OK, new collection here from Steve Twist. As most of you will have seen from the older collections posted on this site, Steve began snapping photos in the mid-1960s as an amateur enthusiast, while living in New Zealand. He continued on into the early '70s, before taking a break, returning in the early '80s before moving to the US where he still resides.
This latest batch are all production touring car related, and all from the Benson & Hedges endurance series, which replaced the single 500 mile race, that had traditionally been held at Pukekohe since the 1960s. The last 500 mile B&H race was held in 1980, and won by Rod Coppins/Jerry Clayton, in a Holden Commodore SL/E.
From 1981, the B&H endurance classic became a 3-race series, taking place at Pukekohe, Bay Park, and Manfeild, all North Island race tracks. The first season was a closely fought contest between the hottest (for want of a better term!) locally assembled production cars; the Ford Fairmont Ghia, and Holden Commodore SL/E. Remember, only New Zealand assembled cars could enter the large capacity class, and although neither the Fairmont Ghia nor the Commodore SL/E were ever intended to go motor racing, they were the best local option available. The Fairmont Ghia was powered by a 302ci V8, the Commodore SL/E a 308ci V8. Both featured automatic transmissions.
After the 1981 series was won by Leo Leonard in his Fairmont, General Motors New Zealand decided up the game, and took advantage of a loophole which required only 25 homologation models be locally produced to be eligible for the series. And so GM-NZ, through their competition department, headed by Robin Curtis, set about building a small production run of just 30 special SS Commodore's, specifically designed to win the B&H series. Peter Brock was brought in as a hands-on consultant, and his company supplied some of the parts. The Commodore's featured a 4-speed manual gearbox, limited slip diff, stiffer suspension, 15" Simmons wheels, and an increase in power, by about 70Kw.
Unsurprisingly, the new Commodore's cleaned up the next couple of years, eventually requiring a rule change to further open up the regulations, and bring the Fords back into contention.
Steve's photos cover both that 1981 season, and then the following two seasons, and are all based at Pukekohe. He has focused more on the outright contenders, and in particular, the Commodore's.
Its not a big collection, only 20 photos, but they still capture this interesting period in NZ production car racing, as the long-held concept of racing strictly stock-standard vehicles was coming to an end.
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Originally Posted by hilstwist
