New Zealand ShellSport Saloon Series 1978 - 1985

[Rod Grimwood]

Lets keep the personal knocks out ah, we all appreciate the history and knowledge being shared, back then we did not all agree on things and the same now, but now we shave ourselves, we are meant to be big boys now.

[Carlo]

Lets keep the personal knocks out ah, we all appreciate the history and knowledge being shared, back then we did not all agree on things and the same now, but now we shave ourselves, we are meant to be big boys now.

Total agreement with you Grimme, people who want to get personal and/or political can go play in another forum, there is far too much history of cars, events and people to be enjoyed than have to have to put up with the other nonsense.

Now as to the end of Shellsport, as was alluded to earlier by Lurker, it had run its course. The problem was that the cars were getting older and while the likes of Mk1 Escorts Twin Cams were still very competitive they had been out of production for a number of years. A number of incentives were introduced to try and get people to move into newer model cars but unfortunately they were all front wheel drive and being some of what could be called 1st generation Japanese FWD cars they were not really suitable. Now if we had taken a holiday for about 8 -10 years until the likes of the cars that we saw in the British Touring Car Championship such as the Primera, Vectra, Peugeot, Volvo, Honda etc had been built then the incentives etc would have worked and I am sure we would have still had the magic of the class. Unfortunately the 1st generation Japanese sourced cars that we had in our fleet at the time simply were just not suitable for turning into a racecar while still remaining true to the spirit of the Shellsport class.

[kiwi285]

I met up with Don last week and had a good look at the car. It is in pieces at the moment and the engine needs some work done but it is a great looking car and would really like to see it on track again. Thanks Don.

I have always had a thing for this car..The first time I saw it was at Manfeild and Francis Pointen had it in green and white with a Lotus Twin Cam in it. Later on a club mate Kevin Simpson bought the car and painted it black. He changed the engine for an alloy BDA that he got out of the Ralt of Davey Jones at the end of the Puke meeting. The engine was also set back at that time. During the rebuild a number of parts were replaced and I ended up with the seat and dry sump tank. The seat still does service in my kids go kart.!!!

[worsel]

Here you go Rod, got this from Bryce today

[markson]

Any one remember Bryce Platt racing the CHEQUERED FLAG Escort ??? Graham

[Russ Cunningham]

Total agreement with you Grimme, people who want to get personal and/or political can go play in another forum, there is far too much history of cars, events and people to be enjoyed than have to have to put up with the other nonsense.

Now as to the end of Shellsport, as was alluded to earlier by Lurker, it had run its course. The problem was that the cars were getting older and while the likes of Mk1 Escorts Twin Cams were still very competitive they had been out of production for a number of years. A number of incentives were introduced to try and get people to move into newer model cars but unfortunately they were all front wheel drive and being some of what could be called 1st generation Japanese FWD cars they were not really suitable. Now if we had taken a holiday for about 8 -10 years until the likes of the cars that we saw in the British Touring Car Championship such as the Primera, Vectra, Peugeot, Volvo, Honda etc had been built then the incentives etc would have worked and I am sure we would have still had the magic of the class. Unfortunately the 1st generation Japanese sourced cars that we had in our fleet at the time simply were just not suitable for turning into a racecar while still remaining true to the spirit of the Shellsport class.

I understand & appreciate what both of you chaps are saying but we should not validate any injustice just because time has passed. We all remain answerable for what we've done & please acknowledge that the question I posted was simply that! A question to be answered.

I might add that I've received three emails from TRS contributors who whilst not wanting to be named, are apparently far more well informed than myself on the reasons behind the demise of Shellsport.

TRS is a forum for the likes of this to be discussed.

Russ Cunningham

[Steve Holmes]

I'm all for robust discussion Russ, but is this a subject that needs to be discussed? Whats the best possible outcome from discussing this?

[Steve Holmes]

Here you go Rod, got this from Bryce today

Cool!

[richard lester]

If Shell chose to channel their money into an academy that created the careers of people such as Greg Murphy then I have no problem with that.

i am sort of struggling a bit here.....can someone correct me if i am wrong please.
Shell withdrew from the shellsport series at the end of the 85 season.......is that correct.
The academy as it is referred to that started the carreers of greg murphy amongst many others commenced in the 1990/91 season...

and there is a perceived connection between the two..........??...really.

[stirlingmac]

Don't forget the class was revived/revamped as the Tootal Coolwool 2.5 series allowing rotaries to run. Keiron Wills ran his ex Aussie Grp C RX7 which was then turned into the RX8. I remember the buzz at the time was touring car racing grabbing all the attention and many potential smallbore racers took to running Corollas etc in the B&H series and then the Nissan Mobil Series. When touring car budgets got too much for many, SS2000 was developed and continues to cater for the smaller capacity modified saloons.

[richard lester]

Don't forget the class was revived/revamped as the Tootal Coolwool 2.5 series allowing rotaries to run. Keiron Wills ran his ex Aussie Grp C RX7 which was then turned into the RX8. I remember the buzz at the time was touring car racing grabbing all the attention and many potential smallbore racers took to running Corollas etc in the B&H series and then the Nissan Mobil Series. When touring car budgets got too much for many, SS2000 was developed and continues to cater for the smaller capacity modified saloons.

yes ,i am aware of that,it was the inference that shell stopped supporting the shellsport class to tip their money into the 'academy' for young drivers when there was a 5 year gap between the two...

[Habu]

Thats what I remember Shellsport cars as (pic of Mk1 Escort)!
Im only a young fella compared to alot of you guys on here and I have no idea how or why the series ended - and to be perfectly honest, thats history as far as Im concerned. What I do know, is that as a young lad, standing at the entry into the sweeper at the front straight at Puke, the Shellsport cars were the coolest cars to watch. The McNamara Escort was where it was at for me, thats for sure!

[stirlingmac]

Sorry Richard I wasn't having a dig at you or Russ , just highlighting that a class for small capacity cars continued but the spotlight turned to the touring cars.

[Rod Grimwood]

Any one remember Bryce Platt racing the CHEQUERED FLAG Escort ??? Graham

Yes, with Knitwear on screen. Burnt Orange colour.

Thanks Worsel, Be good to catch up with Bryce, last saw him imitating a rally driver.

[worsel]

Hahaha Rod, a bit like this maybe?


Paul

[Rod Grimwood]

Hahaha Rod, a bit like this maybe?


Paul

Oh! He did get sideways. Yea, thats him. PS need a contact maybe for Bryce so i can catch up.

[seaqnmac27]

Here are some from the Kevin Thomson collection

[seaqnmac27]

[stirlingmac]

Great pics !!! Are there any more....???

[Howard Wood]

Oh! He did get sideways. Yea, thats him. PS need a contact maybe for Bryce so i can catch up.

I will pass on your request to Bryce. He does look in here on occasions too.