Historic Muscle Cars/Historic Saloon Cars 2017 South Island Tour

[Steve Holmes]

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Hi everyone, this is the first in a series of newsletters to be produced throughout the year regarding our planned Historic Muscle Cars and Historic Saloon Cars 2017 South Island Tour.

I’ll keep this one fairly short and sweet. Historic Muscle Cars and Historic Saloon Cars have been growing steadily in the North Island, but thus far, have not ventured beyond the Hampton Downs and Pukekohe race tracks. In November 2016, we’ll be racing at the MG Classic at Manfield for the first time. However, in February 2017, we plan to take the show even further South.

Since our inception, we’ve had some great support from various South Island HMC racers, most notably Rodger Cunninghame and Colin Dawson, who’ve hauled their cars up from Invercargill to Hampton Downs on more than one occasion. In addition Scott O’Donnell (also from Invercargill) joined us for this years NZFMR. We want to return the favour. But in addition, we also want to take HMC/HSC to pastures new, enjoy some new adventures, and enjoy some great Southern hospitality. We all know how enthusiastic the race fans are in the South Island, and we know we’ll be well received.

The plan is to take in both the Timaru and Teretonga rounds of what we commonly refer to as the Southern Festival of Speed. The dates for these events are:

Timaru: February 10/11/12
Teretonga: February 17/18/19

We don’t plan to include the Skope event at Ruapuna, for various reasons, but namely because we want to give racers a nice sizable break between the very busy back-to-back New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing, but also because doing three consecutive South Island events in a row is probably too much of a commitment for people, who have jobs and businesses back home. However, if racers want to attend Skope, there will almost certainly be a class you’ll fit into.

We threw the question out to HMC/HSC racers about travelling down South in 2017, with the goal being to get at least 20 people say they’d like to go. We expect to have a few drop out before then, and perhaps a few get added to the list, but it at least gives us a rough idea on numbers, and we’d be very happy to have 15 cars travel from the North Island, combined with our South Island HMC/HSC kin-folk.

Please note that only 100% HMC/HSC cars will be eligible, and all cars must have an up to date CoD. This is important. Also, the plan is to have fun, enjoy good company, put on a great show for the punters, and showcase what HMC/HSC is all about. We’re not about race results. We’re about sharing proper historic race cars with like-minded enthusiasts, giving each other space on track, enjoying each others company off track, and providing great entertainment. It should be a blast!

Well, that’s it for now. If you have any questions at all, please contact myself (Steve Holmes) at monsterracewear@gmail.com or Bruce Dyer at bruced105@gmail.com Bruce, as you know, is one of the HMC/HSC directors, and looks after the quite sizable task of Historic Saloon Cars.

This thread is topic specific to these two South Island events, so as not to get lost in the existing Historic Muscle Cars and Historic Saloon Cars threads. So if you have any questions, comments, etc, regarding this subject, please feel free to post here.

[kiwi285]

Really looking forward to this trip south. Marked in big print on the calendar and making other plans for further travel once we are down there.

[Glenn]

have not raced on the South Island tracks yet and really looking forward to getting down there and havin a rev-up with the Southern boys, yehaa!

[GD66]

One good tip I would pass on from my visits to the South Island, keep your fluids up...:cool:

[Grant Sprague]

Yes & don't mention Waikato beer , I wore one of those plastic green rain coats with Waikato beer on it at Levels it was fair p.....ng down my so called friends said best you take that off & get to the club rooms and get a speights ]. true story .this will be great for us guys , thank you Steve ,Mike , Dale, Bruce etc etc .......really appreciate this new found group , remember its about that cars not the stars so take it easy :rolleyes:

[Steve Holmes]

We'll post up the teams as they confirm their travels by booking their ferry crossings and accommodation (that way we know they've actually made a financial confirmation).

First up is Dave Sturrock. 1967 Chevy Camaro.

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[Steve Holmes]

Pete Stevenson. 1966 Ford Mustang.

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[Steve Holmes]

Sean McCaughan. XYGT Ford Falcon.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dale Mathers. 1969 Ford Mustang.

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[Steve Holmes]

Steve Elliott. 1968 Chevy Camaro.

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[Steve Holmes]

Gary Raiti. XA Ford Falcon.

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Note: Gary is between jobs at the moment and while he has done his bookings, his final decision will be based on his situation closer to the time.

[Steve Holmes]

Glenn Allingham. 1970 Chevy Camaro.

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[Frosty5]

Yahooee!! I am planning to be there for this. Never been to an SI track before so it's on my bucket list. Just need to confirm further down the track as work commitments are priority currently and work is lined up almost 18 month ahead. However I will make all the necessary preps to be there.
Cheers Dave Graham

[kiwi285]

Really great to see so many putting their money where their mouths are so early in the piece. This is going to be quite a road show for all involved.

[worsel]

Awesome, really looking forward to seeing and hearing your cars when you open them up on our lonnnnnngggggggg straight and around the big loop. Yahooooo!!!

[khyndart in CA]

All you Kiwis involved with these HMC cars should be very proud of what you have produced. They all look magnificent. Well done.
Over here in the States it is the 50th Anniversary Season for Historic Trans-Am cars.
This is one of my favorites, the ex Peter Gregg Ford Mustang Boss 302 now driven by Peter Hague at Sebring, March 4, 2016
(Photographed by Chris Clark )
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Plus here is a site for "The Big Boys are Back !"

http://www.historictransam.com/




(Ken Hyndman )

[Steve Holmes]

This is Grant Sprague's beautiful MkI Escort Historic Saloon Car which is joining the 2017 South Island tour.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another one confirmed, Dennis McConnell's beautiful MkI Escort twin-cam is all booked up for the tour.

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[paul lancaster]

This is Grant Sprague's beautiful MkI Escort Historic Saloon Car which is joining the 2017 South Island tour.

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Looks alot like a paul jones escort there gaz

[paul lancaster]

Sounds like its going to be a great series again next year, if im not racing myself, I will be looking forward to commentating, and meeting all you guys.i have also heard there will be between 60 to 90 formula juniors for the next sfos as well.will be good to see spragueyagain to.

[Steve Holmes]

The latest team confirmed for the HMC/HSC 2017 South Island Tour. This beautiful MkI Escort was originally built and raced by Ross and Jimmy Stone (of later Stone Brothers Racing V8 Supercar fame), in the 0 - 1,300cc class in the NZ Saloon Car Championship during the early 1970s.

Several years later it became a front runner in the ShellSport series, raced by Roy Harrington in the guise its now presented and raced by current owner David Thompson.

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[BMCBOY]

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[Steve Holmes]

Wow, I LOVE that photo Ross!

[Grant Sprague]

Some thing about Escorts these days............ every one seems to be jumping on the Eski wagon , might be a baby boomer thingy, either ways its fantastic to see them coming out of the wood work more often than not .....

[Steve Holmes]

Another just confirmed, John Sampson and his beautiful Capri RS2600. This car is stunning! And John has been a great supporter of HMC since its inception. Fantastic news!

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[Steve Holmes]

Am pleased to announce the latest driver to be confirmed for the 2017 SI trip. Tony Mexted and his 1970 Mustang fastback PDL tribute.

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[Steve Holmes]

Promotional poster for the Teretonga Classic Speedfest.

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[Steve Holmes]

Although he hasn't yet booked, Bob Hyslop has just told us he wishes to make the trip with his awesome and historic Mazda RX2.

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[Steve Holmes]

Happy to confirm Nigel MacDonald will be making the trip South. Nige still has a couple of issues he is trying to sort out with the famous Red Dawson Shelby Mustang. He'll run the car at Manfeild in a couple of weeks, and if he is happy with it, he'll take this car South.

If not, he'll be taking his maroon '67 fastback.

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[Steve Holmes]

Colin Campbell has confirmed he'll be part of the HMC/HSC 2017 South Island tour. Colin is keen, he is also doing the Skope event the week before Timaru.

This is Colin's beautiful T&C MkI Escort.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another of the little HSC rocket ships that is now confirmed for the 2017 South Island tour; Howard Wood and his hugely popular and very fast BMW 2002 FIA Appendix K car.

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[NZnoboss]

I can't wait to see Dale and the other HMC cars on Teretonga in February. I'll be at the Elbow watching, just as I did in the early-mid seventies with my Dad. It really doesn't seem that long ago......sort of :-) As one of the many who just watch, and don't race, thank you all for making the long trek south.
Cheers,
Bob.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Bob, Invercargill HMC racer Rodger Cunninghame was supposed to be racing his beautiful '66 Mustang with HMC, but unfortunately had a big shunt in the car just recently. Rodger was a big part of the inspiration for organizing this trip.

[Steve Holmes]

Sadly, our good mate Rodger Cunninghame of Invercargill, who was a big part of the inspiration for putting together the 2017 tour, won't be on the grid with HMC/HSC. He recently had a nasty shunt at Teretonga in his beautiful HMC '66 Mustang, and both Rodger and the 'Stang will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

We wish Rodger a speedy recovery.

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[Jac Mac]

Did that car have an alloy or lightweight bonnet skin? seems odd that its been completely removed in the incident with little damage to the inner stamping.

[Kiwiboss]

Did that car have an alloy or lightweight bonnet skin? seems odd that its been completely removed in the incident with little damage to the inner stamping.

Most of the reproduction Shelby bonnets were steel frame with a fiberglass skin just glued on Jac.

[NZnoboss]

Ouch! That's a real shame. I'm in the same Mustang Club as Roger, but hadn't heard about his off. I hope he's not hurt too bad. Looks like he's still smiling in the pic, so that's a good sign.
Cheers,
Bob.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, so as we expected, several people who said they were going to go down South have since changed their minds. Meanwhile, others suffered damage and/or mechanical failures at the back-to-back Tasman Revival and NZFMR weekends and don't have the time to make the necessary repairs.

And so here is a final list of entrants for our tour:

1. Colin Dawson: Chevrolet Camaro
2. Colin Campbell: Ford Escort
3. Sean McCaughan: Ford Falcon
4. Nigel MacDonald: Ford Mustang
5. Howard Wood: BMW 2002
6. Pete Stevenson: Ford Mustang
7. Glenn Allingham: Chevrolet Camaro
8. Dennis McConnell: Ford Escort
9. Bob Hyslop: Mazda RX2
10. Tony Mexted: Ford Mustang
11. John Sampson: Ford Capri
12. Gareth Sampson: Ford Capri
13. Craig Horn: Holden Torana XU1
14. Gary Raiti: Ford Falcon
15. Neville Hills: Ford Escort

Plus:

16. Roy MacDonald: Ford Mustang

Roy MacDonald will be joining us as invitational in his 1967 Mustang, which is very close to HMC correct, but not 100%. We’ve also invited Richie Biddles with his 1970 Camaro, another car that is very close to HMC correct. I believe Richie will enter for Timaru. Roy MacDonald will only be racing with us at Timaru.

[Steve Holmes]

Sean McCaughan is so excited he hit the road yesterday!

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[Oldfart]

I don't believe he could have got any financial help from Stalworthy the owner of Mancave, they don't come any tighter ar*(ed.

it is another half a day from Kerikeri to anywhere :)

[Steve Holmes]

Photo by Tania Allingham as a few of the teams make their way south. The road is pretty rough apparently. Craig Horn emailed me to say he smashed two wheels/tyres on his trailer after going through a huge pothole on the St Arnard road.

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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks to Alison Hogg from Media 77 for the awesome pics from the HMC/HSC Saturday races at Timaru.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Spgeti]

Alison has taken some truly amazing photos from Saturday of our first event of the South Island tour.
I had a great time and all the guys and their families also enjoyed themselves.
The hosts put on a fantastic meeting.
Thank you and good luck for next weekend at Teretonga.... I will miss you all.

Cheers
Bruce D

[NZnoboss]

To all the HMC teams that came south to Teretonga for last weekend's racing, THANK YOU.
What an awesome weekend! The weather was perfect and the HMC show was brilliant! The cars were all beautifully presented, and the drivers and crews, really friendly.
I couldn't believe how sparse the spectators were, but that was great for those of us that were watching, as you could go anywhere you wanted, and get a perfect view. Those that didn't go, missed a real treat.
Thanks again to everyone involved with the tour south, and I hope you can come back some time.

My photographic skills pale in comparison to the pictures above, but I took a few happy snaps of all the racing last weekend. If anyone is interested, they can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/130757521@N07/albums/72157680457224066
Cheers,
Bob.

[ERC]

Some great pics there Bob!

[Spgeti]

I second that Ray.....

[Steve Holmes]

Wow Bob, your photos are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.

[NZnoboss]

Thanks guys. Glad you enjoyed them.
Cheers,
Bob.

[richiev8]

Great weekend of racing at Levels with the HMC boys.
Lots of new friends made, great group of guys
Big thanks to Glenn ( sideways) Allingham for the tyres, and to Tony Mexted for the replacement front tyre after I flat spotted in Qualy.
Love to come play again ( if i'm invited back) next time your in the Mainland
Cheers Richie

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Richie, thanks for being a part of the tour. We really enjoyed having you run with us. Too bad you couldn't do Teretonga, but I hope you had a good time anyway.

[richiev8]

Steve, should the opportunity arise again, I'd like to attend both rounds.
Yes I had great time, may need to buy some new tyres next time :rolleyes:

[Spgeti]

It was great to meet you Richie and it was great to have you on board. Come to MG at Manfeild this year as it is a fantastic meeting.

Cheers
Bruce