Dog Box Club

On the Cambridge Monaro thread a question was asked about the Ranch Wagon Fire Tender rather than divert that thread I thought it best to start a new one with what litlle I know about some of that history. My apologies if I get any facts or names wrong or not included.

The Doghouse Club was originally formed in England by Betty Hill, wife of racing legend Graham Hill and the wives of other drivers to raise funds to purchase safety and first aid equipment for the racing drivers. A branch of the club was formed in Australia by driver’s wives who named it the Downunder Doghouse Club. After a few visits to Australian race meetings it was decided to form the same in New Zealand and the Dogbox Club was born in 1969.

A committee was formed with President Jeanette Phillips and Secretary Kath Fahey. Regular members included Margaret Boyle, Colleen Davie, Nita Dawson, Hazel Jensen, June Lawrence, Shirley Marwood, Heather McLean, Judy Palmer, Lyn Pearce, Cheryl Pelham, Lyn Riley, Mary Sharpe, Joan Whittaker, Colleen Woolfe and others. Patrons included Mae Smith and Ruth McLaren. Among the Clubs’ supporters were business people, the Auckland Car Club, the Northern Sports Car Club, the N.Z.I.G.P and the Northern region of the Racing Drivers Club.

Different fundraising activities were undertaken by the club including a harbour cruise, fashion parades, raffles, car trials even a ballet performed by a few drivers not looking quite as racey in tutus as they did in overalls. Race days had sausage sizzles after every meeting and soup kitchens at the long distance races. The children used the trolley pictured to collect mountains of empty glass bottles which were cashed up and added to the fund.

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Looking at all your info , I am glad that I found this Jack Inwood pic and posted it for GPBK to get this going.
It is easy just to roll up, watch and leave.
There was real dedication and a sense of community here.
Cars may be the stars , but never forget the hard-working volunteers who make the show run.

Number one on the list of equipment was to be the Fire Tender. Originally this was mounted on a trailer along with buckets containing blankets soaked in a special solution to wrap around drivers in the event they suffered burns. This was towed around New Zealand to all meetings with the 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon driven by Brian Hill and Dave O’Connor both no longer with us. Brian recently and Dave many years ago.

Brian will be well known by many on here as a Wormald representative and track commentator, a true character and one of the good guys.

The Wagon and trailer were later replaced by a Ford F100 pickup making travelling and maneuverability much easier.

The F100 was eventually sold and replaced by the Dodge. Its final years were spent at Baypark Raceway where it remained being used right up until the tracks closure. This important part of NZ motor racing history survives to this day.

Drivers then and now owe a debt of gratitude to the efforts of all involved in helping make the sport safer particularly the ladies of the Dog Box Club.

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Interesting insight, thanks for sharing. The girls had a good rollup for the sausage sizzle in the dusty Bay Park pits.
Also I had no idea Brian Hill was involved with the fire crews : he was the commentator at Bay Park from day one and was excellent, combining a pleasant, knowledgeable manner with good humour.....and a backdrop of Herb Alpert music !
A good man.

Another good sign of driver danger awareness then was THE Jim Clark in 1967 donating 12 pairs of Nomex racing overalls in a fine gesture following Kerry Grants bad fire crash. Wonder who got them?

Great follow up to an otherwise innocuous question. Thanks to those that have preserved a neat machine that may have otherwise been discarded as having no merit or value. It would be nice to see the Fire Boss on display at some future historic events if the owner is amenable.
Bruce.

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Originally Posted by John McKechnie

Another good sign of driver danger awareness then was THE Jim Clark in 1967 donating 12 pairs of Nomex racing overalls in a fine gesture following Kerry Grants bad fire crash. Wonder who got them?

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Bryan Faloon got one pair.

Looks like A very young Steve Millen standing with plate waiting for a sausage. About right time with Escort in back ground just before he moved to the Jag.

I think the Escort in the background is Don Halliday's.

Seem to recall it had white lower with pale blue roof and a red stripe.

Spear Racing/Lynn Ropes ?

[QUOTE=Rod Grimwood;31299]Looks like A very young Steve Millen standing with plate waiting for a sausage.

I can tell you it's Don Davie doing the cooking.

I wonder what has caught everyone's attention over on the right.

Maybe the drivers cycle race getting ready and a certain driver pulling a wheel stand falling sideways?
The Lawrence bros twin bicycle joined at the hip with a rear spoiler above them-that would make the punters look.

Motorman November 1970-
"Seems that Motorman is in the dogbox for not mentioning the Doghouse Club, recently formed by wives and girlfriends of racing drivers. They did a sterling job at the Benson & Hedges meeting, providing the refreshments ( hot and cold ) throughout the long day. Their aims follow those of the similar organizations in Britain and Australia."
Pit Chatter page 28

In Tasmania a group was formed on 11/2 /1971 called "Women for Wheels" with similar aims.
It still functions ,fund raising etc for Safety Equip etc

Rather than start a new thread I will post this here since it already includes some history of the Fire Boss which is now offered for sale.

I am not the owner but if anyone is interested in purchasing the Fire Boss please pm me and I can pass on details to the owner for contact.

It is hoped that someone within the fraternity will recognise that this is a nice, perhaps important piece of NZ Motorsport the likes of which are often overlooked in museums and collections not being a flash race car but significant nonetheless.

If offered to the general public it risks being broken up and the history lost. It has had a reasonable restoration done and is in very good condition. It wouldn't take too much to restore it to a very high quality.

Some not very good photos follow but if anyone is genuinely interested and requires better ones I can arrange that,

Thank you.

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That would be a great addition to the Millen collection at Leadfoot Ranch!

That is exactly the sort of place it belongs. We will contact him and see if he's interested. Thank you for that suggestion.

Keep me informed please. I have a plan B if needed.

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Originally Posted by GPBK

Rather than start a new thread I will post this here since it already includes some history of the Fire Boss which is now offered for sale.

I am not the owner but if anyone is interested in purchasing the Fire Boss please pm me and I can pass on details to the owner for contact.

It is hoped that someone within the fraternity will recognise that this is a nice, perhaps important piece of NZ Motorsport the likes of which are often overlooked in museums and collections not being a flash race car but significant nonetheless.

If offered to the general public it risks being broken up and the history lost. It has had a reasonable restoration done and is in very good condition. It wouldn't take too much to restore it to a very high quality.

Some not very good photos follow but if anyone is genuinely interested and requires better ones I can arrange that,

Thank you.

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Bit of activity on the Baypark 67 - 95 thread - GPBK can put a couple of the photos and your note there too !!
Rhys - good idea - Birthday Boy !! cheers Roger the elder !!

Thank you gentlemen. In the process of getting in touch with Rod Millen, he may be out of the country. Will give it a day or two to see if any other interest is shown then may explore your Plan B. Some better photos and a dedicated thread may help. Last resort is Trade Me.

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Originally Posted by GPBK

Number one on the list of equipment was to be the Fire Tender. Originally this was mounted on a trailer along with buckets containing blankets soaked in a special solution to wrap around drivers in the event they suffered burns. This was towed around New Zealand to all meetings with the 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon driven by Brian Hill and Dave O’Connor both no longer with us. Brian recently and Dave many years ago.

Brian will be well known by many on here as a Wormald representative and track commentator, a true character and one of the good guys.

The Wagon and trailer were later replaced by a Ford F100 pickup making travelling and maneuverability much easier.

The F100 was eventually sold and replaced by the Dodge. Its final years were spent at Baypark Raceway where it remained being used right up until the tracks closure. This important part of NZ motor racing history survives to this day.

Drivers then and now owe a debt of gratitude to the efforts of all involved in helping make the sport safer particularly the ladies of the Dog Box Club.

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:)