Flinko really loves his Holdens so he won't like being reminded about this entry in the 1975 Maramarua Rally.
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Flinko really loves his Holdens so he won't like being reminded about this entry in the 1975 Maramarua Rally.
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Milan, a most excellent find.
The Flinkmeister also remembers being in front of the Coppins Firebird for 4 laps in a Handicap race in 1973 with the same Escort 1300.
He went to HD on Saturday and caught up with Jim Richards...they worked together at Jerry Claytons till Jim went to McMillan Ford.
We were going through my old mags finding his windup comments.
He has fond memories of his little Ford, no matter how much he thrashed it it wouldnt die.
Family motto..."Think Fink"
btw...talking about Maramarua Rally, would you have the program of the previous year- 1974 ? I had my Mini Cooper S in it
This is the entry list for the 1974 Maramarua Rally. You are there at number 112 and I'm there co-driving for Mike Boyle in the ex-Peter Levet Hillman Imp at 89.
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John Hudson #106.,Mark Parson #73, Howard Collier #66, Gary Pedersen #60, Donald Webster #116, Quentin #31, Brian Tasker..........man these are memories of hill climbs, club gymkanas etc
Look at those names, everyone was there that day, and what a wet one...do you remember the big pile up in the mud on the first big right hander?
I was rapt just to finish...and drive home.
Will tell you the story of the bull trying to attack my car at Taupo.
Thanks Milan, heres my smile for the day !!!!!!!!!
Have come back from the Bathurst Revival weekend at HD. I strongly feel more emphasis could have been put on the Kiwi drivers who have competed there over the years. On the friday and saturday I was at the McLaren heritage, I helped them get nearly 40 Kiwis who have raced there. The 1st Kiwi who was on the podium was Jim Palmer in 1968 driving a Holden Dealer Racing team HK Monaro Jim and his Aussie co driver were 2nd, the 1st year Holden won the race. We all know about Jim Richards and Rod Coppins brilliant race in 1974 getting 3rd. Only once has an all Kiwi driver combination won the race that was in 1999 when Greg Murphy and Steven Richards did it.
The only Kiwi drivers focused was Jim and Steven Richards and Paul Radisich, there was something missing with Greg Murphy not being there on the weekend ( I heard he had had a mountain bike accident recently and is on crutches )
The historic touring cars were enjoyable racing, the Central muscle cars always put on a good show with a
large no on the grid.
I question them being at an Historic meeting,the HMC would be more at home there.
My thoughts to keep these events thriving the promoters should talk to the fans as well as drivers, there appears to be getting fewer people attending every year.
My suggestions for future themes, Ford is a marque that is long overdue,a single drivers from the 60s and 70s concentrating collectively on Kiwi drivers also saloon car drivers of the same era.
also British cars (BMC ,Jaguar Rootes and Triumph)
It was good chatting to Jim Richards and John Bowe.
The meeting had a few dissapointments but I do not regret going to it , am eager to get to Taupo this weekend.
The only thing I can think of Ray is that with Mr Quinns vast wealth he doesn't care, its like his own "personal event" his "play toy" and if that's the case he would have considered it perfect...............same with his Hampton 101........infact I'm sure there were more spectators at last years 101(or Hampton 500)? it also seems to me he has some influence over Central Muscle as they seem to be his favored and promoted group, it's almost as if this event was for them? that been said I did immensely enjoy there racing. Been a V8 fan those cars sounded awesome at 9-grand coming up the front straight.........
So, maybe he's making money in other arenas we don't understand, he didn't get wealthy by been stupid, their Saturday night legends dinner was $175 per person and was sold out with over 300 attending(so I got told) and easy calculation, but I'm sure the Aussie legends would have come at some cost?
Maybe this is future of how NZ motorsport will be? get rid of the poor people like myself and only deal with the rich? like I said he's not stupid.
To sum up and move on, even with Jim Barclay and his team chasing people from all over the world, dealing with maybe thousands of emails throughout the year, apart from the first (McLaren) meeting, some grids were still too small to be attractive, but at least there were always enough grids to make a viable meeting.
Last year's meeting showed a totally different attitude to competitors that didn't go down well at all and the backlash for 2018 was obvious back then.
TQ made his money by sheer hard work and spotting gaps in the pet food market and it paid off for him. Being a success in any type of business does not automatically mean that success will follow when diversifying.
Tony Roberts and Chris Watson came from different backgrounds from TQ, but have always had a great rapport with the drivers - particularly so in 'our' sector. Both were TACCOC committee members along with the late Geoff Manning and their breakaway to form HRC carried over some similar attitudes towards drivers.
We backed HD from well before day 1 and when we signed up for our apartment, our solicitor asked just one question; "Do you trust these two guys?"
Every regular racer will know that the TACCOC committee developed a lot of expertise from running huge events such as the Wings and Wheels at Whenuapai which attracted a massive field and more to the point, massive crowds. Only the professionally promoted Aussie V8 meetings have got anywhere near those spectator numbers - and all run by what was effectively an amateur team but to a professional standard. Arguably, the wings component probably brought in more spectators that the wheels, but we'll ignore that!
Now we have a world class track and full time professionals but maybe the passion for the actual cars and solid rapport with the weekend drivers is missing - not to mention the spectators? Yes Dale, it is easy to feel that the less well off amateurs are being shoved out but let's not forget that MSNZ have also made it more expensive for the real amateurs, with ever increasing costs. Pukekohe has just jumped on the bandwagon without offering anything more - and in fact, a lot less.
Fingers crossed that someone does a solid debrief and asks relevant questions and that the future is positive. No doubt there hasn't been an announcement regarding 2019 as yet? Or has there? Planning has to start now.
PS: Found this on the internet today:
"It's exceeded my expectations and this weekend has given us confidence to go bigger and better next year," says Quinn. "Bathurst has such a great history and there have been so many New Zealand drivers and cars who've made their mark at Mt Panorama. Then there are countless drivers and cars we can bring over from Australia."
So maybe the track isn't up for sale after all?
Clark Proctor and Bruce Manon, showing a clean pair of heels to the rest of the grid in the scratch races.
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Mal Clark's well campaigned (and driven) Targa and track Rover P6.
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Adam Jones taking a break from filming the Kenny Smith documentary, enjoying his Mk 1 Escort.
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Barry Hare, another regular Targa competitor, in the Rover Vitesse. Not very keen on the matt black look!
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Robbie Halliday Junior - Cortina GT
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Nigel is 100% correct. Turn 3 was just made for a long lens.
The ERC grids are still both hovering at the viable level, but increasing costs are one of the reasons for competitors not doing all rounds. The problem is that reducing the number of rounds in a season may theoretically also reduce support. Some people do want to race often - and can afford it.
Taupo is always a combined grid (AES plus Arrows) as the track is long enough and with good visibility to see cars approaching from behind, so the speed differential isn't as much of a problem as on a shorter track.
Next batch will "Caffeine and Classics" from Dec 31st.
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Fitting the new woodrim wheel to my own car will be the last job. Sunbeam Rapier
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Help! Car #6 Formula Libre - ARES Sports car 2013. Can anyone please tell me in what country it was manufactured? Google wasn't much use...
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...and can someone please confirm this one? In the programme #84 John Pickford Reynard FF. Not the best of photographs unfortunately. Probably Formula Renault and should have been carrying 841...
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PRIME TV - Saturday 9:30pm - Father Brown - "The Laws of Motion" - episode filmed at Shelsey Walsh Hillclimb.
What I love about this monthly meet is that there is zero snobbery, unlike the many stories we hear about overseas meets where some jobsworth on the gate denies access to cars he believes don't belong.
ERC agree ; quote.
" What I love about this monthly meet is that there is zero snobbery, unlike the many stories we hear about overseas meets where some jobsworth on the gate denies access to cars he believes don't belong. "
Have been made to park around the back once, only because they were getting full, so went further round and parked with other MX5's, created our own group !!
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You now have to get there early to park in the main area, but fantastic that it overflows every month. Just got a WoF for the Magnette which made a public appearance last year in February, towing the Marcos, but STILL working on the fibreglass bonnet and bootlid...
So my LHD 1962 Austin Mini Cooper would not be banned from this event ?
Ken H
It would if it got flagged by Customs entering the country with rust issues, undesirable foreign bugs, plant matter or salami
Then I guess I won't be showing up as I could not pass the salami test !
KH
Half eaten Maccas is OK as there is no known food content..............
Bad enough trying to get an original plywood chassis car into NZ even without woodworm - or salami...
[QUOTE=Roger Dowding;63351]
Ray just realised you were typing as I was, Understand that HD is For Sale again, as Mr Quinn needs a sum of money for personal reasons./QUOTE]
You sure about that? He's just sold his Darrell Lea business for $200 million, so that should see him right for a while and buy a few more cars.
Nothing on Google about the reason either Roger, even though we know. Andrew, if you need more info, email me! I enjoyed reading Tony Quinn's book and it gives a reasonably good insight. Apparently, he made money out of it too, which was a surprise to him as he didn't think it would sell as well as it did.
I love autobiographies and biographies and recently managed to track down a copy of Bob McMurray's book in excellent condition, via Trade Me. Another good read is Di Spiers book, "I Only made The Tea". Good friends of the McMurrays.
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You could never call the British saloon cars of that era flash, based on this rather nice Wolseley 6/80. I wonder what it would have looked like painted bright red?
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...like the Studebaker.
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Non-original V8 in a Daimler Sovereign
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Ford V8 Cortina
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In sharp contrast - Morgan 3 wheeler
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Family resemblance?
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Without trying to hijack Rays` thread too much...the Bathurst Festival was crap! Very little effort invested I felt. My dream would be a Touring Car themed event with separate grids for Group C, Group A and Super Touring. There are a number of groups world wide that could be contacted to sound out likely support. Cost would be the killer unfortunately. Imagine themes along the lines of Formula One, Group C Sports Cars, Group B Rally etc. One can dream:) Imagine if HRC and TACCOC could pull these off! Have the cars and charge reasonable ticket prices and watch the crowds arrive.
Anthony
Unfortunately Anthony, NZ being so far from Europe and the USA, it is always going to be almost impossible to attract enough support to make a fully viable international meeting. Judging by Tony Quinn's comments as published, Bathurst is going to be the ongoing theme. Oh deep joy...
If that is going to be the case, then they are going to have to lift the game considerably to attract paying spectators.
I'm pretty sure that Jim Barclay spent a lot of time and effort trying to attract overseas competitors and no doubt where he and his team were successful, it wouldn't necessarily have swelled the coffers.
The Festival certainly needs one or two groups that are more attractive than just a couple of iconic touring cars - and at least 300+ competition cars - not to mention a far more varied and interesting display of show cars. We certainly deserve more than 5 grids too, especially over a two day event.
Where were all the Heritage Touring Cars from Australia? What would that have cost? Jim Barclay may well have succeeded where Tony Quinn failed. And what about display laps? There are cars out there that would be ideal candidates. They might not be racing but they invoke memories and those memories create passion! The Sampson clan went to Muscle Car Masters last year and one of the best features was Heritage Hot Laps...a handful of cars made me tear up every time they went out on track...don`t mind admitting it. This event HAS to be better next time Ray or I won`t be there.
Anthony
Taken from Wikkipedia-
Mount Panorama began as a dirt-track/tourist-drive carved out of the bald hills around the bustling city of Bathurst in the mid 1930s. The Council of the time, specifically Mayor Martin Griffin, had a vision for a premier motor racing circuit with the sharp hills, hairpin bends and a fast downhill straight that would inspire awe and demand respect from all who took up the challenge for years to come. Strong support from the New South Wales Light Car Club, Auto Cycle Union and the Federal Government, through a national employment relief scheme, saw this vision become a reality. On 17 March 1938 Mayor Martin Griffin declared the Mount Panorama Scenic Drive open. He always knew that the road was going to be used for motor racing but Depression Era funds weren't easy to come by, so he had to create a ruse. At Easter 1938 the first races were held and except for the war (WWII), have been run ever since.
Mount Panorama is indisputably a Mecca for motor racing fans all over Australia and around the world. On 16 April 1938, Mount Panorama attracted an overwhelming 20,000 spectators to its first race, The Australian Tourist Trophy.
My point.....So there is a lot of variety and themes possible on a yearly basis if imagination and planning was used properly
Remember the first festival, cars from all over the world there in the huge marque. would have been 90 to 100 million bucks worth just in the big marque. Juniors, F1, Can Am, F5000, sports cars, and out the back HMC, Sports Sedans, your groups. huge, and people loved it.
The first Festival in 2010 was a huge success in terms of the competitor turnout and we not only saw a lot of cars from overseas, but also from the South Island - most we haven't seen since. Despite that, I believe it was a huge financial loss, but the Hampton Downs owners probably saw it as putting HD on the map and therefore money well spent to get the ball rolling.
As we are in the northern hemisphere off season, and given the huge costs to enter high profile meetings and minimal track time there, I believe that the costs of freighting cars to NZ and doing several events would be surprisingly attractive to many racers if they were more aware.
When I say 'minimal track time', think on this. Having attended the Monaco Historics in 2012, over the three days, cars had maybe three track sessions only and the entry fee was $5,000NZD. As is usual, a 15 minute race followed by 30 minutes of hanging around for spectators. NZ events are run to a much better format. Apart from start time, they do not rigidly adhere to the clock and as long as there are enough groups, spectators see far more track action.
Goodwood Revival, one practice/qualifying on Friday (and a 1 hour race at dusk!) and 1 x 20 minute race on Saturday OR Sunday for most groups. Some two driver groups such as the TT might have been 1 hour, but it was still only 9 races a day. Cars had just two track sessions over a 3 day period - and a total spectator sell out with all Saturday tickets sold out in April for a September meeting!
I have no idea what the entry fee is and it is by invitation only but from my perspective, ALL grids are full and it is a photographic nirvana, so well worth the effort. The Pre 1966 public car park alone is worth a visit.
We can't compete with Goodwood, but there is no excuse whatever for a miserably small turnout of competing cars or display cars.
NZ/Australia has a very rich heritage and I agree with Anthony, there is a huge number of cars that the public would like to see, even if they are only doing demonstration laps. I'd even go as far as to say that from behind a camera, I really don't care whether they are racing, qualifying or demonstrating, just as long as they don't all look the same.
Caffeine and Classics managed an estimated 1,300 display cars February last year - and that is without any race or track cars. My guess is that with hangers on and spectators, the crowd would have been far larger than at HD - and no one paid a cent. Motorsport must be one of the few places where the competitor's provide the entertainment - and pay huge money for the privilege...
Blasted images have disappeared again... Getting a bit fed up with posts and/or attachments disappearing. Re posted 12:45
Back to what the thread is about, but I don't mind the diversions! A real mix of cars. It isn't always easy getting an unobstructed shot, so most of these are indeed 'snapshots'!
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Some of the detail touches on customised cars are what makes them so interesting. For a non-engineer/mechanic, is this attaching bodywork to the engine and wouldn't it need rubber bushes? Just curious as I work on the fibreglass bonnet of my own car...
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TVR
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For Spgeti of course...
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Bringing in cars and drivers from overseas can be done - it just requires a bit of commitment and organisation.
In 2017 we organised about 30 Formula Juniors to come here from UK, Europe, Australia, US, Canada etc. They ran at most of the North Island and South Island tracks so there was container transportation to be organised, marquees at the tracks etc. It all turned out OK and we even ended up with a small cash surplus. We are planning to do it again in Jan/Feb 2019. We don't seem to fit in with Mr Quinn's plans so we will probably end up running our own historic event.
More power to your elbow Roger! Pity that future planning by HD seems to largely ignore the Classic/Historic sector and what they contribute via their enthusiasm and obvious ability, to what makes a meeting worth travelling to.
Whenuapai would still be the ideal location for a motorsports/aviation venue and its closeness to the major population hub makes it even more suitable. HD may well be half way between Hamilton and Auckland, but that doesn't seem to have made it attractive to spectators in any great numbers and with zero public transport facilities, it doesn't help.
Wet, miserable and stormy so not working outside on fibreglassing or decking...
Nice Ray, owned a 500 a few years ago and been for a ride in a 308GT.
The trouble today is that we have so many events on and in direct competition as well and that dilutes the grids.
We have a similar event down here like your classics in the park, called the breakfast club, and it is always full to the brim.
It is hard work even just organising a grid let alone a meeting and I take my hat off to those who do.
I did not attend the Bathurst Festival so I really can’t comment but I am heading off to Taupo in the morning so will report back.
HMC/HSC have a healthy grid of 26 so far without the late withdrawals.
Seriously considering selling my GTV and getting a drive on the road classic and go and enjoy the more traditional classic car groups.
My boss at Moss Motors in California, was in NZ last year and he was amazed at the quality and workmanship put into the classic cars he saw such as what you show here Ray.
And he knows what he is talking about.
So well done you Kiwis it does not go unnoticed!
(Ken H)
Nice to see some classics & hotrods Ray. I go to lots of those events myself and have heaps of images of some fantastic cars.
Three totally different takes on what made an American car over the decades. Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet.
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Three totally different takes on what made a British performance car over the decades. Buckler, Sunbeam Tiger and McLaren.
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