Blast from the Past

[khyndart in CA]

Sometimes one comes across motor racing information from unexpected sources

[khyndart in CA]

Such was the case for me when I saw that there was not much to be found about the Napier Road Races held at the Ahuriri Circuit during the late 50s and 60s. Many local and visiting drivers stated;" the Ahuriri course was the best in New Zealand at the time because of natural hazards of a true road race and made for great racing"
I found this brief video which shows how the Hillmans and Holdens skated around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTF1Ry2H4E

The course was down by the Napier waterfront as shown in these two images.
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48741



( Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

I might get yelled at but I found my source for some good photos at Ahuriri in the Hawkes Bay Photo News, that is after you get past all the pages of swimsuit beauties from that era etc !
The natural grandstand might not meet todays approval !
48742

But they were treated to some wonderful racing.

[Paul B]

Great post Ken,
Great shot of the Humber 80 getting a bit sideways (about half way through)!
That was right next to the old Napier port and that whole area was commercial warehouses and wool stores etc. It would have been easy to close the roads then. Very different now with apartments and cafe restaurants there.
A bit like Lyall bay/ Rongotai in Wellington there were street races in Kingford Smith Street, I think the last races were in the late 70s but today it is all retail complex.
Hopefully see you at Taupo.
Cheers
Paul

[Roger Dowding]

48743

and some competitors. Norm Agnew photo's

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[khyndart in CA]

The first race meeting was known as the Port Ahuriri Centennial Road Races during the 1958-59 summer.
48771

The formula race was dominated by Merv Neal in his Cooper Climax # 37
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Merv Neal (wearing sunglasses) telling all both young and old about how good his car is.

So good that a year later a certain D. Hulme was again winning in the same Cooper # 37 at Ahuriri.
48774
Denny was probably barefoot and wearing shorts when this was taken as that is what he felt most comfortable in when he began his racing career !



( Ken H)
I am going to need Milan to fill in the information on a lot of this thread. Thanks in advance Milan. KH

[Oldfart]

A couple of people who I spoke to about this weren't too happy with 44 gallon drums filled with concrete as corner markers. Perhaps that would stop the current crop running off the track as often :)

[Milan Fistonic]

The first meeting was on November 22, 1958.

48775

[khyndart in CA]

Saturday November 22nd 1958.
South Pond Circuit, Ahuriri, Napier.

48782

[khyndart in CA]

When I went to my first NZ Grand Prix at Ardmore in Jan. 1959, the first car to roar by as we had just entered was Brian Tracey driving the ex Ron Roycroft Alfa Romeo Tipo B. It seemed so big compared to the other cars that were there and it did not qualify for the main race.
Perhaps Brian was still having handling problems like he had at Ahuriri as shown in these Hawkes Bay Photo News photos.
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(Note he stayed well clear of the 44 gallon drums that Rhys mentioned ! )



(Ken H )

[Trevor Sheffield]

When I went to my first NZ Grand Prix at Ardmore in Jan. 1959, the first car to roar by as we had just entered was Brian Tracey driving the ex Ron Roycroft Alfa Romeo Tipo B. It seemed so big compared to the other cars that were there and it did not qualify for the main race.
Perhaps Brian was still having handling problems like he had at Ahuriri as shown in these Hawkes Bay Photo News photos.
(Ken H )

Interesting facts concerning the handling of the Roycroft Alfa.

Ralph Watson. --- After a few trials, the wandering was cured by an increase in castor angle. This was done by making stepped keys to replace those which prevented the axle beam from rotating in the clamps which held it to the chassis. We made three sets of these keys which provided varying positions offset from the original position and this enabled us to experiment with changes in castor angle.

It is exceedingly interesting that there was no evidence of any change having been made on any previous occasion. One must therefore assume that the car would have been handling badly when Nuvolari drove it to win the 1935 German Grand Prix! What is more, it appears that before the Alfa came to N.Z., previous owners Kenneth Evans and Roy Salvadori, both criticised the handling of the car.

Note : When the Alfa was restored some 30 years later, the stepped keys were incorrectly fitted in reverse. This resulted in the handling of the restored car being sharply criticised by a well known N.Z. motoring journalist, who wrote about it and caused incorrect stories to become accepted and reiterated. It was implied that the stepped keys were an original component, whereas they were made and fitted in N.Z.

Refer here for full details:-

http://ralphwatson.scienceontheweb.net

[khyndart in CA]

Perhaps it is the photo quality but it does appear that the front left tyre has less tread than the right front.
Very interesting input Trevor. Thank you.
Ken.

[khyndart in CA]

Nov. 1958. Ahuriri.
Sports car and sedan race grids line up.
Just put a number on the door and away you go !
(Perhaps even reverse the headlights. )

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48835

[khyndart in CA]

For the 1961 Ahuriri races Pat Hoare showed up with his magnificent Ferrari 256 with a 3 litre V-12. # 19

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A great shot of a great car in action turning from Coronation Street onto Battery Road.
Spectators got a good close look at the action !

Thanks to Phil Moore for these photos.
48844

Sometimes things did not go as planned as Colin Ngan spins his Cooper Bobtail just in front of another competitor at the tricky corner from Battery Road onto Hyderabad Road toward the start / finish line.
48845
Again note how close the crowd is to the action !


(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

The Alfa has the Dubonnet front suspension, which I'd assume would make it hard to fine tune anyway...

Ever looked at a Vauxhall with one of these?

[Trevor Sheffield]

The Alfa has the Dubonnet front suspension, which I'd assume would make it hard to fine tune anyway...

Ever looked at a Vauxhall with one of these?

Very true. Ralph Watson clearly set out the specific problems involved including a drawing showing the exact details here:-

http://ralphwatson.scienceontheweb.net

[Milan Fistonic]

Nov. 1958. Ahuriri.
Sports car and sedan race grids line up.
Just put a number on the door and away you go !
(Perhaps even reverse the headlights. )


48835

Looks like this race.

48847

[Milan Fistonic]

[QUOTE=khyndart in CA;63066]Nov. 1958. Ahuriri.
Sports car and sedan race grids line up.
Just put a number on the door and away you go !
(Perhaps even reverse the headlights. )

48834


48848

Looks like this race. If the cars are lined up in order of their handicaps then they are in this order.

4, 20, 3, 38, 13, 7

That must be Hyslop's D-type in the bottom left-hand corner of the picture.

Number 38 is not a Buckler - it's Doug Lawrence's Mistral bodied TR3.

[Oldfart]

Thanks Milan, very helpful.

[Oldfart]

Ken, I pinched one of your pics for the Buckler facebook page. I hpe that's OK

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Yes of course that is ok. You and Milan 'could walk on water' in my book.
I was just a bit confused and also noted the date was not correct on Roger's thread as it was 1958 not 1960 when that race was run.
Cheers,
Enjoy the New Year,
Ken

[Oldfart]

Hell, Ken, I can't even stop the water going over the top of my waders. Milan, well he's a very special asset to us all.

[khyndart in CA]

1961 Ahuriri race circuit.
As you can see in this photo that arriving at the corner of Battery Rd and Hyderabad Rd was a bit intimidating as you can see power poles on either side (protected by a hay bale !), a slight S in the road approaching the corner, the cursed 44 gallon drums, more poles and fencing with the inner harbor marshes beyond plus a very close crowd trying to see from every vantage point and trying to get onto the main straight as quick as possible ..whew !
48872

Here are some photos of the action from that corner and once again I ask for help in identifying the vehicles and the drivers..Thanks.
48873
An interesting special.

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(Ken H )

[Oldfart]

Milan, more entry lists please! In 61 I was sailing my P class there in the background waters, not while the racing happened! I would have sworn there were more buildings!

[Milan Fistonic]

48905


48906

As Roy Harrington raced a Morris Minor at Ardmore a month prior to the Ahuriri meeting it is safe to say that it is him in number 56.

[Milan Fistonic]

48907

48909


48908

I think that's Rex Flowers in the Lotus 6 in the second photo.

[Oldfart]

Thanks Milan, so we have Alwyn Marshall, that car now with Roger Munns, and probably Scott Wiseman that car now with Kelvin Brown.

[khyndart in CA]

So what is the vehicle / driver that has the license plate number 558-515 ?

Hey it is still 2017 here, you folks are way ahead of us Left Coasters !
KH

[Ray Bell]

Looks like a Lotus 6 or replica...

[Milan Fistonic]

It is a Lotus VI imported by Jack Hobson in the late fifties. It had a number of owners including Russ Buckthought, Rex Flowers, Doug Lawrence and in 1971 David McKinney.

[Allan]

Any idea where it is now?

[khyndart in CA]

The Hawkes Bay Photo News took some photos of the 1964 NZ Grand Prix at Pukekohe that brought back memories for me of that day. January 11 1964.
After having the privilege of seeing Frank Matich at Mount Maunganui two weeks before, he again came and put on a dominant display at Pukekohe and ran away from the field.
I like this shot of him as he accelerates away from the Elbow Corner in his Lotus 19B Climax.
49002

Later in the day the NZGP was in progress when I took this photo of the Elbow Corner and Bruce McLaren is coming up on Jim Palmer in his Cooper. Tony Shelly has already gone out of the photo on the left. On the right is Jack Brabham as he approaches the corner under braking. The next lap Jack ran over the Shelly Lotus and was lucky not to get hurt as it was a loud and dangerous crash as he almost hit the horse stables !
49003
(Ken Hyndman photo )

49004

Tony Shelly car did not suffer too much and he was able to continue after a pit stop.
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Bruce McLaren slowed down in his Cooper T70 long enough to check on Brabham and Tony Shelly and then drove off to win the 1964 NZGP.
49006
(Note the lack of safety items compared to today ! )

49007
Well deserved winners on the victory platform. NZGP winners. Jan. 11th 1964.





Ken H and H B Photo News.

[khyndart in CA]

Some 1964 racing photos from the Hawkes Bay Photo News.
A fine shot of the start of the Lady Wigram Tasman Cup Race at Christchurch showing McLaren and Brabham accelerating away.
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(Ken H )

[John McKechnie]

G Thonson is Grady Thompson later of Team Cambridge Monaro and Z/28 Camaro fame as he ran a Healey back then.

[khyndart in CA]

1963/1964 Summer.
Some Napier / Ahuriri race scenes from the Hawkes Bay Photo News.
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[khyndart in CA]

Onto the 1965 Tasman Series.
Pukekohe. Jan. 1965
Jim Palmer does not look very happy at coming in 3rd. It was a drive well done Jim !
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A real pain at the "Elbow" (Note the crowd size !)
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On to Levin.
Lucky Jim Clark with every NZ man's favorite, Elaine Miscall.
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Thanks to Hawkes Bay Photo News for giving us a glimpse back into these events from the 50s and 60s.
( Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H ,you have been busy, some great stuff here, thanks
Roger D

PS sorry about the spelling " Los Olivos ". maybe you are at work ??

[khyndart in CA]

The last of the HB Photo News race photos were taken at Levin. 1967.
A neat shot of race winner Jim Clark accelerating away in his Lotus 33
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The winners paraded later in a slightly slower vehicle. Jim Clark,1st, Jackie Stewart 2nd and Richard Attwood 3rd(obscured)
49090

Dene Hollier from nearby Taihape had a full crew of friends to help with his Lotus 27.
49080

Some of the saloon car action that day.
'Doc" Langley in his Austin Cooper S chasing Neil Doyle in his Anglia-Corvette # 109
49081

Here is one for Grant Ellwood which shows B.Harvie in Cooper S # 77 and Bryan Faloon in his Anglia # 57 cornering at different angles !
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Well folks that is about it for the Hawkes Bay Photo News photos of a wonderful era in NZ motor racing.
Time for me to do some work and prepare for Taupo.
I hope to meet some of you there.
Cheers,
Ken Hyndman

[Roger Dowding]

Thanks Milan, so we have Alwyn Marshall, that car now with Roger Munns, and probably Scott Wiseman that car now with Kelvin Brown.

Rhys, Yes the white Buckler is Scott Wiseman, had that advised from another source on Facebook from Graham Kyle, who was a racer in Morgan's and others back in 1970's,now living in Sweden.
Scott's car is the Jarvie Body as mentioned by you Rhys
Cheers

Roger

[Oldfart]

Rhys, Yes the white Buckler is Scott Wiseman, had that advised from another source on Facebook from Graham Kyle, who was a racer in Morgan's and others back in 1970's,now living in Sweden.
Scott's car is the Jarvie Body as mentioned by you Rhys
Cheers

Roger

Roger, I had already said that! Shouldn't have included the "probably". I along with Kelvin have collated a spreadsheet of all the known "real" Bucklers that were in NZ with all known owners, except for the last 90 I owned myself which we can only get back till 1969. Even Bruce Sutcliffe didn't know of it. (I have now owned/own 3)

[Grant Ellwood]

Here is one for Grant Ellwood which shows B.Harvie in Cooper S # 77 and Bryan Faloon in his Anglia # 57 cornering at different angles !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]49085[/ATTACH

Ken, thanks for the #57 Anglia pic, I'll add it to my collection! Nice coincidence that Brian Harvie is in the frame too, he owned the Peter Bennett A40 prior to Peter acquiring it. Currently prepping the Farina for the coming season here.

[Grant Ellwood]

49152

Why I'm not in the workshop this week....

[Bruce302]

Hi Grant, damn that is cold, I don't blame you for not going into the shed, does it get that cold every year ?


Bruce.

[Oldfart]

Zero here in Tamworth UK today, but that was celsius so quite a bit warmer than that. Thank goodness for the heater I culd get under the car and bring the steering closer to how it was.49153

Not quite the horsepower of an aero engine though :)

[khyndart in CA]

What became of this Buckler and driver from this 1964 Ahuriri race incident ?

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(Ken H)

[Grant Ellwood]

Hi Grant, damn that is cold, I don't blame you for not going into the shed, does it get that cold every year ?


Bruce.

Hi Bruce, I've never seen it that cold before, minus 8C would be the lowest in my part of Virginia. I took the photo at 8am but it was a bit colder at 6am - minus 20C. Bugger! I'm looking forward to moving to coastal North Carolina this year.

[Milan Fistonic]

What became of this Buckler and driver from this 1964 Ahuriri race incident ?

49160


(Ken H)

From the Motorman report

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[Oldfart]

That is the Buckler made as an "authorised copy" by Dennis Lyndesay and his brother in law Ray Tyler. They bought the bits for one car, and with agreement from Buckler NZ who couldn't supply enough to meet demand made a similar chassis, but mainly straight tubes. Graham Thomas, is who many of folks on here know as Dewar. He made a number of changes to the car largely in suspension. After selling he moved to Europe and his place in the F1 scene.
He told me some time ago that there was extensive damage, and that it was dismantled for parts. What became of the chassis and body is unknown. It does not appear to have surfaced again after that.

[Bruce302]

My buddy just sent a car to Westminster Mass, -20 c there too. I do a lot of stuff but not below zero.
Good luck with the move, should be a bit better out there.

B.


Hi Bruce, I've never seen it that cold before, minus 8C would be the lowest in my part of Virginia. I took the photo at 8am but it was a bit colder at 6am - minus 20C. Bugger! I'm looking forward to moving to coastal North Carolina this year.

[Bruce302]

You're into hot rod's now ?

B


Zero here in Tamworth UK today, but that was celsius so quite a bit warmer than that. Thank goodness for the heater I culd get under the car and bring the steering closer to how it was.49153

Not quite the horsepower of an aero engine though :)

[Oldfart]

Yes Bruce, the roaring power of a whole 635 (or thereabouts) cc. 0 to 30 time of "eventually".

[Bruce302]

Yes Bruce, the roaring power of a whole 635 (or thereabouts) cc. 0 to 30 time of "eventually".

...and I see 6 wheel nuts, that's ambitious, and "eventually" can be a long time, not that many hills there either

[Ray Bell]

Six stud wheels in low powered cars were not unknown...

Morris 8/40, for instance.

[Bruce302]

49226

Is this the vehicle ? I suppose the engineering was in it's infancy.


Six stud wheels in low powered cars were not unknown...

Morris 8/40, for instance.

[John McKechnie]

Aussie only car, known as Morris 8 everywhere else.
It is commonly believed that the '40' represented the fuel consumption of 40 mpg at 40 mph (but may refer to 40ft.lbs torque) and the '8' naturally signified 8 horsepower RAC rating.-http://www.bmcexperience.com.au/bmce-issue6/morris-8-40

[khyndart in CA]

Do those figures relate to what is on the steps or what is at the top of the steps ?

[Ray Bell]

Yes, 40mpg was the reason...

Buick also had an 8/40 IIRC, being 8 cylinders and 40 RAC HP.

There were a few Morris 8/40s in my family over the years. My dad recalled driving mum's father's utility from Taree to Sydney and back during the war with his mother and mum's mother in the front with him, mum (then in her late teens) and one each of her sisters and brothers in the slipstream in the back. It broke a front spring on the return journey.

Later mum had a tourer as her first car in the late fifties and my sister had a sedan as her first car in the early sixties.

No Buicks, unfortunately...

[John McKechnie]

Do those figures relate to what is on the steps or what is at the top of the steps ?

Sometimes, Ken, a cigar is just a cigar

[Oldfart]

I think it's quite ironic that my little Peugeot has 6 wheel studs and later the saloons such as 203, 403, 404 all had 3!
55 mpg for the Quadrilette.

[Ray Bell]

But on a much larger PCD...

Just as the Austin 7 had three wheel studs vs the Morris with 6, but with a larger PCD. The greater irony is that the Austins had slots!

I think early Lotus models had the Morris stud pattern, which was the cause of concern at Le Mans with the first 23 back in 1962 when they had 4-stud wheels at one end and 6-stud at the other. The demand to make them the same led to it having 4-stud wheels all round and the French reaction to that was, "If it needed six before, four is not enough!"

So Chapman went home and never went back again.

But I'm not certain it was the Morris PCD. From memory the Lotus was on a 3.5" PCD.

And while comparing Peugeots, the 203, 403, and 404 commercials (utilities and wagons) had 5-stud on the same 5.5" PCD as a number of pre-war US cars, Ford to 1947, F100 etc, Jeeps, some Japanese 4WDs, Imperials and bigger Chryslers and some of the later Chrysler commercials. With hefty 16mm studs on the Pugs IIRC, too. The 504 and 505 wagons, however, came back to to the same 4-stud pattern that the 504 and 504 sedans wore.

Mind you, there's little rhyme or reason to it all. Some Citroen ID/DS models had just one wheel nut while others have five studs, and these early Peugeots didn't seem to rely on bolts to hold the wheels on at all:

https://s26.postimg.cc/6f9aoivex/Peugeotbebe.jpg

Probably their Bugatti parentage... while your 6-stud pattern adorns this 1922 model:

https://s26.postimg.cc/qmmqgu8bt/Peugeot161.jpg

[khyndart in CA]

This photo reminds of the time in early 1974 and I was working at Continental Imports in San Diego which had the local Ferrari franchise. My VW van wasn't running right (a normal condition ) and the sales manager said " take this home for the evening, take your fiancée to dinner and bring it back in the morning". As I lived near the beach in an apartment I did just that and parked it out on the street as no big deal as it was worth about $ 8000 back then, and returned it safely with no harm done.
These 1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 , 5 speeds now sell in the $ 400,000 USD range or over 555,000 NZD !
(Oh well, my wife to be, enjoyed the dinner and she mistakenly thought she was marrying into money ! )
49327
(Ken Hyndman photo )


(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

I wonder if this is the same car?

https://s26.postimg.cc/tcelxl45l/0118frbrittoferraris.jpg

That's Peter Mabey, Frank Matich's mechanic, admiring it during their SR3 Can-Am visit, 1967?

[khyndart in CA]

Although I have never been involved with them, the Sunbeam Alpine must have been quite the sports car in the 1960s and seeing them used in the Dean Lester photos to transport the drivers around before the race must have improved their popularity.
In October 1962 there was a race at the old Riverside course known as the LA Times Grand Prix for Sports Cars.
The talented Rootes Group racing team consisted of 4 Sunbeam Alpines driven by Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Ken Miles and a young Jerry Titus for this 200 mile endurance race which was also the first competitive race for the AC Cobra and the new Stingray Corvette.
Jack Brabham had the franchise to sell Rootes Group and Standard Triumphs.
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Bruce had some trouble getting his Alpine to the LeMans type start.
52986
(Dave Friedman photos )

(Ken H)

[John McKechnie]

Although I have never been involved with them, the Sunbeam Alpine Tiger must have been quite the sports car in the 1960s and seeing them used in the Dean Lester photos to transport the drivers around before the race must have improved their popularity.

Max had one in Get Smart.....surely that must have helped

[Steve Holmes]

Although I have never been involved with them, the Sunbeam Alpine Tiger must have been quite the sports car in the 1960s and seeing them used in the Dean Lester photos to transport the drivers around before the race must have improved their popularity.

Max had one in Get Smart.....surely that must have helped

The coolest of them in my opinion was the one built and raced by Doane Spencer. Apparently used to lift its front wheels off the ground on hard acceleration.

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[Grant Ellwood]

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Just got this one in the shop, hope its one of the four you posted Ken!

[khyndart in CA]

Oct. 1962.
Check out the parking lot at the Riverside course ! That is when folks went to the racing before TV etc. came along.. Would have been a bit of a hassle if you wanted to leave early !
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A neat GM promo photo showing the cars going into Turn 6 from the Esses on their final warm up before the race. The arrow points to the new Stingray that Dave MacDonald # 00 was driving that day.
I went around this track in 1987 before it was taken over by developers, driven by BMW driving instructors and it was really a thrill going through these corners.
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(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

I found this interesting information in the Sunbeam Tiger Club site. http://www.sunbeamtiger.co.uk/development/

Ian Garrad (the son of the then Rootes Competitions Manager) remembers….” Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Ken Miles and others had just driven Alpines in the Endurance 3 Hours invitation race at the ‘Times Grand Prix’ Riverside meeting of October 1962, which also saw the debut of the 260 Cobra. Later that day Jack and I were ‘bench-racing’ when the possibility of stuffing a V8 into an Alpine was broached by Brabham”. Whatever the absolute truth is Sir Jack Brabham’s views moved forward the eventual development of the Sunbeam Tiger.

Ian then turned to Carroll Shelby to help make reality the dream of a Sunbeam sports car with sufficient power to compete with E types, Healeys and Porsches. Garrad believed the answer lay with installing Ford’s 260 cu in (4.2 litre) small block V8 engine. It was compact and had potential for enlargement, and was soon increased to 289 cu in. (4.7).

In March 1963 Shelby was retained as engineering consultant on how best to fit the Ford V8 into the Alpine chassis. The product of Shelby’s commission was delivered to Ryton for Lord Rootes to inspect in July. From his go ahead it took only nine months to bring the code named ‘Sunbeam Thunderbolt’ to the New York Motor Show in April 1964. However, by the show date the ‘Thunderbolt’ had been named the ‘Tiger’ in memory of the 1926 Sunbeam Tiger, a supercharged V12 that set the world’s land speed record of 152.3 mph in 1926 in the hands of H.O.D Seagrave.

Rootes did not have the manufacturing capacity to build the Tiger so Jensen Motors at West Bromwich was engaged to carry out the series production of the Tiger I and II. During its production run, some 6,550 of the 260 cu in MK1 Tiger were produced between 1964 and 1966. Only 536 of the 289 cu in MKII Tigers were made in 1967 and all but 10 were made for export markets. In June 1967, by which time Chrysler had achieved full control of Rootes, Tiger production was ended but not before a paper based attempt to modify the hybrid they inherited by installing one of Chryslers own V8 engines was proved to be impossible! It is unfortunate that a corporate take-over brought about the demise of the Sunbeam Tiger. "
53021
1962 Sunbeam Alpine ad.

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1964 Sunbeam Tiger ad


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Back to Riverside. October 1962.
The 3 hour Enduro Race started on the back straight as a LeMans type start where the drivers sprinted across the track to their cars.
The Dave MacDonald Stingray was the first car away.
53030

As the field raced away toward Turn 9 the Sunbeam Alpine # 50 of Ken Miles can be seen at the bottom of the photo.
Sadly in 1966 this is the area where Ken died while testing the Ford prototype LeMans J car.
53031

This is a photo I took from near the overhead bridge area in Oct. 1974 during an International Race of Champions (IROC ) showing AJ Foyt leading Jody Scheckter who is trying to learn how to slipstream in their identical Camaros.
Note the lack of vegetation and Riverside was often too hot for racing before October.
53032
(Ken H photo )

Ken Miles drove well in the Sunbeam Alpine # 50 and came in 6th. Jack Brabham lost a fan belt and overheated his Alpine and Bruce McLaren had fuel pump problems all day so it did not go quite as well as expected for the Rootes Group Racing Team.
Jack Brabham drove his Alpine # 4 hard that day until the fan belt broke.

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Ken Miles is seen here about to lap a Porsche on his way to sixth place. (Dave Friedman photo.)
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(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

53037[LIST]


I drive by the Santa Barbara Airport each day and pass this spot less than a mile away from work and see some of the same buildings and can imagine how exciting it must have been to see some of the best drivers of the day competing here e.g. Phil Hill, Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby, Steve McQueen etc. etc..
This is a photo of Ken Miles winning his 1962 race in his Sunbeam Alpine # 50 at the Santa Barbara Airport races.


The Santa Barbara Airport Road Races ran from 1953 to 1968.
A 1966 programme cover example.
53038




( Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

This may not mean much to you folks in NZ but one of my fellow workmates here at Moss Motors is driving the MG that his grandfather drove back in the 1950s here at the Santa Barbara Airport races and he has some photos to share over the next few days.
This aerial photo shows the course around 1953. The small white square was the local drive-in movie theatre that only recently was removed.
I drive to work along the road on the left and Moss Motors is located less than a mile from the top of the photo.
The airport is still there but everywhere has been developed of course.
53063

(Ken H....more photos soon.)

[SPman]

Sunbeam Alpine - now with 1600cc engine!
An acquaintance of dad's in Albany on the North Shore had an Alpine, which he'd fitted with an MGB motor. Reckoned it went OK in a straight line. That would be 1962. It did, until he bought a new Lotus Elan in 1963. The first time I saw (and drove) the Elan, the tail lights wouldn't work, because he'd put his sheepdog in the boot and the dog had chewed out the wiring! Farmers!

[Oldfart]

True comment from a guy on the Tiger assembly line! How to tell a real Tiger from a replica/re-engined Alpine.Look for the sledge hammer marks to clear the gearbox. If it's done nicely, it's a replica, if it has the sledge hammer huge dents, it's probably real :)

[khyndart in CA]

Leif Jacobsen carries on the wonderful tradition of driving a 1934 MG NA that his grandfather drove in California races in the 1950s.
Leif's late father also took some photos from that time at the Santa Barbara Airport races which he has kindly shared.
This is a poor copy of a photo I took of Leif's information board.
53070
(KJH photo.)

Sept. 1955. Santa Barbara Airport at Goleta, California.
Lars Jacobsen waiting to go out in his 1936 MG NA. In the background Phil Hill and Richie Ginther can be seen at the left front wheel of a Ferrari Monza.
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Michael Jacobsen photos.

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An early racer for Ken Miles was this MG Special R1

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The start of a race in 1956 has Ken Miles on the left in Porsche 550 # 5, Richie Ginther in # 211 and Jean Pierre Kunstle in # 118.

Some of the great cars of that era at Santa Barbara.
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Bill Stroppe's Kurtis 500 with a Mercury "flattie" engine.

53075
A LeMans Replica Frazer Nash beside a Maserati A6GCS. (The hangar in the background is still there today.)

[khyndart in CA]

Phil Hill would often drive up to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles, put a number on the side and compete before driving home again !
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Phil Hill's Ferrari 2.6 as known at that time, later as a 212 Ferrari.

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Phil Hill leaning on his Ferrari 2.9 talking to Richie Ginther , Ernie McAfee and others. (Note the quick number application to be easily wiped off for the drive home !) Joe Smith photo.

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

Leif Jacobsen carries on as some say, very bravely, with the 1934 MG NA in modern day events.
This car was first sold new to Karl Raetz , Koln, Germany in 1935.
It has a unique front suspension that started with large rubber bands and now uses large bungee cords.
53078
(KJH photo )

Leif Jacobsen competing at Laguna Seca at the 2017 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
(Well done mate for keeping it original and still competing.)
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Sportscardigest.com photo.

(Ken Hyndman )

[Bruce302]

Fantastic pics Ken, Thank you.

[khyndart in CA]

Here is a blast from the past featuring US racing from 1969.
(Ignore the 1968 heading.)
Note the Can Am racing at the 14 minute mark.


https://youtu.be/GL5657xJgag


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

I came across this clip of the 1972 Can Am race at Mosport which was the first race for the Porsche 917/10K # 6 car and the McLaren M20s.

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At Laguna Seca Sept. 30 2018. (John Adams photo..)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-70EQ8mPA






(More Porsche photos in another upcoming thread. )



(Ken H.)

[khyndart in CA]

This may not qualify for a TRS post but it was a blast from the past for me when I came across this the other day.
As Roger would say the "Kid from Kiwitahi" would find out why he liked coming to America back in 1972. On my way to England some US friends who had lived in NZ had asked me to go out to dinner in San Francisco with them and then they took me to the airport where I was introduced to this group. They were very nice and I decided then that American women were ok... The rest is history !
August 26th 1972.
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So I guess I started out at the top. (And stayed there !)

(Ken H.)

[Roger Dowding]

Poster - copy courtesy Mike Ryan in the USA - this is the event that James Dean was going to in his Porsche 550 that had replaced his 356 - October 1955.
By accounts I have read the car was supposed to have been trailered [ behind 1 1955 Ford Ranchwagon [ Station Wagon ] but in the end Dean and his mate drove the Porsche when that fatal accident occurred.
Dean called his car " The Little Bastard " and has that sign written on it.

57989

[Milan Fistonic]

Poster - copy courtesy Mike Ryan in the USA - this is the event that James Dean was going to in his Porsche 550 that had replaced his 356 - October 1955.
By accounts I have read the car was supposed to have been trailered [ behind 1 1955 Ford Ranchwagon [ Station Wagon ] but in the end Dean and his mate drove the Porsche when that fatal accident occurred.
Dean called his car " The Little Bastard " and has that sign written on it.

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Dean and his German mechanic, Rolf Weutherich, decided to drive the new Porsche to Salinas to get more mileage on the engine and to give Dean more experience of the car's handling.

"Little Bastard" was the nickname given to Dean by his friend Bill Hickman. Hickman, quite a bit taller than Dean, was known as "Big Bastard"

[Roger Dowding]

57990

Dean and his German mechanic, Rolf Weutherich, decided to drive the new Porsche to Salinas to get more mileage on the engine and to give Dean more experience of the car's handling.

"Little Bastard" was the nickname given to Dean by his friend Bill Hickman. Hickman, quite a bit taller than Dean, was known as "Big Bastard"

Thanks Milan , I read a book on James Dean with a few photo's of the crash and the car driven by Donald " Turnupseed / Turnipseed ".
Had forgotten the name of his mechanic.. Rolf ..

[khyndart in CA]

I see my Happy Miss America story was quickly moved into the background. ( Thanks Roger..I will get over it !)

Anyway here is a brief clip in May 1955 of James Dean racing at Santa Barbara Airport, which is very close to where I work at Moss Motors.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=ssTgzX2_5UY




(Ken H.. )

[Roger Dowding]

" I see my Happy Miss America story was quickly moved into the background. ( Thanks Roger..I will get over it !) "

Sorry to have hijacked your thread Ken ... " The Trev's made me do it " Fred Dagg said..
I will give some ladies back .. and a Healey too !!

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[khyndart in CA]

Being an apprentice mechanic in 1965 in NZ was not a way to get rich financially but the experience and knowledge gained was priceless.
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I wanted to be a race car designer one day.
Hey this sketch still looks pretty good even after 50 years !
58264


(Ken H)

[Oldfart]

Even the first period is a bit more than I got at Hauraki Catchment Board as a "Cadet Engineer" Ken!

[khyndart in CA]

Sometimes you come across something that reminds one of something from the past such as this article regarding this dreadful race at Silverstone in 1973 and I did not know until now that poor Gavin Booth suffered fatal injuries in his Mini but when you see all the photos it is amazing that it was not worse. I can remember seeing the smoke from this accident in the distance from Becketts Corner.
It all looked so exciting in the beginning.
58677
(Hyndman photo )
Dave Brodie is behind the Frank Gardner Camaro alongside Andy Roush in their Escorts.
Dave Mathews can be seen between them in his Broadspeed Capri in 7th position after a slow start.

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Today I found this article that was published in June 2017.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/pippa-middletons-father-law-cheated-10523107


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Dave Mathews may have been saved by the fact that his Capri was LHD and as can be seen the right side of the car was completely crushed and demolished compared to the left side.
(Note the engine position !)
58783

Sadly Gavin Booth was unable to avoid the high speed collision with the Brodie Escort in his under 1 liter Mini.
58784

[khyndart in CA]

I wrote this over 4 years ago and as I looked up some 1967 Can Am information tonight I was reminded again of what a wonderful era it was around Morrinsville in the 1960s. An amazing group from that area in the Waikato.
" I had the wonderful experience of growing up in the Morrinsville area at Kiwitahi at a time when so many had connections to motor racing.e.g. Spencer (Spinner ) Black went to Kiwitahi school with my sister, Bryan Innes's family brought property from my grandfather, Dennis Marwood married the sister of a neighboring farmer, a relative owned the Motordrome Service Station in Te Rapa, Terry Marshall was at Morrinsville College when I was there as was Malcom Gill as a teacher, John Paton (Paton & Black ) engines was a friend, Ross Greenville had a really sweet niece, plus Terry Scott, Ross Douglas, etc. etc. ( We were like a big family )".
What reminded me was seeing this Sept. 1967 "Road America" Can-Am entry list and at entry # 79 was Ross Greenville from Morrinsville, New Zealand in his Lola T 70.

(This was a pretty impressive field. )

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59086

(Ken H)

[Kevin Hirst]

I wrote this over 4 years ago and as I looked up some 1967 Can Am information tonight I was reminded again of what a wonderful era it was around Morrinsville in the 1960s. An amazing group from that area in the Waikato.
" I had the wonderful experience of growing up in the Morrinsville area at Kiwitahi at a time when so many had connections to motor racing.e.g. Spencer (Spinner ) Black went to Kiwitahi school with my sister, Bryan Innes's family brought property from my grandfather, Dennis Marwood married the sister of a neighboring farmer, a relative owned the Motordrome Service Station in Te Rapa, Terry Marshall was at Morrinsville College when I was there as was Malcom Gill as a teacher, John Paton (Paton & Black ) engines was a friend, Ross Greenville had a really sweet niece, plus Terry Scott, Ross Douglas, etc. etc. ( We were like a big family )".
What reminded me was seeing this Sept. 1967 "Road America" Can-Am entry list and at entry # 79 was Ross Greenville from Morrinsville, New Zealand in his Lola T 70.

(This was a pretty impressive field. )

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[ATTACH=CONFIG]59086

(Ken H)
Hi Ken, is that the same Ross douglass whose father was the station master at walton, if so went to school with him, just wondering, all the best for christmass,

[khyndart in CA]

Kevin,
Ross Douglas lived just out of Morrinsville on the way to Hamilton not far from where Terry Scott lived.
Did you know "Buster" Mortenson who had the store and post office in Walton or Roy Clothier who had Walton Transport and would tell great stories down at the quarry during "smoko".
May you also have a wonderful Christmas.

[khyndart in CA]

Another from the past.
This was an advertisement in the January 1958 NZGP programme.
The Mistral with a Ford 10 engine.
59099
Driven to and from each meeting.
We had a friend, Kelvin Cameron, who had one of these and he definitely drove his on the roads around Kiwitahi !

(Ken H )

[Oldfart]

Can any of the Waikato group remember who the guy in Hamilton who drove the Mistral owned by Logan Fow was? Surname of Sharp rings a bell. Raglan Grasstrack, Head Rd hillclimb etc. Would have been 68, 69 perhaps 1970.

[Grant Ellwood]

Another from the past.
This was an advertisement in the January 1958 NZGP programme.
The Mistral with a Ford 10 engine.
59099
Driven to and from each meeting.
We had a friend, Kelvin Cameron, who had one of these and he definitely drove his on the roads around Kiwitahi !

(Ken H )

When I was about 16 I acquired a Ford 10 powered Mistral from a guy with the surname Simcock, lived near Oahu and worked for the Ford dealer in Levin. Can't recall what happened to that car, hope it's still around today. I recall the steering wheel falling off while I was driving in traffic between Foxton and Levin.

[Ray Bell]

Gardner's Camaro would have had the special gearbox in that race...

This was a fabricated steel housing, rough-blasted to look like a casting with aluminium paint to change its appearance totally. The gear centres were wider than standard and Peter Holinger made the gears for it. It served well in Jane's Camaro for a couple of years and then Gardner took it to England.

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
Here are two photos I found of the Gardner Camaro # 46 at Silverstone. July 1973.
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59101


(Ken )

[Trevor Sheffield]

When I was about 16 I acquired a Ford 10 powered Mistral from a guy with the surname Simcock, lived near Oahu and worked for the Ford dealer in Levin. Can't recall what happened to that car, hope it's still around today. I recall the steering wheel falling off while I was driving in traffic between Foxton and Levin.

This looks like an interesting concept, but lacks some heavy cross tubes between the main chassis tubes and a diagonal across the rear section in order to prevent twisting of the open cockpit design. Does anyone have details concerning the suspension which was utilised ? Probably utilised a production stock sets up.

[khyndart in CA]

A slightly larger blast about to happen about 20 miles away fro Los Olivos. CA.
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/delta-iv-nrol-71


Postponed Once again !


(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Heard a rumour that a certain boy from Kiwitahi is returning to a place nearby called Taupo for this ...

" https://www.brucemclarenmotorsportpark.com/whats-on/taupo-historic-gp-2019/ "

Cannot make it myself but I hope all those who go - have a GREAT TIME ..Cheers all ..

Travel safely all of you and as it is close to Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Take care on the roads and remember - the Boys in Blue will be watching you !!.

59192

So don't drive like this ...

59193



PS Ken , sorry to " hijack " the thread

[khyndart in CA]

MASTERS TO CELEBRATE MAGICAL MINI MILESTONE AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC!

Masters are delighted to announce a 60th anniversary celebration of the extraordinary Mini, with two record-breaking races, at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July 2019).

DO you think Mrs H would mind if I snuck away for a few days in July with My 62 CPR ?
I would take off the bow and put some black tape on the headlights. It looks like it is OK to race a LHD Mini there judging by the photo.
I just need to start my "Go Fund Me"page !
The Silverstone Meet should be a great event for all Classic Mini lovers.
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60425

http://www.mastershistoricracing.com/news/masters-to-celebrate-magical-mini-milestone-at-the/


(Ken H)

[928]

I would straighten the front number plate before going to silverstone. as it is, it could provide lift, which will cause lack of traction, and a resultant loss of speed and cornering performance

[khyndart in CA]

928,
Here is my latest update from today.
Do you think it would fit in at Silverstone ?

60490
(Note the clear marker light lens which were period correct in 1962 )
The droopy driver's door handle is a common feature.
"Austin America" front seats to support the ol' fella's back and neck..
The whisker ends are not on the moustache.
It is not perfect but it is a lot of fun on our country roads.

The license plate is for MY 1962 COOPER or Model Year 62 Cooper Personal Restoration / Resuscitation.

(Ken H in Los Olivos. CA.)

[928]

down to the scrutineers now. the number plate will now create a bit of depression under the car helping with handling. well done

[John McKechnie]

OK Ken ....wheres the road registration sticker on the windscreen, .....is this a purpose built race car ?

[khyndart in CA]

John,
We just need proof of registration sticker on the rear license plate, which is blue for 2019 and the white sticker on the left signifies the month it is due. No smog emission test needed as it is older than 1975. The only thing on this car originally was a crankcase breather pipe from the front tappet cover toward the ground ! I have improved mine to be better than that.
60491

Cheers,
Ken

[Allan]

997, 998, 970, 1071, 1275 or 1293?

[Roger Dowding]

997, 998, 970, 1071, 1275 or 1293?

1962 - should be a long stroke " 997 " a rare version of the " A " series engine ..but will wait until Ken H wakes up to give you the correct answer ..
970, 1071 and 1275/1293 were all Cooper " S " motors,997 and the square 998 for Coopers ..

[khyndart in CA]

Ken is now awake !
This Cooper in 1962 was just a 997 version. That engine was not in the car when I bought it 1992, it had an 1100 engine and the bores became oval etc. so I now have a 1988 998cc A+ engine and gearbox and brakes and it does not smoke, overheat and brakes in a straight line. (As my back is not as it used to be, this is the last engine / gearbox change I want to / can do and I am happy with that. )
Ken.
p.s. It is still the reputed oldest LHD (Built for North America) Austin Mini Cooper registered in the USA.
I will probably never know it's value as it will be with me until the end.

[khyndart in CA]

Speaking of blasts, here is a present day one from Daytona.
I am glad they did not drive like this at Taupo !

60492


https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/video/1440358979995

Ken H

[John McKechnie]

As Lucy said...thats a real Deusy !!!!!!!

[Milan Fistonic]

The TRS cars drove a bit like that at Mafeild

[khyndart in CA]

Today I found me a tow truck / support vehicle for me and the Mini.
It has low profile tyres, acid dipped and lightened rear fenders, windshield glass so clear you can't see it, it can tow going forward or when reversing, it can all weather sleeping facilities etc... and mostly it can serve 3 different types of beer.
But so far I have been unable to locate the owner so I make a final offer.
60607


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60609



(Ken H)

[John McKechnie]

Is the A-frame for the Mini to tow it or vice versa.
Smart wheels though, make a great hopper.
You cant beat patina.

[khyndart in CA]

I guess $ 7000 US was a lot of money back in 1956 ?
63644

[Ray Bell]

It certainly would have been!

A new Chevrolet V8 was a little over $2,000.

[Paul B]

You could probably buy a house for $7000 back in 1956

[Ray Bell]

Now that's a different storey...

It might depend on whether it was your second or third.

[khyndart in CA]

I wish someone in the family had tucked this one away somewhere.
Check the median asking price in 2019.
63645

63646

Although at the time they were just raced and thrashed and had the cheapest engine that could be found such as this example in this April 1964 Jerry Melton photo of a Chevy D-Type Jaguar.
63647


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

Clever use of tin snips there...

Wouldn't that make you wince?

[Roger Dowding]

You could probably buy a house for $7000 back in 1956

Bought one for $12,500 in Mount Albert, Auckland in 1973 - a mate told me a year later it was now worth $15,000 - inflation wow !!

[Roger Dowding]

Ken is now awake !
This Cooper in 1962 was just a 997 version. That engine was not in the car when I bought it 1992, it had an 1100 engine and the bores became oval etc. so I now have a 1988 998cc A+ engine and gearbox and brakes and it does not smoke, overheat and brakes in a straight line. (As my back is not as it used to be, this is the last engine / gearbox change I want to / can do and I am happy with that. )
Ken.
p.s. It is still the reputed oldest LHD (Built for North America) Austin Mini Cooper registered in the USA.
I will probably never know it's value as it will be with me until the end.

I have been asleep for a while to Ken after the Rugby - and great - the oldest Austin Mini Cooper in the USA, well done Friend..

[khyndart in CA]

I see that Stirling Moss recently turned 90.
https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/29887/motorsport-legend-sir-stirling-moss-turns-90-years-old-today

I am grateful for the few minutes I spent talking to him at the Laguna Seca Historics in August 2011.
He was most interested in my 1962 Ardmore Grand Prix programme and kindly signed it in several places with his easily recognized signature and we laughed at the water stained pages from that very wet race Jan. 6th. 1962.
I think my programme may be worth a bit more than the 2/6d I paid for it that day.
63826

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63828
My attempt at keeping a lap chart in the rain got 2 autographs from Stirling. I know I won't get that opportunity again.

63829
The 1962 NZ Grand Prix field which included a young Lorenzo Bandini who was not related to the Bandini family that built Etceterini cars.(The 1962 water stain is on the right side of the page.)

63830
They came from all over the world to race for this amount !


(Ken H.)

[Trevor Sheffield]

I recall an interesting short chat I had with Stirling Moss. He made the significant comment that he considered that for him motor racing as such ended with the introduction of sticky tyres. I agree with his opinion.

[khyndart in CA]

From the era when the drivers were fat and the tyres were skinny.
José Froilan Gonzalez. 1953 French GP at Rheims.
63834


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1BRzrmR40I



(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

The 1962 NZ Grand Prix programme regarding motorcycle racing and advertising plus the Honda invasion was on the horizon.

John Hempleman rode the first Honda I had seen. A Honda racing 250 c.c. # 64.
63839

63840
The Honda story through 1961.

63841
Some of the choices we had in 1961/62.
It looks like the deposit was about 1/3 of the full price.
( And that, ladies and gentlemen, is in pounds, shillings and pence. )

63842



(Ken H)

[ERC]

I recall an interesting short chat I had with Stirling Moss. He made the significant comment that he considered that for him motor racing as such ended with the introduction of sticky tyres. I agree with his opinion.Couldn't agree more. One of the (many) joys of the Goodwood Revival is seeing cars 'drift' - not modern drifting. Cars have 'attitude'. Cornering as if on rails is neither exciting nor photogenic.

[khyndart in CA]

Yes, I also agree and that is what makes the Goodwood events so exciting to watch. I have to put that on my "bucket list" to go there when a "Revival" is taking place. I only went to Goodwood in 1973 when Trojan were testing and the place was virtually abandoned.

(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,

That 1962 Ardmore programme - great you still have worth keeping it and drying it out. [ Have ' borrowed ' the images from it. Thanks

1962 at Ardmore is also part of the Ruddspeed 3000 Austin Healey story I am working on, that car became the AH 4000 and eventually the Austin 4 litre six was taken out to 4200cc approx..

[Ray Bell]

At least enlarging it to 4.2-litres would have taken away some of the massive weight of that truck engine...

The front shocks would have been happy about it.

[Roger Dowding]

At least enlarging it to 4.2-litres would have taken away some of the massive weight of that truck engine...

The front shocks would have been happy about it.

In the Healey Club we had an acronym for Healey ..

" Heavily Engineered Almost Likeable English Yacht " - ' boat anchor ' for an Engine even the 100 Four 100 Six and the 3000 motors were heavy ..

[Ray Bell]

Yes, a 3000 head weighed 112lbs...

Have I ever related the change it made to Ross Bond's 3000 when they fitted the alloy head?

Ken Webb dynoed it and it was down a few horsepower over their existing iron head. Bond wanted to reject it, he wanted the horsepower.

"Just try it," Ken told him.

At Warwick Farm it was two seconds a lap quicker.

[Roger Dowding]

Yes, a 3000 head weighed 112lbs...

Have I ever related the change it made to Ross Bond's 3000 when they fitted the alloy head?

Ken Webb dynoed it and it was down a few horsepower over their existing iron head. Bond wanted to reject it, he wanted the horsepower.

"Just try it," Ken told him.

At Warwick Farm it was two seconds a lap quicker.

Ray Bell,

" Have I ever related the change it made to Ross Bond's 3000 when they fitted the alloy head? "

A story for the Austin Healey thread, in there, but don't tell Ken H .. am working on the Ruddspeed 3000 to Austin 4000 / 4200 story as you know, and more information on Ruddspeeds has emerged .." Watch that Space "

[khyndart in CA]

I found this very interesting, especially with the scenes of the original Donington Park and the Germans racing right up to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
A true blast from the past !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCP_GJ8JBOE



( Ken H)

[Paul B]

Great footage Ken, that is an informative narration of early racing and truly impressive power and speed developed in the German powered pre- WW2 cars. Well worth a watch.

[khyndart in CA]

The Ford versus Ferrari at LeMans in 1966 movie comes out here this week and it will be interesting to see how it is received.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a29738370/ford-ferrari-movie-race-scenes/

I liked this documentary from a few years ago which I recommend.
63933


This clip gives an idea of what it was like around the track in 1966 although a lot of it shows spectators shaving and waking up !
I wonder what is like to go to the 24 hours of Le Mans as a spectator where not a lot of the track can be seen ?
Can anyone describe their own experience there ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rrVOVuwPV0

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

As an apprentice in 1966 I started out at 5 pound and three pence for the week so I guess I would have had to save for a long time to buy a watch like this that cost almost 55 pounds in 1962.
( Almost 3 months of income !)
Plus being a 1959 model it is already 3 years old.I wonder how long the unconditional guarantee lasted ?

(The one I have now cost less than 1 hour of my income and is a heck of a lot easier to use !)
63988
Ad from 1962 NZGP programme.

(KH up early due to knee pain..)

[Ray Bell]

I went to Le Mans in 1981...

I somehow cadged a press pass (I was writing for Racing Car News at the time) and could go anywhere. It was the year Alan Hamilton entered Brock and Bond in a Porsche 924 (?) and it didn't make the race, so they had drivers' passes and could go anywhere. At one point I joined them down the Mulsanne Straight, which wasn't a spectator area.

We were placed not far before the braking area, so where the cars go their quickest, with cars coming into sight through the kink in the straight and out of sight over the crest of the braking area. You would be watching a car, say a 935, come into sight, follow it through and see it start braking, then you'd go to turn back to see the next car and it would be one of the quick ones and it would be right there in front of you.

I did get pics of a few cars there, including the WMs, which were the quickest things on the straight.

While I was there with these blokes I chatted with John Harvey (who'd also been dragged along) about how these forests would have been a part of the arena for WW2.

In the night I walked around to Arnage and it was very hard to believe that the cars were in control as you had no perception of the attitude of the car, you could only see the lights.

Other recollections included being tossed out of the restaurant when I didn't know to say 'Sil vous plait' ordering breakfast, eating lots of 'Frittes', seeing the spare engines in the WM tent and realising that the blocks were standard Peugeot 604 while the heads and turbos were very different, walking behind the main stand and seeing an old bronze plaque...

"Robert Benoist, winner (with Jean Wimille) in 1937, ~ ~ fought with the resistance ~ ~ garotted by the Germans in September 1944"

[khyndart in CA]

That must have been an unforgettable experience being at Le Mans with that group, Ray.
If you find the photos from that event it would be great to see them.
Thanks for sharing.
Ken
(I now know that being garroted is an awful way to die !)

[Allan]

There is a documentary on Netfix called "The 24 hour war" about the 1960s battle between Ferrari and Ford at Le Mans.

[Ray Bell]

Yes, Ken, quite unforgettable...

Harves was a great one to be talking to in a situation like that. A bit of a deep thinker at times, and always articulate.

It followed up from seeing Alan Jones completely demoralise Nelson Piquet at Monaco, then run low on fuel and the 'soldier on' or 'never give up' of Gilles Villeneuve earned him the win.

[Ray Bell]

The WM at speed:

https://i.postimg.cc/RhVKX4Rs/Wmlemans.jpg

Rondeau on Mulsanne:

https://i.postimg.cc/X79BdZ4j/rondmulsn.jpg

A group of cars on Mulsanne:

https://i.postimg.cc/2jbZjctB/groupmulsn.jpg

Safety car in the chicane:

https://i.postimg.cc/wxCs15K4/LMsafetycar.jpg

WM in the chicane:

https://i.postimg.cc/1zd3LPs7/WMchicane.jpg

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
That was a sad Le Mans and a few people would never get to ever go home again after that event.
It seems Thierry Boutsen was extremely lucky to survive his WM accident.

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/14/sports/two-deaths-mar-le-mans-race.html

The WM Peugeot P81 was a good looking car.
64065


Again thanks for sharing. All those trees along the straight must have been rather daunting before the barriers were installed !
I had just arrived in the US in 1972 and the papers were reporting the death of Jo Bonnier amongst those trees during the 1972
Le Mans event.

( Ken H) P.S. Looking at your photo and the programme is it Peugeot Esso or Esso Peugeot ?

[Roger Dowding]

Bringing this thread full circle as it started with Ken H posting about the races of Ahuriri Napier.
Ken had posted the programme cover and some photos from the " Hawkes Bay Photo News ".
from a different source I got the article as published - 5 pages as had the Ross Jensen Graham Pierce AH 100 S featured, in the photos,two other AH 100's in the entry lists, too..
AH 100 [Four] and an AH 100 Six..
Entry Lists for the Ahuriri meeting 22 November 1958 from Milan, as posted on the Austin Healey thread.
Thanks Ken H - for the link back - had seen the thread, a while ago, adding the Norm Agnew photos form 1961 !.

see the note about the Hyslop D Type - same thing happened at Levin - two drivers for the car in the different races.

64757

64758

[khyndart in CA]

I did not know that Australia had built a Cobra before Ford and Shelby.
The "Buchanan Cobra" as reviewed in a 1959 "Sportscar Graphic" magazine.
65390

65391

It may not have been a big success but it was still a good looking vehicle for that time.
Check this site.

https://bringatrailer.com/2016/09/13/race-ready-one-of-seven-1959-buchanan-cobra/



(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H, My man - interesting about that Cobra - and on American SCG too - Is that the same Issue as "The - Healey 3000 Test " - need to clean my glasses, I think ..

One minute later - Yes it is

Cheers

Roger

[Paul B]

That's really interesting Ken, I did not know about the Aussie Cobra either, what a great ferret job you did there!
Cheers

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Paul.
It is fun for me to do this knowing I have Team TRS on my side.
65399
Steve Holmes, KH and Paul B at Taupo, Jan. 19th. 2020.
(From a Mike (kiwi285) photo.)


(Ken H)

[jellywrestler]

The first meeting was on November 22, 1958.

48775

did it include bikes too please?

[jellywrestler]

Bringing this thread full circle as it started with Ken H posting about the races of Ahuriri Napier.
Ken had posted the programme cover and some photos from the " Hawkes Bay Photo News ".
from a different source I got the article as published - 5 pages as had the Ross Jensen Graham Pierce AH 100 S featured, in the photos,two other AH 100's in the entry lists, too..
AH 100 [Four] and an AH 100 Six..
Entry Lists for the Ahuriri meeting 22 November 1958 from Milan, as posted on the Austin Healey thread.
Thanks Ken H - for the link back - had seen the thread, a while ago, adding the Norm Agnew photos form 1961 !.

see the note about the Hyslop D Type - same thing happened at Levin - two drivers for the car in the different races.

64757

64758

were there bikes included in that event Roger please?

[Roger Dowding]

Jellywrestler -

Re " " were there bikes included in that event Roger please? "

Events at Ahuriri Napier ' Entry Lists for the Ahuriri meeting 22 November 1958 from Milan, '.

I am unsure, Milan may know !! - Norm Agnew had photos only, however, will check around.

Others may know - some of the details came from " Hawkes Bay Photo News " A paper that Ken H found.
The HB Photos News is available online, as are other regional Photo News from that time 1950's - 1970's

Here a link to the HB Photo News for January 1959 which covered the racing - no evidence of Motor Cycles.

" https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/hawkes-bay-photo-news-01-january-1959/ "

[Milan Fistonic]

Jellywrestler

I have programmes for four meetings at Ahuriri and there are no motorcycle races at any of those events.

[khyndart in CA]

Sigh !
" Those were the days my friends I thought would never end. "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg399uWhl6A

One way and a fun way to spend a locked down Sunday.


Ken H

[Roger Dowding]

" One way and a fun way to spend a locked down Sunday. "

Same in NZ Ken H, believe that California is one State taking this very seriously, unlike the East Coast, New York, and the White House.

NZ had its first loss yesterday, a 70 year old with other respiratory Health issues - in Greymouth.

Matamata, near your home place has a cluster of 8 cases.

Meanwhile have found an Austin Healey video form National Geographic - will try to upload the the Austin Healey thread.

Keep on posting and keep safe.

Cheers from NZ.
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

May this new year be a complete improvement over the last one.

Here is a "Blast from the Past" from the mid sixties showing all aspects of US motoring and motorsports from slot-cars to Bonneville. (Plus Sean Connery )
Enjoy and stay safe and well everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vUmHEeuIKM&t=2646s

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

After seeing Craig Breedlove racing across the Bonneville Salt Flats to an almost disastrous ending, I wanted give an update on this very brave man who is still alive today and must still have the Bonneville blood in his system at 83 years young.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2019/57/lunch-with-craig-breedlove

https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/rio-vista/iconic-driver-breedlove-keeps-low-profile-in-rio-vista/


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

I may be a bit late but I found this TVNZ site to have some wonderful footage from the past.
The in-car rally shots for instance are a real "blast" plus the other documentaries lead to hours of entertainment.

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/survey-rally-like-little-boys-in-a-man-sized-sport-1974

70114


(Ken H )

[Paul B]

Hi Ken,
Great posts as usual, Hope you all are well
Cheers