Some great names in the entry lists .. Would #98 R W Williams Ford V8 - be Rob Williams from Glen Eden ??
- that's where his Panelbeaters was in the 1960's
Printable View
Roger,
I remember being at that Waharoa Meet in 1961 with my schoolmate Hylton Cameron as we watched his brother Kelvin Cameron
compete in the Sports Car race in his Minstral TR 2 # 24.
I also remember Denny Hulme talking over the speaker system at the lunch break about his racing experiences during the 1960
European season as a joint winner of the Driver to Europe programme and the sad loss of his co-winner and friend George Lawton.
Thanks for the memory. ( Fun times close to home !)
Ken H
Attachment 67627
Attachment 67625
Attachment 67626
Had a drive around Matamata today - beautiful sunny day, and had my camera. Drove the Track as shown in this Milan Fistonic map of the track using the roads from Hohaia Street [ where the start finish and pits were - near Huia Street - opposite Tawa Street ]
Right into Tamihana Street, then Right into Meura Street, left into Tui Street, Right into to Tamihana Street,by the Council Buildings
[ now a new building ] Right into Broadway down to Hohaia Street [ by the Anglican Church.
Will download and post some photos - taken at the time and the current scenes.
Quite a lot of information was provided when the photos of the 1964 and 1965 events were posted on the Dunedin 1984 thread.
It deserves to be repeated here..
The Map from Milan - aligned for North.
Attachment 67671
Google Maps - the area in 2020
Attachment 67672
The Start / Finish and a field of Saloon Cars ready to go - Heat Two of the Saloon Scratch Races - from the local newspaper.
Attachment 67673
11 Aug 2022 - image added.
Entry List for this Race - Heat 2 of the Saloon Car Scratch Races.
Attachment 73019
Have gone back over my photos [ collected by but not taken by me - was only 17 at the time of the second meeting,still at school,no licence - until August 1965 and no car - that took a year of work and happened in February 1967 ] and corrected dates etc from the information you TRS Guys have provided - the notes on the photos already posted may be incorrect as far as dates go.
You couldn't quite drive the track Roger, The islands on Broadway tend to stop that :)
Yep, would have been on the wrong road [ side of the double roadway - Broadway ].
A few building still there - the Regent Theatre, no longer used as that. The Cleaver Motors Car Dealers, diagonally opposite the Matamata Town Council Building [ New Building is now the Matamata Piako District Council ] is now " Ag-Worx " selling equipment and Spa pools. The Churches are still there too. Many other Commerical buildings off the Broadway are new but the shops along the front probably pre-date the races, as do many of the houses on the side streets.
More to come on this when I get the photos scanned - a rainy day job. Daylight Saving started today so was a change the clocks day.
Cheers Rhys
" Thanks for the memory. ( Fun times close to home !)
Ken H "
These are for you Ken H, Rhys N and Kevin H too !! the locals, and for all the guys on TRS.
The Start - in Hohaia Street near Huia St and Tui St - pits on the corner of Huia and Hohaia Sts.
This is looking in the direction of the race [ South ]
Attachment 67692
Cars at the Start from 1964-65. Anglican Church in the baclground.
Attachment 67693
The Start point was moved for the 1965 races but still near Tui Street and the pits in the park area at Huia Street.
This photo from the other side of the road - still the 1964 event, I believe.
Attachment 67694
The Council Building corner [ Meura and Tainui Sts ]
The new District Council building
Attachment 67695
The Matamata Town Council Building - same site in 1964
Attachment 67696
Attachment 67697
Took 40 photos around town, now trying to align with the 1964-65 photos and cuttings I have collected.
These are the first..
A bit more of the " Now and Then " or " Then and Now " around the streets of Matamata.
Cars passing by the Cleaver Motors - Morris Dealers - Building diagonally opposite the Council Building
This is the building that Alan Boyle and Ron Brown were in on the day of the 1964 races.
Attachment 67706
Another photo with more of Cleaver Motors in the background - Alan and Ron were in the window on the right ].
Attachment 67710
This is the same building in 2020 Ag-Worx on the corner - Alan, Ron and Co were in the window on the right
Attachment 67707
Roger Smith in his Austin Healey passing a house -street not defined, but ...
Attachment 67708
These are two house in Tainui Street - after the cars passed the Council Building - the corner with Cleaver Motors they drove up Tainui Street to Broadway into another right turn
These houses are on the right as they drove up - look similar.
Attachment 67709
Archive photos from the Scott - Given Studio archives taken by Morrie Given [ Kevin Hirst's Uncle ] part of the set acquired by Ross Cammick, through Myles Hicks - connection here being that Myles is restoring the Russell Leathers Pat McLoughlin Austin Healey 3000 Ruddspeed, that became the McLoughlin Austin Healey 4000, and by Matamata was 4200 cc. More of that story on the Austin Healey thread.
More photos from the Scott - Given Studio archives.
D Jurie Consul 315 has gone through the Cleaver Motors /Council Building corner
Attachment 67711
Saloons - the start - Anglican Church just seen.
Attachment 67712
Saloons at Cleaver Motors the corner
Attachment 67713
Big Saloons past the same corner - small building opposite the Council Building on Tainui Street
Attachment 67714
The Anglican Church today seen from across Broadway - Hohaia Street to the right.
Attachment 67715
Local Guys are you homesick yet.
Ken H in the USA
Kevin H in Mangawhai
Rhys N in the UK.
Cheers
Roger
From Milan Fistonic -re the start.
" The start finish line in 1964 was in Hohaia Street just before the Tawa Street intersection. In 1965 it was still in Hohaia Street but was moved to just past Tawa Street.
In 1964 the pits were in a corner of the Domain opposite the Brethren Church in Meura Street. In 1965 they were moved to the opposite corner of the Domain bordered by Hohaia and Huia Streets. "
Rhys Nolan has some memories of the place too
" Roger, my Dad was the Town Clerk of the Borough Council when the races were run. He was appointed the day the DC3 crashed on the Kaimais.
In the pic you have in post #231 of the coupes in a cloud of dust, you can see the Council offices (where locals booked their appointments for driver licence tests etc). Dad's office was right on the corner diagonally across from Cleaver motors. Next building following the race course was the little Public library, clad in fibrolite, then the Memorial Hall.
Ivan Toomey, one of the organising committee was on the council and perhaps Doug Turner too. Ken Gouk was the Mayor (Owner of Gouk Motors which were on Broadway. "
Kevin Hirst knows the town too
" I started my apprenticeship at Cowling Bros, Ford dealer's on Broadway in 1957 Maurice Cowling,of speedway fame was the bosses son who had just started primary school about the same time. Bradford truck was shop hack. parts guy had Brough Superior 100 commute bike. "
Putting all this on the thread they belong on.
The Regent Theatre on Broadway was not on the Track, but off to the side of the Tainui Street and Broadway right hander.
It shows in the background here in this Alan Boyle photo.
Note the reflection of the Morris sign in the window and the Memorial Hall the right hand end, mentioned by Rhys - his father was at the left hand end of the site, near the corner in the Council Building. In a couple of the photos the Library can be seen
Attachment 67719
The Regent Building today, not a Theatre anymore, and hidden behind a Tree [ fortunately a deciduous tree ]
Attachment 67720
More race photos to come - as well as modern photos and some entry lists and results. to make the story more complete.
Entry Lists for some events and results from both years
[ have been on the Dunedin thread but belong here ].
Saloons Heat one and two - 1964 and yes G Harvey in the Holden #48 !
Attachment 67761
Sports cars including the McLoughlin Healey 4000.
Attachment 67762
Results - from Graham Woods archives.
23 May 1964
Attachment 67763
20 March 1965
Attachment 67764
Some " Racing Cars "as in single seaters - these photos I acquired / borrowed from Keiron Guiness, a Matamata local and incidentally a neighbour of a nephew's family in Matamata - the nephew now lives in Brisbane - has done since a teenager and he is now close to 50.
Rhys and others have put details about the cars / drivers on the Dunedin thread - will add that here later
- watch the space ! -.
Attachment 67801
Attachment 67802
Attachment 67803
Attachment 67804
The windowed building in the background- I don't think it is still there !
See Rhys note about the building next post and his comments about the Single Seaters
" The front engine car is, I believe, the Lola FJ car, according to Keiron Spencer Black (Spinner), although I thought it was Histed at the time. I have no documents to confirm or deny.
I would say these photos of Keiron's are taken from a little further down Tui St from where Alan Boyle's ones were taken, the building opposite almost on the corner, was originally a car sales, according to Google Earth now the Pancake House.
Now I'll make a guess, I know Milan will correct me.
18 Dawson? 7 is a Lotus, maybe 4 is a Lola?
If Boyd is in the Lycoming, that list is 65, the previous year the results in post 230 [Dunedin thread ] say he was in the Valour. "
" that list " is this handwritten entry list for the Single seater ( and specials ? ) race - 1965
Attachment 67815
The "windowed building in the background" according to street view Google earth is "The Pancake House" the windows on the same source with plywood where the glass is, Corner of Tui and Tainui.
Newspaper or magazine article from the 1965 meeting Glen Ducey archives.
Head Photo - Johnny Riley #17 2.5 Lotus #17 Graeme Park Plymouth Coupe #92 spinning
Middle photos - D Jeffries Cooper Norton #6, Brian Innes Morris Cooper #85 and a Zephyr
Bottom Row - Jim Boyd Lycoming #41, Andy Buchanan 1.4 Cooper #8, Cortina GT spinning R Elmiger [ spelling ] Cortina GT #76
Attachment 67816
As posted on the Dunedin Thread another photo of Johnny Riley #17 - Graham Woods archives
Attachment 67817
The Front Engine Lola which both Rhys N and Ken H mention.
Rhys stated the following - I stand corrected by " Oldfart " and hope all is forgiven.
" The front engine car is, I believe, the Lola FJ car, according to Keiron Spencer Black (Spinner), although I thought it was Histed at the time. I have no documents to confirm or deny "
and Ken made the following comment about the car
" Spinner stated that the Lola he drove at Matamata was one that he got from Johnny Riley in a deal for a boat !
The car a (Lola Mk2 / Ford) was first brought into the country by John Histed so it could be ready for the 1962 NZGP at Ardmore meet.
The car was then sold to Ken Smith and then onto John Riley before reaching Spinner. "
Another photo of the Lola when Kenny Smith had it in 1963 - look at the number plates on the cars at the rear of the photo - is that the McRae " Masserari " on the left ? An Austin Healey 100S beside it - behind the Ken Smith car -Photo from Ken H archives - that stuff must have travelled a lot Ken ?? Cars have 1961-64 Number Plates.
Attachment 67818
Middle photos - D Jeffries Cooper Norton #6,
That should be Darryl Jeffares
Dauntsey Teagle in the Lola T2 in its sports car guise.
Attachment 67819
Roger, your post #53, please correct as I did NOT "state that it was owned by John Histed". I said, as quoted by you in post #51 " The front engine car is, I believe, the Lola FJ car, according to Keiron Spencer Black (Spinner), although I thought it was Histed at the time. I have no documents to confirm or deny." That's different from stating something.
Sorry Oldfart - for any confusion - you did mention the name I was merely connecting your mention of the name with Ken's comment, which means that you were correct Histed did own [ or drive it ] I put the Christian name in Italics as you did not mention
" John " .
Consider the correction done, you can rest easy !!
Daimler SP 250's an Austin Healey [ McLoughlin's AH 4000 ] and a TR3
Attachment 67824
The Oxton Daimler
Attachment 67825
Daimler again and a TR3
Attachment 67826
Daimlers and a Lotus 7 type car - probably a Seven as too soon for a replica / copy !
Attachment 67827
A couple of Specials
Kato
Attachment 67828
Mistral
Attachment 67829
Fiat 1500 - Crusader and a Mini - 1964 event [ 1961 -64 plates ]
Attachment 67830
Ford Coupe -Garth Souness and a Humber 80 a Zephyr and the Fiat 1500 Crusader
Attachment 67831
Zephyr, Anglia, Humber 90 [Super Minx ? ] and a Mini
Attachment 67832
All at or near the Tui St Tainui St Right Hander by Cleaver Motors and the Council Building.
A good crowd too !
The area today a couple of photos
The corner
Attachment 67833
Looking North to Broadway
Attachment 67834
Further up Tainui St - nearer Broadway
Attachment 67835
I would SUGGEST (same word could replace "state" in earlier post) that the photo with the Zephyr, 105E, Humber/Hillman could be Tamihana /Meura St corner. The plane tree plantings in many parts of town took place while we lived in the town, so now 55 odd years old.
The locals are trying to have the Phoenix Palms in Tamihana Street removed.
Photos by Glen Kirk - he has given permission to " borrow " them
Glen also has some Monchrome photos of the " Original " Dragstrip at Meremere - a Cinder Strip close to the current Meremere Dragway.
The Saloon Grid in Hohaia Street.
Colin Lumsden - De Soto #63 Graeme Park Plymouth Coupe [partly obscured right ] and what is number ?*7 -Anglia or Humber 80 - I am unsure ?
Attachment 67864
Garth Souness, Morrari - on a trailer and on " Borrani " Wire Wheels - in 1964 Garth was running the Ford Coupe
Attachment 67865
Jim Boyd, Lycoming In the Pit area -
Placed 1st in the Sports Car Handicap Race against some of the " racing cars "
Also ran in the " Formula Libre Racing Cars and Sports Racing Cars " the " Festival Road Race " - Race #13 Placed 5th in the 15 Lap Race
Attachment 67866
Have inquired if Glen has any more photos - he travelled to the UK in 1966 and is unsure of any more !
Oldfart query #1 Post in this thread :
Matamata Round the houses.
I have very fond memories of this, but don't seem to be able to find much.
Anyone?
Steve Holmes - reply question
How many years did they run it for Rhys? I don't think it was on the championship trail so didn't get the media coverage that other events did. There are a couple of great photos floating about of Red Dawson in his Willys coupe and Garth Souness in the Morrari from Matamata. **
Oldfart - reply
I believe it ran for 2 years. The old man was Town Clerk there. There were plenty of articles and photos in Motorman, Almost all the "names" took part with every class imaginable.
Copying the posts as a lot has come to light on the Races.
Would like to get hold of the Motorman articles - have the Results from Graham Woods archives and some programme details from Milan Fistonic, Keiron Guinness, Myles Hicks and photos from Scott Given Studio - through Ross Cammick, Alan Boyle's photos from 1964 and Glen Kirk's from 1965.
** Photos of The Willys and the Morrari now attached, the Morrari photo a static one from the Pits / Paddock.
Have contacted Hamilton Car Club in the hope of obtaining more information - that is how the Glen Kirk photos came to light.
Thanks Rhys for starting the thread, I had not seen it until recently, when I got information about the " Orchid Special " from its current owner in Switzerland who is trying to find all he can about that cars History -he referred to TRS Thread #847 - he, Richard, has a big archive but more is needed, especially on the early years of that car.
As a Post Script - The photo on the cover of the 1965 Programme show two " Racing Cars " going through a corner with the Farmers Building in the background and a big crowd.
Photo copied below - cropped from the Programme.
Attachment 67877
Farmers are still in Matamata on Tainui Street at Number 7 - between the Council Building to the South and Broadway to the North. Is it the same location ?
Oldfart mentioned the plane trees and commented
" we lived in the town, so now 55 odd years old. "
A photo of Matamata - Broadway in 1968 - should be familiar.
Attachment 68287
The Race turned away from this part of Broadway - heading West ..right hand turn out of Tamihana, I think.
Make that Tainui Street, right turn into Broadway..
See Milan's note - should have got out my Map..
Re-reading a copy of NZ Classic Driver from 2015 - Has the article on the Healey - Corvette. There is in Allan Dick's column on the Ian " Red " Dawson Willys - Corvette a photo of the said car running about fourth in the 1965 Matamata Races.
In the field are ;
Frank Radisich - Humber - Zephyr [ *** according to the programme the car had a 2553 cc motor which is Ford Zephyr size - not a Jaguar at either 3442 or 3781 cc ] - correction *** ,
an Anglia white with central stripe,
[ Allan Dick says possibly Jack Nazer - must look at entry lists - but Race number not visible ],
Rod Coppins Zephyr - Corvette - in white /blue stripe - Team Molyslip colours
Red Dawson Willys - Corvette.
Photo by Terry Marshall
Will scan and post the photo and will also see if I can get a better copy from Terry Marshall,asking if he has any more of the event -he should have.
Will be good to add to the thread.
Cars are taking a Right Hand corner - past what appears to be a very large house with a huge crowd in front.
Cover of the magazine.NZ CD #63 Nov-Dec 2015
Attachment 68339
Now to scan the image and contact TM ..
The J C Histed Lola - the front engined car mentioned in this thread appears in the 1963 Shell Book of new Zealand Motor Racing.
I recently was given a copy of the First Edition of these publications.
Now have 1963 - 64 - 65 - 66, and 1967 [ Two copies of 1967].
Does any one know if it was published after 1967 ??.
Brilliant, Thanks Milan, only have to get 1968 - 1972. I think I have the 1973 Competition Yearbook. *** No I don't see edit
Attachment 68410
Must check in here and the boxes .. *** it is not - the book with the blank spine - faded away is the 1987 Dunlop Book of NZ Motor Sport.
Roger,
Although we live thousands of miles apart it seems that we have a lot of similar tastes in reading material !
(Omokoroa NZ to Los Olivos, CA. 6,454 mile Distance )`
Attachment 68430
Cheers,
Ken H
Indeed Ken , indeed a few are the same and a few I would like..
Take care all you Guys on TRS and have a great Christmas and New Year, Rollon 2021 - it has got to get better.
and remember " those Boys in Blue will be watching You ..
Attachment 68431
Cheers from Omokoroa.. from the little guy looking from the car - aged about 4 here..My Dad at the drivers door
Attachment 68432
Picture features in the latest Stephen Barnett book " Life with Cars " just released..
Roger
Andy Buchanan and Bill Thomasen - [ both in Brabhams ?] ** Thomasen in a Cooper Buchanan in a Brabham 1.5 litre - the 1964 event.
They came Second and First in one of the Heat Races that day - Magazine report of results previously posted.
Attachment 68496
These two were often close together as seen at Pukekohe in 1965 .. Bill in front this time
- from a magazine " Motorman " ? " possibly.
Attachment 68497
Photographers not detailed - both from Graham Woods archives.
The results - to save scrolling back over the thread.
Attachment 68498
Results say Thomasen in a Cooper - which is correct ??
You will note from the caption that the photo of Thomasen in the Brabham is from Pukekohe not Matamata. It was from the December 12 1964 meeting at Pukekohe. In the other photo from Matamata in May 1964 he is in a Cooper.
Thanks Milan, knew the second photo was Pukekohe, the Matamata image cars were unnamed, I assumed the same cars as the Puke photo. Good to know the Puke meeting was Dec 1964 - can correct my archive.
Do you have any entry list for 1964 ?, I only have an image of the cover of the programme.
Cheers
Roger
This photo was posted by Spgeti on the HVRA " Historic Vintage Racing " Fb page - a collection of photos for Rod Coppins and the Zephyr Corvette in its Team Molyslip colours. - Photographer not stated.
[I]It looks like Matamata !, but the Church does not look the same as the next photo/I].
The Start - Ian " Red " Dawson Willys Corvette, Rod Coppins Zephyr Corvette, and a Humber.
1965
Attachment 70382
Must be the start of a different race to this one - under the Bardahl Banner by the Church. A different Church, but I understand that the start was moved
[ posted before ].
1964.
Attachment 70383
Yes, the one with the more obvious Bardhal banner shows the Anglican Church in the background, almost on the corner of Broadway. This gave a longer run before the first corner than the previous start which was closer to where the Church of the Holy Angels (Catholic) is now.
Rhys, thought you would know,
Thanks, was back in the Village last weekend, past Hohaia Street, down Broadway and a few other places, looking for food and wine not cars ..
Have found a photo of a Standard 10 with a Ford 1500 motor and transmission from those days, Mike Miers did Waharoa, Kerepehi and other meetings around the Waikato - even took the car to Levin..
This from Kerepehi .. called Hybrid, has a whole new connotation in this modern PC world .. Motor from one Maker, Car from another, or vice versu .. simple !!
Attachment 70447
Thanks to Jenny Lucey and husband Rob for the photo !!
Guessing Singer right, Simca Left and a mini behind - a mixed field..
Another photo from Matamata has surfaced - John Larry Lawton, a photographer who has posted photos of many events found this one.
I have put 1965 on the photo - but will check in entry lists etc. The Jennings Fiat, should be a good clue.
It is 1965 and is part of a series of photos by John, known as Larry, Lawton.
Will upload those photos soon.
Some are not good photos as a few spectators head have got in the way, but more from the event.
Attached to the posting of them are some details which I will include.
A mixed Saloon field, Anglia in front -the Jennings Fiat in the haybales a Chev ? Coupe and another Coupe -is it an older Ford like Garth Souness ran.
Attachment 72845
This photo was posted by Allan Dick in a story about Fastback and other Anglia's in the 1960's
The Anglia- of Jack Nazer - is this the same car and is this Matamata -** can't quite decipher the Street sign - look at the crowd..
Race number on the window not on the door like the top photo, and also the stripes.
Attachment 72846
Thanks to " Oldfart " for starting the thread with a question. ??
Now have a lot of information on the two events in 1964 and 1965.