On to the BMW's
On to the BMW's
Last edited by ERC; 01-07-2018 at 09:26 PM.
ERC Series - Arrow Wheels - back to the long lens
Another new recruit to the ERC Series/AES group is obviously not pre 1977. If we'd stuck to our original structure of just 4 cylinder BMC cars, we wouldn't now exist as a series. Whilst many object to the pragmatism, we have no viable option. If ERC went back to one group only, by speed, we'd frighten away most of the slower cars. Equally, if we stuck to CoD only, or age or purity, we'd also fall over. As it is, the pragmatic approach sits comfortably alongside the two much newer series, HSC and HRC and those with a CoD or historically more correct, now have a choice of grids.
Last edited by ERC; 01-09-2018 at 12:18 AM.
Ray, I just wanted to comment that 100 pages on TRS and over 590,000 views, that is a lot of photos, Mate.
on another matter,not promising but, hope to get to Hampton Downs on Saturday for the very first time, have been asked by John B, an old Mate. for the " Legends of Bathurst " event
Will keep you posted.,
Had to pass up on the Taupo event the following weekend, a family commitment, so will not be seeing Ken H and others
Great Roger. Hopefully I'll be wearing a pink media tabard and if sunny, an "Australia" hat, or if just fine, a black ERC bucket hat. Usually there first thing and depending on what there is to see, maybe away early afternoon.
Yup, a lot of photographs and I'm trying to cull a few out of the library. So far, I've gone through the road cars - which are generally by country and make and sometimes by model and then, even by driver!
Just about to make a start on the British Race Cars section - about 5,400 before culling. I still have a fair sized bucket load of slides to scan and where scanning has been a failure, (out of focus), some re-scanning to do. One thing is for sure, I won't ever be bored with nothing to do ...
Last edited by ERC; 01-10-2018 at 08:18 PM.
Sorry, pics have disappeared yet again. Re-posted pics 13/1/18
This car is currently for sale. A trace of understeer.
Meanwhile, on the skidpan, with an appropriate number plate?
Last edited by ERC; 01-13-2018 at 01:44 AM.
Ray, will be there have just confirmed with John B, hope to catch up. John has apartment in the Hulme Block- just have to find it.CheersOriginally Posted by ERC
Look forward to it Roger! One for you first, from today. Not seen out on track though.
Legends of Bathurst meeting - Hampton Downs. I'll reserve any comments until after the event, but in the past, this has been a three day Festival and with a huge entry...
Adrian Reynard has brought his own car this time.
Amazing what some of the regular racers have tucked away in their garages...
Slight difference in spoiler heights over the years.
Father and son day out.
Last edited by ERC; 01-13-2018 at 08:19 PM.
Back to ERC/Arrow Wheels
Rob Halliday Senior - Lotus Cortina
John Hudson, who has no idea what winter is. He spends the NZ winter in the UK where he seems to have made a name for himself working on cars - particularly a BMW owned by a regular contributor to a well known UK classic car magazine.
Bruce Manon - in his own car.
Ricky Cooper's well driven Datsun 240Z.
Ron Findlay, V8 Capri.
Beginner's luck with the new lens. Not quite as successful next time out.
Last edited by ERC; 01-13-2018 at 08:26 PM.
Ray, I was just thinking to myself that you have mastered the 'bazooka' very quickly. It took me a bit longer to work out the best settings etc. It's absolutely ideal for turn 3 at HD. I'll be interested to hear of your impressions of the festival. I decided not to go this year - heading down to Taupo next weekend instead.
Thanks Nigel. I didn't go to the Festival Sunday, having been Friday and Saturday (half days).
I'm afraid that a so called 'Premier Event' over two days needs rather more than five race groups and a far better race programme entry list. Terry S grizzles that we don't post car details and in this case, the programme only had the car number, driver's name, car make/model and year (and some of that was incomplete). No colour, no cubic capacity, no driver home town etc. Several duplicate race numbers which works OK with transponders, but trying to work out which driver/car is which will give historian's nightmares.
Unlike Goodwood, demonstration cars are not listed so again, if Tony Quinn actually ran the Simtek F1 car and the Mortimers ran the Surtees, (they weren't run whilst I was there so no idea if they did run), no programme listing for them.
Whilst running an ex Dick Johnson car with #17 might be historically preferable, a small red/yellow/white disc somewhere on the car, or something similar, and a key, would have helped.
1) Legends/Historic Touring Cars - 22 cars. 2 x #21, 3 x #31 - 2 cars with no numbers.
2) Legends Invitation - 24 cars - 2 x #5, 3 x #17, 2 x #87 - 3 cars with no numbers listed.
3) Formula Libre - 29 cars - 2 x #23
4) Historic FF - 16 cars
5) Central Muscle cars - 32 cars.
Long track, small grids = a lot of time staring at empty tarmac. Just 123 cars listed.
My views on small grids is well known but just 5 race groups and 123 listed cars? The only race I actually saw was the first Muscle Car race and they certainly had the good crowd support but I'd be interested to hear other people's views.
Would I have paid a premium price for a ticket? No way. Seeing John Bowe and Jim Richards particularly, driving hard in practice, in iconic cars was a real treat, but if HD wants to make this Festival an annual must see, they are going to have to lift their game a long, long way. Last year was their first, so most were supportive but reserved. Friday, although not a competition day, just practice, there weren't even any programmes available.
Nigel, I think you have made the right choice doing Taupo and John McK will no doubt tell you what HD wanted to get the HSS cars to HD! Look forward to your pics as always.
I still have to finish uploading December, but couldn't resist posting this - on just his second day at the track... Very good to watch into the first hairpin too. Classic case of hard on the accelerator or hard on the brakes. No messing about. Apparently John Bowe really enjoyed the meeting, the facilities, the welcome and so on.
Last edited by ERC; 01-15-2018 at 12:16 AM.
Ray, good pics, saw the " Healey - Corvette " and took a few photos of it [ will put on my Austin - Healey " thread ],plus some of the McLaren in the garage and the details on the sign board, wasn't in the pit area for long as was with John B in the Hulme Block with the end apartment which is right above the start finish line, so lots of pics from there, and it was nearly lunchtime on the Saturday when I ventured into the pit area - Mrs John B had put on a good spread.
"Peter M " from TRS was there too!!, so we chatted about things Motor Racing, and right up Chaindrive's alley, Model of Race Cars, especially McLarens and Kiwi themed cars, and drivers.
Next thing is to download them all.
Impressions of the Festival, I too will be interested.
Later
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.
I felt that for my Day would have liked more racing, even though they had Friday's events qualifying the morning on Saturday was still " Q " qualifying so in the end only about 4 races on the day. and I left at 3;30 when the last race was on.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 01-14-2018 at 03:26 AM. Reason: more comments ####47
Aha! Thanks for that snippet Roger! Could be interesting to see what happens now.
* See later post #2007
I think I also chatted to Peter M - if he is a McLaren Trust member who was on the Monaco 2012 trip and red hot model collector.
Now that most of HD's basics are in place, it could be a good buy as there is no doubt that TQ had the cash available to finish off a lot of the vision initially laid down by Tony and Chris. We just don't want any potential buyer to ignore who actually supported the complex from several years before the first day of racing.
Last edited by ERC; 01-15-2018 at 12:11 AM.
Ray...John McK was doing some Bathurst Revival at home today........new seat covers for a HG Monaro GTS 350, same owner since 1973.
In the late 60s , early 70s, He was filling Hot Rod Mag, Auto news with Bathurst Monaro raves under title.-
"Flink thinks that Ford stinks"
Just had an email from Mike Sexton. He is selling his immaculate Mk 1 Ford Escort. This is the car that Bruce Manon drove from last to first in what is my favourite YouTube in car clip January 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J42ayb1Js2A
"The last dyno sheet had 250 bhp at the rear wheels at 7500 rpm. The Dyno used is the one we have always used and we have good calibration against an engine dyno which has shown a pretty constant 22% loss through the drive line…so 250 bhp at the wheels equals 320 bhp at the fly wheel. Torque is 240 ft Lb at 5500rpm with 200 available from 3500…so it pulls really hard and spins to high 8000s with ease."
The car is road registered and has a CoD. Since Mike acquired Formula Juniors, the Escort just doesn't get used, hence the sale. Anyone who knows Mike will be aware that this car has been maintained regardless of expense and anything Bruce Manon looks after is to the highest possible standard.
If you want to get in touch with Mike or further details, send me a PM. Car is located on the North Shore.
Last edited by ERC; 01-14-2018 at 07:15 AM.
Just got back home(Sunday)I too had an interesting day as well, quite a few people asked where HMC and HSC were and in fact most thought we were supposed to be apart of the program and stunned to find us not there, I explained that after last years mismanagement, disorganization and been left out of any formal information until a month out, we(like F5000, FJ, HSS, ERC/Arrows) decide it wasn't us anymore..........let alone this years massive proposed entry cost been asking around mid last year, just to find out that the SI Touring car group were subsidized or they wouldn't come..........bizarre.
I got told yesterdays crowd(Saturday) was larger but to be quite honest I thought in reality there was really no one there in proportion today...........a very piss poor crowd considering the advertising and high profile........I can see some marketing people getting hauled over the coals id say....LOL
Still, for me after 7 years of back to back weekends every January plus organizing Australian Trans Am over four times I was more than happy to wander around, chatting and having NO part of any of the organizing or any racing group.........I felt really good and enjoyed my day. Was also great to catch up with Jim Richards, Charlie O'Brien and others too.
Also an interesting note, most I spoke with knew little about the Taupo event too........based on that I'm not expecting it to be a spectator haven...........oh well next week will tell.
PS: didn't know Hampton was for sale again, certainly no talk about it from anyone today!
Last edited by Kiwiboss; 01-15-2018 at 06:07 AM.
Agree Dale. I can't see the point in promoting an event and not really delivering. Add ERC to the above list who were not really overly happy with 2017. Remember we had a full 46 car grid (with 7 reserves!) in 2015.
Having promoted several events over the years, I'd far rather attract plenty of paying drivers and turn a profit without advertising or relying on spectator income, than paying for advertising and not delivering a good event - and running at a loss. Like it or lump it, the days of guaranteed solid paying spectators and huge crowds are way gone for most meetings. Clashing with other summer events is always on the cards (men's tennis final Saturday).
I know the early Festivals lost a lot of money, but I can't see how this one would have made money either.
Neither Hampton Downs nor Taupo offers decent covered spectator facilities with an escape from the sun or the rain, so better to make access cheap and get the money in from the drivers.
It was pretty warm at the weekend and I was more than happy to leave midday having bagged enough photographs to give me plenty to add to my collection.
Had I been running it, I would have had any grid with less than 30 cars on the National track rather than scattered around the extended track, well away from spectators. A promoted meeting has to put spectator considerations high on the list. A non-paying spectator event or club event, drivers always come first as they are paying. Simple enough I would have thought.
The GT meeting back in October was another fizzer with just 11 cars starting on the Sunday for the feature event. Both events have been propped up by the Central Muscle Cars. That is both car premium events failing to deliver and merely shows that the TACCOC and HRC organising teams outperformed the current full time team - and they both understand what makes a good meeting.
Looking forward now to a day out at Leadfoot early February.
Last edited by ERC; 01-14-2018 at 09:21 AM.
CMC went to Bathurst last year, so they would be the natural Bathurst Revival class....... along their classic looks,high technology and unlimited horsepower......superspectacular........great troika shot Ray
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