Lawrence Bruce sadly passed away on 21-02-2015
Christchurch racing driver & winner of many Osca tittles -- travelling all over NZ -- 1970s --1990s Always admired by so many spectators & friends
Driving Minis -- Escorts -- mustangs -- Camaros -- Victor chev.
All on a shoe string budget was always there to thrill the spectators & enjoy what he loved doing best
Such a happy & friendly guy
May he rest in piece.
Last edited by camaroman slp; 07-18-2015 at 10:41 PM.
I hope some people can send some photos of his cars & history in motorsport.
Laurence was always a person I idolised driving the Blue mustang.
I am 12 years younger than Laurence my name is Alistair
My father used to do a lot of work for Laurence & others on there race cars.
Last edited by camaroman slp; 07-19-2015 at 07:55 AM.
Found this "snippet"....apologies if its repeating existing information.
http://www.nzmustang.com/Images/Hist...ecars/Haig.htm
Lawrence Bruce.
That is sad .. I often wondered & thought of where & what Lawrence was up to , I met him many years ago I would have been a teen at the time , Lawrence seemed to spring up out of no where , but was a very colourful & well liked guy... I looked up to him as a boy like so many others in those years .. & still have the respect ....they were always fond memories of the hey days ....when men were men ..caught up in the drug of motor racing ........ ps what was Lawrence up to etc in the last 30 years ??Originally Posted by woody
He brings back fond memories of the 70s and 80s. He was a very likable sportsman and a great person to be with.
Phoned Lawrence a year or two ago checking Info on OSCA cars & other stuff for this site, still had a mine of info in his head from back in the ~70's.
Lawrence is or was married to Louise B. from Ravensbourne.
I am trying to read the advertising on the mustang ,,,,, independent motors ... that would be Pete Kocas,s garage I think ... on the door might be wrong "terminus" hotel the creek pub where we all hung out ...also on r/f guard Timaru car sales .. its a bit of a blur I remember the car well ..............the old club rooms in the back ground geeee how time has flown but beaut days
Here is a photo of Lawrences Camaro taken in the paddock at Pukekohe in January 1977. This would have been the Grand Prix meeting. That is over 38 years ago - where does time go.
Sounds like a really nice guy - RIP.
The background is almost as interesting as the car.
Mike that photo would have been later than 77 into the 80's I think. Lawrence ran with the OSCA and Sports Sedan boys. Think McElrea, Osborne, Crowe, and Tulloch came up. This was Reds ex-Marlboro Kensington Camaro
Another one to the big track in the sky
RIP Lawrence
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 02-26-2015 at 05:05 AM.
I was there in 82 and saw the car there.....along with George's ex Sidchrome Mustang and the Bulivent Capri which was for sale. RIP Lawrence.
Laurence owned & raced the ex Spinner Black -- Rod Coppens -- Camaro which was sold to Bruce Jenner who drove & owned the yellow Ultra Service Station sponsered 68 Camaro from Timaru. Fantastic looking car with the same wide body flares as on the PDL mustang 1. Bruce Jenner sold the Camaro & went to live in the USA doing R/H drive conversions.Thats when the yellow Camaro was bought by Laurence Bruce who raced & sponsored by AML Performnce Tuning for 1 or 2 seasons when next it was then sold to John Osbourne who painted it blue.Then it spent about 20 years being restored by Canterburys Chris Cullen who painted it red & also went to live in the USA selling the Camaro minus engine, to Tony Boydon who currently owns & races it on special occasions.Such a cool muscle car owned & driven by many people.
Last edited by camaroman slp; 02-27-2015 at 07:07 AM. Reason: Chris
Correct in all your identification Grant but you left out Len Bennetts Mini Cooper in the background
Did Laurence race a Chev powered Victor V8, after the black Camaro I think he was mates with Steve Dymond & Rob Kennard.
Last edited by camaroman slp; 02-28-2015 at 11:47 AM.
Yes, he owned the ex Alec Dickie, Gary Jenkins SBC V8 Victor at the same time as the Ex Dawson.... Camaro. just spoke with Gary to verify this..... I see Rob Kennards name on the Camaro hood.
Last edited by Jac Mac; 02-28-2015 at 09:36 PM.
I think he had a narsty accident in the victor chev at Timaru in its early debut, after he bought the car as it went off the track crashing heavily.Did the victor have the engine out of the ex Dawson -- Haig camaro when Laurence owned the Victor.
I see the car is now owned & raced by Tony Mann who rebuilt it well done Tony great to see it racing again.
Does anyone have any stories & photos of the Victor Chev
Last edited by camaroman slp; 03-01-2015 at 10:03 AM.
Does Gary Jenkins have some photos of the car when it was white as he raced the car so well for maybe 2 seasons of Osca
I remember it painted white and sponsored by A.j. Automotive It would be so good if you could put some photos on or ask some one else to help you do so.
Old stories & photos are fantastic ?
Also also can you put some photos of your car onto Alic Dickies page, with the Anglia & Victor to extend the history of the car aswell thanks.
Last edited by camaroman slp; 03-01-2015 at 10:04 AM.
When speaking with Gary this morning, he sold the car to Lawrence shortly after fixing it from a prang Gary had at Teretonga, Gary also mentioned that Lawrence had mentioned that if the Camaro was not competitive he would repair the Victor and race it instead..... based on that & your post would suggest the car had a couple of fairly substantial hits in a short time frame, Gary thinks that he was still racing the car ~1979 thru early 81 which sort of fits in with my recollections as well. Motor in the car when Gary raced it was 327 out of Art McKee's Monza. there are a few pics of the Victor from Alec & Garys ownerships plus Tony Mann, none of Lawrence or Ross Cameron etc that I am aware of. Victor was Red?/Gold with Makikihi Garage signwriting in latter period of Gary's ownership. AJ Automotive was 'A' for Alec & 'J' for John Beattie who owned the building that AJ traded from., I will check with Gary on the photo stuff.
Last edited by Jac Mac; 02-28-2015 at 11:44 PM.
A mate of mine (stu collett....collect motors Timaru(son)) introduced me to Lawrence, he was racing the Motor Court Camaro, that went to John Osbourne. L Bruce was a a real gentleman, as a young kid itching to get closer to motor racing he was the first driver I got to know... I assumed you guys were all the same as he was and that what's kept my face at the tracks these years....very sad for you guys that knew him well. Will post some photos of the Camaro soon...cheers Bryan
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