Jim Stewart

A very brief introduction with a focus on the cars I have owned and competed in.

Started competing with the Manawatu Car Club in a tweaked Mk1 Cortina GT, even has a play at rally cross until the rear screen popped out over a particularly large bump.
Next up was a Mk2 Escort RS2000 replica a great little car.
Somewhere along the line I purchased a blood red Australian Escort TC – very special little car that is I believe now a metallic bronze colour.
The first purpose built competition car was the ex Brian Green, Alan Curtis Escort Twin Cam (Now has a BDA in it and is again a road car)
Next was the ex Carl Rabbidge, Wayne Leach Group 1? RS2000 (never got to grips with the low revving nose heavy thing)
Built a 1300 sport in Group1 for the 1986 Rally of NZ Owned by Barry Osborne
Rebuilt a rolled Avenger into another shell and rallied that for a time Sold to Martin Hunt
Purchased the ex Rockgas TE27 Levin Sold to Jack Herbert
Purchased the ex Fussel? Mesco Welding ? BDA – Broke up the car engine was put into the Ex Green/Curtis T/C
Purchased the Ex Tom Mason Yeti (Keith Stewart) BDA Sold to Gay Hawks
Purchased the Ex Neil Allport GTX shell rebuilt as Group N Sold to Geoff Newton
Built Lancer EX 1600 – slow as a wet week but did the international a few times
Drove the works loaned Lada Samara
Purchased the Ex Kim Austin/ Geoff Argyle Nissan GTIR

Current cars
Audi Quattro Turbo coupe 1986
Ford Escort Mk1 V8 rally car
Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution
Porsche 944 S2
Suzuki Cultus (Swift) GTI (modified)

Have a passion for blind gravel rallies and rear drive cars – unfortunately require the money tree to produce a decent crop so I can compete yet again.
Currently fettling the Escort but may purchase another Avenger if a suitable set of circumstances permitted.

Hi there Jim, great intro! Welcome to The Roaring Season, its great to have you here. Thats certainly an impressive list of cars owned and raced over the years. Any there you wish you'd have of kept?

Hi Steve

If circumstances would have permitted I would like to still have the following that I had previously owned
Escort mk1 twin cam – Blood red unmolested road car
Torana XU1 – Refurbished this nice light gold car years ago (Reg GMHXU1)
Escort BDA – The ex Mason/Yeti Group 4 car

Have previously owned the ex Franecivich (Spelling) Dolomite sprint
Regret never getting that one thoroughly sorted (too busy with rally cars)

Jim if you have a look at the Barrie McBride 1 thread http://www.theroaringseason.com/show...lection-part-1, there are some pics from the B & H meet at Manfield Dec 80 or Jan 81, there are some pics from the Manawatu Car Club races at that meet. You would be able to answer an argument that my father and I have been having over the configuration of the Manfield Club Circuit. He is adamant that the pics he has taken are from the cars touring in to go into the pits, whereas I believe that this is the final corner of the club circuit. It would also be interesting to see if you can identify other competitors.

Hi Jim
Your blood red little number is probably the car now with Grant Aitken in Queenstown. He had it at a car show a while back - immaculate Aussie TC and yes in Bronze.
If you want to confirm for old times sake he is on 021 721 745
Chris Read - Arrowtown.

Hi Chris

Thanks for the information I will give Grant a call at some point.
It is great to learn that car is still alive – last I was aware it was in Auckland.
I cant even recall if the car has round or rectangular lights when in my possession or even how long I owned it
As far as I was aware the car had no competition history (or significant panel repairs) but from memory the carbs had been fitted with 33mm chokes and the intake muffler/airbox had been removed.
Despite being standard it was very nearly as quick as the rally T/C I had at the time.

On a couple of occasions I would remove the head from this car on a Thursday evening and fit it to the rally car in order to compete on a Saturday or Sunday, after the event the head was refitted to the road car so I could get to work on the Monday.

Many fond memories of that car
Heading up Ruahine Street (Palmerston North) and minding my own business some silly person in a heavily staged Mazda RX 2 or 3 decided to demonstrate how “fast” his contraption was.
At the first set of lights (Possibly surprised that a “standard” escort could be so efficient) he was trounced.
We rolled up to the next set of lights again side by side, not going to be surprised on this occasion his pride and joy was held at about 5000rpm , the lights changed and this time he really launched the chicken cooker. Unfortunately at this intersection the road was damp and my 110 hp Ford motored briskly away from his furiously revving and wheel spinning 250 + hp jappa.
On another occasion the car was run well into the red in top gear (Rev limiting rotor arm was removed) again another startled motorist in a “fast car” lost out.
Yes the Lotus motor is an engineering dogs breakfast but crazily I would consider owning another if a suitable example came along.

I sold the car to Ian Wright (Great chap who has rebuilt many interesting old bangers) who inexplicably to me changed the colour to bronze when he was tidying it up.