R.I.P.

[Russ Cunningham]

A couple of months back, 'Woody' told me that Bill Leckie had died and now I see that Neville Brickley has passed. Both men were fine peddlers of machinery and provided us with some great racing.

[Steve Holmes]

Russ, thanks for posting these. I had no idea about Bill Leckie, I'm shocked by that. Very sad to hear about losing both of these guys. RIP.

[Rod Grimwood]

Sad news, did not know that Bill had passed. Both great motorsport people.

[John McKechnie]

Very sad news.I raced against Bill in early 70s when he had his Imp,.He also used to come into work for parts.Always pleasant and enjoyable company.To me he is not just a name,, I have vivid memories of his racing when I see his name.
Life is short, and time is all we have.

[rf84]

May have missed it in another post, but also see Prof Sid Watkins passed earlier this month.

[Imp Wagon]

Russ, thanks for posting these. I had no idea about Bill Leckie, I'm shocked by that. Very sad to hear about losing both of these guys. RIP.
I'm also sad to hear that. I met Bill at Ruapuna in 1975-ish which is when I took this shot of him with the amazing Imp-Ford. A very nice guy as I recall.
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[seaqnmac27]

2 shots of the Leckie Imp from the GP meet Pukekohe1975

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[seaqnmac27]

Imp? is this the Sunbeam Stilletto that also went to Barry Vuyk and BrYan Bate?

[Russ Cunningham]

Imp? is this the Sunbeam Stilletto that also went to Barry Vuyk and BrYan Bate?

I would not have thought so as the Stiletto body was very different in the rear.

[Imp Wagon]

I believe the Leckie Imp was written off after an end over end roll due to a rear hub breakage. The Vuyk Stiletto was apparently built using a saloon body which then had the coupe roof grafted on. The coupe doors are also different to the saloon doors due to the lower roofline.

[tweaks]

Here is a scan from Otago Sports Car Club mag Wheelspin April 79 of Clog's Imp at Timaru...

Sorry about condition but have hunted high and low forr slides from that era ...Dearly Departed must have tossed them ..

Cheers Lynds

[tweaks]

Whoops my finger got me in trouble again

Lynds11727

[Milan Fistonic]

There is a Nigel Roskilly in the death notices of this morning's Herald.

Anyone know if he's the one who competed in the early Shell Silver Fern Rallies.

[David McKinney]

...and before that hillclimbed the RGR 500

I'm racking my brain trying to remember his initials, as that might tie in with the Herald notice. "Our" man would be late 60s or early 70s, I would have thought

[Russ Cunningham]

...and before that hillclimbed the RGR 500

I'm racking my brain trying to remember his initials, as that might tie in with the Herald notice. "Our" man would be late 60s or early 70s, I would have thought

Stop "wrecking" your brain, "old timer"! One christian name: Nigel.........I'm basing this on my usual defective-detective work.

[RogerH]

I think it is the Nigel Roskilly (Christopher Jan Nigel Roskilly) who was involved in racing and old Jaguars. There was an email going around a week or so back that he was seriously ill and a sale of his Jaguar parts and spares was taking place.

[seaqnmac27]

Thanks for that clarification, I kinda knew the rear was different but I had not seen an Imp with the dual front headlights, thats why I thought it may have been. Saw a Stilletto shell on a trailer coming home from Brisbane a few weeks back. Beautiful little cars.

Looking at Mr Leckies cars, I must say I feel a little disappointed that I do not remember seeing any of them race. There are images I have posted from Dad that shows the Capri, however my focus was on 3 cars that day, PDL2 , Miss Victorious and Pat Creas Scotties Cortina, well I was only 4.

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[David McKinney]

I think it is the Nigel Roskilly (Christopher Jan Nigel Roskilly) who was involved in racing and old Jaguars.
Yes, C J N Roskilly sounds right for the RGR/Silver Fern man

[stubuchanan]

I think it is the Nigel Roskilly (Christopher Jan Nigel Roskilly) who was involved in racing and old Jaguars. There was an email going around a week or so back that he was seriously ill and a sale of his Jaguar parts and spares was taking place.

He was occasionally referred to by his full handle (1966 Puhipuhi hillclimb):

http://s6.postimage.org/815bavy41/CJN_Roskilly_Puhipuhi.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

I may possibly have a photo of him - one of a number of unidentified Coopers etc at hillclimbs.

Stu

[David McKinney]

He was occasionally referred to by his full handle (1966 Puhipuhi hillclimb):

That's how I knew:cool:
The RGR was always entered as a Cooper in those days

[Dave Silcock]

I think it is the Nigel Roskilly (Christopher Jan Nigel Roskilly) who was involved in racing and old Jaguars. There was an email going around a week or so back that he was seriously ill and a sale of his Jaguar parts and spares was taking place.

My recollection of the gentleman was that he was the head flag marshal at Pukekohe during the years I raced there 65 to 70ish

[Rex Bentham]

RIP C.J.N.Roskilly, Did some work on my XK150 a while back. He had so much knowledge and skill with early Jaguars, sadly that
is lost. He will be missed.

[Howard Wood]

I am pleased to report that Bill Leckie is still very much alive and well.

As Mark Twain said "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".

[Rod Grimwood]

I am pleased to report that Bill Leckie is still very much alive and well.

As Mark Twain said "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".


That is good news, (seemed not right) Big bonus is Bill is here and we got to see some more photos of his exploits.

[Russ Cunningham]

I am pleased to report that Bill Leckie is still very much alive and well.

As Mark Twain said "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".

Very pleased to hear it. Presume "Woody" was mis-informed or had a bad dream.

[RogerH]

Very pleased to hear it. Presume "Woody" was mis-informed or had a bad dream.

He may have been confused with a Bill Leckie from Dunedin who died in June aged 78.

[Oldfart]

I heard today that Barrie Gurdler from Christchurch passed away this week, creator of many interesting specials.
Very knowledgable and skilfull RIP Barrie, and condolences to the family.

[jim short]

Yes I loved his HWM sports copy

[Dave Silcock]

Yes this is a sad loss. Went to his funeral yesterday, he lived his life at full speed,was into motor cycling, speedway, moto cross and road racing, classic cars, areoplanes and riding horses. He touched so many peoples lives there were about 700 people at his farewell. We will not see his like again.

[jim short]

Another thing I just wonder how with the thinking done by certan folk if Barry could have raced his HWM at an event up north.lets hope others carry on the same as has been the kiwi way and build more specials the backbone of NZ racing

[Oldfart]

Barrie was up for the Roycroft meeting with his very "period" Formula Junior this year. Ruth was very touched by all the expressions from the huge number of people.
FWIW the HWM would have been OK for vintage except for the late model motor. Of course it's now in North America. His FJ was definitely pre 60 in all aspects.

[jim short]

Interesting so how old would it need to be as kerry Anderson has the same in his D type rep. I think??

[Oldfart]

Interesting so how old would it need to be as kerry Anderson has the same in his D type rep. I think??

If they want to race in VINTAGE CIRCUIT events (capitals on purpose) the engine and chassis must be pre December 31 1960. In the case of the replicas, as long as the chassis is an accurate representation of what could have been, and was done, that's OK. The engine needs to be of a direct family from the date. ie a 4.2 is not acceptable.
Please note, this is my paraphrasing of the rules, as always read them yourself to get it 100% and ask the proper authorities if not sure (and I am not one of the VCC authorities, just an enthusiastic participant).

[RogerH]

I don't think it's just the engine and chassis that needs to be pre 31 Dec 1960 - I would think it would be all major components. The test really is - were the components used to build this replica available pre 31 Dec 1960. For example, you couldn't use a pre Dec 1960 engine and chassis but fit Wilwood 6 pot disc brakes.

[Dave Silcock]

This thread is for remembering those who were once among us and not for arguing about the eligibility of vehicles

[Oldfart]

Agree Dave, thanks

[Carlo]

I have only just been informed that Paddy Davidson, one of our highly acomplished rally drivers from the 70's & 80's has passed away after a long illness. Paddy will be remembered by many as a stalwart of the Rotorua Car Club, for his great character and sportsmanship and for his very accomplished and very competitive driving of the the ex works Datsun 180B the Escort BDA and the works Nissan 240RS.

[Rod Grimwood]

Sad; another top bloke gone. Paddy was very good driver and a gentleman with it.
RIP

[Milan Fistonic]

Another two from the motor racing fraternity have left us this week.

Ian Snellgrove and Murray McLaren.

[jamie]

Hi Gang Verry sad abought Paddy. But I Did put A note in the old rally A FEW weeks ago with R I P Pady Davison one of my B D A Boys Jamie A

[Roskilly]

Hi All
I found out about this site by Googling my Dads name - Nigel (Christopher Jan Nigel) Roskilly as mentioned earlier in this post.
To answer a few of the questions raised above:
Yes Dad did race and RGR but I was only a toddler at the time - He also rallied in the Silver Fern and Heatway in the late 60's, early 70's , he also raced a Daimler V8 Manual Overdrive occasionally, and he was Cheif Flag Marshall for most Taccoc events in the 80's (before OSH decreeed that drinking bourbon and coke all day while flag marshalling was somehow breaking the rules!)
Those of you who knew him will know that he lived and partied hard - smoked lots, was partial to the occasional Jack Daniels and had a love of classic motorsport and old english cars that was second to none. He passed away in September 2012 due to a combimation of medical conditions that finally caught up with him. ALthough he could be a cantankeorus (is that spelt correctly) and opinionated old bugger, he was my mentor and I miss him like I never thought I would. He taught me my mechanical skills and passion and much to his disgust (and pride), I have worked for a German automotive company (BMW) for 21 years and am currently the Training Manger for NZ.
I have posted a couple of photos of Dad and will try and post more in future if anyone is interested. I have alot of old photos that I have to scan, and I believe that this forum would be a suitable forum to share them on - I dont want them to rot away in a cardboard box in my garage!
Cheers
Lance

[John McKechnie]

Great pics Lance. Had to look closely to confirm it was the same Nigel I remember from 95 onwards-clean shaven etc.There are pics of him in cars in Motorman mags, but nice to see him without helmet next to car. Great way to see him.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Lance, welcome to The Roaring Season. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beautiful photos. What years are these all from? And yes, more photos would be fantastic!