New Zealand ShellSport Saloon Series 1978 - 1985

[Steve Holmes]

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In early 1977, Motorsport New Zealand announced there would be some major upheavals taking place within the New Zealand ShellSport Saloon Car championship, in which an engine cap of 2,000cc would be introduced. As popular as the big-banger V8s and screaming quad-cam V6s were with the punters, car numbers since the early ‘70s had been a problem, and there was a heavy reliance on international teams bolstering the grids. The 1976/77 Saloon Car Championship had just two cars which entered every round, in Jack Nazers Victor Chevy, and Bill Leckie’s V8 Capri. There was a fuel crisis happening, fuel restrictions, and these cars had become too expensive to build and maintain, and there was a dwindling number of people prepared or able to make the commitment to them.

Shell Oil continued their support through their ShellSport brand which had been in place since the 1976 season, but almost everything else about the 1978 ShellSport series would be different to what had gone before, including the drivers competing at the head of the field. There was a maximum engine size limit of 2,000cc, but there would also be a complicated sliding scale allowing the smaller capacity cars to run lighter than those nearing the maximum limit.

Several of the small capacity cars from the old unlimited ShellSport championship would continue on, but there would also be a number of new cars built for the new series. The look of the ShellSport series was fitting for the period; wide, small diameter wheels bulging from within heavily radiused guards that were housed by neat wheel-arch flares, tinted perspex windows, belly-rubbing ride-heights, large front and rear spoilers, colourful paint schemes, and the frenzied racket of dozens of high-pitched, high-revving small capacity motors.

The ShellSport series was notable as being something of a breakthrough in the popularity of Japanese cars in New Zealand motorsport, as a large number of Datsuns and Toyotas, plus a few Mitsubishi’s and Honda’s, waged battle against the traditionally popular Ford Escorts.

Bryce Platt, driving an Escort, won the inaugural ShellSport championship, after a season long brawl with Reg Cooks Datsun Cherry in which just 2 points separated the pair at seasons end. Cook won the first of three ShellSport championships the following year, using three different Datsuns to gain the title. He won again in 1980, and ’81, before reducing his involvement in the series. Escort driver Roy Harrington won the 1982 championship, after clawing back the early season points leader Warren Burt, in a 1,300cc Toyota Starlet, while Harrington again won the championship in 1983 despite Cook being in charge early on. Tony Marsh, driving a Datsun 1200 coupe, won the 1984 championship, while Warren Steel took the title in 1985, with a four door Datsun Bluebird.

Following the ’85 season, ShellSport withdrew from the championship, to be replaced by Total Coolwool, and along with the new sponsor came a change of engine rules, with a new 2,500cc maximum capacity limit. Geoff Burrows built up a Mazda RX7, and Kieran Wills imported a Group C RX7 from Australia, and these two cars proceeded to dominate what was left of the older ShellSport cars which found themselves quickly running out of breath. The new-look series didn’t catch on. Burrows won most of the races, which were usually predictable drawn-out affairs, and within 12 months the whole thing crumbled.

Fortunately though, racing enthusiasts are gaining an appreciation for the old ShellSport cars, and more of these are being found and restored, and racing once again at historic events.

Photo by Nigel Watts

[seaqnmac27]

Fabulous close racing, remember well Tony Marsh in the beautiful Black 1200 coupe, was that the ex Cook/Grant Aitken car? Vaguely recall and I think its shown in one of Nigels pics an Avenger cannot remember who was driving it. Think it was from the South though.

[seaqnmac27]

Also remember Reg Cook winning Ashley Forest in that Sunny, 83 or 84? maybe both

[Steve Holmes]

Good memory. Wayne Murdoch had the Avenger.

[seaqnmac27]

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Oh and this is Cook in the Cherry and Aitken in the 1200

[xu1nut]

Not only jappers , escorts and avengers , but the occasional BMC too . This is the ex Brian Hartley shellsport clubman GT that l owned for a number of years after l purchased it from him ( the less said about that deal the better too ) . l only ever did one shellsport race with it at baypark and this is a picture of me and some helpers changing from wets to slicks in the pits . Possibly taken during 1981 or thereabouts , car was fitted with an arden 8 port engine that l had built myself but it only lasted one race before blowing a head gasket . This particular weekend the engine had only been fitted the night before we left Taranaki ( some things never change ) and we'd left the wheelnuts for the wets behind in our rush to get away . Ended up going to a garage where a friendly mechanic let us use his workshop to modify the wheels so we could use them . The nearest drill bit we could find in his drill assortment was a masonry bit * rolls his eyes @ the thought * but it worked . The car was very light and had some trick stuff done to it , l used to use it in hillclimbs and sprints and l think l still might have the 0 to 1300 record at the Kaipikari road hillclimb up at Urenui in Taranaki with it .

[AMCO72]

John, you will know. After Collingwood sold the AMCO Mini to Warren Reid at the end of 1972, Warren converted it into a Shell Sport with a 1300 engine. We know he did some driving himself but also had Rex Hart and the Australian professional Lakis Manticas also driving. We dont know how long he continued, and he may have retired the car by 1978. Would like to know, and any pictures of that era as well would be good. We have tons of pictures of the Collingwood/Panckhusrt days 1969--1972 and lots from 1984 when we purchased the car form Jim Maud, but there is a big gap of 10 years in the middle between about 1973 and 1983 that is missing. Can you fill any of it in, ie it's Shellsport days.

[xu1nut]

Hi Gerald , unfortunately no l can't help you . My motor racing only really started mid
70's with my doing club events and driving my cars down to Manfield to compete in club days , was never into national events that early unfortunately . l did own one other ex shellsport mini that had originally been run l believe by Fred Bailey engineering from Auckland . That car also was fitted with an arden 8 port engine and Fred sold it to Hoss Waswo from New Plymouth who campaigned it for a while in Shellsport l think before removing the crossflow engine and selling the car to a car painter named Wayne Gray from Waitara as a rolling shell . Wayne turned the car into a mini 7 ( 850 cc ) and used it for a couple of years before l bought it from him . l did several mini 7 meetings including one at baypark ( even suffered the indignity of running out of petrol in one race DOHHH ! ) but mainly l used it as a club race mini before buying the ex hartley machine . This is a pic of that car at baypark in a mini 7 race , probably about 79 or 80 .

[seaqnmac27]

Is there any film of thes in action? or is it all locked away by TVNZ with Tony Palmer dribbling nonsense, sorry commentating

[Rod Grimwood]

Tony had a passion for motorsport and we would most probably not have seen half of it if it was not for his passion. Yea he used to get excited and make comments, but I have heard worse from other tv people. Actually spent a bit of time with Tony a couple of months back at a birthday weekend, and he still looks the same. We actually talked about some off the older days and how the coverage was done with 1 or 2 cameras.

Is there any film of thes in action? or is it all locked away by TVNZ with Tony Palmer dribbling nonsense, sorry commentating

[Carlo]

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Here is a couple of Shellsport cars that I have had a bit to do with that are still racing in current South Island Classic meetings.

[Rod Grimwood]

Hello Carl, is the Escort that McNaughton ran still around.

[seaqnmac27]

My apologies Rod and to anyone I may have offended.

[Rod Grimwood]

No apology needed, he was excitable, but ate motorsport as much as he could, only time i can remember him not saying much was when he went for ride one day that works most times. He would have made a great politician with some of his statements.
All good

[Steve Holmes]

25622563

Here is a couple of Shellsport cars that I have had a bit to do with that are still racing in current South Island Classic meetings.

Carlo, thanks for posting these. Whats the history on the Escort?

[beowulf]

Is there any film of thes in action? or is it all locked away by TVNZ with Tony Palmer dribbling nonsense, sorry commentating
I was talking to Murray Deaker at a function for the launch of the Jackie Stewart book. He is not interested in motor sport as such, but has a tremendous respect for the sport and what it has achieved internationally, and its coaching of the young and talented. One of the things he said was that we need to be training a young presenter to help promote the sport nationally. He wondered why Tony Palmer had given up because he considered he had done a good job and liked his enthusiasm. An interesting conversation with a very interesting bloke. And what he said made a lot of sense.

[Steve Holmes]

How many known survivors are there from this series? I know a few ended up being raced in the early years of the SS2000 series in the '90s, but now I expect people are gaining an appreciation for their ShellSport history.

[Milan Fistonic]

2427

Oh and this is Cook in the Cherry and Aitken in the 1200

I don't know if my memory is playing tricks with me, but I thought the two CMR Datsuns were driven by Reg Cook and Robbie Francevic.

I certainly remember my mate displaying a sign on the Hill Stand which read; 99 - 100 Change Hands.

2588

[Carlo]

Carlo, thanks for posting these. Whats the history on the Escort?

Built and run by Fred Bailey then run by John Armstrong (Lombard Finance) and Allan Farr (Auto Performance) brought the car off Army in 1981 and has run it ever since, Shellsport, OSCA, South Island Endurance Series, put it away for a few years then has brought it out again to run in Classic events. I have been known to have to odd run in it too as that particular photo shows.

Timaru was a bit of a hotbed as far as Shellsport went, Kevin Ryan with Big Bertha which a I assisted him with, Warren Burt with a selection of Corollas and Starlets, Wayne Murdoch and the Avenger along with Faraway and the Escort.

Currently there are a few more cars or replica cars around the district, plus Grant Aitken has his car sitting above his office and John Gobbe has found and brought up somewhere around 11 -12 old Shellsport cars and is restoring all of them.

It sure was great highly contested racing with no quarter either given or expected

[Lee Tracey]

Timaru was a bit of a hotbed as far as Shellsport went, Kevin Ryan with Big Bertha which a I assisted him with, Warren Burt with a selection of Corollas and Starlets, Wayne Murdoch and the Avenger along with Faraway and the Escort.

Currently there are a few more cars or replica cars around the district, plus Grant Aitken has his car sitting above his office and John Gobbe has found and brought up somewhere around 11 -12 old Shellsport cars and is restoring all of them.

It sure was great highly contested racing with no quarter either given or expected

Steve, sounds like a great article in there for the next NZCC South Island Special ;)

Cheers
Lee

[seaqnmac27]

I don't know if my memory is playing tricks with me, but I thought the two CMR Datsuns were driven by Reg Cook and Robbie Francevic.

I certainly remember my mate displaying a sign on the Hill Stand which read; 99 - 100 Change Hands.

2588

I just have a vague recollection as Dad used to have a program from the meet with the Pacific cars that it was Aitken in the 1200, I may be wrong of course its a document I pretty much wrecked from flipping through it so much, but I haven't seen that now for over 20 years.

[kiwi285]

25622563

Here is a couple of Shellsport cars that I have had a bit to do with that are still racing in current South Island Classic meetings.

Love that Mk II Escort - great to see these cars have survived and are now running again in classic events.

[nigel watts]

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2632

2633

2634

2635

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[nigel watts]

2637

[Steve Holmes]

Nigel, again, those are great shots! They were good looking race cars. This would be right towards the end of the ShellSport era. Does anyone have info on these cars, or where they might be today?

[Steve Holmes]

Built and run by Fred Bailey then run by John Armstrong (Lombard Finance) and Allan Farr (Auto Performance) brought the car off Army in 1981 and has run it ever since, Shellsport, OSCA, South Island Endurance Series, put it away for a few years then has brought it out again to run in Classic events. I have been known to have to odd run in it too as that particular photo shows.

Timaru was a bit of a hotbed as far as Shellsport went, Kevin Ryan with Big Bertha which a I assisted him with, Warren Burt with a selection of Corollas and Starlets, Wayne Murdoch and the Avenger along with Faraway and the Escort.

Currently there are a few more cars or replica cars around the district, plus Grant Aitken has his car sitting above his office and John Gobbe has found and brought up somewhere around 11 -12 old Shellsport cars and is restoring all of them.

It sure was great highly contested racing with no quarter either given or expected

11 - 12 old ShellSport cars? That is amazing! Do you have any details on some of the cars he has? He could have his own private ShellSport tribute race. Amazing foresight, those will be the next thing sought out by collectors I think.

[Carlo]

11 - 12 old ShellSport cars? That is amazing! Do you have any details on some of the cars he has? He could have his own private ShellSport tribute race. Amazing foresight, those will be the next thing sought out by collectors I think.

Been a tad busy to follow up on a few things but I was talking with Mike Johnson from Ashburton today, many years ago his brother "Butch" brought Noddy Murdoch's Shellsport Avenger which he raced in both Shellsport and OSCA. Butch has brought the old girl out and has repainted it back into the origonal Murdoch colours while Mike is about to give the mechanicals a fresh up and then the car is going to run in the OSCA Classic series later this year.

Noddy meanwhile is currently racing a replica of Rex Findlays car

John Gobbe held a meeting at Timaru at the end of the past season with a view to getting all the Shellsport cars out at one of the Classic / Historic meetings, he is /was going to contact some of the old owners about having a skid in them

[Carlo]

Now that Warren Burt is semi retired he may just get enough time to complete some of his ideas which include rebuilding his old Imp race car and building up replicas of his Shellsport Corollas and Starlets

Steve Parker also of Timaru has Cookies old Sanyo Sunny and it is currently going through the rebuild process. Still remember crouched in the back of that car complete with a gas welding plant welding up the cracks in the rear floor pan where the tramp rods were pulling away from the body and welding body washers over the cracks to strengthen the much repaired area as he drove up to the start line for the final run at Ashley Forest. I got out of the car in the final minute of the countdown. Reg went on and won that run and with it the event.

[Steve Holmes]

Cool story Carlo and great info on those cars. Can you keep us posted on progress of some of these cars? Would be great to see them reappearing again.

[kiwi285]

Built and run by Fred Bailey then run by John Armstrong (Lombard Finance) and Allan Farr (Auto Performance) brought the car off Army in 1981 and has run it ever since, Shellsport, OSCA, South Island Endurance Series, put it away for a few years then has brought it out again to run in Classic events. I have been known to have to odd run in it too as that particular photo shows.

Timaru was a bit of a hotbed as far as Shellsport went, Kevin Ryan with Big Bertha which a I assisted him with, Warren Burt with a selection of Corollas and Starlets, Wayne Murdoch and the Avenger along with Faraway and the Escort.

Currently there are a few more cars or replica cars around the district, plus Grant Aitken has his car sitting above his office and John Gobbe has found and brought up somewhere around 11 -12 old Shellsport cars and is restoring all of them.

It sure was great highly contested racing with no quarter either given or expected

Would it be possible to get some more info on the Shellsport cars and replica's that are around. I am trying to keep a spreadsheet of all circuit race cars still in existance n NZ.

[seaqnmac27]

Steve, sounds like a great article in there for the next NZCC South Island Special ;)

Cheers
Lee

Lee you posted some wonderful pictures in the section pn Baypark, one image I think is in order, Cook, Burt, Harrington and Murdoch The second one has another 4 cars which include Tony Marsh I think as well as a white Mk1 Escort and a Mustard Mk2, any chance of posting them here?

[kiwi285]

A couple of shots of Reg Cooks cars.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2nbt4iu.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/2virrjk.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/1zevbzm.jpg

[Rod Grimwood]

KIWI285 Do you have email adress for info on Shellsport Cars.

[TonyG]

Any ideas on what happened to Jim Stones Gedore sponsored Escort 1300 ?

[kiwi285]

KIWI285 Do you have email adress for info on Shellsport Cars.

email address is mikeandkathyfeisst@orcon.net.nz

[TonyG]

2637

Awesome photos Nigel.

[TonyG]

A couple of these may be in the wrong caregory. Just let me know and I will move them.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img038-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img005-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img006-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img043-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img004-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img002-2.jpg

[Carlo]

A few more Shellsport photos to keep you going until I get time to catch up with a few good old boys and check out a few locations for cars.

Mike and Butch Johnson of Ashburton are rebuildings Noddy Murdoch's old Avenger and intend to run it at the OSCA reunion meetings and then later in classic events. Car is currently underging a rebuild in Mikes workshop. The Datsun 1200SSS is another of Noddy's cars with Lyn Hatton in the ex Cook, Ryan, Wills 160J in the background. Final photo is of Noddy and Allan Farr having a discussion about the damage to the RF guard of Noddy's Rex Findlay replica Datsun

[Rod Grimwood]

Kevin Gerbick got the Findlay Datsun of Rex, and his brother in law Glen Jones (see other thread) raced it for a couple of years very succesfully and then they sold it to move to the Commodore and I have been talking with Kevin lately and he said he would love to know were it went after they sold it. Any info would be great, as this was a top little car.

[Carlo]

Grimme, I hope to catch up with Grant Aitken and John Gobbe in the next few weeks, that should bring a few more things to light. Someone needs to chase up Bryce Platt & Kirk Stoneman as they know a fair bit of what is around up north

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks Carl, I need to catch up with Bryce as I have something in my backroom that Murray Soames and he were familiar with a while back, been sleeping there since 1990 I got it about 1983/84 off Cheese in one of those demon deals in those days. Now it may be.

[PhotoSmith]

Photos from 1982 + 1983 Seasons - Baypark + Pukekohe

[kiwi285]

Some great looking cars there - can someone identify them for us. Do any of these cars still exist today ??

[seaqnmac27]

Ok so off the top of my head, pic one is Harrington Escort, Cook Bluebird, Henley Datsun 160J?. Pic 2 no idea other than its a Toyota Trueno. Pic 3 is Cook Sunny, Burt Starlet, Harrington? Escort, Murdoch Avenger. Pic 4 Burrows, ex Ryan Datsun Sylvia/180J and Cook Bluebird. Pic 5 Warren Burt Starlet. and pic 6 kinda self explanatory for the Escorts, Harrington, Halliday and Kirk Stoneman with the Burt Starlet.

[PhotoSmith]

From the top....
Harrington-Cook-(?) Not sure myself, looks like a 120Y coupe (#7?) - Baypark easter '83
Rod Collingwood, Trueno - Pukekohe - march '82
Cook-Burt-Harrington-Murdoch - baypark Jan '83
Geoff (?) Burrows - baypark easter '83
Burt - Pukekohe jan '83
Baypark jan '82

[Carlo]

From the top....
Harrington-Cook-(?) Not sure myself, looks like a 120Y coupe (#7?) - Baypark easter '83
Rod Collingwood, Trueno - Pukekohe - march '82
Cook-Burt-Harrington-Murdoch - baypark Jan '83
Geoff (?) Burrows - baypark easter '83
Burt - Pukekohe jan '83
Baypark jan '82

Think Phil Henley is in the 120Y in the 1st shot. The Halliday car is the ex Kevin Ryan OSCA championship winning car with a twin cam engine replacing the BDA. Kevin imported the car from the UK and ran it in the colours of Californian Fried Chicken. Don Halliday retained the colour scheme when he ran it. The car went fron Don to Warren Steel and I do wonder where that car is now

[PhotoSmith]

Don Halliday Escort at Baypark easter '82
Grant Aitken 120Y - pukekohe march '82 - is this same car Henley the follow year?
Tony Marsh baypark Jan '84

Cheers
Martin Smith

[bob homewood]

A couple of cars that passed through my hands that had a Shellsport connection of those years ,were the first L/H drive Mark Rutherford Mk 2 Escort ,that Warren Steel had built by Cook Motor Racing ,that car exists no more ,what little remains of the body shell now resides on my Space frame Escort ,the other car that I owned for a short time was the ex GM Vauxhall Chevette,that was also built by CMR and I think driven a couple of times by Mike Hannell,the then GM dealer from Dargaville.I brought that car as a roller with the intentions of building it into a Sports Sedan,using my 416B Hart Twin Cam,with a Hewland gearbox in the rear ,it never happened because the whole project got binned when some body in their wisdom changed the then non existant rules around to stop me putting the gearbox in the rear,so I then onsold the roller on to Warren Steel,and from memory some one with a connection to Ralph Mossman brought it and built it up into a sports sedan using a V8 engine

[Steve Holmes]

Don Halliday Escort at Baypark easter '82
Grant Aitken 120Y - pukekohe march '82 - is this same car Henley the follow year?
Tony Marsh baypark Jan '84

Cheers
Martin Smith

Martin, I love your photos! Thanks for posting these. How many years were you photographing for?

[PhotoSmith]

Hi Steve,

from 1980 onwards, Racing, Rallying & Speedway, mostly around the top half of the Nth Is.

[Rod Grimwood]

A couple of cars that passed through my hands that had a Shellsport connection of those years ,were the first L/H drive Mark Rutherford Mk 2 Escort ,that Warren Steel had built by Cook Motor Racing ,that car exists no more ,what little remains of the body shell now resides on my Space frame Escort ,the other car that I owned for a short time was the ex GM Vauxhall Chevette,that was also built by CMR and I think driven a couple of times by Mike Hannell,the then GM dealer from Dargaville.I brought that car as a roller with the intentions of building it into a Sports Sedan,using my 416B Hart Twin Cam,with a Hewland gearbox in the rear ,it never happened because the whole project got binned when some body in their wisdom changed the then non existant rules around to stop me putting the gearbox in the rear,so I then onsold the roller on to Warren Steel,and from memory some one with a connection to Ralph Mossman brought it and built it up into a sports sedan using a V8 engine


Bob my brother bought the Chevette and ran a 3.5 Rover in it for Sports Sedans, he did a huge rebuild of it with the spare 9 inch from Pinepac Mustang that Tony Rutherford and Dave Lowe had and space framed front and rear with big brakes etc. Had very similar flares, air dam etc as Roger Freeths Starlet and was all in under coat ready for paint when he had his accident. the car sat for along time in the back of my garage and family decided to sell it for children schooling etc.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve,

from 1980 onwards, Racing, Rallying & Speedway, mostly around the top half of the Nth Is.

I hope we get to see more of it. What you've posted so far has been great.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bob the car mentioned above:
Found this photo of brother at club day Puke before he stripped the car right back and did the big rebuild with major lowering, suspension and big flat flares etc. Engine was all tricked with what they do to Rovers. Unfortunatly Mike passed after his accident and never got to drive the car with any anger on the track.
At this stage the car was a good club car with mild Rover in it. Humour to watch.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bob the car mentioned above:
Found this photo of brother at club day Puke before he stripped the car right back and did the big rebuild with major lowering, suspension and big flat flares etc. Engine was all tricked with what they do to Rovers. Unfortunatly Mike passed after his accident and never got to drive the car with any anger on the track.
At this stage the car was a good club car with mild Rover in it. Humour to watch.
Sorry pushed wrong button

[seaqnmac27]

Can somebody give some information about the Collingwood Trueno? Is there any relationship to the one that was run by the Radisich's in the B & H series in 81 -82?

[PhotoSmith]

350735093508
Can somebody give some information about the Collingwood Trueno? Is there any relationship to the one that was run by the Radisich's in the B & H series in 81 -82?

Different cars, I believe the Frank & Paul Radisich from 81-82, was driven by 1 of the Radisich's and Bob Pennell (?) the following year & ended up rolling onto the front straight at Baypark, labour weekend '82. Then ran by the Emson's in the B&H series in 83-84, with the Motor Expo colours.

[Steve Holmes]

Sorry pushed wrong button

I love that Chevette Rod. The Chevette was a was a good performer in its day, but doesn't seem to be at all popular with the historic racing crowd compared to the Escorts and Cortinas etc.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve I found the car about five years ago, and it is sad but the guy butchered it. He sold rear end but doesn't know were it is, stuck in another 9inch and locked it so he could run it on dirt at speedway, took of the nice flares and body kit and doesn't know were they went. Motor was also sold and I think it went into another Rover speedway car. He only did a couple of events and car then just sat outside his workshop for ages and deteriorated. Pity as it was pretty good little car with alot of work put into the suspension and braking area and also a good looking beast. I along with mate looked at rebuild but it was too far gone.
I will try and find some photos of it when it was just about finished etc.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rod, I'd love to see the photos. What a shame its ended up as it has.

[Ian.Maskell]

I have a Datsun 1200 coupe which I believe was build by Rod Collingwood for the 1980/81 Shellsport series. I purchased the car in 1989 from Peter O'leary of Carterton, and raced it in the early SS2000 series for a class win. The car has remained in use (now treated as a classic) and has just had a birthday with a new engine and tlc getting ready for Chc Festival of speed in Feb 2012. Always good to go to Chc as there are so many people that remember the car and come over for a look and a chat

[Steve Holmes]

Great first post there Ian! Would love to see some photos of your car.

[bob homewood]

Is this the car that Clive Newman ? Had for a while ?


I have a Datsun 1200 coupe which I believe was build by Rod Collingwood for the 1980/81 Shellsport series. I purchased the car in 1989 from Peter O'leary of Carterton, and raced it in the early SS2000 series for a class win. The car has remained in use (now treated as a classic) and has just had a birthday with a new engine and tlc getting ready for Chc Festival of speed in Feb 2012. Always good to go to Chc as there are so many people that remember the car and come over for a look and a chat

[shellsport]

Fabulous close racing, remember well Tony Marsh in the beautiful Black 1200 coupe, was that the ex Cook/Grant Aitken car? Vaguely recall and I think its shown in one of Nigels pics an Avenger cannot remember who was driving it. Think it was from the South though. Hi , most likely Noddy Murdoch in his Avenger .

[shellsport]

25622563

Here is a couple of Shellsport cars that I have had a bit to do with that are still racing in current South Island Classic meetings.Looks a bit like the Ex Cooky , then Kevin Ryan 160j with different colours , rear flares and sinage

[Carlo]

Yes the 160J has the flare kit that Kevin fitted, FYI they are a copy of the flares that Warren Burt had on the Starlet. Keven ran the car with Scope signage, there is a shot of it in the excellent shellsport clip on this website

[BMCBOY]

Here's a few from the archives - I have a lot of mainly Black and White shots from this era if anyone is looking for anything in particular

[kiwi285]

Some really great shots there. Keep them coming.

[Steve Holmes]

I second what Mike said. ShellSport pics are always welcome. Fantastic looking race cars.

[GeebeeNZ]

I remember being surprised many years ago to find out that some of the top Shell Sport Datsuns were not in fact owned by the drivers but by a gentleman named Fran Judge.Can anyone confirm this and what was Fran Judges involvment. Was he behind the sponsorship of cars from companies such as Statesman Shirts.

[PhotoSmith]

30 Years ago...........Baypark Labour Weekend Meeting.

[David McKinney]

I remember being surprised many years ago to find out that some of the top Shell Sport Datsuns were not in fact owned by the drivers but by a gentleman named Fran Judge.Can anyone confirm this and what was Fran Judges involvment. Was he behind the sponsorship of cars from companies such as Statesman Shirts.
Don't think I knew that, but Cran Judge was involved earlier, with Paul Fahey and/or Grant Walker in the Cologne Capri era, if I remember correctly (which I do with decreasing reliability these days!)

[bob homewood]

Don't think I knew that, but Cran Judge was involved earlier, with Paul Fahey and/or Grant Walker in the Cologne Capri era, if I remember correctly (which I do with decreasing reliability these days!)
Yes and Kevin McNamara that I can remember ,will have to think a bit more on that one,A.C Gill was that another of Crans businesses ?

[David McKinney]

I think it might have been - but you're pushing now:(

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes it was Bob. He also ran Burrows in the Datsun and then the RX7. Fran was involved with a few cars back then.

[Steve Holmes]

30 Years ago...........Baypark Labour Weekend Meeting.

Thats a neat photo!

[Ian.Maskell]

Yes - I gather Clive had it for a while but not sure of duration.

[bob homewood]

[QUOTE=Ian.Maskell;6406]Yes - I gather Clive had it for a while but not sure of duration.[/QUO

That car was originally built by Max Crawford in Dunedin ,When Max decided to go to the States Rod brought it of Max,in turn when Rod came north for the Shellsport series ,I looked after the car and helped him at all the meetings up here,when the car was sold to Clive Newman ,I carried on with the tuning etc
Here is the link to what Max has done
www.crawfordcomposites.com/daytmaxpr.htm

[Ian.Maskell]

Will put together phots and post

[Ian.Maskell]

Im not sure how many cars were built the same way as mine. I was given the impression some years ago, the car stretched the rules but really have no idea. part of the story I have is that the car was a little late getting on the grid for 1980. In any case in building the car, the car body was inzipped at the junction of the floor pan and the sides, and the floor pan lifted 2 inches (50mm) to effectively lower the RL of the roof by 2 inches. The suspension top positions have been "turreted" and the tunnel enlarged to acommodate the drive shaft and exhaust. As with most cars the motor was set back the 12 inches but I changed the fire wall to create more room to improve access for mgearbox removal. I will post some phots to show some detals of the car if anyone is interested. Equally, I would be interested if there are any other survivors (being still raced) from this era.

[Rod Grimwood]

Post as many photos as you have Ian it is all interesting. PS. You never stretch the rules, you just interpret them differently.

[Les Laidlaw]

4318

[bob homewood]

Im not sure how many cars were built the same way as mine. I was given the impression some years ago, the car stretched the rules but really have no idea. part of the story I have is that the car was a little late getting on the grid for 1980. In any case in building the car, the car body was inzipped at the junction of the floor pan and the sides, and the floor pan lifted 2 inches (50mm) to effectively lower the RL of the roof by 2 inches. The suspension top positions have been "turreted" and the tunnel enlarged to acommodate the drive shaft and exhaust. As with most cars the motor was set back the 12 inches but I changed the fire wall to create more room to improve access for mgearbox removal. I will post some phots to show some detals of the car if anyone is interested. Equally, I would be interested if there are any other survivors (being still raced) from this era.

Yes thats how I remember it ,incidentally I became very familiar with the gearbox removal on that car over those Summer meetings,some weekends I was doing two gear box changes a race weekend ,then having to rebuild them both over the next week in readiness for the following weekend,NZIGP meeting I changed them between heats and remember we just dropped it down off the stands in time to join the cars as they were driving out of pit gate

[Ian.Maskell]

Give me a clue please how to post photos please - bit of a techno clutz

[pallmall]

Give me a clue please how to post photos please - bit of a techno clutz

There is a thread up top with how to post photos.

[Steve Holmes]

Give me a clue please how to post photos please - bit of a techno clutz

Flick me an email if you get stuck Ian.

[Steve Holmes]

4318

Neat photo Les. Was this car BDA powered?

[Les Laidlaw]

Neat photo Les. Was this car BDA powered?
It was 1600 crossflow with BDA bottom end

[bob homewood]

It was 1600 crossflow with BDA bottom end

Along the way later in its life I raced this car with my 1850cc 416b based twin cam engine in its L/H drive format,then the bones of the body shell ended up clothing my present space frame Escort

[Steve Holmes]

Halliday ShellSport Escort, at, I think, Manfeild. Photo taken by Warwick Clayton.

4621

[Carlo]

The Halliday Escort pictured is the ex Kevin Ryan OSCA Championship winning car. Kevin purchased the car as a roller from the UK and fitted it with a 1600cc BDA to run in OSCA. He sold the car to the Hallidays when he purchased Big Bertha from Reg Cook. Prior to Kevin's purchase the car had a very successful UK competition history as a Twin Cam.

Again this is another car that I would like to know the whereabouts of.

[bob homewood]

After Hallidays it went on to Ken Hobern ,some time ago he still had it ,Grimmy might know

[David McKinney]

Prior to Kevin's purchase the car had a very successful UK competition history as a Twin Cam
I never knew that. Do we know who the successful pom driver was?

[Fandatstick]

Halliday ShellSport Escort, at, I think, Manfeild. Photo taken by Warwick Clayton.

4621
Owned since late 80s and still occassionally run by .... Don McIntyre (father on John - Johnny Mac) in HB. Still running BDA and quick.

[Fandatstick]

Don Halliday Escort at Baypark easter '82
Grant Aitken 120Y - pukekohe march '82 - is this same car Henley the follow year?
Tony Marsh baypark Jan '84

Cheers
Martin Smith
The Marsh Datsun Coupe was a weapon - where is it now?

[Les Laidlaw]

[QUOTE=Carlo;7118]The Halliday Escort pictured is the ex Kevin Ryan OSCA Championship winning car. Kevin purchased the car as a roller from the UK and fitted it with a 1600cc BDA to run in OSCA. He sold the car to the Hallidays when he purchased Big Bertha from Reg Cook. Prior to Kevin's purchase the car had a very successful UK competition history as a Twin Cam.

Warren Steel brought it from Kevin, we fitted a Twin Cam sourced from Aussie, ran it for awhile, from memory had alot of issues with the gearbox and sold it to the Hallidays

[Carlo]

Thanks Les, I couldn't remember the order of who was first after KJP, Steelo or The Days.
Dave Mck I will post the previous history of the car when we get back home in a few weeks time, need to check a couple of things with Kevin first.

[Carlo]

Just received a copy of information resulting from the Shellsport Motoracing NZ Inaugural Meeting which was held last November and they contain the draft regulations for this class of vehicle to run as a category at future race meetings. The cover genuine existing vehicles, replicas, and any new car yet to be built.

The cut off date for elegible vehicles is 31-12-1983 and of course the maximum engine capacity remains at 2 litres with class breaks at 1300 & 1600cc

A copy of the regulations are available from The Secretary PO Box 16245 Hornby Christchurch 8441

[kiwi285]

Hi Carlo, Any info on who was present and the cars that might be around to contest this series ? There seems to be quite a collection of them out there looking for somewhere to race.

[TonyG]

4318

So that would be this car when Mark was at Puke.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/MarkRutherfordEscort-1.jpg

[Carlo]

Hi Carlo, Any info on who was present and the cars that might be around to contest this series ? There seems to be quite a collection of them out there looking for somewhere to race.

We missed the meeting which was held at Timaru as were overseas at the time. The Chairman / co-ordinator is John Gobbe who was the MANZ Technical Officer of the period and a great supporter of the class and who now owns quitea number of cars tha trtaced during those times. The Secretary is Dot Box with Richard Box and Rod Collingwood looking after Technical & Regs. While I have not yet had time to go through the regs and run them past the regs of the period it appears as though they are very close to the version used in the final years of the championship, eg cars with set back firewalls could continue to run but no new cars or reshells could be built in this configuration. Submissions to the proposed regs close on the 8th of February

At present it looks as though there are sufficent cars around to run them as a stand alone class at S.I. Classic race meetings, time will tell if that is to happen, I guess we wil lall know a lot more after the S.I. classic race series in Febuary

[kiwi285]

I have been trying to get hold of John but without much success to date.

Carlo I have sent you a PM.

[bob homewood]

So that would be this car when Mark was at Puke.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/MarkRutherfordEscort-1.jpg

No this car 98 is R/H Drive it is the second of the two Escorts Mark Rutherford raced ,it was originally built up for Rod Collingwood ,after Rod had the Trueno,Rod raced it a couple of times ,then sold it on to Mark Rutherford.

[Steve Holmes]

^^^ Nice looking car. Anyone know what happened to it?

[Powder]

Owned since late 80s and still occassionally run by .... Don McIntyre (father on John - Johnny Mac) in HB. Still running BDA and quick.

Seafield Rd Hillclimb, Napier, 2010.
5273

[Rod Grimwood]

That is one very nice Mk1. Be nice to see it at a classic meet.
Are they orig BBS wheels or aftermarket product. I am looking for wheels.

[Powder]

That is one very nice Mk1. Be nice to see it at a classic meet.
Are they orig BBS wheels or aftermarket product. I am looking for wheels.

Not too sure about the wheels. Here's a clearer photo if it's any help.
5274

[rogered]

Hallidays

[WikiNerd]

Ah memories. Does anyone have a photo of (if I recall all this correctly) Reg Cook's car with "Cookie needs a sponsor" on it? Again if all is recalled correctly, the next time we saw him, we noted that he now had a sponsor!

[Rod Grimwood]

Hallidays

yep think you may be right.

[kiwi285]

That is a great looking Mk I - would love to see it on track for some classic meetings

[minihaha]

Not only jappers , escorts and avengers , but the occasional BMC too . This is the ex Brian Hartley shellsport clubman GT that l owned for a number of years after l purchased it from him ( the less said about that deal the better too ) . l only ever did one shellsport race with it at baypark and this is a picture of me and some helpers changing from wets to slicks in the pits . Possibly taken during 1981 or thereabouts , car was fitted with an arden 8 port engine that l had built myself but it only lasted one race before blowing a head gasket . This particular weekend the engine had only been fitted the night before we left Taranaki ( some things never change ) and we'd left the wheelnuts for the wets behind in our rush to get away . Ended up going to a garage where a friendly mechanic let us use his workshop to modify the wheels so we could use them . The nearest drill bit we could find in his drill assortment was a masonry bit * rolls his eyes @ the thought * but it worked . The car was very light and had some trick stuff done to it , l used to use it in hillclimbs and sprints and l think l still might have the 0 to 1300 record at the Kaipikari road hillclimb up at Urenui in Taranaki with it .

Hi, I have heard stories about this car, do you know what happened to it?

[AMCO72]

John.......xu1nut. As you know the Amco Mini was a Shellsport car for a year or two, a bit earlier than the 1978 start of this thread, and I was re-reading your post on the ex Hartley car. We, should I say Angus, has just completed the fitting of the new engine into the car.....8 port etc etc etc. I am driving it at HD on the first weekend of the festival next week. I hope it lasts a little bit longer than your effort!!!!! We have only been for a 'burn' round the block so will be interesting. I'm sure you will catch up with the boy this weekend at Teretonga. He will tell you all the gory details!!!!!!!!

[Steve Holmes]

John McIntyre raced the Halliday Escort on a few occasions for his Dad when his Touring car career was going through a quiet patch. As you'd expect, he drove the wheels off it!

[tsillay]

Hi All.
Here's what I think I know about the Datsun shellsport cars.! Please correct me where my memory has failed, or I'm just plain wrong.
The Schick Cherry and the Schick 1200 coupe (sunny) were Nissan Motorsport cars, managed (and possibly owned and imported) by Mark Petch.
Reg Cook and Grant Aitken drove the cars, Grant had a major at Pukekohe in the sunny and the car was destroyed. CMR built the new very radical 1200, to complete the season, which eventually went to Tony Marsh and won the champs in Sulco colours.
From memory, Tony said the car weighed in at under 580kgs, and made 101 ft/lb torque from that little pushrod!
This car had the cut and shut through the door sills to allow the extremely low ride height. It resurfaced in the early days of SS2000, running in dark green with yellow flares and a strong 1500.
The car is alive and well and living in Auckland.

The Cherry went to Dave Brown who is sadly no longer with us. Anecdotaly, Dave made mention after reshelling the car that the Nismo shell was different to the roadcar shell in a number of very subtle ways!

Grant Aitken went on to build the two 120Y coupes, with 1600cc L series OHC power. John Billington ran one in CoolWool GT before he went GrpA Commodore. These both re-appeared in SS2000, with the Steve Gill machine now sporting 2 litre power. The 1600 car went on to Alvin Watson and I now suspect is the machine Grant has back.

I'm not sure if Steve Emson's 1200 coupe started life as a Shellsport car or as a production race car. After some years campaigned by Steve it was sold to Rex Findlay and became the Findlays Bakeries car. Then sold to Glen Jones and painted black where it picked up the Group5 aero grill. Somewhere along the way it assimilated a pure magic 1300 pushrod engine, I'd love to know if this was the Nismo engine from the early Shick 1200!
Glen sold to Brian Roycroft who used it to good effect in the Auckland club scene and went on to win the first years of SS2000, painted red with white/blue tail.

It lost the aero grill in an accident over the hill at puke, the 1300 eventually cried enough and Brian rebuilt the car in white with 944 porsche style flares and 1600cc.
When Brian sold to concentrate on the Aztec cars, the car vanished for a while, then turned up looking rather ratty in white with green universal flares in the hands of Brent, the current president of SS2000 around 2003. He's now sold it on, I dont know if he really knew what a piece of history that car was. I'd love to know where it is now.

Steven Gillards 1200 coupe became the second of the Orano Orange juice / Aztec corn chips cars campaigned in SS2000. The lead Aztec car I first saw running CoolWool GT in the hands of John Billington, white with black flares, before JB got the Aitken 120Y. I'm not sure of it's Shellsport providence. Both Aztec cars are alive and well.

There are other 1200's, eg, the Barry Bould car, of which I only know post shellsport history.

Phew, that was a bit of a diatribe! I should start an early SS2000 thread and post photos.

[David McKinney]

Thanks for that, ts

I probably knew which Datsun was which back in the day but have long since forgotten:rolleyes:

[kiwi285]

tsillay - I have sent you a private message.

[shellsport]

Hi Tim , Do you have any knowledge of what became of the Max Crawford car ( Dunedin ) ?

[Steve Holmes]

Hi All.
Here's what I think I know about the Datsun shellsport cars.! Please correct me where my memory has failed, or I'm just plain wrong.
The Schick Cherry and the Schick 1200 coupe (sunny) were Nissan Motorsport cars, managed (and possibly owned and imported) by Mark Petch.
Reg Cook and Grant Aitken drove the cars, Grant had a major at Pukekohe in the sunny and the car was destroyed. CMR built the new very radical 1200, to complete the season, which eventually went to Tony Marsh and won the champs in Sulco colours.
From memory, Tony said the car weighed in at under 580kgs, and made 101 ft/lb torque from that little pushrod!
This car had the cut and shut through the door sills to allow the extremely low ride height. It resurfaced in the early days of SS2000, running in dark green with yellow flares and a strong 1500.
The car is alive and well and living in Auckland.

The Cherry went to Dave Brown who is sadly no longer with us. Anecdotaly, Dave made mention after reshelling the car that the Nismo shell was different to the roadcar shell in a number of very subtle ways!

Grant Aitken went on to build the two 120Y coupes, with 1600cc L series OHC power. John Billington ran one in CoolWool GT before he went GrpA Commodore. These both re-appeared in SS2000, with the Steve Gill machine now sporting 2 litre power. The 1600 car went on to Alvin Watson and I now suspect is the machine Grant has back.

I'm not sure if Steve Emson's 1200 coupe started life as a Shellsport car or as a production race car. After some years campaigned by Steve it was sold to Rex Findlay and became the Findlays Bakeries car. Then sold to Glen Jones and painted black where it picked up the Group5 aero grill. Somewhere along the way it assimilated a pure magic 1300 pushrod engine, I'd love to know if this was the Nismo engine from the early Shick 1200!
Glen sold to Brian Roycroft who used it to good effect in the Auckland club scene and went on to win the first years of SS2000, painted red with white/blue tail.

It lost the aero grill in an accident over the hill at puke, the 1300 eventually cried enough and Brian rebuilt the car in white with 944 porsche style flares and 1600cc.
When Brian sold to concentrate on the Aztec cars, the car vanished for a while, then turned up looking rather ratty in white with green universal flares in the hands of Brent, the current president of SS2000 around 2003. He's now sold it on, I dont know if he really knew what a piece of history that car was. I'd love to know where it is now.

Steven Gillards 1200 coupe became the second of the Orano Orange juice / Aztec corn chips cars campaigned in SS2000. The lead Aztec car I first saw running CoolWool GT in the hands of John Billington, white with black flares, before JB got the Aitken 120Y. I'm not sure of it's Shellsport providence. Both Aztec cars are alive and well.

There are other 1200's, eg, the Barry Bould car, of which I only know post shellsport history.

Phew, that was a bit of a diatribe! I should start an early SS2000 thread and post photos.

Wow, that was great! Many thanks for the effort.

[tsillay]

Hi Tim , Do you have any knowledge of what became of the Max Crawford car ( Dunedin ) ?

No, but I've asked a superior knowledge!! He's forgotten more about shellsport than I'll ever know.

[Jac Mac]

Crawfords old car, was it the one bought by Graeme Dyer who then got Grant Aitken to drive it?

[PETER FRANICEVIC]

I have some photos of Ian Maskell's Shellsport Datsun 1200 Coupe. We will be at the Skope meeting and would like to meet anyone who remembers the car.

[Powder]

I have some photos of Ian Maskell's Shellsport Datsun 1200 Coupe. We will be at the Skope meeting and would like to meet anyone who remembers the car.

A Datsun Art Car. Very nice.

Malcolm

[PETER FRANICEVIC]

According to a previous post from Bob Homewood, this may be the car which Ian Maskell has.

[Steve Holmes]

Ian Maskell is a member on here, hopefully he can help with info on that car.

[markec]

I pointed Mr Collingwood in the direction of this site, yesterday,15th Jan, it was to another thread but I will phone him tonight and ask him to stop by this one as well.

[Rex Findlay]

Re the Findlays Bakeries 1200 coupe I bought it off Steve Emson (who had won the 0 - 1300 class in the Bank of New South Wales series in 1976) as Shellsport 2 litre made my 13B Mazda RX3 coupe ineligible. The 1977 season in the Datsun I ended up 6th and then the following season I bought one of the Nissan Cherry motors from Reg Cook, drysumping it and moving it back in the car as well. I ended up 3rd in the 1978 series behind Reg and Bryce Platt. Our main problem was shredding gearboxes as we were not allowed to use the 5 speed competition box. At the same time Greg Lancaster built another Findlays car from a spare coupe I had bought using my previous season's motor and spare parts we had amassed. The following season Greg ran the car in Sanyo colours and it was later sold down in Palmerston North. The 1979 season I only contested the North Island rounds and ended up 6th in the series again. After that I only raced it at Pukekohe occasionally and the Datsun sat around until the mid 80's and as I was racing a Lotus Cortina in the historics I talked my late, great friend Glenn Jones into running the Datsun again which he did successfully for a couple of seasons in Dark Green Slumbertime colours then Glenn bought his OSCA Commodore/Chev. I sold the Datsun to Brian Roycroft with Glenn's assistance and it still had the same original 1300 Cherry motor. The Group 5 "Aero" grille was not allowed in Shellsport which is why I did not use it. The same car is now owned by Duncan Hedges but has been altered a lot and I think now runs a Toyota motor. It's best time ever at Pukekohe was 1.10.6 on the old unimproved bumpy track. Cheers, Rex Findlay 0274935279

[Rod Grimwood]

Hello Rex, great to hear from you. Yes it was a very good car and you went well in it. Jigger sure was a nuisance in it as well, it had a nice looking back to it, can not remember the grill as i did not see the front often, (I had a small mirror).

PS must catch up

[jim short]

Hi Rex yes Glenn was a great bloke and real,good in the wet,did he build the morrie body on the ferrari as well???

[Jizim]

Almost right.....the gentlemans name was Cran Judge and he owned a lot more race cars than a lot of people relise. A very astute businessman from Levin where he made clothing for a lot of big department stores and his own clothes shops. I know Cran both personally and professionally and he is one great guy that has assisted a lot of top race/rally drivers for years. He wasnt one to be out in the lime light but I can tell you that his marketing through motorsport would be up there alongside our latest knighthooded Sir Colin Giltrap. Its a pity his clothing factory burnt to the ground back in the 90's. Cran's son I would have liked to see get into the sport because he just loved the race cars as a 14 year old that I remember...........hey and guess who was splashed all over my Mazda as the only sponsor? Kind regards, Tony Rutherford.

[Jizim]

This quote should be with the wee story above.

Sorry . Tony Rutherford.


I remember being surprised many years ago to find out that some of the top Shell Sport Datsuns were not in fact owned by the drivers but by a gentleman named Fran Judge.Can anyone confirm this and what was Fran Judges involvment. Was he behind the sponsorship of cars from companies such as Statesman Shirts.

[Jizim]

Hey there Rex......good stuff to hear ya mate. Was a neat car alright. One car that hasnt been mentioned here is the Shellsport Anglia raced by Colin Reed and owned by Ross Tebbs. This car had a tilt front front on it and it looked real good in Performance Motors livery, Car was sold to an elderly gentleman by the name of Harold Wooten Snr father of Harold Wooten whom raced an RX3 Coupe in Sports Sedans.......(this your old car Rex? ). Harold Senior was getting on agewise but he was quick in the Anglia. (where is this car now?). Harold Junior has a son and daughter that competed at Western Springs and son Alistaire is currently racing in the TRS Toyota series and runs very well. Also Rod I have a demon photo of your brother Mike in his Chevette V8 in a handicap race just as I caught him on Pukekohe Club Circuit....I will put it up here when I work out just where it is and how to do it. I also have a photo of your good self and Mike ready to do a special family grudge race with you in the Shellsport Escort and Mike in the Chevette. I suppose people will wonder who won .....so to put them out of their misery the result was deemed a draw because your earth wire fell off the battery on lap three and Mike ran out of petrol on lap three. Ian Derbridge had the crowd pissing themselves with laughter for the hard case spectacle it was......see ya soon.
Kind Regards, Tony Rutherford.




Re the Findlays Bakeries 1200 coupe I bought it off Steve Emson (who had won the 0 - 1300 class in the Bank of New South Wales series in 1976) as Shellsport 2 litre made my 13B Mazda RX3 coupe ineligible. The 1977 season in the Datsun I ended up 6th and then the following season I bought one of the Nissan Cherry motors from Reg Cook, drysumping it and moving it back in the car as well. I ended up 3rd in the 1978 series behind Reg and Bryce Platt. Our main problem was shredding gearboxes as we were not allowed to use the 5 speed competition box. At the same time Greg Lancaster built another Findlays car from a spare coupe I had bought using my previous season's motor and spare parts we had amassed. The following season Greg ran the car in Sanyo colours and it was later sold down in Palmerston North. The 1979 season I only contested the North Island rounds and ended up 6th in the series again. After that I only raced it at Pukekohe occasionally and the Datsun sat around until the mid 80's and as I was racing a Lotus Cortina in the historics I talked my late, great friend Glenn Jones into running the Datsun again which he did successfully for a couple of seasons in Dark Green Slumbertime colours then Glenn bought his OSCA Commodore/Chev. I sold the Datsun to Brian Roycroft with Glenn's assistance and it still had the same original 1300 Cherry motor. The Group 5 "Aero" grille was not allowed in Shellsport which is why I did not use it. The same car is now owned by Duncan Hedges but has been altered a lot and I think now runs a Toyota motor. It's best time ever at Pukekohe was 1.10.6 on the old unimproved bumpy track. Cheers, Rex Findlay 0274935279

[tsillay]

" one of the Nissan Cherry motors "
So that explains that! I spent the early 90's chasing Brian around. That engine was pure magic, and Brian could drive the wheels off the car..

5545

Here's the first SS2000 race we did at Taupo. Close examination will show a regular get together of x ShellSport cars, both the Aitken 120Y's, Des Bullas and Phil Greaney in the Avengers, Brian in Rex's old car, Steven Gillard in the 1200, Steve Bond in the Hunter..
554655475548

When was the last time you saw that many Halliday rims in one event!

[seaqnmac27]

The Steve Bond Hunter?




5549

[Jac Mac]

Purely guessing, but I think the gold #45 Capri might be the car that I converted into the LHD Black Capri currently being raced by Pierre Neame in OSCA.

[kiwi285]

Great photos of a great class of race car. I hope that they car get this series back up and running again and we can enjoy these cars a second time round.

[Roger Hills]

have just passed over to Wayne Murdoch a large envelope stuffed with old photos of race cars in action, mostly at Wigram, and he was thrilled to see them, especially to see both Findlay Datsuns in the one shot. Apparently there were some doubters who thought one real and one a replica. If he doesnt want the rest I shall suggest we get them sent on to you blokes. All taken by my deceased brother in law Gilbert Connor on a semi-professional basis. My sister getting around to a de-clutter after widow for 10 years or so. Regards to all.

[Carlo]

have just passed over to Wayne Murdoch a large envelope stuffed with old photos of race cars in action, mostly at Wigram, and he was thrilled to see them, especially to see both Findlay Datsuns in the one shot. Apparently there were some doubters who thought one real and one a replica. If he doesnt want the rest I shall suggest we get them sent on to you blokes. All taken by my deceased brother in law Gilbert Connor on a semi-professional basis. My sister getting around to a de-clutter after widow for 10 years or so. Regards to all.

Lets catch up at the weekend, you know where to find me

[Carlo]

Finally caught up with Kevin Ryan today. The history of the Escort starts like this. It was built by AVO in England with a 2 litre BDG, ZF gearbox etc for a series in South Africa which did not finally take place. Rex Hart purchased the car and ran in in NZ in that configuration. Kevin purchased the car for $5000 as a rolling shell minus engine and fittted it with a 1600BDA and then went about winning OSCA with it. When he decided to go to Shellsport with Big Bertha, the ex XCookie 160J he sold the car to Warren Steel who fitted the twin cam engine and went Shellsport. Steelo of course later onsold the car to the Hallidays

[driftwood]

when i was in NZ in early sept 1990 i recall seeing the blue white Imp at Puke with a nissan motor in the rear
somewhere i have photos of it
it was the only race meeting i attended back then in NZ before I made the trip home via Bathurst Tooheys 1000 and Sydney and HK
Did you guys had etch Shellsport Gold star promo for race and class wins in NZ
we had it circa 75-79 IF you ran with Shellsport sun visor won the race or your class you got a gold star sticker and £ which back then covered the entry fee

[Milan Fistonic]

Good to see you here Rex. Here's a photo of the RX3 you mentioned in your first post.

5581

[stirlingmac]

Seafield Rd Hillclimb, Napier, 2010.
5273
I have always had a thing for this car..The first time I saw it was at Manfeild and Francis Pointen had it in green and white with a Lotus Twin Cam in it. Later on a club mate Kevin Simpson bought the car and painted it black. He changed the engine for an alloy BDA that he got out of the Ralt of Davey Jones at the end of the Puke meeting. The engine was also set back at that time. During the rebuild a number of parts were replaced and I ended up with the seat and dry sump tank. The seat still does service in my kids go kart.!!!

[Rex Findlay]

Hi Jim, Yes Glenn built the Morrari for Garth Souness who had a caryard in Greenlane about where the Kia agents are today. Glenn told me that one night they went around a few caryards with a measuring tape to see what car had a similar wheelbase to the Super Squalo Ferrari and it so happened that a Morris Minor was spot on. That dispels the theory that the Ferrari chassis was shortened to suit ! The Squalo was not a good handling car at the best of times so I cannot imagine draping a Minor body over it would have improved the situation which may explain why it always looked a bit twitchy.

[bob homewood]

Rex,
Yes thats always been what I was told how it came about ,to dispell the shortened chassis story some time ago ,I scaled a Minor body on to the Ferrari chassis measurements ,wheel base etc if you do it you will see with slight bit of repositioning of the body it fits well,the Squalo as you say was twitchy ,putting the V8 in and changing the weight,postion etc around did not help the cause either

[kiwi285]

I had a phone call from John Gobbe (Christchurch) on Monday evening and he mentioned that the Revival Series that they are working on at present has had a great response to date. They have had 35 drivers register and are aware of 27 cars that are available to race with other racers talking about recreating their cars and joining in. The first race will be at next years Skope meeting. They are due to send out a newsletter in the next week or so so if you are interested please contact John on jagobbe@xtra.co.nz

[Nigel Barclay]

Hello Shellsport fans,

Nigel Barclay here originally from Timaru, the Collingwood Escort was built in Dunedin after Rod sold the Datsun, had some radical engine ideas, was originally pale blue with no signwriting, Dad (Stu Barclay) started looking after it but Rod lost interest after sponsor Jons peperoni beer sticks didnt pay (sounds familar), Dad actually purchase it off Rod and was going to build conventional 1600, crouched in old Wilson Sprague King Street yard Dad had before Ron & Mark purchased, Rod then got the Trueno and Dad looked after it at his Church Street yard. I beleive it was an x Factory Rally car, Dad or Alan Dunn would know, I was just a kid and remember the Toyota always had engine problems (oil system I think). I need to get into Dads photo collection as have seen shots of Shellsport days where they went on tour with Murdochs/Burt etc.
To keep on subject this Escort became the McNaughton BDA turbo OSCA car and years later Dave told me it was wrecked and the shell scrapped, real pity as one of my favourite cars and Rod had spent a lot of money and had all good gear in it.
Will catch up with him and see if I can raid his photo collection as well.
cheers

[Nigel Barclay]

Gidday Carl, tell A Farr to put back in SULCO tools colours, looked great. cheers Nigel

[Steve Holmes]

Hi there Nigel, welcome aboard! Thanks for the info.

[jim short]

Sorry Rex just caught your post,was the storey about Garths first time down the back straight at Puke he was crossing himself and I am not a catholic he said??Of all the dealers I tried to sell my Buckler only days before my wedding he was the only one to help out I swaped plus thirty pound for that 39 gold painted coupe eddlbrock heads 3 carbs, black and white seats was always parked on the Gt south rd where the motorway ended penrose after honeymoon sold for a secton.evertown we stoped at it collected a crowd,

[Russ Cunningham]

Sorry Rex just caught your post,was the storey about Garths first time down the back straight at Puke he was crossing himself and I am not a catholic he said??Of all the dealers I tried to sell my Buckler only days before my wedding he was the only one to help out I swaped plus thirty pound for that 39 gold painted coupe eddlbrock heads 3 carbs, black and white seats was always parked on the Gt south rd where the motorway ended penrose after honeymoon sold for a secton.evertown we stoped at it collected a crowd,

Wonderful grammar Jim! Try spell check or buy a dictionary off Beowulf.,

[jim short]

Sorry Russ if you are having trouble understanding my modern spelling give me a call and I will run you through it slowly, I am in the book under my own name

[BWilliams]

Hi there,first post after having my dad point me to this site tonight over Skype.
Long story short,I am trying to find out what happened to the Raycroft Escort,driven by Dave Waldron.
My father,Garry Williams helped build it years ago and all I can remember of it is seeing it at Wigram in the pits in the early 80s (I'm 33),so would have been 3-4 years old.
I got some help from the forums on the OSCA site,before the forums disappeared from Evan Munt who put me onto Neville Agass in the USA.A few emails and some digging from Neville got me a positive lead that the car is up in Auckland and possibly still racing.He told me to contact Grant Brennan,who Neville was sure would know about it.I tried contacting him through his website,but never got a reply.
That's where the searching has sat for about 3 years,until tonight...When dad told me to have a look here and this is where I found this part of the forum about similar old race cars.
So,is there anyone out there that can help out?
Also dad mentioned the car was ment to be on display at the OSCA revival meeting at Ruapuna.While I was doing some research,I found out someone was going to build a replica,as the car was apparently under a tree in Timaru,still in the Raycroft colours....Which sounded a bit dubious as it hadn't been in those colours since Dave raced it.

[Rod Grimwood]

Any one with photos of Bryce Platts Escort in Fountain colours can you please forward on here or send to me. Also any photos of car in orig orange with Chequer Flag and Knitwear sponsorship.

[jim short]

tapes posted yesday sorry yesterday

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks Jum

[Russ Cunningham]

I stand to be corrected but I've always understood that "the Shellsport category" came to an end because a smooth talking promoter and former MANZ employee had it diverted to support his family interests.

[Carlo]

I stand to be corrected but I've always understood that "the Shellsport category" came to an end because a smooth talking promoter and former MANZ employee had it diverted to support his family interests.

Is that a fact ?

Nigel, agree about Sulco

[Lurker]

Is that a fact ?

Nigel, agree about Sulco

I must admit I question that comment the same as Carl.

Having been closely involved with a ShellSport two time Champion during those years, I was disappointed when the ShellSport era came to an end but deep down I really felt it had sadly passed its use by date.

If Shell chose to channel their money into an academy that created the careers of people such as Greg Murphy then I have no problem with that.

All things have their day and I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to be involved during the ShellSport era and meet such passionate and friendly people such as Carl and the others who always made us welcome when we visited the South Island

[richard lester]

I stand to be corrected but I've always understood that "the Shellsport category" came to an end because a smooth talking promoter and former MANZ employee had it diverted to support his family interests.
mmm...penny has dropped..if you are going with this where i think you are going Russ---then shakey ground brother and very ill informed and incorrect ...

[jim short]

Whats new??

[Russ Cunningham]

Sorry Russ if you are having trouble understanding my modern spelling give me a call and I will run you through it slowly, I am in the book under my own name

What book? Would not waste my time nor money.

[Rod Grimwood]

Lets keep the personal knocks out ah, we all appreciate the history and knowledge being shared, back then we did not all agree on things and the same now, but now we shave ourselves, we are meant to be big boys now.

[Carlo]

Lets keep the personal knocks out ah, we all appreciate the history and knowledge being shared, back then we did not all agree on things and the same now, but now we shave ourselves, we are meant to be big boys now.

Total agreement with you Grimme, people who want to get personal and/or political can go play in another forum, there is far too much history of cars, events and people to be enjoyed than have to have to put up with the other nonsense.

Now as to the end of Shellsport, as was alluded to earlier by Lurker, it had run its course. The problem was that the cars were getting older and while the likes of Mk1 Escorts Twin Cams were still very competitive they had been out of production for a number of years. A number of incentives were introduced to try and get people to move into newer model cars but unfortunately they were all front wheel drive and being some of what could be called 1st generation Japanese FWD cars they were not really suitable. Now if we had taken a holiday for about 8 -10 years until the likes of the cars that we saw in the British Touring Car Championship such as the Primera, Vectra, Peugeot, Volvo, Honda etc had been built then the incentives etc would have worked and I am sure we would have still had the magic of the class. Unfortunately the 1st generation Japanese sourced cars that we had in our fleet at the time simply were just not suitable for turning into a racecar while still remaining true to the spirit of the Shellsport class.

[kiwi285]

I met up with Don last week and had a good look at the car. It is in pieces at the moment and the engine needs some work done but it is a great looking car and would really like to see it on track again. Thanks Don.


I have always had a thing for this car..The first time I saw it was at Manfeild and Francis Pointen had it in green and white with a Lotus Twin Cam in it. Later on a club mate Kevin Simpson bought the car and painted it black. He changed the engine for an alloy BDA that he got out of the Ralt of Davey Jones at the end of the Puke meeting. The engine was also set back at that time. During the rebuild a number of parts were replaced and I ended up with the seat and dry sump tank. The seat still does service in my kids go kart.!!!

[worsel]

Here you go Rod, got this from Bryce today 8162

[markson]

Any one remember Bryce Platt racing the CHEQUERED FLAG Escort ??? Graham

[Russ Cunningham]

Total agreement with you Grimme, people who want to get personal and/or political can go play in another forum, there is far too much history of cars, events and people to be enjoyed than have to have to put up with the other nonsense.

Now as to the end of Shellsport, as was alluded to earlier by Lurker, it had run its course. The problem was that the cars were getting older and while the likes of Mk1 Escorts Twin Cams were still very competitive they had been out of production for a number of years. A number of incentives were introduced to try and get people to move into newer model cars but unfortunately they were all front wheel drive and being some of what could be called 1st generation Japanese FWD cars they were not really suitable. Now if we had taken a holiday for about 8 -10 years until the likes of the cars that we saw in the British Touring Car Championship such as the Primera, Vectra, Peugeot, Volvo, Honda etc had been built then the incentives etc would have worked and I am sure we would have still had the magic of the class. Unfortunately the 1st generation Japanese sourced cars that we had in our fleet at the time simply were just not suitable for turning into a racecar while still remaining true to the spirit of the Shellsport class.

I understand & appreciate what both of you chaps are saying but we should not validate any injustice just because time has passed. We all remain answerable for what we've done & please acknowledge that the question I posted was simply that! A question to be answered.

I might add that I've received three emails from TRS contributors who whilst not wanting to be named, are apparently far more well informed than myself on the reasons behind the demise of Shellsport.

TRS is a forum for the likes of this to be discussed.

Russ Cunningham

[Steve Holmes]

I'm all for robust discussion Russ, but is this a subject that needs to be discussed? Whats the best possible outcome from discussing this?

[Steve Holmes]

Here you go Rod, got this from Bryce today 8162

Cool!

[richard lester]

If Shell chose to channel their money into an academy that created the careers of people such as Greg Murphy then I have no problem with that.


i am sort of struggling a bit here.....can someone correct me if i am wrong please.
Shell withdrew from the shellsport series at the end of the 85 season.......is that correct.
The academy as it is referred to that started the carreers of greg murphy amongst many others commenced in the 1990/91 season...

and there is a perceived connection between the two..........??...really.

[stirlingmac]

Don't forget the class was revived/revamped as the Tootal Coolwool 2.5 series allowing rotaries to run. Keiron Wills ran his ex Aussie Grp C RX7 which was then turned into the RX8. I remember the buzz at the time was touring car racing grabbing all the attention and many potential smallbore racers took to running Corollas etc in the B&H series and then the Nissan Mobil Series. When touring car budgets got too much for many, SS2000 was developed and continues to cater for the smaller capacity modified saloons.

[richard lester]

Don't forget the class was revived/revamped as the Tootal Coolwool 2.5 series allowing rotaries to run. Keiron Wills ran his ex Aussie Grp C RX7 which was then turned into the RX8. I remember the buzz at the time was touring car racing grabbing all the attention and many potential smallbore racers took to running Corollas etc in the B&H series and then the Nissan Mobil Series. When touring car budgets got too much for many, SS2000 was developed and continues to cater for the smaller capacity modified saloons.
yes ,i am aware of that,it was the inference that shell stopped supporting the shellsport class to tip their money into the 'academy' for young drivers when there was a 5 year gap between the two...

[Habu]

Thats what I remember Shellsport cars as (pic of Mk1 Escort)!
Im only a young fella compared to alot of you guys on here and I have no idea how or why the series ended - and to be perfectly honest, thats history as far as Im concerned. What I do know, is that as a young lad, standing at the entry into the sweeper at the front straight at Puke, the Shellsport cars were the coolest cars to watch. The McNamara Escort was where it was at for me, thats for sure!

[stirlingmac]

Sorry Richard I wasn't having a dig at you or Russ , just highlighting that a class for small capacity cars continued but the spotlight turned to the touring cars.

[Rod Grimwood]

Any one remember Bryce Platt racing the CHEQUERED FLAG Escort ??? Graham

Yes, with Knitwear on screen. Burnt Orange colour.

Thanks Worsel, Be good to catch up with Bryce, last saw him imitating a rally driver.

[worsel]

Hahaha Rod, a bit like this maybe?


Paul8311

[Rod Grimwood]

Hahaha Rod, a bit like this maybe?


Paul8311


Oh! He did get sideways. Yea, thats him. PS need a contact maybe for Bryce so i can catch up.

[seaqnmac27]

Here are some from the Kevin Thomson collection

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[seaqnmac27]

8362836383648365

[stirlingmac]

Great pics !!! Are there any more....???

[Howard Wood]

Oh! He did get sideways. Yea, thats him. PS need a contact maybe for Bryce so i can catch up.

I will pass on your request to Bryce. He does look in here on occasions too.

[markson]

Hi Rod
The last time I seen Bryce he was driving a Waste Management truck Graham

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks guy's, now that i would love to see a Waste Management truck going sideways.

[kiwi285]

There certainly was some great looking machinery in the original series. Hopefully we can see some of these cars back on track again in the new series. Who drove the Fristscort car in the photos above ?

[Carlo]

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Kevin Ryan and Grant Atken at the esses off the start finish straight at Timaru

[seaqnmac27]

There certainly was some great looking machinery in the original series. Hopefully we can see some of these cars back on track again in the new series. Who drove the Fristscort car in the photos above ?

It was Ken Sager

[BMCBOY]

[QUOTE=Rod Grimwood;13659]Yes, with Knitwear on screen. Burnt Orange colour.
Photos taken at Baypark 23-10-77 and Pukekohe Club Circuit 8-5-77 a couple of others added for interest

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks, great photos, note Soames connection on front panel.

[Steve Emson]

8724
This is cheating a bit as it was before 1978. This is my Shellsport Datsun coupe that won 2 NZ Championships for those interested in this period. I sold this car to Rex Findlay afterwards. This is its first time out at Puke. Finished 3rd with standard suspension which we changed for the next round at Baypark.

[Steve Emson]

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This is the cars second race which was at Baypark. Pole position, new lap record and won the race.

[Steve Emson]

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After Baypark it got its new livery. Eastern Tool Company sponsorship & Shell Oil NZ contract. Raced for the remainder of the year in this guise against firstly Reg Cook in the coupe. Robbie Francevic took over the coupe and Reg changed to the Cherry in an effort to win the championship against my car. We got there in the end but some of the racing was pretty intense! They tried every trick in the book and then some.

[Steve Emson]

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For the next season the car was repainted black. This is how many people remember this car. By this time the car was going quick. Nearly 2 seconds faster than Reg Cooks record at Puke when I entered the class.It was a great car to drive, however you had to have your wits about you.

[Steve Emson]

8728
Just another shot for anyone interested

[Steve Emson]

8729

[Oldfart]

Fantastic shots Steve, remember you and Ralph well!

[Fandatstick]

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Was the "Fristscort" the car which ran an FVA engine?..

[Lee Tracey]

Great photos Steve.

Cheers
Lee

[kiwi285]

Fantastic photos Steve, thanks for posting them here.

[Rod Grimwood]

Great photos Steve, keep them coming.
Frist car did have FVA to start i believe, it used to scream.

[Howard Wood]

Rod,

I have sent you a pm with Bryce P's contact details.

[Steve Holmes]

Love the pics Steve, really cool!

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod,

I have sent you a pm with Bryce P's contact details.

Cheers

[ROTATN]

Seems its a little off topics and perhaps a SS2000 topic would be better suited?

However those that were involved in the early years. Does anyone have pictures etc of the Mark Harrowfield RX-7?

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod,

I have sent you a pm with Bryce P's contact details.

Can you send again Howard as did not recieve it

Cheers

[Howard Wood]

Sent again to your grimmie email address, let me know if it isn't there this time.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, after Rex ran the car Glen Jones drove it and was quick. On trailer day it was delivered, then new colour and Glen cleaned up 2Ltr Sports Sedan Championship in it, (bugger dicked me)

[Rod Grimwood]

Couple more and Glen with the spoils this time Auckland Car Club. That was a very good car.

[jim short]

Thats a great shot ,,pretty shure he made the front row in the wet at BP one meet,,,right beside me.. thats way up the other end Rod

[Steve Emson]

Thats a great shot ,,pretty shure he made the front row in the wet at BP one meet,,,right beside me.. thats way up the other end Rod

Great photo's. If that is my old car (which it must be) It continued on its winning way!! Jim, talking about the wet at Baypark. when I raced this car for 2 seasons, we never had any wet tyres, only some old second hand intermediates. One time at Ruapuna, Reg & Robbie beat me in the rain because of this. At Baypark one time in the second season (when it was black- 1977) Reg Cook had done an enormous amount of work on the Cherry. A certain very well known competitor who wanted to see me blitz the Cherry and its driver, lent me his wet tyres off of his F5000.
It was bucketing down all through practice and the lead up to this meeting. Mud everywhere. I was entered in all 3 classes. 0-1300,0-4200,0-6000cc of the Shellsport Championship races. I went out and never wanted to come back in! They kept hanging out the pit 'in' board. The result was the car was on pole for every class the next day. This is against the very best cars in NZ at the time; 3 poles in one day- what a car! As a post script it was dry for raceday and i thought it prudent to not start from pole in the 0-6000 race. That might have been suicide as I was not known for my great starts.The 0-6000 boys were playing for keeps and sheep stations.

[Rod Grimwood]

So right Steve, a set of wets makes/made a big difference, remember similar with you at BP it was wet and I had just been doing normal in practice. let air out of old slicks with some grooves (useless). Got hold of some slightly worn wet fronts from Steve Millen/Pacific and mate did that shake a couple up when we took off from arse of field on race day. Steve, the best thing i think was us smaller guys dropped about 1 to 2 seconds in wet and the big boys dropped 4 or more, Ah the wet loved it.
Also Jim, in handicap races back then you would have been off front.

[jim short]

You know Rod even the folk standing close to the startline thought the same thing but I must admitt when first in this car it would bog down bad time and again.there was a hillclimd out of Tokoroa Jackson French? and Rotorua mates came over Jackson had Crowes Starlet {there was some debate about running on slicks }the car at that stage ran on what came with it fron UK so not that flash,up to the last run Kershure?? {I think that was his name in a Datsun?? } how is it posible to loose thirty seven copys of the results anyhow we were on the same time in front, this time it just jumped away and he was standing watching as during a delay had returned to the start, He walked away saying its all over unfortunatly the start was so good the timekeeper forgot to push the button, so we deadheated,,Now BP was the same from the third row drop the clutch at 6000 and be in front by the back straight!!!! Back to Glen prety sure that race in the wet it was Huxford,Glen and no 5 of the front!

[Steve Emson]

The little coupe did 63's (1m 03) around Baypark in the dry.They did send me out in the rain once on slicks. S*%$ that was exciting......huge 5th gear slides down the back straight. It would crank itself sideways and you would get off the throttle, put almost full opposite lock on and wait..............all you heard was SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUSH as you waited for the wheels to bite. My Historic Falcon GTHO here in Queensland used to do it also in the rain in top gear everytime you got on the throttle. It always won in the rain fortunately.
Actually, come to think of it, I love driving in the rain.
For those of you that think we are off topic, sorry. The photos of the coupe are immediately before 1978 and the car then raced through that period. I thought it may have some relevance because of that.

[kiwi285]

Steve, I have sent you a PM

[Rod Grimwood]

Any good old memories are good to read Steve. One normally leads to another. Any way that car was the bees nees, it was quick all its life. Yea slicks in the wet fun!! i think it is in the Escort thread from awhile back some photos of BP wet on slicks.

[tweaks]

Hi Guys ,

This is a great little tread and I have just been over it again from the start.....great cars and drivers from the era but what about other makes and other drivers ( also rans ) , Mitsibushi , Honda ,VW ect... did anyone else try to give it a go ?
I left the shores in 73 and missed out on all of this .

Cheers

Lynds

[Steve Holmes]

Bill Leckie ran a Mitsi Lancer, there was at least one Toyota Starlet, plus a Honda Civic I? Seemed to be predominantly Datsuns and Escorts though.

[Lurker]

Bill Leckie ran a Mitsi Lancer, there was at least one Toyota Starlet, plus a Honda Civic I? Seemed to be predominantly Datsuns and Escorts though.

Yes, Warren Burt in the Starlet, I think the Parnells had the Civic and also Wayne (Noddy) Murdock in an Avenger

[Steve Holmes]

Some real beauties here from Terry Marshall:

9544

9545

9546

9547

[Kiwiboss]

I see "soon to be" HMC racer Grant Aitken amongst that lot!! great pictures and luv the aggressive inside manoeuvre of the Sanyo car, think they're still trying to do that at that part of the track at Puke!!

Dale M

[Habu]

Can someone please refresh my memory - "Just Juice" series - 1980/81 or 1981/82?
Cheers

[crunch]

Hi Guys ,

This is a great little tread and I have just been over it again from the start.....great cars and drivers from the era but what about other makes and other drivers ( also rans ) , Mitsibushi , Honda ,VW ect... did anyone else try to give it a go ?
I left the shores in 73 and missed out on all of this .

Cheers

Lynds

What a great era in motorsport. As a flaggie at Manfield in the early 80's I really enjoyed Shellsport and a few years later I was involved with Malcolm Webb's 1300 Starlet that run 4 Dellorto carbs (off a Ducati I think?). Many a late night in the shed with that project!
Think it's great that the cars are being re-discovered and a group has got together to ensure we see some good fields now and in the future.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah I agree Crunch, a neat series, and fantastic little cars. Their ground hugging stance, and fat little wheels really pin-point the era in which they raced. And the racing was red hot!

[seaqnmac27]

Can someone please refresh my memory - "Just Juice" series - 1980/81 or 1981/82?
Cheers

Just Juice was 83 and 84 prior to that it was the Aurora AFX series.

Also the reference to the Leckie Mitsi, are there any pictures of this car. I have heard it referenced but never seen it.

[Steve Holmes]

As requested, Leckie Sleepyhead Lancer. Pics courtesy of Terry Marshall.

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[Habu]

[QUOTE=seaqnmac27;16045]Just Juice was 83 and 84 prior to that it was the Aurora AFX series.

Really? - Always thought the series was earlier than that for some reason. Thanks seaqnmac27

[Habu]

Is the 120Y ahead of the Leckie car in the last photo, the ex-Cook car later owned by Steve Gill?

[crunch]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;16055]As requested, Leckie Sleepyhead Lancer. Pics courtesy of Terry Marshall.

Love the fact the Lancer still has the number plate on the back!

[Dave Silcock]

What a great era in motorsport. As a flaggie at Manfield in the early 80's I really enjoyed Shellsport and a few years later I was involved with Malcolm Webb's 1300 Starlet that run 4 Dellorto carbs (off a Ducati I think?). Many a late night in the shed with that project!
Think it's great that the cars are being re-discovered and a group has got together to ensure we see some good fields now and in the future.

Hi Crunch, You may have forgotten but there was a limit of 36 mm on the venturi size for that class. I can remember Ron Rutherford fitting 4 36mm Dellortos on the Escort that Mark drove and reporting equal performance straight out of the box and was expecting more with a bit of tweaking,
Cheers Dave.

[Steve Holmes]

How do you remember this stuff Dave? I can barely remember things that happened last week!

[kiwi285]

How do you remember this stuff Dave? I can barely remember things that happened last week!

Steve, that Lancer was a great looking car - does it still exist ? They seemed to attract a great variety of makes which stirred more spectator interest.

Will be interesting next year to see which cars make the Revival grid and which are coming back from the dead (or sleeping).

[Steve Holmes]

Not sure if it still exists Mike. Bill only raced it for a season or two, then it seems to have vanished. Someone here will know more than me though.

[crunch]

Hi Crunch, You may have forgotten but there was a limit of 36 mm on the venturi size for that class. I can remember Ron Rutherford fitting 4 36mm Dellortos on the Escort that Mark drove and reporting equal performance straight out of the box and was expecting more with a bit of tweaking,
Cheers Dave.

Yeah; I think thats why Spider was looking at the motorcycle variations, and if I remember; a lack of room under the bonnet.
In the last couple of years I helped out a guy Phil Moore who had the "Comfort Zone" waterbeds Datsun 1200. He did a lot of hillclimbs and the occassional Shellsport race. He was an ex Mini7 champion and I remember the day the car first arrived and it had Sanyo along the side and the name "Bomba" written on the dashboard. I think it was an ex-Greg Lancaster car?

[shellsport]

Is the 120Y ahead of the Leckie car in the last photo, the ex-Cook car later owned by Steve Gill?

I cant remember Reg ever running a 120y , but this is Grant Aitken in one of the two he ran . I think this is the latter car of the two , the original being campagned by ( I think , and stand to be corrected ) Ken Sagar and Gary Love . It may have become an SS2000 runner . Some one with a much greater knowledge may be able to elaborate !

[GeebeeNZ]

Not sure if it still exists Mike. Bill only raced it for a season or two, then it seems to have vanished. Someone here will know more than me though.

Peter Benbrook owned an ex Leckie Lancer. By that stage it had a Rotary in it. I will give him a call and try and get more details.
Graeme

[Habu]

I cant remember Reg ever running a 120y , but this is Grant Aitken in one of the two he ran . I think this is the latter car of the two , the original being campagned by ( I think , and stand to be corrected ) Ken Sagar and Gary Love . It may have become an SS2000 runner . Some one with a much greater knowledge may be able to elaborate !

Thanks for that - for some reason I thought the 120Y that Steve had, was ex Cook. I remember Cook built an L20 for him when he ran the car in the NZ Sports Sedan series (when the class was split into capacity classes, but all raced together), possibly back in the late 80's / early 90's.....

[seaqnmac27]

As requested, Leckie Sleepyhead Lancer. Pics courtesy of Terry Marshall.

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These are magnificent photos , as you expect from Terry, I'd love a few hours to look through his whole collection.

[Milan Fistonic]

Any one with photos of Bryce Platts Escort in Fountain colours can you please forward on here or send to me. Also any photos of car in orig orange with Chequer Flag and Knitwear sponsorship.


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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Milan, great photo.

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks Milan

[Carlo]

Had a friend drop around some very old photos of Reg Cook in the Shellsport 120Y. They were taken at Ruapuna when the had the signage "Cookie wants a sponsor" on the side of the car.

He also reminded me that Rod Collingwoods Toyota Torino started competiton life as Allan Broughs rally car as used in NZ and also on the Southern Cross Rally

[shellsport]

Had a friend drop around some very old photos of Reg Cook in the Shellsport 120Y. They were taken at Ruapuna when the had the signage "Cookie wants a sponsor" on the side of the car.

He also reminded me that Rod Collingwoods Toyota Torino started competiton life as Allan Broughs rally car as used in NZ and also on the Southern Cross Rally

Well , never thought he ran a KB210 ( As I have previously stated ) ,
maybe I dont know the difference but this looks a lot like my KB110 . Ill just run over to the workshop and check !

[seaqnmac27]

He also reminded me that Rod Collingwoods Toyota Torino started competiton life as Allan Broughs rally car as used in NZ and also on the Southern Cross Rally

So that would mean it was converted after the 77 Rally of NZ? Trueno rather than Torino though.

[Milan Fistonic]

It doesn't look like a 120Y to me.


10894

[Carlo]

So that would mean it was converted after the 77 Rally of NZ? Trueno rather than Torino though.

Yes. Even a bit later than 1977 as I seem to recall chasing Allan & Mike down a very slippery firebreak in the Herbert Forest at nightime during the 1978 Nth Otago Pall Mall Rally. Of course had we both managed to make the LH turn after the gateway at the top of the hill then naturally that wouldn't have happened. Can be tricky making your way back up muddy firebreaks that are part overgrown with gorse

Trueno, must get the brain and typing finger co-ordinated one day

[Carlo]

[QUOTE=Milan Fistonic;18049]It doesn't look like a 120Y to me.


Nor to me when I put my glasses on

[tonttu]

So that would mean it was converted after the 77 Rally of NZ? Trueno rather than Torino though.

So what became of it? There is a Trueno shell sitting in Wellington that's been partially space framed and the owner was told it could have been the one Paul Radisich drove yonks ago, maybe its this one??

[seaqnmac27]

Mind you, you'd have to admit a 2 litre Ford Torino would have been amusing to watch race.

[seaqnmac27]

So what became of it? There is a Trueno shell sitting in Wellington that's been partially space framed and the owner was told it could have been the one Paul Radisich drove yonks ago, maybe its this one??

I asked the same question a while back. If you read through this thread the answer and images of both cars have been posted.

[Steve Emson]

It doesn't look like a 120Y to me.


10894 that is a B110 Datsun 1200 coupe

[shellsport]

that is a B110 Datsun 1200 coupe

Go back a page !

[Steve Emson]

At the time Barry Phillips was racing his mini it would have been a 1200 coupe. If you look close it even has what looks like to me, Datsun 1200 sign written above the sills in large writing.It also has Petch written on it. That front is the nose Petch used also. I may be wrong, but that is in my opinion, a 1200 coupe. 120y started when......(i don't really know, maybe 1975?? I raced one for Datsun NZ in the B & H) Barry Phillips stopped racing that mini around that time also.