Photos: The Graeme Bennett Collection - Part 3

[Steve Holmes]

Could this be Robbie Francevic in the Modus?

[Steve Holmes]

Dave McMillan in Ralt RT1

[Rod Grimwood]

Could this be Robbie Francevic in the Modus?

Believe so,

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rod

[Steve Holmes]

Here is Ken Smith in his La Valise Travel March. Really good looking car this one.

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of Rosberg

[Steve Holmes]

And Millen again

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

Richard Melville in the March. What a pretty car this is.

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

OK, the rest of the pics in this chapter are from Pukekohe, and the 1979 New Zealand Grand Prix. Keke Rosberg was off doing Formula 1, but in his place were a new batch of fast hopefuls, trying to climb the ladder, including Teo Fabi, in the March. Alongside him is Larry Perkins, still only 29 years old when this photo was taken, and trying to rejuvenate his single seater career.

[Steve Holmes]

More from 1979, and here is Ross Stone again in the Cuda. I assume this must be after its rebuild in which it incorporated ground-effects?

[David McKinney]

Are you sure that's 1979? The JR3 was rebuilt as the Cuda 5, incorporating ground-effect technology, by Adrian Reynard in 1980

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks David, no I'm not sure at all. I'm only working off the race results, the opening Puke image that has Fabi and Perkins on the grid, and the visible changes made to the Cuda. Fabi didn't race in NZ in 1980, and although Ross Stone drove the Cuda in 1979, it doesn't appear to have raced at the NZGP in 1980. Reynard then raced it in JR5 form in 1981. So perhaps the photo I posted above shows the car still in JR3 guise from 1979, and not the JR5? The black helmet with red and white stripes is similar to what Ross Stone is wearing in the earlier photo. Reynard raced the car as #5.

I only guessed it was the ground-effect version because of the deeper side skirts, relocated radiator etc.

[seaqnmac27]

More from 1979, and here is Ross Stone again in the Cuda. I assume this must be after its rebuild in which it incorporated ground-effects?

This is the 1978/79 season. Adrian Reynard came over and drove the Cuda JR5, as this car became, in 1980/81. Still think it looks best as it did in the orange original version.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Sean, great info. I eventually managed to find a magazine photo of the car during that 1981 season. Its repainted white with Sleepyhead sponsorship.

[Steve Holmes]

This appears to be Eje Elgh in the March 782. Finished 4th and 6th in the two Pukekohe races.

[Steve Holmes]

David Oxton in Chevron B34.

[Steve Holmes]