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.
George Dixon in the 1938 Chevrolet Coupe - race number 141, the car later went to Rod Coppins and he used " 141 " as his race number, with the Chev and the later Zephyr Corvette.
A very mixed field with Chev Coupes, Ford V8 Coupes, a Dodge some Mk 2 Zephyrs, a couple of Jaguars, and a Studebaker Hawk - finally a 3 litre Alvis. The Alvis also raced at Levin and Ohakea in the 1960/61 - 61/62 seasons.
L Carter in the Studebaker, G Giblin in the Alvis, the Zephyrs included Brian Innes in the Motordrome Team car and Dennis Simons in the " Spinner Car Sales " entry.
From the Entry List for the Race - my own notes;
" Ardmore 1962 - Event 8 Saloon Car Scratch Race - over 1600cc class
- G Dixon #141 Chev L Carter #130 Studebaker 4220cc, G Giblin in the Alvis #142 - 2993cc - so a big Six by English standards, - 4 Zephyrs, A Beetham #137 J Hayes #143, B Innes Motordrome Team #144 and D [ Dennis ] Simmons in the Spinner Car Sales Zephyr #153, and two Jaguars plus a Dodge Special of A Jones #145. ".
Ardmore 1962 - The Programme [ thank to Allan on TRS for sending it to me. ]
** The Entry List for the above Race - most classes got only one race in the day, Saloons had one for the 1600cc and under then this one the Over 1600cc Race - Race 8, just before the Grand Prix.
1962 was the last Ardmore Grand Prix event, where Stirling Moss proved to be a " Master " in the rain that developed later in the day. Ken Hyndman archives - with an S Moss signature.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-16-2025 at 05:04 AM.
Was not there, these are from Allan Dick of " Autonews ", " NZ Classic Driver " publications, both of which he started.
.
The photos are from a young " Arthur Uden ", taken by a basic camera that took photos printed as 3 x 3 inch, had something similar at the time.
Details on the photos - will note on the thread too !!.
John[ny ] Riley
in the " paddock " by the Tote building - now long gone.
John[ny ] Riley the Lotus 18/21
Ross Baker in the Heron
Jim Palmer #41 - his Brabham
Bill Caldwell Lola Sports later owned by Barry Cottle.
K [ Keith ? ] Madgwick in a Mini Cooper
Ian Green with the Tojeiro that later went to Brent Hawes, - with Frank Cantwell before Ian I understand.
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