Ian "Red" Dawson

[TonyG]

As a kid growing up I was always a fan of Red Dawson and I clearly remember watching him race the Mustang through to the Monza.
What was Reds full story and what became of his cars ?
Did he start at the stockcars at Epsom like many others ?
I heard many years ago that the mustang was supposed to have been in the Chapman collection at Onewhero along with the Fahey Stang now owned by the Bowden family over here but I am not sure of the truth attached to Reds car as it was run in the OSCA series at one stage wasn't it, as was his Camaro.
I clearly remember the Camaro in Gold but can't remember it in Marlboro colours yet I know it did run with Marlboro sponsorship at one stage. Does anyone have a photo of it in Marlboro colours. If so I would love to se it.

[TonyG]

I see (via Google is my friend) that Dale can give plenty of details of the ex Frank Bryan Mustang so that is a good start and at least it still exists.

Also found this from 67. I thought my memory as a 6 yr old may have been playing tricks on me but he and Dennis Marwood did race single seaters. I remembered Dennis raced a Sports Car...

http://www.sergent.com.au/motor/other1967.html

[Steve Holmes]

Good call Tony, Dawson was a fascinating character, who raced some stout machinery. Gerard Richards put together a brilliant feature on Red Dawsons life in racing a few years ago for NZ Classic Car mag. I need to double check, but I thought his name was Irvine, not Ian.

[GD66]

Good call, Tony ! There are a couple of pics of Red and his stock car on the very first page of the Yards and Yarns thread on this forum. I recall him ripping round in the ex-Matich BT7 with the most rudimentary of aerofoils riveted to the tail section, but he made his folk hero status with the crowds of the day for his exploits in the ex-Segedin Mustang, seemingly at a slight deficit to the well-sorted Fahey Mustang in terms of power and handling, but attempting to redress the imbalance with ambition, bravado and plenty of opposite lock ! When he moved up to the Frank Bryan car and gave it that cracking electric blue paint job with the hi-vis yellow beard spoiler and big gold numbers, his appeal expanded, and he was for sure a big fan favourite. Hard as nails on the track, I recall Jim Richards saying he was attempting to pass Red on the outside of Rothmans at Pukekohe when Red moved straight over and ran him onto the grass with no delay and little subsequent apology. He presented something of a daunting figure out of the car, and sure could mow his way through a pack of gum in no time at all, but remains one of the important founding figures in the formative years of NZ saloon racing.
Any pics, guys ?:p

[Jac Mac]

I remember the steering wheel coming 'detached' from the column as he charged into the loop @ teretonga when Camaro was painted 'Gold', nobody was game to go near him when he arrived back at the pits..:)

[TonyG]

Because I was so young I do remember the ex Segedin car but more so the Electric blue one. The other thing I remember was his driving position - hunched over the steering wheel whereas everyone else sat back.

[TonyG]

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/RedDawsonMonza2.jpg
Doesn't seem so hunched in this shot though lol

[TonyG]

I believe this is Reds old Camaro
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img012-2.jpg

[nigel watts]

First time I saw Red Dawson was at a Hamilton Car Club hillclimb at Horahora back in the mid 60's - 64 I think. Ivan Segedin was there too in his Anglia - I think it was painted Red & White. Red Dawson had a Willys Coupe with V8 fitted. Talk about spectacular. I was standing at the first or 2nd corner when the Willys arrived at great speed - sideways!! with V8 bellowing - around the corner he went, without appearing to slow down, and off into the distance. All this happened about 10 feet from where we were standing and I remember there was a kind of shocked silence before everyone started yelling and laughing.

[Murray Maunder]

Far from a typical motor racing hero, the gruff and tuff Red cut a most unusual figure for circuit racing. He looked like the typical rough around the edges stockcar type in my eyes. And his driving was a toned down version of the same - all opposite lock and aggression. As GD said, the electric blue ex Bryan Mustang with the big Nascar number 35 in gold (or was it yellow) was the car that made Red the crowd pleaser he certainly was. He never seemed to struggle for pace, at least being in the leading group, though looking back, I suspect he was probably like few others for driving through any problem with the car.

I wasn't there but I understand that a big accident at Manfeild effectively finished Red's career.

[OCTARD-USA]

Gerard Richards put together a brilliant feature on Red Dawsons life in racing a few years ago for NZ Classic Car mag. I need to double check, but I thought his name was Irvine, not Ian.

Irvine William Dawson, per the Gerard Richards article I believe you're referencing (New Zealand Classic Car, Limited Edition Collectors' Series #5, Classic Kiwi Motorsport II, copyright 2005, article entitled "Red Dawson")

[TonyG]

Just read an article you wrote on the Castrol GTX series Steve, and in it you wrote that Neville Chrichton drove the ex Red Dawson Gen 2 Camaro. Was this the same Gold Kensington Carpets car rebuilt or another that I don't remember ?
Cheers
Tony

[TonyG]

I agree it was "Irvine" not "Ian" but interesting to see no results using Irvine yet lots for Ian using Google lol

[TonyG]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1097040199968316023
Not specifically Red but great footage none the less and he was in it lol.

[GD66]

... the electric blue ex Bryan Mustang with the big Nascar number 35 in gold (or was it yellow)



Gold numbers with a yellow pinstriped border. And a satin black boot spoiler and twin bonnet stripes to set it all off.
Nice.

[Michael Clark]

the 'I' didn't stand for Ian

[pallmall]

A bit busy right now, but I will post some early days photos of Red next week. His name was Irvine, he never used it, and put his initials on entry forms, so people jumped to conclusions that it was Ian.
There are lots of photos on the Mustang thread and the various collections of photos that have been posted.

[bob homewood]

Yes likewise its been a busy week and its not over for a couple of days yet for me ,but I have some good memories and yes he was Irvine

[stubuchanan]

Red (Irvine William) Dawson was one of a number of Auckland stock car drivers who were left "high and dry" when the Auckland Showgrounds became unavailable around 1959-60. This followed the death of Des McCollum there in an Australia vs NZ stock car "Test Series" but that wasn't apparently the reason; something to do with the trotting club and the lease.

Johnny Riley, Garth Souness, Bert Jones (A A Grimshaw-Jones), Peter Wheaton were a few others who jumped to circuit racing and (gravel) hillclimbs, driving various pre-war Chev Ford and other cars. Others racing old coupes in the early 1960's were Rod Coppins, Frank Radisich, Graeme Harvey, Jack Nazer, Gary Pederson - don't know if they started in stocks or not.

Red ran a Ford B4 Coupe at one stage and then the distinctive Willys. Then he progressed to the Lola Sports, 2.5 Brabham(?s) before the Mustang and Camaro days. His old mate John Riley's career followed almost identical steps over the 1960's

By coincidence, I was talking this afternoon to Gerard Richards, who wrote the NZ Classic Car story. He commented on how helpful Red's widow Nita was with photos etc. He thought the Willys ended up down South as a stock car but there wasn't enough left to consider a re-creation.

I have a few photos and slides from the early "Red" days. Must look them out.

Stu Buchanan

[pallmall]

53 years ago on the 24th Jan that we lost Des Mccollum.

Graeme Harvey was involved with stockcars, mainly helping Johnny Riley in the Epsom days, later drove the ex Bert Jones car at Western Springs and Gloucester Park.

Red's pukka race cars were the Lola Sports, the ex Hyslop/Palmer lowline Cooper, then the ex Matich Brabham, but he was also running the Mustangs at the same time as the single seaters, and possibly the Willys Coupe at the time of the Lola. Can't remember Red ever having a B4 coupe, surely you are thinking of Garth Souness another of the stockcar/car dealer mafia. Red had a 1938 Ford Coupe for hillclimbing before the Willys.

The loss of the Epsom Showgrounds to stockcar racing had nothing to do with the death of Des McCollum, although it did deter some guys from continuing to race. There were a combination of events starting with some vandalism of the new perimeter fencing at the showgrounds, but the main reason was the redevelopment of Alexandra Park for Night Trotting meetings. There were also those on the Cornwall Park Council who did not like the thought that rowdy youth may be involved with stockcars!

[jim short]

Yes we were all stunned that night. I can still his wife or girl been stopped getting onto the track

[markec]

The Dawson Z28 is now owned by Kelvin Towns in Dunedin,the last two who raced it were Ross Cameron and Lawrence Bruce.

[bob homewood]

Red ran a Ford 39 coupe when he first started circuit racing,this was in turn replaced by the Willys ,he had the Willys and the Lola sports car at the same time ,I towed the Lola on its trailer to a couple of meetings for him at that time ,I have a photo somewhere still I think ,I also did some welding on the Willys chassis,brackets etc around the same time for him

[Steve Holmes]

Ex-Segedin Mustang.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ex-Barry/Bryan Mustang.

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[Steve Holmes]

I think he ran the '67 Mustang for three seasons before building the Camaro.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Just read an article you wrote on the Castrol GTX series Steve, and in it you wrote that Neville Chrichton drove the ex Red Dawson Gen 2 Camaro. Was this the same Gold Kensington Carpets car rebuilt or another that I don't remember ?
Cheers
Tony

Did I say that? Sorry, I can't recall the article too well. It wouldn't have been the BNSW Camaro, that was sold to Don Peddie/Allan Dick. The GTX series was to different rules to BNSW. Maybe Dawson had a production Camaro too.

[pallmall]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/McIvorscans2045750x446.jpg

On the farm loaded up for a night at Epsom.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/35and72Epsom.jpg

On the way to the ship for the Aussie trip, December 1958.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/RedDawson1958.jpg

NZ Stockcar Team for Australia 1958. Red at right front.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Des%20McCollum/nz58067Standarde-mailviewStandarde-.jpg

Lots more to come.

[TonyG]

Thank you all. I know there are lots of pics of the mustangs in the other threads. I was thinking more of the other cars he raced when I asked just like these here now. Great stuff.
I always remembered him in a good way because when I asked for an autograph as a kid it was no trouble at all. He chatted to me for quite a while about car racing and that always stuck with me.

Cheers
Tony

[TonyG]

Not sure who to give credit for the photos to but Steve posted these on the HAMB site back in 2009
http://66.154.66.47/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=850237&d=1261509542
and
http://66.154.66.47/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=850238&d=1261509542

[TonyG]

The article on the GTX Camaros
http://www.classiccar.co.nz/articles/classic-camaro-the-camaros-of-the-1976-castrol-gtx-series-183

and Inky Tullochs History page that also mentions a Red Dawson Camaro
http://www.tullochmotorsport.co.nz/history.html

[Jac Mac]

That $1000.00 per meeting to run the GTX Camaro would be drop in the bucket compared to todays NZV8 running costs!

IIRC Inkys drives in the ex Dawson car were during Allan Dick/Don Peddie ownership when regular Kevin Haig was overseas etc.

[Milan Fistonic]

I clearly remember the Camaro in Gold but can't remember it in Marlboro colours yet I know it did run with Marlboro sponsorship at one stage. Does anyone have a photo of it in Marlboro colours. If so I would love to se it.

Only in black and white.


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[TonyG]

Thank you so much Milan. I found a drawing on google but this is the first actual pic in this colour scheme.
I have been beating myself up over this as I lived straight across the road from the track and rarely if ever missed a meeting. The only reason I can think why I would have missed it would have been when I came over here on holiday to see my brother and I missed the whole xmas series at home.
I sure don't miss that smelly toilet block (out of pic to the right) at the bottom of the hill in the background of this pic lol

[Steve Holmes]

Thats a beautiful photo Milan. Tony, Dawson raced the Camaro for 4 seasons I think; 1971/72 - 1974/75. It was only the 1974/75 season it was painted the red/white Marlboro colours, which in my opinion, didn't look nearly as nice as the gold of Kensington Carpets. Of course, the Marlboro sponsorship carried across to the first year of the Monza.

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[TonyG]

Thanks Steve and that also confirms why I missed it. I was in Sydney then.

[Milan Fistonic]

Dawson in the ex-Hyslop, ex-Palmer Cooper-Climax

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and in the ex-Matich Brabham-Climax

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[kiwi285]

Here are a couple of photos taken at Pukekohe in period. I was always a great Red Dawson fan and he was always one to put on a show for the audience.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ebb8ut.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/dfd0jk.jpg

[Murray Maunder]

Yep, confirms my old feelings that THAT Mustang was one very smart looking car. And looking her best under the trees (Pukekohe around 1969?). Lovely old photos of Red in the Brabham and the Cooper Milan. Do you know the locations? Thanks for sharing.

[pallmall]

My guess is that the Cooper photo is on the approach to the hill turn on to the front straight at Puke, and the Brabaham photo is coming onto the front straight at Levin.

[Kiwiboss]

I see (via Google is my friend) that Dale can give plenty of details of the ex Frank Bryan Mustang so that is a good start and at least it still exists.

Also found this from 67. I thought my memory as a 6 yr old may have been playing tricks on me but he and Dennis Marwood did race single seaters. I remembered Dennis raced a Sports Car...

http://www.sergent.com.au/motor/other1967.html

I can confirm that the "Red Dawson" ex bryan Trans Am 67 Mustang is now owned by Nigel MacDonald of Hawera, we prized it way from the Bowdens a few years ago because they didn't see the world wide value in but for NZ it has huge Historic Race value, Nigel plans to restore it back its blue colour and race it with HMC. The good thing about this car is it still retains alot of its correct Trans Am parts and sheet metal as when Red was finished with it he sold it from his lot as a road car, had several owners who probably didn't even know what it was? until John Chapman bought it in the early 80's and piece the original motor back with the car!! Lots of stories and History with this Mustang, more than i can write.

Dale Mathers

[Carlo]

Frank Bryan had a bit of an off at his first appearance at Timaru Motor Raceway with the Mustang on the Saturday and damaged the front suspension somewhat. The car was taken to Timaru Motors where it was decided that it could not be repaired due to a lack of time and spare parts, that is until a few of us youngsters arrived on the scene and decided that Falcon parts would do the job so a quick phone call to the sales manager and a new car was slipped into the workshop. Frank raced the next day and we returned the new car back into the showroom on the Sunday night ready for it's new owner.

[David McKinney]

The Dawson Cooper pic is at Pukekohe, heading towards the hill at what was then Rothmans. The interesting thing about this shot is the driver of the Rothmans Cooper behind him - one P B Fahey

The Brabham looks like coming into the main straight at Levin

[GD66]

I think he ran the '67 Mustang for three seasons before building the Camaro.

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A couple of good cover pics : the Coppins Camaro leading Fahey's FVA Escort, Grady Thompson's Monaro and Jack Nazer in the Cossack Escort into the dreaded Levin hairpin, and the shot of Red looks like the turn from the front straight at Puke onto the long circuit loop : what about the thieving buggers at Motorman asking 35 cents for the mag !!

Murray, I think the Mustangs beneath the trees shot from Puke is 1970, as I have a similar pic. Norm Beechey flogged them that day.:)

[Rod Grimwood]

Heres an oldie, from Baypark
taken by a then keen young fella with his own little camera. I actually bumped into him at Hampton Festival and he said he had some old photos. he sent them to me and I will post them on threads and may even start a thread for them and any similar shots taken by amatuers with ordinary gear. It is all good.

[SPman]

Thread dredge, but, only discovered this site recently----

This is Red Dawson, Pukekohe, 4.11.67 - according to the photo. Its the Riley Lotus in the foreground.

[GD66]

That's Johnny Riley clambering out of Red's Brabham, too.

[Allan]

Levin 6415991

[fullnoise68]

My father in law Barry Pointon was friends with Red from their teenage years through to Reds passing, and the yarns abound.
A lot of people knew Red as a car dealer in his later years, but the family also owned a large pig farm on the Great South Road in Wiri, just south of where Rainbows End is now, and Red worked bloody hard working all hours of the day and night. In their early 20s Barry would often go with Red on his pig food collection run through Newmarket and the inner city where Red would exchange an empty 44 gallon drum for one full of food waste from many restaurants on his rounds . His truck at the time was a near new late 50s Bedford flatdeck which would carry about twenty drums. Over a period of time Red developed a technique whereby he could bearhug a full drum of pig food, get it up on to his bent knee, then up on to the deck of the truck. Needless to say, Red Dawson was a very strong, tough person who didn`t suffer fools at all.
In later years when Red had his car sales yard in Otahuhu, just down the road from Barrys and John Rileys car sales yards, on a Thursday the three of them would have a `victim' competition, whereby with Thursday being the local freezing works payday. Red always rearranged his yard putting a row of cheapies along the front by the footpath. When any of these `victims' turned up with their pay packets, Red was straight to the point: `How much money have you got, don`t go looking past this row here because you can`t afford any of these others' etc.
When it came to motor racing, many people thought Red was brutal on his gear. His reasoning was that he could afford it and that is why he had the sort of equipment that is part of his legacy.

[kiwi285]

http://i45.tinypic.com/280sh6v.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/oq8tmr.jpg

Not the best photo of the Camaro but it was a great car on track and Red used to wring its neck.

[SPman]

That's Johnny Riley clambering out of Red's Brabham, too.Thought it was.....

[Steve Holmes]

My father in law Barry Pointon was friends with Red from their teenage years through to Reds passing, and the yarns abound.
A lot of people knew Red as a car dealer in his later years, but the family also owned a large pig farm on the Great South Road in Wiri, just south of where Rainbows End is now, and Red worked bloody hard working all hours of the day and night. In their early 20s Barry would often go with Red on his pig food collection run through Newmarket and the inner city where Red would exchange an empty 44 gallon drum for one full of food waste from many restaurants on his rounds . His truck at the time was a near new late 50s Bedford flatdeck which would carry about twenty drums. Over a period of time Red developed a technique whereby he could bearhug a full drum of pig food, get it up on to his bent knee, then up on to the deck of the truck. Needless to say, Red Dawson was a very strong, tough person who didn`t suffer fools at all.
In later years when Red had his car sales yard in Otahuhu, just down the road from Barrys and John Rileys car sales yards, on a Thursday the three of them would have a `victim' competition, whereby with Thursday being the local freezing works payday. Red always rearranged his yard putting a row of cheapies along the front by the footpath. When any of these `victims' turned up with their pay packets, Red was straight to the point: `How much money have you got, don`t go looking past this row here because you can`t afford any of these others' etc.
When it came to motor racing, many people thought Red was brutal on his gear. His reasoning was that he could afford it and that is why he had the sort of equipment that is part of his legacy.

Thats an awesome story Steve!

[Steve Holmes]

Levin 6415991

I really love this photo.

[Rod Grimwood]

I really love this photo.

And I bet that smoke is not from the tyre rubbing, he went HARD in every thing he got his hands on.

[Kwaussie]

Must be Kerry Grant in The Southwood Cortina following Red!

[Steve Holmes]

Although much of his career was in saloon cars, Dawson did try single seaters briefly. I believe Dawsons' Brabham is ex-Frank Matich? This photo is from an upcoming chapter in the Ian Peak Collection.

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[GD66]

Dunno about briefly, Red galloped the Repco Brabham for over three years.

Car history here...:cool:

http://www.oldracingcars.com/f1/car.php?CarID=BT7A/1-63

[John McKechnie]

Motorman said that Beechey told him that he was " bloody beaut in a teeeen top" and not waste time in a single seater.Results show he was at the pointy end in saloons, tail end in the open wheeler.Easy to decide which championship could be won .
Love his cool suit he is wearing in the pic.

[stubuchanan]

Motorman said that Beechey told him that he was " bloody beaut in a teeeen top" and not waste time in a single seater.Results show he was at the pointy end in saloons, tail end in the open wheeler.Easy to decide which championship could be won .
Love his cool suit he is wearing in the pic.

I think you and Steve are doing Red Dawson's single-seater efforts a bit of an injustice. He raced single seaters for 5 seasons, from 1964-65 in the ex-Palmer-ex-Hyslop Cooper 2.5 and then the ex-Matich Brabham from 1965-66 to 1968-69 season. He scored points in the Tasman Series at least one season, won the Waimate race in 1966, and had podium finishes in other National races over the years. The Climax-engined cars were getting older and slower by comparison, and Red didn't run single seaters after the Formula 5000's arrived.

Stu

[John McKechnie]

I dont have earlier Motorman mags than his last season in singles seaters..I have not seen any other information on his earlier days on these threads until your 60 post.Thanks to you Stu ,we have more info on this period.

[Bruce302]

Here is a very rare mint condition Red Dawson racing decal. This is from the Steve Elliott collection.
http://i45.tinypic.com/iyk506.jpg

[Bruce302]

and here is a pic of the iconic Camaro that features on the decal.

http://i48.tinypic.com/14xjrsz.jpg

[Bruce302]

Prior to the Marlboro livery, Red's Camaro was painted in the gold Kensington Carpets colours. Always a good looking car.
This is also from the Steve Elliott collection as with the above pic. Photographers unknown.
http://i50.tinypic.com/17vk20.jpg

[Kiwiboss]

Great two pictures Bruce, which begs the next question!! were is this car these days? did it survive? or has it bitten the OSCAR/All Comers dust like many did back in the mid to late 70's once there group II Saloon car duties where over!!

Im sure someone on here will know

Dale M

[Rod Grimwood]

Think it still down south Dale

[Rod Grimwood]

Results 65 Red in car 66

[Rod Grimwood]

66

[fullnoise68]

Great two pictures Bruce, which begs the next question!! were is this car these days? did it survive? or has it bitten the OSCAR/All Comers dust like many did back in the mid to late 70's once there group II Saloon car duties where over!!

Im sure someone on here will know

Dale M

Kelvin Towns in Dunedin still has the car I believe. The ironic thing about this Camaro, is that Red actually went to the US with the intention of buying one of Penskes Javelin Trans Am cars, and when that didn`t happen, he sat down and wrote out a `shopping list'. One Camaro, two Bartz 302 race engines, wheels, tyres, etc and NZ here we come. Also on this trip he thought he may as well get a good tow car, so he bought a Chev Impala Super Sport, from yes, a little old lady from Pasadena!! No shit! As I said in an earlier post, if Red wanted something, he just paid the money.

[Jac Mac]

In its first season in "gold Kensington' colour that car had some trick Firestone? cantilever tyres[ might have been rear only].. rim width was only 8 or 10 inch wide for regs, but tyres had huge sidewall bulge out to a treadwidth about 4"/5" wider, these rules did not apply in NZ so the next season saw some wider rear rims fitted along with a change of tyre.

[Kiwiboss]

In its first season in "gold Kensington' colour that car had some trick Firestone? cantilever tyres[ might have been rear only].. rim width was only 8 or 10 inch wide for regs, but tyres had huge sidewall bulge out to a treadwidth about 4"/5" wider, these rules did not apply in NZ so the next season saw some wider rear rims fitted along with a change of tyre.

That's how the American Trans Am cars raced Jac Mac, SCCA had 8" max rim width rule so Goodyear and Firestone made a special "cantilever" tyres to gain that extra tread on the ground, i guess this design made the cars move around a bit when cornering and gave a spectacular on-track look when racing, was no doubt for its time "state of the art" in tyre technology i presume and a real tyre war started between the two companies. So to have a set of these down here in NZ would have been quite something!!(until they wore out that is)

PS: I believe thats how Goodyear started there advertising campaign of the "Lifesave TA Radial" and then in later years just known as the "BF Goodrich TA radial" i had several sets on my road going mustangs over the years not even knowing that TA part stood for Trans Am, must have been good for business for them to last that long.

Dale M

[Rod Grimwood]

Liked the car in this colour, it looked big and mean (it was)

Note the then mark from USA of advertising decals all over front guard and front of door.

She sure transfered weight, compare back tyre on ground in 2nd and 3rd photo.

[Steve Holmes]

Kelvin Towns in Dunedin still has the car I believe. The ironic thing about this Camaro, is that Red actually went to the US with the intention of buying one of Penskes Javelin Trans Am cars, and when that didn`t happen, he sat down and wrote out a `shopping list'. One Camaro, two Bartz 302 race engines, wheels, tyres, etc and NZ here we come. Also on this trip he thought he may as well get a good tow car, so he bought a Chev Impala Super Sport, from yes, a little old lady from Pasadena!! No shit! As I said in an earlier post, if Red wanted something, he just paid the money.

Yeah thats right Steve, Kelvin has owned it for years and years. Amazingly this car didn't really get cut up, despite having raced in OSCA through to the early 1980s. It did have an engine set back, doing the old trick of cutting the firewall and bringing the motor back into the cockpit slightly, but this was really it. The car still has its original flares that were built for it when Red first converted it for racing, and everything else is basically as it was when Red first built it. It still even has its original headlining! Its a pretty original car.

[Bruce302]

That's Right Dale, BF Goodrich contracted T/G Racing after Jerry Titus died, they were paid around $ 0.50 per lap for tire testing. One of the remaining T/G Firebirds was branded as the Tirebird, and it raced on T/A Radials and I believe after some development work, they won the first series race on a street tire. Later engine (Pontiac 303) reliability issues saw the Firebird changed into a Camaro, but still branded Tirebird. It had more chance of winning, and did, with the Chev power.

Later Ron Grable was involved in the John Greenwood/BF Goodrich Corvettes. They even took on Le Mans but a late night run by a team member left the car unable to start the race. I understand the incident came from someone trying to impress a young lady.

PS: I believe thats how Goodyear started there advertising campaign of the "Lifesave TA Radial" and then in later years just known as the "BF Goodrich TA radial" i had several sets on my road going mustangs over the years not even knowing that TA part stood for Trans Am, must have been good for business for them to last that long.

I will put some pics up later.
Bruce.

Dale M[/QUOTE]

[fullnoise68]

Bruce, without getting away from Reds thread, the original Titus Camaro/Firebird, prior to the factory Firebirds, which ended up in Mexico, was tracked down and bought by Jerrys` son Rick, who had Bill Elliott Racing restore it, is now for sale in California for $350,000 USD. I`m still keen at 60K if you want to cash up Rods Firebird!!!!

[fullnoise68]

Yeah thats right Steve, Kelvin has owned it for years and years. Amazingly this car didn't really get cut up, despite having raced in OSCA through to the early 1980s. It did have an engine set back, doing the old trick of cutting the firewall and bringing the motor back into the cockpit slightly, but this was really it. The car still has its original flares that were built for it when Red first converted it for racing, and everything else is basically as it was when Red first built it. It still even has its original headlining! Its a pretty original car.

Steve, has anyone got any recent photos of Reds` Camaro in its current state?

[Steve Holmes]

I'm sure some people have seen it Steve, but I've not personally seen any photos. I spoke to Kelvin about it several years ago, and he explained its condition, and I was amazed by how original it was. He told me at the time he was slowly restoring it, as time and money allowed.

[Spgeti]

I last saw the Camaro at the 82 Granprix meeting at Puke. engine bay was cut back quite a bit and the car was still fairly original but tired. During my membership in the Camaro Club, Red wrote to us offering to sell his spares off the Camaro as he was retiring.
I shot round there and purchased the Camaro bits I wanted for $100.00, mainly interior trim so that I could finish the resto on the Tulloch Camaro. The dash and consol in my car was ex Reds camaro. For years I had the original grill surround and front roll bars off Red's car and now regret leaving them behind in Whangarei. He would not sell me the yankie number plates off the car. He was a very nice guy.

[John McKechnie]

I have always loved this word " tired" to describe an item -whether it be a house or car.

[Spgeti]

I was being polite John, the then Riley Camaro description would be a wee bit more colourful and your Monaro.....well, your a brave man. Cheers, Bruce

[fullnoise68]

Thanks Bruce, I`ve actually got the spare grille surround ??? or maybe the complete grille??? that Red bought when he originally got the car in the US.

[Spgeti]

What I had was painted black with a fair amount of rubbing to the lower beak when the on off trailer damage would have happened. I took it as a spare for my car....hell they are heavy. I don't know what happened to the doors, boot lid and some of the original interior ie door covers. Also in the parts bin was a rear spoiler for a mustang but no thanks.

[Steve Holmes]

Seems like a good excuse to post this great photo again, with Dawson in the Kensington Carpets Camaro lined up behind Pete Geoghegan in the Super Falcon and Frank Gardner in the SCA Freight Camaro at Bay Park in 1972.

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[BMCBOY]

I found a few old Dawson photos lately that may be of interest

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[Bruce302]

Here are two from Steve Elliott's collection. They show the remains of Red's Dekon Monza after the crash that effectively ended his racing. The car was rebuilt and went to Australia and it survived a lot more racing but in later years without the Monza body, but a Saab body in it's place.

http://i41.tinypic.com/28ivt06.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/n2c02t.jpg

[fullnoise68]

Bruce I think the Monza did come back to race in one of the summer series here in NZ when Aussie Jeff Barnes owned the car. I could be wrong, but Steve Holmes or someone else may recall.

[rogered]

Bruce I think the Monza did come back to race in one of the summer series here in NZ when Aussie Jeff Barnes owned the car. I could be wrong, but Steve Holmes or someone else may recall.
correct

[John McKechnie]

There were three that came over from Aus and were at Puke one year- Supra was one -was this the same meeting?

[Bondy]

The Chev Monza is available in the PC game, GT Legends and one of the cars in the list is, Red Dawson :)

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[fullnoise68]

Shame they didn`t use a few more of that era NZ cars, and judging by the background this game must be set on Queensland Raceway?

[Bondy]

Shame they didn`t use a few more of that era NZ cars, and judging by the background this game must be set on Queensland Raceway?

There are a few NZ cars available for download, like Escorts and Capri's. Lots of add on tracks, like Queensland Raceway pictured..

[Murray Maunder]

Lakeside?

[Growler]

GT Legends is a good game, however most people are using rFactor. That has every track in NZ including Hampton Downs and the 2013 version of Pukekohe. You can find most of the Aussie tracks as well.
One of the vast mods available is the Historix mod where they have most of the cars from GT Legends as well as many more, including the 70's Trans Am cars.
There are 100's of "mods" out for rFactor so if you are into a particular class of car then most likely it is availabe. (The 1980's German DRM mod is another one that is very good - Zakspeed Capri, BMW M1 etc).
There are quite a few leagues in NZ and Australia that race too.

[Rod Grimwood]

Might have to get one of those games, then can race at Puke again, and if you hit wall, push button and off again. Wish it was that easy.

[Growler]

Might have to get one of those games, then can race at Puke again, and if you hit wall, push button and off again. Wish it was that easy.
rFactor has been the one that everyone uses. It’s a dumbed down version of what some of the top race teams around the world used for testing etc. The simulation is 6 -7 years old so it getting a bit long in the tooth, and the numbers are dropping, but there are leagues out there that still run it. The program is a small download, but it has been everyone around the world that adds to it – new tracks and cars all the time – and the majority of them are free to download.
The car setup is quite complex (depending on the mod), but can make a world of difference to your lap times etc. (Even changing tire pressures has an effect).
The creators are working on rFactor 2 at the moment, and that has tire deformation, if you flat spot a tire you will feel it through the wheel etc, and changeable weather.
There are a couple of NZ leagues and a few Aussie ones too. (We did have 55 drivers once – but that killed the server!).
Although pretty realistic it will never replace real racing – but it is far cheaper and easier, and you can still keep your hand in if you aren’t racing. In fact there are some top guys in the sport who still use this program for practice.
Just a couple of vids:

Pukekohe GT3’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYO9NAPczgI

Kiwi V8 Supercar League 2006 Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJV18wRl3AI

V8 Supercar Practise at Bathurst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqodUfoelmw

Touring Car Legends – M3 vs. Rover (I was in the M3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzDTTyHAY-c

[Steve Holmes]

I found a few old Dawson photos lately that may be of interest

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Wow! I'm blown away. These are fantastic Ross! The Monza pics all look like they're from the 1975/76 season? The one where its bunkered in the sand, would that be its NZ debut appearance at the Bay Park Xmas event in Dec 1975 where Allan Moffat also raced his Monza?

[Steve Holmes]

Here are two from Steve Elliott's collection. They show the remains of Red's Dekon Monza after the crash that effectively ended his racing. The car was rebuilt and went to Australia and it survived a lot more racing but in later years without the Monza body, but a Saab body in it's place.

http://i41.tinypic.com/28ivt06.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/n2c02t.jpg

Boy, these are grim looking images!

[Steve Holmes]

Shame they didn`t use a few more of that era NZ cars, and judging by the background this game must be set on Queensland Raceway?

Yes thats right Steve, it actually returned to NZ twice, first with John Briggs in 1979, then many years later with Jeff Barnes, as part of a multi-car Australian Sports Sedan contingent that also included Bryan Thomson in a Jaguar XJS, and Kerry Bailey and Des Wall in Toyota Supras.

I thought the DeKon Monza 1001 was still in Monza form, though much modified and with very little left of the original car, although Rowan Harman (aussiemonza) would know for sure.

[Jeff]

I have a photo taken from Motor Action magazine of the Dawson Monza flying through the air with bits flying off during this last , dramatic crash at Manfield.
I will copy it and post it when I have found it.
How and where did Art McKee get hold of a similar DeKon Monza about the same time as Dawson ?? I recall it had a lovely paint job.
An article I recently read quoted Jim Richards saying that , as a young fella just starting out in motorsport he was racing against Dawson in a saloon car race and when Richards had the chance to pass Dawson " Red looked over at me as I passed and promptly moved over on me until I was off the track on the grass ! " When Jim approached Red after the race and asked for a please explain , Red just said " No young fella is going to make a name for himself by passing Red Dawson "
Yep - a hard man

As promised , a photo I cut out of Motor Action Magazine as a kid and had stapled to my bedroom wall until it went yellow ( the photo - not the wall )
Red's final and wild ride across the infield at Manfield.
I recall at the time there was plenty of speculation that he had "blacked out" which led to the crash but I don't know how true that turned out to be.
Note Dawson hanging partially out of the cabin area after the door came off


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[kiwi285]

BMCBOY I have sent you a PM

Mike

[aussiemonza]

I thought the DeKon Monza 1001 was still in Monza form, though much modified and with very little left of the original car, although Rowan Harman (aussiemonza) would know for sure.

The DeKon 1001 is still in Monza form. I haven't seen it for many years but from memory, the roof, A and C pillars are still intact but the DeKon chassis was replaced by a K&A version back in the early '80s.

The Monza that was re-bodied as a Saab was the Siedel Monza.

[aussiemonza]

I have a photo taken from Motor Action magazine of the Dawson Monza flying through the air with bits flying off during this last , dramatic crash at Manfield.
I will copy it and post it when I have found it.
How and where did Art McKee get hold of a similar DeKon Monza about the same time as Dawson ?? I recall it had a lovely paint job.
An article I recently read quoted Jim Richards saying that , as a young fella just starting out in motorsport he was racing against Dawson in a saloon car race and when Richards had the chance to pass Dawson " Red looked over at me as I passed and promptly moved over on me until I was off the track on the grass ! " When Jim approached Red after the race and asked for a please explain , Red just said " No young fella is going to make a name for himself by passing Red Dawson "
Yep - a hard man

Art McKee's Monza is a Grant King built car that had its race debut alongside DeKon 1001 at Road Atlanta. Just waiting for some other issues to get sorted and I will be back to the resto...

[Jeff]

Thanks for the info Rowan.
I have some 16mm film footage of the car in the pits at Baypark in '76.
Although I was only 10 at the time I recall the superb sound that both Dawson's and the McKee Monza made.
The lovely deep silver colour and stripes of the McKee Monza looked superb.
As a kid , the size and width of the rear wheels blew my mind
Amazing for "little old NZ" to have 2 rare DeKon Monza's racing at the same time in 76
Do you own the McKee car ??

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks for the info Rowan.
I have some 16mm film footage of the car in the pits at Baypark in '76.
Although I was only 10 at the time I recall the superb sound that both Dawson's and the McKee Monza made.
The lovely deep silver colour and stripes of the McKee Monza looked superb.
As a kid , the size and width of the rear wheels blew my mind
Amazing for "little old NZ" to have 2 rare DeKon Monza's racing at the same time in 76
Do you own the McKee car ??


Got photo somewhere will post

[Rod Grimwood]

At Bay Park

[Rod Grimwood]

Later at Manfield, there are those rear tyres.

[Jeff]

What a stunning looking car ! Thanks for the photo's Rod

[aussiemonza]

Thanks for the info Rowan.
I have some 16mm film footage of the car in the pits at Baypark in '76.
Although I was only 10 at the time I recall the superb sound that both Dawson's and the McKee Monza made.
The lovely deep silver colour and stripes of the McKee Monza looked superb.
As a kid , the size and width of the rear wheels blew my mind
Amazing for "little old NZ" to have 2 rare DeKon Monza's racing at the same time in 76
Do you own the McKee car ??

Hi Jeff,

I do have the King (McKee Monza). Resto has started but not much to see at the moment. The car will be returned as in Rod's photo's below as the last Tom Nehl - first McKee livery (Big Apple Racing - Sebring 1976) Do you have any plans to put the 16mm film onto a disc? Chat Soon, Rowan (CCR)

[aussiemonza]

At Bay Park

Great shots Rod. Your photo's show the metalic blue as a much brighter hue than in other images I have of the Monza. That will be the the tone I will be using, similar to Mazda 3 or Hi-Lux bright metalic blue, I haven't chased up the paint codes yet. Not getting too far off topic but Warren (Wazza) Bruce, who painted the McKee car in the Holbert colours, is over here in Aus and will be doing the paint on the car for the resto.

[John McKechnie]

Rowan- I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that you and your car would be welcomed with open arms to an Invited Historic Sports Sedan race meeting here in NZ

[Jeff]

Yes Rowan , In the next month or 2 I will have the film professionally transferred to DVD.
It's such a shame the film is silent but 16mm TV camera's of the day had massive sound recorders that required an extra person ( ! ) to carry and record sound.
How times have changed.
There isn't a lot of footage of your fabulous Monza but there is some. It was a stunning looking car.
I'm so glad you are restoring it to it's former glory.
I will send you a message as soon as the disk is done
Kind regards
Jeff
Hi Jeff,

I do have the King (McKee Monza). Resto has started but not much to see at the moment. The car will be returned as in Rod's photo's below as the last Tom Nehl - first McKee livery (Big Apple Racing - Sebring 1976) Do you have any plans to put the 16mm film onto a disc? Chat Soon, Rowan (CCR)

[Jeff]

Hi Guys
I have put a link to a rough copy of that '76 BayPark film footage on the Labour Weekend & BayPark Thread .
Enjoy - sorry about the fact it's silent film. Remember this is only a low - res copy.

Jeff

[camaroman slp]

I believe this is Reds old Camaro
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img012-2.jpg Yes this is when Christchurchs Laurence Bruce owned and raced the car witch was always immaculately presented in black and gold:)

[Terry S]

When / where did Red Dawson have his big accident in the ex Matich Brabham?

Was the car a writeoff?

[stubuchanan]

Did Red have a big accident in the Brabham?

I think it was Barry Thomasen. Red sold the car in mid-1969 to Bill Thomasen, whose young(19 or 20 y-o) son Barry drove it in late 1969 at Pukekohe and Bay Park, where he had a very big accident, destroying the car and almost himself, too, surviving serious spinal injuries but as a paraplegic.

According to Graham Vercoe's book, the usable parts of the car went to several different owners.

Stu

[camaroman slp]

Where is Red dawsons Camaro now ?????. I believe the Camaro is down deep south island, who owns this fantastic car now after Laurence Bruces ownership was it sold complete with the chevy engine.I hope we can see some photos of it in its current shape and a story about it future.

We would all love to hear and see this car back on the track or whats happened to it.

[Jac Mac]

Kelvin Towns, Dunedin. Have not seen Kelvin for a few years, but keep hearing stories that he is working on the car.

[Terry S]

Did Red have a big accident in the Brabham?

I think it was Barry Thomasen. Red sold the car in mid-1969 to Bill Thomasen, whose young(19 or 20 y-o) son Barry drove it in late 1969 at Pukekohe and Bay Park, where he had a very big accident, destroying the car and almost himself, too, surviving serious spinal injuries but as a paraplegic.

Thanks for that. A further query.

According to Graham Vercoe's book, the usable parts of the car went to several different owners.

Stu

Thanks for that Stu. Heading is incorrect should be BT 7a, not BT 4

In early 2010 there was a meeting at the Killarney Circuit in South Africa. Reported that Lord Irvine Laidlaw (fascinating stuff on Google on him) was driving a Brabham BT 7a. It noted this car "seriously damaged in an accident in NZ. Returned to Britain in the 1980's where it was completely rebuilt for Historic events"

Could this be the ex Matich/Dawson car?

[GD66]

Wow, could be, as it's a 7a. If it's any help. the chassis no is BT7A-IC-1-63, and ORC list its current location as England.
That Barry Thomasen crash happened almost at my feet, he spun coming out of Rothmans onto the back straight, the car ran off onto the infield, it hit the bank and flipped, and as it went over he was half-thrown out of the car, with the car landing upside-down and him still half-out. Clearly no belts, and I think this was the last season they weren't compulsory. Very sad.

[Terry S]

Wow, could be, as it's a 7a. If it's any help. the chassis no is BT7A-IC-1-63, and ORC list its current location as England.
That Barry Thomasen crash happened almost at my feet, he spun coming out of Rothmans onto the back straight, the car ran off onto the infield, it hit the bank and flipped, and as it went over he was half-thrown out of the car, with the car landing upside-down and him still half-out. Clearly no belts, and I think this was the last season they weren't compulsory. Very sad.

What happened to the BT7A? Was it a writeoff?

I have come across a BT7A on race-cars.com that could be it?
http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/brabham/1056995143/1056995143ss.htm
unfortunately I can't find a date for this sale.

However I always thought it had been written off.
can anyone help please?

[khyndart in CA]

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[khyndart in CA]

BayPark Oct 4th 1969

Graham McRae in the Begg FM2 passes the scene where poor Barry Thomasen had had his accident in the Brabham-Climax.
The car did not seem to be too badly damaged from where we stood across the track.

(Ken Hyndman )

[Kwaussie]

Wow, could be, as it's a 7a. If it's any help. the chassis no is BT7A-IC-1-63, and ORC list its current location as England.
At the time it was known that IC/1/63 was a chassis built in Australia for Matich/Total and this was the car sold to Red Dawson.

[Terry S]

At the time it was known that IC/1/63 was a chassis built in Australia for Matich/Total and this was the car sold to Red Dawson.

Frankly that is a lot of nonsense.
Matich went to England for several months to work with Tauranac on this car which was the prototype of the BT7A series.

[Bruce302]

Here are a couple of pics from Steve Elliott's collection, the captions are Red Dawson on pole for the first international meeting at Bay Park Raceway. The second pic is the same race start. No other dates given.

http://i58.tinypic.com/w1z1fr.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/zsjsq0.jpg

[GD66]

December 30th, 1967. Red off the line alongside Frank Radisich in the Lotus 22, Laurence Brownlie and Vince Anderson on the second row and Jim Palmer with his hand in the air in the M4A. This may have been a heat race as Palmer won the main race by 8 seconds from Laurence Brownlie.

[Kiwiboss]

December 30th, 1967. Red off the line alongside Frank Radisich in the Lotus 22, Laurence Brownlie and Vince Anderson on the second row and Jim Palmer with his hand in the air in the M4A. This may have been a heat race as Palmer won the main race by 8 seconds from Laurence Brownlie.

This must have been the opening meeting for the NEW Baypark track? i know they tried to open earlier but bad weather cancelled that event(so im told) at 8 years old i wasn't there, LOL

Dale M

[GD66]

The first meeting held was on December 3rd, 1967. There was a big issue with the seal, I understood at the time that they had economised and used cold mix and the tyres were tearing it up : Palmer's M4A smashed its mirrors with flying seal. They fixed it up pretty smartly and the Dec 30th international with Norm Beechey as the star attraction was a blinder, as you can see from the pics above there was a ripping crowd in.

[stubuchanan]

This must have been the opening meeting for the NEW Baypark track? i know they tried to open earlier but bad weather cancelled that event(so im told) at 8 years old i wasn't there, LOL

Dale M

Not quite. Inaugural meeting was rained off on 18 November. It was re-run on December 3, but according to Donn Anderson in Motorman only as a 'closed to club members' event. Apparently MANZ weren't being very helpful to the upstarts from the Mount, but a number of new members were 'found' and reasonable fields ensued!

The same Motorman issue mentions Paul Bolton's Levin accident in the Rorstan 2.5 Brabham, caused by a brake-pad becoming welded to the disc and describes the car as a write-off. Bolton wasn't too happy either, with broken collar-bone and shoulder.
Also mentioned the Feo Stanton had three 2.5 4-cyl Climax engines for sale and two Hewland HD5 gearboxes with plenty of spares.

stu

[Oldfart]

Steve some of those photos of mine are that early meeting. Cement dust just about everywhere.

[fullnoise68]

Which Steve are you referring to Oldfart?

[Oldfart]

Which Steve are you referring to Oldfart?
Our guiding light and owner of the site.

[fullnoise68]

I was just wondering Oldfart as I have got some other photos of that meeting as well which Bruce may be able to post for me.

[Terry S]

BayPark Oct 4th 1969

Graham McRae in the Begg FM2 passes the scene where poor Barry Thomasen had had his accident in the Brabham-Climax.
The car did not seem to be too badly damaged from where we stood across the track.

(Ken Hyndman )

As you say, the car does not look too badly damaged from across the track

Surely someone must know what actually happened to this very well known car?
And NOT just what is in ORC.

[John McKechnie]

I have an article from Auotonews vol 3, number 18 April13 1970 page 10. which may be relevent here-
BIll Thomasen had an older high-line Cooper less engine and installed a 2 litre unit in place of the 2.5. When Thomasen took delivery of the Brabham (now owned by Bryan Faloon) this Cooper was sold.
Does this give a link from Thomasen to Faloon or is this another Brabham?

[Terry S]

I have an article from Auotonews vol 3, number 18 April13 1970 page 10. which may be relevent here-
BIll Thomasen had an older high-line Cooper less engine and installed a 2 litre unit in place of the 2.5. When Thomasen took delivery of the Brabham (now owned by Bryan Faloon) this Cooper was sold.
Does this give a link from Thomasen to Faloon or is this another Brabham?

No John, that is an earlier Brabham, BT4 (IC-3-62) that Bill raced.
Originally Bib Stillwell, then to Thomasen for NZ rounds of 65 Tasman, then Jim Boyd for NZ rounds of 67 Tasman, then to Bryan Faloon for NZ rounds of 68 Tasman. Understood to now be in OZ.

The car in question here is the ex Matich BT 7A (IC-1-63), that Thomasen bought for his son Barry

[Carlo]

The first meeting held was on December 3rd, 1967. There was a big issue with the seal, I understood at the time that they had economised and used cold mix and the tyres were tearing it up : Palmer's M4A smashed its mirrors with flying seal. They fixed it up pretty smartly and the Dec 30th international with Norm Beechey as the star attraction was a blinder, as you can see from the pics above there was a ripping crowd in.

December 3rd 1967 was also the opening meeting for the Timaru Motor Raceway as it too had been postponed from the previous week because of a downpour which had flooded the infield area of the circuit. Red was the star attraction with the Mustang staying over for the week and keeping many entertained. The racing between he and Gary Sprague in the Anglia set the tone for meetings to follow.

[Russ Noble]

December 3rd 1967 was also the opening meeting for the Timaru Motor Raceway as it too had been postponed from the previous week because of a downpour which had flooded the infield area of the circuit. Red was the star attraction with the Mustang staying over for the week and keeping many entertained. The racing between he and Gary Sprague in the Anglia set the tone for meetings to follow.

I was at that meeting as an enthusiastic spectator. At a later date I was told, or read, that Red was enticed to that meeting by substantial appearance money. However the cheque was never cashed. When Red was approached about what had happened to the cheque he replied that he had such a good time at Levels that he had framed the cheque and it was hanging on his wall. Whether that is true or just urban legend I have no idea, but I took it as gospel at the time.

[Kwaussie]

The car in question here is the ex Matich BT 7A (IC-1-63), that Thomasen bought for his son Barry
From Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand book page 40... car was purchased by Barry Thomasen but he crashed the car at Bay Park in October 1969........ the car was destroyed. Bits of the car were used as parts for other cars, some finding their way to Australia. Roger Munns got the back end for his BT22.
Roger Munns gets an acknowledgement for the GV book so some weight should be placed with the comments.

[stubuchanan]

From Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand book page 40... car was purchased by Barry Thomasen but he crashed the car at Bay Park in October 1969........ the car was destroyed. Bits of the car were used as parts for other cars, some finding their way to Australia. Roger Munns got the back end for his BT22.
Roger Munns gets an acknowledgement for the GV book so some weight should be placed with the comments.

To be fair, I think you have to remember that Vercoe's books were written around 1990, 20 years after the events, and there is some evidence that he was sometimes 'winging it' when he didn't have the full story. I hadn't seen Khyndart's photo before, and I have to agree that the car doesn't look a complete write-off.

The 2.5 Climax-engined cars were getting a bit long in the tooth by 1969/70, slower than the FVA 1.6's and some 1.5 twin-cams on most tracks, and Bill Thomasen would have had no great incentive to repair the car at that time. Maybe it was just dismantled, at some later stage.

Stu

[Kwaussie]

Just to get back to the subject.
I always admired Red Dawson as someone I met on odd occasions during those great days of NZ motor racing.
The times at Wigram spent at The Esplanade in New Brighton and the various hotels in the southern cities were very enjoyable.
One day in particular was after Wigram and he was convinced that I should buy his Brabham and I was sure that I was not interested.
He went outside and walked around my car and made an offer as a trade on the BT7/4 and said he would give me the balance interest free for what ever time I wanted. Rod Coppins was there and also Johnny Riley - I can remember them rolling their eyes so I said we will talk about it next week in Invercargill.
Upshot was I sold my car the next day for what Red had mentioned as a trade.
I was very happy and spent a few bucks buying drinks for the Dawson, Coppins & Riley families the next weekend.
A great and tough race driver but a very good family man.

[Roger Dowding]

the man drove a Brabham, what a sad day today, Jack, Sir Jack gone at 88, a very good innings, great driver and car maker too !!. Our heroes are diminishing, as are we ..

[Warninglight]

Spot on Steve. I was the guy who was asked to move the engine back. I hated doing it to this original car. Ross Cameron owned it at the time and we cut the firewall and essentially moved it back and inserted a 12 inch spacer to join everything back up. Sorted out brake and clutch as cheaply as we could in the tiny space left Built up front and rear engine mounts and it is all go. Arguably 1 sec faster at Levels.