Ardmore 1959 the Sixth New Zealand " International " Grand Prix.
A very International entry with drivers from the USA, England, Europe and Australia, plus of course our " Local Lads ".
A photo has emerged from Roger Herrick of the Maserati entries in the paddock at Ardmore.
#1 driver Joe Bonnier, Sweden
#5 one of the Temple Buell entries - driver Carroll Shelby, USA
next to that probably
#3 the other Temple Buell car of Harry Schell, France.
The Temple Buell cars were described as the Piccolo Maserati's because of their long shaped noses.
Other Maserati's were ;
#10 of Bib Stillwell, Australia in a 250 F
#12 of Giancarlo Scarlatti,
whilst the New Zealand entries were ;
#18 Ross Jensen Entrant and Driver in a 250F
#20 entered by Ross Jensen, driver not stated in the programme as ' tba ', a 250F.
#24 Gavin Quirk as Entrant and Driver, another 250F.
The Grand Prix had two Heat's of which the first 10 cars qualified for the Grand Prix.
The placings are on the image for each Heat.
- Milan Fistonic archives.
The Full Entry List from the Programme;
The Programme cover - another image borrowed as I do not have a copy.
The Sports Car field that day was also large and some cars were entered in the Grand Prix also including the Austin Healey 100S of Graeme Pierce and M Richards, which did not qualify -
- as noted elsewhere by Milan Fistonic [ on the Austin Healey thread ]
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-08-2024 at 04:38 AM.
Reason: Notes added ###47
Roger,
I attended that meeting at Ardmore as part of a family holiday. probably the meeting that got me hooked on car racing,before that it had been speedway bikes at the Taita track. All down to my parents, dad new Bruce Aberthey at the speedway and also Norm McCutcheon the owner/ constructor of the Normac special from his boyhood. my mother actively encouraged my interest this probably explains why I endedup building DFV.s for Mclaren in the early 70,s and running F1 cars for 4 years in the second half of that decade.
Another photo from Roger Herrick archives; A much better photograph as the cars are not surrounded by spectators
The four 250F Maserati cars 2 long nose and two Piccolo nose style -
#1 Jo Bonnier, #5 and #3 the Temple Buell cars and #10 Bib Stillwell car.
Note the big headrest / shroud on the #5 car of Carroll Shelby. #3 Harry Schell from France.
The Gavin Quirk car #24 that later was with Chris Amon [ 1962 ] and later [ 1970's -1980s ] again fully restored. Chassis number 3509.
Interesting as was owned by the Owen Organisation - the guys behind BRM and has Dunlop Centre-lock wheels and Disc Brakes
another photo from Roger Herrick archives.
The car again with Gavin Quirk. Allan Dick archives.
Chris Amon had a bad crash at Dunedin in 1962. Here in practice - AD archives
The crash. AD archives
The restored car at Ardmore 1989 - posted before. my photo.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-13-2024 at 04:34 AM.
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