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Printable View
Ken Smith with his driving instructor, Ken H !
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(Photographer Paul Berkahn aka Paul B)
The always friendly Brett Willis, with two TRS members, Mike Feisst (kiwi285) on the left and Paul Berkahn (Paul B ) on the right.
Brett has the favorite team footwear on !
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Note in the next photo of Bruce Thompson, John McKechnie and one of Brett's team members,Rod Grimwood, that Rod has the same footwear as Brett ! Also note the large lump on Bruce's leg caused by a jack handle but it did not slow Bruce down !
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Wilco Racing Team 1973 Lola T330 # 16 got off to a rough start with crown and pinion issues on Friday and a broken right driveshaft on Saturday but Brett had a good drive in the Sunday race.
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Brett Willis accelerating away from turn One. A lovely track to be at even in the rain.
(Ken Hyndman photos)
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The Rod Coppins Monaro with a great race history, rescued and faithfully restored back to it's former glory
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The Fleetwood mustang was the very first Mustang to be raced in NZ
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The ex Craig Pullman XB GT Falcon Coupe pumping an astounding 820hp
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The Wiliment Mk1 Escort has a rich history of racing in the UK and NZ, very well preserved
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Torana number 4..Jamie now owns her Dads old car and we gave her a big welcome her into our class
#45 Distinguished gentleman with the white beard and blue shirtwith me is John Climo.
He built the Zephyr Corvette 2 up for Rod Coppins to race in 1983.
You could say he started this historic saloon car movement.
He was impressed with the following this had .....and the fact the Mk 2 was still going.
A bit more F5000.
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Smith # 11 leading Higgins # 4 and the group out.
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David Arrowsmith in his beautiful 1971 Lotus 70B # 67
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Tim Rush in his 1972 McLaren M22 # 20
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Glenn Richards in his 1975 Lola T400 # 99
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Kerry McIntosh in his 1969 Begg FM2 # 39
(Ken Hyndman photos )
For me #46 first pic is what this meeting was for all of us saloon guys.
A huge thanks to Paul B for having the foresight to capture this memorable moment forever
We have 4 original cars, all with CODs.
Fleetwood Mustang.
Wiliment Escort
Team Cambridge Monaro.-
Pro Action XBGT Coupe.
All going out on the track together
I let Bruce with the Coppins Firebird take the Monaro out so he could enjoy this moment., and it was great for me watching.
I could not miss that shot (#46) with the 4 cars together.
I wish I took my big camera to get a better shot.
It was a huge privilege and honour to be allowed to take the Cambridge Monaro out on the track. I last drove that car 40 years ago and it brought back a lot of memories. It was hard to stop the laps, it just wants to keep going.
The car is a delight to drive, though it will get some further tuning.
Thank you John.
Bruce Thompson driving the Cambridge Monaro during the wonderful demonstration laps. Taupo. Sunday Jan 21 2018.
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( Ken H cheap photography service )
Bruce Thompson after his demonstration laps and about to find out that the left rear tyre (tire) had a slow leak and would not go on the track again at Taupo. We were all glad that the problem did not affect Bruce's driving. (Thanks Bruce )
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Hyndman was told if he cleaned the wheels and the windshield he would be allowed to touch the sides !
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Monaro had slow leak on Saturday,
Repaired the tyre Saturday night at Truck Depot.
Sunday we had a fast leak, lost 20 lb in 30 mins.....discovered this 1 min before race 4.
Should have left it as it was...............
Some of the other "Demonstration Lap" cars;
It was neat to see Paul Fahey relaxed and going out in the Tony Mexted PDL 1970 Mustang Fastback # 104.
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It was a memory flashback for my cousin who came to Taupo, as we were both at the Pukekohe 1965 Wills Race when the Fleetwood Mustang was first driven by Ivan Segedin and Dennis Simmons and to see it beautifully restored and driven hard was great.
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Another crowd favorite was to see Ivan Bevins drive the brutish Pro Action Falcon XBGT which had so much power that Ivan was getting crossed up even when accelerating on the front straight !
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Ivan gave me the thumbs up as he waited for the Monaro to go by. He thoroughly enjoyed his time on the track. Imagine this machine on a wet track !
(K H photos )
Some more photos of the Bevin's Falcon XBGT Coupe.
Perhaps someone can fill in the engine specs. for this machine. It looks mean from any angle !
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Ivan Bevins, Bruce Thompson and John McKechnie discussing what it would really be like in the rain !
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The "heaps of grunt" department..
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(Ken H photos )
Ken, Great Pics and I am so sorry I missed the meeting and catching up you and the others Guys, Grimmie, Mathers, McKechnie and many others..
You guys had a good time as can be seen from the pics ..
Cheers
Roger D.
"Quote Originally Posted by Paul B View Post
The ex Craig Pullman XB GT Falcon Coupe pumping an astounding 820hp"
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No wonder Ivan had a handling issue on acceleration as the diff was only putting all that power to one rear wheel !
I seemed to meet friendly folks where ever I went.
Bruce Dyer (Spgeti ) introduced himself then took me to the Historic Muscle Cars & Historic Saloon Cars Group tent and met Dale Mathers, Mike Feisst, Greg Goudie and Bruce Dyer as shown with me in this photo.
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Kevin Gimblett came over and discussed the Dale Earnhardt type painting and the number 3 on his roof etc. before taking his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro out in rather damp conditions.
A beautiful machine in my eyes. (In fact I was most impressed with all the preparation and presentation of the cars at Taupo. Immaculate. )
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(Ken H photos )
Kevin Gimblett had good battles throughout the weekend in his Camaro # 3.
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Getting away to a good start against Roger Williams who is in a 1979 Camaro # 12
Always great to see and hear Trans-Am / Muscle cars on the first few laps.
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(Ken H photos )
Correct, Ivan said it had a Detroit Locker that was damaged and like you say Ken, when Ivan floored it down the front straight the car had an unmistakable noise only pertaining to an engine you would expect would be 820hp and of course the power coupled with the diff tossed the car sideways under the huge acceleration. It certainly was a sight & great show for the crowd.
I would love to see this beast in action getting the power to the ground, it certainly would be a sight
Some of the cars in the HMC & HSC Class at Taupo.
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Greg Goudie in his 1972 Ford Capri # 94
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Natalie Campbell in her 1973 Ford Capri # 227
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Glenn Allingham in his 1970 Chev Camaro # 50
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Steve Elliot in his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro # 41.
Steve gets 2 photos because he was friendly to me and lives in the Katikati area where my brother also lives.
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Tony Mexted in the PDL 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 fastback # 104 which also took Paul Fahey around on a demonstration lap to celebrate Paul's wonderful career of being the NZ Saloon Car Champion in 1965, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972 Unlimited Class Champion, 1975 Saloon Car Champion and now such a nice gentleman who also seemed to be smiling all weekend.
(Ken H photos)
Some more of the HMC & HSC cars at Taupo.
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Dale Mathers in his 1969 Boss Mustang # 23 making a late arrival on the dummy grid beside Roger Williams Camaro # 12
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This large and varied field led to some exciting racing throughout the races especially in the reverse handicap race with the winner being Greg Goudie in his 1972 Capri. (Which is for sale.)
(Ken H photos )
I met up with a possible distant relative, Alan Hyndman, who drove his Triford 6 cylinder Special # 8 in the Formula Junior, Historic Formula 3 and Sports Racing Class and he had a fun weekend getting some 2nd and 3rd place results.
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(Ken Hyndman photos )
Nigel- this is a genuine RPO83 XA Coupe, has 81 on the side, and Fat City Racing on the screen.
This would make it Phil Schubert car.
Craig did own this, got it off the first owner, Jim Richards raced it at Manfeild.
Craig sold it to Phil ,who still has it, then got his yellow now black XBGT.
Back for some Formula 5000 photos.
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Glenn Richards. 1975 Lola T400 # 99
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Star F5000 driver of the weekend was Andy Higgins in his 1974 Lola T332 # 4
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Mike Creswell from Tauranga was at Taupo for his F 5000 debut in his 1973 March 73A # 139.
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Mike Creswell with his crew.
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Mike Creswell in the white March # 139 getting the feel for it all as Aaron Burson in his blue 1973 McRae GM1 # 29 and Tony Gaibraith in his yellow 1974 Lola T332 # 88 go by as the rain started.
K Hyndman photos.
This is one reason I never became a race driver as I would get confused just starting the race car !
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1973 March 73A start up procedure.
(Hyndman photo )
The final F5000 race late on Sunday was over 10 laps..
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(Ken H photos )
Ken Smith seemed to draw away in the first few laps but Andy Higgens in his Lola T332 # 4 was not letting him get too far ahead.
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There were some good mid field battles throughout the race and at Taupo it is so easy to see most of the track.
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(Ken H photos )
Andy Higgens passed Ken Smith and seemed to draw away easily. I am not sure what issues Ken had but it was an exciting race throughout.
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Then after the race it was time to load up and head to Hampton Downs for the next F5000 race.
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Tony Robert's 1969 McLaren M10A # 7
(That's the last of my Taupo pics. A personal fantastic weekend. )
Ken H.
How did you get time to take all these photos and gas bag at the same time ?.
Your still smiling.....
Great line ups on the grid in F5000, HMC/HSC, HSS and FJs
To be honest, when I saw the "Historic Grand Prix" I thought there might be other than F5000 (which I love). What happened to the 1.5 cars of the years gone, Formula Holden, Formula Pacific, et al?
Reece they only invited F5000, Heritage Touring Cars, HMC, HSC, HSS and FJ.
The bikes were a last thought but next year they are looking at vintage bikes in lieu of the modern which was a sponsors request.
The sponsor has a large collection of vintage bikes but were tied up with Phillip Island at the same time.
This was their second year at it and they are looking at expanding the grid for next year to include historic F1.
Rhys,
Perhaps they did it for me when they knew I was coming to Taupo as the last time I was around racing was in 1975-76 in F5000 !
Ken H