Photos: The Ian Peak Collection - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

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I get really excited whenever I receive a new collection of photos for The Roaring Season. But this latest batch really has me buzzing, because its something a little different. We have some fantastic photo collections on the site, that people have very kindly taken the time to share, and include various amateur and professional images from Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. However, much of the content of the NZ collections has been from the North Island, with very little coming from the South.

New Zealand is a small country, with a population of just over 4 million, but there is a good chunk of water separating the North Island and the South Island, and as a result, the two islands have often gone off and done their own thing when it comes to motor racing. Sure, the Tasman Series travelled nationwide, but many South Island racers didn't travel north (nor North Islanders south), because crossing that stretch of water is a pretty expensive little operation. And therefore, many of the cars that appear in this collection haven't been seen in other collections shown elsewhere on this site. And, likewise, many of the scenes in this collections are completely unique.

I have to thank Mark Quertier for arranging this collection. Ian Peak was a motorsport enthusiast from Gore, and when he passed away, his collection was purchased from his estate by Mark's father. The majority of the pics are from Teretonga, which, as you'll see over the coming weeks, had some pretty unique features. But Ian also travelled on occasion to Wigram and Timaru, and a small number of snaps are from these two venues.

There are just under 200 photos in total, so I'll split them into several parts, so each photo can be enjoyed for what it is.

So, here it is, Part 1 of the Ian Peak Collection.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, kicking off here is the Teretonga round of the 1968 Tasman Series. This race was dominated by Jim Clark, who held a comfortable lead from Chris Amon and Frank Gardner, before spinning through the infield after hitting a bump, with 7 laps remaining. Likewise, both Amon and Gardner would also spin their positions away, much to the surprise of a grateful Bruce McLaren, who'd been lying fourth for much of the race in his BRM.

Clark recovered to place second, from Gardner.

Here McLaren enjoys his moment on the back of the victory truck.

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[Steve Holmes]

Clarks Lotus 49 Cosworth donk

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[Steve Holmes]

The man himself

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[Steve Holmes]

Graham McRae's Brabham dropped out early after the crankshaft broke

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[Steve Holmes]

Denny Hulme at speed and on his way to sixth place in the Brabham

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[Steve Holmes]

The on-site Firestone tyre bunker

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[Steve Holmes]

Someone here with more knowledge than me will be able to correct me on this one. I don't think this is the Tasman Series Teretonga race. The photo caption says this is Allan McCully. If so, he is driving the Brabham Tony Shaw had campaigned in the National Formula Championship. This photo would then be one of the races from the 3 Round Teretonga Championship? Can anyone help with this?

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[Steve Holmes]

The business end of Amon's Ferrari

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[Steve Holmes]

Superb pit shot has Amon's Ferrari sat quietly among the grass and straw.

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[SPman]

What lovely photos - particularly the Firestone tyre bay - can you imagine that now.......?

[seaqnmac27]

Someone here with more knowledge than me will be able to correct me on this one. I don't think this is the Tasman Series Teretonga race. The photo caption says this is Allan McCully. If so, he is driving the Brabham Tony Shaw had campaigned in the National Formula Championship. This photo would then be one of the races from the 3 Round Teretonga Championship? Can anyone help with this?

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Old racing cars.com says its Peter Yock also that its a Lotus, McCully would be 69 using that site

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Sean, I don't know that this particular photo is from the Tasman event though, I believe it could be another event at Teretonga.

[Steve Holmes]

Couple of action shots here of Amon

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[Steve Holmes]

McLaren in the BRM

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[Jac Mac]

Many of these shots would have been taken on the friday practice day as there are not many cars in the main straight parking areas, actual race days were packed with cars on main straight and trucks with stock crates for viewing platforms around the back of the circuit, the stock truck 'Gran Prix' was something to witness when they opened the gates early on saturday to the rear/western car parks, Marks Dad 'Stewy Q' could elaborate on that, being one of the competitors:)

Ian Peak was one of those guys who just got on with what he liked doing, his collection of scratch built models ( His own work ) was amazing, very meticulous and made all his own gears etc for whatever he was building, maintained the timer & operated it for the many speed events run by the ESCC. As well as the pics of motorsport I think Stewy might also have some photos of the models etc he built which would be worth a thread on their own.

[Steve Holmes]

Jac, many thanks, thats a great insight, and much appreciated. You may well be right about some of these being from practice. In other shots the extent of the huge crowds can be seen.

[Steve Holmes]

Stunning pit shots of Clark and his Lotus. There is so much going on in these photos, yet the setting looks so relaxed.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, something a little different now. In fact, something a LOT different! The next small group of photos are from Timaru, kicking off with this mixed bag of saloons. Some help here with names would be great. The leading Anglia looks to be the ex-Dave Simpson/Frank Radisich car, which Gary Sprague took to the South Island. But is this still Gary pictured here or another owner? The purple Mini with chopped lid looks a lot like the car raced in the late '60s in the North Island as an Allcomer by Tony Gilbertson. Can anyone help? The tall wing behind the Mini of that attached to Scott Wisemans E Type, while further back, the orange A40 looks like the Peter Bennett Lotus powered car that ran as an Allcomer in the '60s. Next to the A40 is the Sabre sports car! Definitely plenty of variety.

Can we fill in all the gaps here?

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the Sabre, with what appears to be the Rod McElrea Chevy coupe just darting out of shot. Whose is the left hand drive Escort giving chase?

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[Steve Holmes]

The amazing aero-engined Continental, in one of its few races before creators Tyrrell Turtle and Gary Mulholland were both killed in a road accident. Is that a Mallock U2 tucked in behind? And the Lotus in the background, could that possibly be the old Jim Palmer car? If so, could this possibly be John Armstrong driving?

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[Jac Mac]

Post #20, the liteweight chopped top mini is Lin Neilsons IIRC, white LHD Anglia would be Bob Slade, trying to think of the LHD escort owner, Carlo might remember. Light Green Morris Minor would probably be Warner Collins, Ernie sprague also drove the anglia on occasions, & Peter Kocis bought it later on, though it does look like Gary at the wheel in photo.

[woody]

This is Timaru 68.

[woody]

Timaru 69.

[GD66]

Old racing cars.com says its Peter Yock also that its a Lotus, McCully would be 69 using that site

McCully didn't feature in the results at all in 1968, but ran #10 for the 1969 Teretonga Tasman race. The pic is not Peter Yock's Lotus-BRM.

[Kwaussie]

Someone here with more knowledge than me will be able to correct me on this one. I don't think this is the Tasman Series Teretonga race. The photo caption says this is Allan McCully. If so, he is driving the Brabham Tony Shaw had campaigned in the National Formula Championship. This photo would then be one of the races from the 3 Round Teretonga Championship? Can anyone help with this?

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Having a look at the excellent Teretonga 25 book, Alan McCully was car # 10 - 13/10/68. Same number for 8/12/68 and 25/1/69.
Prior to these races he ran his BT18 on 17/3/68 and 9/6/68 with car # 12

[Carlo]

OK, something a little different now. In fact, something a LOT different! The next small group of photos are from Timaru, kicking off with this mixed bag of saloons. Some help here with names would be great. The leading Anglia looks to be the ex-Dave Simpson/Frank Radisich car, which Gary Sprague took to the South Island. But is this still Gary pictured here or another owner? The purple Mini with chopped lid looks a lot like the car raced in the late '60s in the North Island as an Allcomer by Tony Gilbertson. Can anyone help? The tall wing behind the Mini of that attached to Scott Wisemans E Type, while further back, the orange A40 looks like the Peter Bennett Lotus powered car that ran as an Allcomer in the '60s. Next to the A40 is the Sabre sports car! Definitely plenty of variety.

Can we fill in all the gaps here?

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Just to check my memory banks I showed this to a few at Levels today and we are all agreed on pretty much everything except for the A40, the red & white mini and the LHD Escort. One good old lad is going home to check out his old program collection and hopefully we can fill in the missing details

Peter B#@*&Y F@#$*$@g Kocis in the Anglia, Speed (Graeme) Richardt also drove it for a season whilst still in the Sprague Motors ownership but here it is in Peters colour scheme. Then Lyn Neilson is in the Mini and Scott Wiseman in the Jag. Bob Slade is in the white Anglia. The red & white mini still has a few of us guessing but the Morris Minor is probably the 1340cc ford powered one of Graeme Gosling. Ansley Murray in the Sabre and the team is still working on the A40 and the Escort. One possibility for the A40 is Kevin Ryan as after he rolled his one at Craigmore hillclimb it did get the roof lowered and the top cut out of the front guards and rolled down a bit like the Anglias

[seaqnmac27]

Just to check my memory banks I showed this to a few at Levels today and we are all agreed on pretty much everything except for the A40, the red & white mini and the LHD Escort. One good old lad is going home to check out his old program collection and hopefully we can fill in the missing details

Peter B#@*&Y F@#$*$@g Kocis in the Anglia, Speed (Graeme) Richardt also drove it for a season whilst still in the Sprague Motors ownership but here it is in Peters colour scheme. Then Lyn Neilson is in the Mini and Scott Wiseman in the Jag. Bob Slade is in the white Anglia. The red & white mini still has a few of us guessing but the Morris Minor is probably the 1340cc ford powered one of Graeme Gosling. Ansley Murray in the Sabre and the team is still working on the A40 and the Escort. One possibility for the A40 is Kevin Ryan as after he rolled his one at Craigmore hillclimb it did get the roof lowered and the top cut out of the front guards and rolled down a bit like the Anglias


Carlo, just looking at it, surely the A40 is Ron McPhail, now I am going on the entry list because I am sure I read it as being #62.

[Carlo]

Carlo, just looking at it, surely the A40 is Ron McPhail, now I am going on the entry list because I am sure I read it as being #62.

The Fordina had a different profile roofline and nose and in Rons hands it was coloured black.
This shot is from pre OSCA days and Warner Collins is one of many who viewed this photo and he too is scratching his head to come up with a name. Ron lurks about here so will wait and see if he is able to contribute any ideas.

Re the LHD Escort John Gobbe recalls picking up a LHD Escort from Allan Woolfe and driving it to Chch for Brian Hessey so that line is being checked out too

[Jac Mac]

I dont see Lin Neilsons name in either of 'Woody's' programmes so they might not be relevant to this event, Mini might be Dick Jackson from Winton.

[PaulieG]

Cool photos. Love the early single seater photos. Will keep an eye out for either Tony Shaw or Graeme Baker in my Lotus.

[Carlo]

After much discussion we resolved that the A40 was Dick Tout from Nelson

[Steve Holmes]

Bloody awesome work guys, well done! Re the orange A40 in the saloon car race, it looks very similar to the car Peter Bennett raced in the last season or two of the Allcomers. Pretty sure he was North island based. My understanding is that Peter still owns this car, so maybe its not the car pictured at Timaru. Or did he sell it and eventually buy it back?

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[Steve Holmes]

OK guys, another brain teaser for you!

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[Steve Holmes]

More from what I assume is the same race.

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[woody]

Timaru 70.

[John McKechnie]

Where Holden number 59 that would be Grady Thomson. Coppins and Thomson would have been late entries as they bought their cars just prior to this series. This series bought out all the big boys-just look at the drivers list and the cars. $1000 was not to be sneezed at. No Bob Homewood? A real NZ saloon car championship-and not a porsche in sight. Lots of Fords and BMC- one Chev, one Holden.

[Carlo]

More from what I assume is the same race.

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Jim Little in the Mini #7 and Keith Pickford in the Anglia with the chequer pattern on the roof

[Jac Mac]

Did Brent Hawes run a Fiat 1500 Crusader in timaru events?, & I would suggest Elwyn Latta in the Vitesse, dont think Barry robinson ventured north much in his.

[Carlo]

Did Brent Hawes run a Fiat 1500 Crusader in timaru events?, & I would suggest Elwyn Latta in the Vitesse, dont think Barry robinson ventured north much in his. Tiny Latta with the Vitesse, pretty sure that the driver of that particular Fiat worked for Brent & Leo in the service station side of things, just can't recall his name right now.

[Steve Holmes]

Great work guys, many thanks. I really enjoy these types of grass roots racing photos (the ones from Timaru). Many of these cars didn't get any media exposure, so are often overlooked.

[Steve Holmes]

These are the last of the Timaru shots.

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, back to Teretonga, and a bit more of a mixed bag now, kicking off with a couple of action shots of Alec Dickie in his ex-Neil Doyle Anglia Corvette.

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[Steve Holmes]

Andy Buchanan's beautiful Ferrari 250LM

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[Steve Holmes]

Visitors to this years Denny Hulme Festival at Hampton Downs would have seen this car at the Historic Muscle Cars display area, the Barry Phillips Lotus Cortina.

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[Steve Holmes]

Many people thought Clyde Collins' A40 Allcomer was Lotus twin-cam powered, but this wasn't the case, as this engine bay shot shows.

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[Carlo]

In post #43 the photographer in the white overalls watching Jim Little go past looks to be Stuart Smith, he used to get some cracker shots with a simple camera, some were what you could call close ups of cars and drivers in action

[John McKechnie]

In post 46-love the green Mk 1 Consul.That car shows up regularly in this position on many pix at this track.

[Russ Noble]

Tiny Latta with the Vitesse, pretty sure that the driver of that particular Fiat worked for Brent & Leo in the service station side of things, just can't recall his name right now.

I vividly remember Leo racing a Crusader that looked like that one at Ruapuna. So he could be a possibility?

[John McKechnie]

Just checking my Motorman collection-June 1968 page 33, Leo racing a blue Fiat 1500 at Ruapuna.Could have number 3 on the side

[fastback]

Green Morris minor is Dave Saunders From Ashburton who later raced single seaters.
Mustard Anglia is Keith Pickford also from Ashburton.

[Rod Grimwood]

Post #46 is the only time I have seen Barry Phillips with out 86 on side of car.

[GPBK]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;24173]Visitors to this years Denny Hulme Festival at Hampton Downs would have seen this car at the Historic Muscle Cars display area, the Barry Phillips Lotus Cortina.

Actually this is Bruce McLean in his Cortina 1600 ( not a Lotus ) painted Team colours. Normally it would be numbered 87. Very well prepared and driven car by Bruce that boxed above it's weight.

[Rod Grimwood]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;24173]Visitors to this years Denny Hulme Festival at Hampton Downs would have seen this car at the Historic Muscle Cars display area, the Barry Phillips Lotus Cortina.

Actually this is Bruce McLean in his Cortina 1600 ( not a Lotus ) painted Team colours. Normally it would be numbered 87. Very well prepared and driven car by Bruce that boxed above it's weight.

Wondered that, but the sign writing on back guard looked like 'Papakura Autos' that Barry ran.
Also sitting up fairly straight so shore could be Bruce McLean

[fullnoise68]

Rod, I thought it was Bruce McLean also, but wasn`t prepared to face the firing squad! For the record it was `Papakura Motors Ltd'.

[GPBK]

I hear you on the "firing squad", doesn't pay to come too far out of the trenches.

Same Papakura Motors livery just missing the lower Lotus Stripe along the sill that Barry Phillips had.

[fullnoise68]

GPBK, I`ve sent a PM to Bruces` son Steve (macpac) as he was looking for photos of his dad a while back. No doubt he`ll be along shortly.....

[Bruce302]

Steve, This is another from your collection. Bruce McLean in the Cortina, Jack Nazer, Rod Coppins and Ernie Sprague at the dogleg at Pukekohe. What year would this be ?

A great crowd on the infield.

http://i48.tinypic.com/u53x2.jpg

[fullnoise68]

Late 66? Bob Homewood should know, if not Motorman will have the answer.....

[Rod Grimwood]

43 Kerry Grant and this would have been 1964 i believe going by the year book.

[fullnoise68]

Rod, I was only going by what was written in the original scrapbook that they came in.

[Rod Grimwood]

You can only go on what you have cobber, but believe it is actually Kerry Grant.
You got a good scrapbook Steve, magic photos. Those 2 Cortinas of Mclean and Phillips were pretty similar, and did same little tricks.

[David McKinney]

Yes, 43 Kerry Grant
And 107 Paul Fahey

[Kwaussie]

Lots of folk right or wrong have said that the Southward car was the GT that was raced earlier that year. It raced in the series with a 1650 pushrod as it was stated that this engine from Willment had more power than the L/C Twincam.
Was this car the first fake Lotus Cortina in the world?

[seaqnmac27]

These are the last of the Timaru shots.

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What and who is the purple people eater

[Steve Holmes]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;24173]Visitors to this years Denny Hulme Festival at Hampton Downs would have seen this car at the Historic Muscle Cars display area, the Barry Phillips Lotus Cortina.

Actually this is Bruce McLean in his Cortina 1600 ( not a Lotus ) painted Team colours. Normally it would be numbered 87. Very well prepared and driven car by Bruce that boxed above it's weight.

Thanks for clearing this up.

[Steve Holmes]

With the Spinner Black HK Monaro having recently been found, the only big banger NZ racing sedan from the late '60s/early '70s era still MIA is the Clyde Collins PDL Falcon, which I believe was destroyed after being converted back to a road car. Here is Clyde in the Falcon, hauling the mustard, being chased by Rod Coppins in the Camaro. At a guess I'd say this is possibly a round of the South Island Mercury $1,000 series?

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[Steve Holmes]

Spinner Black in the Lexington Camaro, being harassed by Gary Sprague in the ex-Dave Simpson/Frank Radisich breadvan Anglia.

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[Steve Holmes]

Great shot here of Coppins leading Fahey and Dawson, but for me the real interest in this photo is with the amazing temporary grandstands lining the circuit. These folks have certainly come prepared!

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[Steve Holmes]

Probably from the same race, but with Collins and John Riley just getting into the frame. Again, look at those temporary grandstands! I absolutely love them. Note the dump truck with its tipper up, somehow lined with seats which are then angled correctly to that of the upright tipper, then with an awning over top to keep the sun out. Fantastic!

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[macpac]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;24173]Visitors to this years Denny Hulme Festival at Hampton Downs would have seen this car at the Historic Muscle Cars display area, the Barry Phillips Lotus Cortina.

Actually this is Bruce McLean in his Cortina 1600 ( not a Lotus ) painted Team colours. Normally it would be numbered 87. Very well prepared and driven car by Bruce that boxed above it's weight.

Thanks for the pic GPBK and the compliment. I am obviously biased but I think my dad drove pretty bloody good and prepared all of his cars himself. I haven't seen any pics of my dads cortina without number 87 on it. I think the car in pic 46 is his lotus cortina but could be wrong because I wouldn't have been very old at that stage. Apologies if I am wrong but he did have a lotus cortina at some stage.

[macpac]

GPBK, I`ve sent a PM to Bruces` son Steve (macpac) as he was looking for photos of his dad a while back. No doubt he`ll be along shortly.....

Thanks again Steve for the PM which I have replied to.

[macpac]

Steve, This is another from your collection. Bruce McLean in the Cortina, Jack Nazer, Rod Coppins and Ernie Sprague at the dogleg at Pukekohe. What year would this be ?

A great crowd on the infield.

http://i48.tinypic.com/u53x2.jpg

Thanks for the awesome pic of my dads cortina Bruce302. That's another number I'm not familiar with. Cheers Steve McLean.

[Lotus7Alfa]

Many people thought Clyde Collins' A40 Allcomer was Lotus twin-cam powered, but this wasn't the case, as this engine bay shot shows.

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This car is also at Teretonga this weekend for the Classic Speedfest :)

[Lotus7Alfa]

Probably from the same race, but with Collins and John Riley just getting into the frame. Again, look at those temporary grandstands! I absolutely love them. Note the dump truck with its tipper up, somehow lined with seats which are then angled correctly to that of the upright tipper, then with an awning over top to keep the sun out. Fantastic!

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You can still see something very similar for the big meetings at Teretonga these days, such as the NZ V8 meeting last month.

[Grant Sprague]

Im think it was the 1963 perhaps 64 ? season, & pretty certain the mk 3 raced there only once, the same weekend Bruce had the cooper S ??.

[hilstwist]

i recognised that 43 as being Kerry grant in the Willment Lotus cortina and 107 is Fahey

[Steve Holmes]

Some more tin-top action. Shown here is the Clyde Collins A40 Farina, but is this Clyde at the wheel? Clyde used to race as #62, whereas his brother Warner raced as #61. Clyde sold the A40 to Warner after the 1967 season, so perhaps this is Warner???

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, this is the final photo for this part. I'll start on Part 2 in the next few weeks. Does anyone want to attempt naming all these drivers?

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[Grant Sprague]

OK, this is the final photo for this part. I'll start on Part 2 in the next few weeks. Does anyone want to attempt naming all these drivers?

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Well no not really lol , but the orange car as you probably know is Peter Cocheeeeeees [ffff....bbbb..cc.....t ] lol Any way he bought the car off Ernie when Gary bought the t/c escort to my discust , as I thought I could have a crack but Ernie at that time had had enough of cars & wanted a break, I was stil at school [end of pecking order ] Peter was a real hard case as most of you would know .............he moved to Tauranga sold cars , some yrs ago was in hospital had complications Tga & Died ., was into boats etc up here ......

[John McKechnie]

Looks like Lin Neilson with the lowered roof Mini, Tim Slako in the Dayglo Mini

[ged]

was there not driver Butler that drove avery fast chopped mini had very good win ratio come on you soutland and otago drivers \ fans there was heeps going on in our part of nz not just happin in the N\island

[car mad]

was there not driver Butler that drove avery fast chopped mini had very good win ratio come on you soutland and otago drivers \ fans there was heeps going on in our part of nz not just happin in the N\island

yes thats correct I caught up with Norm Butler at teretonga last weekend and we have a chat about his top chopped mini .........he knows who has it now and is trying to buy it ............

[grelley]

The Fowog could be Graeme McKerrow from Dunedin.

[seaqnmac27]

Could the Escort be Nazer?

[DJMcD]

Depending on when the photo was taken it could have a Club meeting or a round of the National Formula Championship. Not a lot of traffic around would suggest a club event.

[Steve Holmes]

Just thought I'd bump this one back to the top for those who haven't seen it.