Otago champs,and I'm not sure about the Canterbury champs,and the A Grade Saloon car teams racing. Between Southland, Otago,Canterbury, my question is has any body else been able to achieve such a winning streak in one season winning so many titles, I can't think of anyone else,and I can't remember what year that he managed to do this,so if any one can enlighten me on this, I would be grateful, Jac Mac you might have some idea as you had to keep the motor fresh,

[Merv]

Merv again I know that it was done in the mustang, but what year I don't know.

[Jac Mac]

Merv, I know that there was at least one very succesful year as you mention, but could only guess at around 76 thru 78 I think.
As for engine refresh that was only each off season and I dont remember any major failures other than the original 289 Hi Po and it was run straight as imported from the Shelby. IIRC the 351, it broke a rocker stud at the NZ Champs in NI as TC got his thumb burnt holding it over the stud hole in the head/water jacket while they searched for a replacement.
Much more time was spent replacing bent suspension & replacing side panels/paint etc. We were always looking to improve suspension/traction etc & PJW was always fitting new rubber, like most motorsport its the whole package rather than just HP, he found that out in hurry with first meets in the Firebird.

[225sloper]

Here is a photo of the Peter Woods Mustang.25295

[225sloper]

Another nice photo of the Allen Ford Monaro taken the same time as Gene Welch Vega.2529625297

[Jac Mac]

Here is a photo of the Peter Woods Mustang.25295

Found another pic on the thread 'FromShelby Mustang,to Dirt Track Racer,the final death' by Dale M, pic by Pall Mall.
The pic above is an early one of car when red/orange, wouldnt be surprised if it was taken with 289HP in its final seconds by look of all the smoke.

[Kiwiboss]

Everyone thought the Woods 65 Mustang was a very rare one of only 37 made Shelby GT350 R-models, of the 37 R-Models only 4 aren't accounted for in the US register and I was asked by an American person to find out about this car, this was some 6 plus years ago now, but at one Baypark meeting I was introduced to Peter and gently quizzed him on this Mustang, he didn't know me at all but the information he gave me was enough to tell it wasn't and R-model and was probably one of only 562 genuine 65 Shelby street GT350's, still very rare today mind you!!

Dale M

[Jac Mac]

To add to that, the stock car only used the rear half and during developement the extra Shelby brackets that were added for tramp bars, shocks etc all disappeared to make way for other traction aids. As the original chassis numbers would have been attached/stamped to the front half of the body that portion would be more useful, not sure where that went, was it used in the construction of Mervs #31 car?
As Dale mentions it was a basic GT350 version, the motor was a factory 271hp Hi Po, not the 300+hp version of the 350 R model. I gave Peter a magazine article at the time with a road test of the car & we had enough info via Maier racing at the time to realise it was not the R model. Even then it did not sit to well with some of us to see it made into a stock car.... BTW the reason it was bought in in two parts was to get around import restrictions at the time.... whole complete cars were a no no.

[Merv]

Yeah Jac I did get the most of the front suspension from Peters mustang,I tell you what, this conversation about the mustangs is very interesting, I thought that I knew most things about both of these mustangs, I often spoke to Peter about his car as I use to pit crew a lot for him when Bill Brand couldn't make it, and what better way to learn things,do it with the best, and I did learn a hell of a lot from Peter, I found him the type of person that would tell you things that would help you, and working as a pit crew you got to learn all his little tricks for the mustang the rear settings to help make it grip, the two tyre pressures on each rear tyre, that was when I found out that his mustang ran two tubes in each rear tyre, turn the valve to pump up each tube, all these little tricks helped like never run a green tyre,always scuff tahem of first, which we used to do on the practice day before any championship meeting,all these little things helped and showed you how much a professional Peter Woods really was, This is just a few of the things that we had to do before each race meeting, but it really helped me with my own racing program and I really thank Peter for that,But yeah Jac I did get Peters front end, keep it all coming boys this is very interesting..

[Merv]

Jac when you all built the firebird, did the chassis come from speedway engineering in L A, why I ask is Peter took us there when we went to the States with him, he more or less said to us that this car that they were building there at the time that his new race car would be the same, those guys also made there own quick change diffs, and he said that he had a donavan motor jacked up for it, I know that he had a lot of trouble with the donavan and got rid of it to some guy in Christchurch as I took it up there for him and dropped it of at this business I think some guy that was running a sprintcar brought it was that right, after that motor was gone what kind of motor did he run in the firebird then, and did you build it for him? As that car had some far out horse power, I didn't pit crew that much on that car, but a lot of the tricks he had on the mustang got carried over to the firebird ( ie the tyre setup ) I would be very interested to learn as much as I could about the firebird, I know that after Peter it went to Brian Ketton in Timaru then his son took it over after Brian, then Brian. brought Peters first comadore,and if I remember he got the motor for that car from Ian Tulloch the one he use to run in his Capri, is that what happened? Ivan also remember when Peter was away on one of his trips to the States he let Tulloch race the firebird at riverside,after the meeting a few of us went over to Tulloch and asked him how he enjoyed his days racing, his reply was that he hadn't driven a car with so much horsepower, he said it was unreal we had to have a laugh as there wasn't a panel other than the roof that didn't have a dent in it,old flange must have had his work cut ot for him to get it all back to where it was when Peter left for the States, now this is my question to you Jac. How much horsepower did that firebird have,I know that it was a lot you only had to watch that car hook upcoming out of the corners and how much it dropped going into the next corner before the gas peddle hit the metal again the dirt use to just fly of that car when it dropped down going into the corners, I know that when I was pit crewing with Peter on the firebird the first thing we had to do when tahe car came back into the pits after each race was to bring tale tails down on the shocks fast,so of you can give us a bit of history on the firebird Jac it would be good the car was to much high tech for me to follow

[225sloper]

The Peter Woods Mustang in the blue and white colours which was when he won the NZ Champs at Wanganui.25299

[Jac Mac]

Hi Merv, yes I can answer most of the questions you raise there, some of the answers might cause a bit of agro though and I will have to write it all up as an attachment as I type to slow and the site here wont allow me to post it. At least it will give some folk a bit of a laugh.

[Merv]

Jac as I'm new to this site where do I go to read the attachment that you are going to post, does it still come up here?or do I need to go to some other area?thanks Merv

[Merv]

Jac after last night I started thinking Peter run my mustang at full song down that side road by Charlton, and I don't know if I told you that he broke the end of my gearbox when he had jus finished running it at full song on Russell Murrys rollers,he just backed of and it let go sending the driveshaft through the floor it was lucky the set was built the way it was or he could have got hurt big time they for got to put the one of the clips on the driveshalf

[seaqnmac27]

Hi Merv, yes I can answer most of the questions you raise there, some of the answers might cause a bit of agro though and I will have to write it all up as an attachment as I type to slow and the site here wont allow me to post it. At least it will give some folk a bit of a laugh.

You know Jack, you could do that, write it as a word file, then copy and paste it into here.

[Oldfart]

You know Jack, you could do that, write it as a word file, then copy and paste it into here.

I think that's what he already does Sean, certainly what I thought he meant.

[Jac Mac]

Jac when you all built the firebird, did the chassis come from speedway engineering in L A

Yes, although I found out much later it was actually a pavement chassis for longer tracks, not 1/4 mile dirt.

, why I ask is Peter took us there when we went to the States with him, he more or less said to us that this car that they were building there at the time that his new race car would be the same, those guys also made there own quick change diffs, and he said that he had a donavan motor jacked up for it, I know that he had a lot of trouble with the donavan and got rid of it to some guy in Christchurch as I took it up there for him and dropped it of at this business I think some guy that was running a sprintcar brought it was that right, after that motor was gone what kind of motor did he run in the firebird then, and did you build it for him?

Yes & No. I built the first motor which was 355 based on new raw Nascar Block along with Iron Nascar castings for heads, balance was comp cams, crower rockers & rods, victor junior etc. Donovan block turned up after I had left & Tony Riordan was building woodys stuff. It was plagued with oil pressure problems that they never got to the bottom of until after it had been sold. Tony was asked to look at Don Blacks Torana that had similar issues, that was tracked down to a gallery plug that seperates unfiltered & filtered oil in a chev block, on hearing of this Woods rang the new Donovan owner & asked him to check, sure enough.

As that car had some far out horse power, I didn't pit crew that much on that car, but a lot of the tricks he had on the mustang got carried over to the firebird ( ie the tyre setup ) I would be very interested to learn as much as I could about the firebird, I know that after Peter it went to Brian Ketton in Timaru then his son took it over after Brian, then Brian. brought Peters first comadore,and if I remember he got the motor for that car from Ian Tulloch the one he use to run in his Capri, is that what happened? Ivan also remember when Peter was away on one of his trips to the States he let Tulloch race the firebird at riverside,after the meeting a few of us went over to Tulloch and asked him how he enjoyed his days racing, his reply was that he hadn't driven a car with so much horsepower, he said it was unreal we had to have a laugh as there wasn't a panel other than the roof that didn't have a dent in it,old flange must have had his work cut ot for him to get it all back to where it was when Peter left for the States

Flange & Barry C were far from impressed at Inkys efforts!!!

, now this is my question to you Jac. How much horsepower did that firebird have

Nobody Knows, neither Tony or I had Dynos & any horsepower figures were dreamed up at the after race functions:)

,I know that it was a lot you only had to watch that car hook upcoming out of the corners and how much it dropped going into the next corner before the gas peddle hit the metal again the dirt use to just fly of that car when it dropped down going into the corners, I know that when I was pit crewing with Peter on the firebird the first thing we had to do when tahe car came back into the pits after each race was to bring tale tails down on the shocks fast,so of you can give us a bit of history on the firebird Jac it would be good the car was to much high tech for me to follow

Hopefully in text above, I rang Merv with other details yesterday, I can still talk faster than I can type!!

[Merv]

Yeah it was very interesting talking to you Jac, I learnt a lot from that talk, it's a pity that you can't put it up here as there was quite a bit of funny stuff in that talk, and some of the guys on this site might get a laugh out of it, but thanks again for the phone call Jac

[Merv]

Hey Steve you were saying how you impressed that we had two 65/66 mustang fastbacks racing at one time at riverside, well to take that a bit further we also had a 69 boss mustang racing in the same grade it was owned by Trevor Uren, and we had a 66 notch back wich was owned by Roddy Ingles, and another notch back owned by Tim Polard, so we had 6 early model mustangs racing in the same grade,along with Don Blacks A9X torana,Norm Bulers camaro, Woods firebird,John McDerrmotts really quick escort,Russell Lees escort, and the Jeffcoats flying brick,Andy tuffleys XUI torana and Allan Shuttleworths GTR torana so we had a really good A/Grade, field in those days and we had the top 4 cylinder racing team in the South Island at that time and also the the top A/Grade saloon car team in the South Island at the time ,but looking at what I have just typed it is quite unreal that we had so many cars you would cream your jeans for to own today, hahaha but at that time you couldn't wait to cut them up to make a good stock car when you think about now we where a bit crazy back then must have been, I know like Riverside other tracks around New Zealand were in the same boat so when you take it all over New Zealand we must have cut up some damn good cars to go racing but boy didn't we enjoy every minute of it I know I did