So the majority of these are from 1980/81? or 81/82? I am guessing the latter as there is, what appears to be, a Yellow first generation Ford Laser in the background of #17.The Telstar would be 83/84? I have a vague memory that October 83 was the Telstars competition debut, this would be Dave McMillan given the number in #12, if I am right, then I think Dick Johnson also drove one, I have a very vague memory that his car was #43
Half right , Dick & Gary.. shared a ford telstar & won their class ...... the ford was prepared by Ray Stone.....
Brilliant shot here of the Statesman getting all crossed-up.
This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.
The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.
In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!
The car in 5th is the Lorimer/Lawrence EscortOriginally Posted by Steve Holmes
This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.
The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.
In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!
Brock Oxton, Wilkinson Chrichton, Rod McCallum Wayne Jones, Janson Hulme, Morton Lowe would probably be the 5 Commodoreas and Bruce and Wayne Anderon in the Fairmont. The fastest Fairmont was Gary Sprague and Leo Leonard, but they refused to take part in the one lap dash for qualifying so started 10th.This photo is from 1982. Its easily recognisable as suddenly the field is swamped with the new GM-NZ SS Commodore's, which were specifically designed for this series. Only 30 cars were built (29 painted white with red and blue stripes, plus 1 black one with gold stripes). Robin Curtis was largely responsible for the very existence of these cars, as he was heading up GM-NZ's competition department at the time, and he had Peter Brock and Phil Brock help in both development and parts. At the time, these were the fastest Holden Commodore's you could buy, regardless of which side of the Tasman you were on, because they weren't fitted with the anti-smog equipment of th Aussie cars.
The SS Commodore's completely dominated the series, headed usually by the two GM Dealer Team cars of Peter Brock/David Oxton, and Peter Janson/Denny Hulme. Thats the Janson/Hulme car just ducking into the dog-leg.
In this first season most of the Commodore's retained their factory colours, though many were repainted the following season. Some continued on racing, others ended up back on the road. Car dealers at the time did their best to hide any racing history, as that immediately detracted from their value. These days, of course, the opposite is true!
Interestingly it was a fastest 14 in that one lap 'Hardies Heroes' style dash.
From the other pic, it would definitely be 83 as this race held 14/11/82 still had Cortinas, plus, now I will stand to be corrected here, but the 626 wasn't introduced, like the Telstar till early 83. Essentially the same cars of course.
Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.
Would be probably 83 Steve because of the Telstar, It may be the Myhre/Slater car previously shown looking at the colours. Will have a look at the relevant Motoring News issues.Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.
The only 2 626 teams I can find from 83 are Graeme Bowkett/Bill Leckie and Ken King/Alwyn Marshall. I would add that I do not have the Pukekohe issue of Motoring News, rather the Manfield one.Not sure if this is the same year as the picture posted above, but a Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar, which are pretty much the same thing, swing into the dog-leg.
Now, more from the 1983 series (1983/84 NZ racing season). Although the series is still being dominated by the SS Commodores, now most teams have painted them up in their sponsors colours, rather than just applying sponsors decals to the standard SS colour scheme as had been the case the previous year.
This is the Neville Crichton/Wayne Wilkinson car.
Here is the Ray Smith/Denny Hulme AC&B Commodore which won the 1983 series.
Thanks heaps for this Sean. I do have a couple of photos taken from the same spot in the 1983 race, so wasn't sure where the 626/Telstar image fitted in.
Great work Sean, many thanks.
Now, I assume this is Trevor McLean?
That`s right Steve, this, and another previous side on photo earlier in the thread, is the Trevor McLean / Alan Kemp `Papakura Wreckers' Commodore. The day Alan Kemp got his competition licence on the club circuit in his V8 Chevette was one of the best out of control saves I have ever seen! Rod Grimwood may have been there, but Kempy was late getting out for his race, and by the time he came around by Railway to head back towards the stables he couldn`t see any of the other cars in his race. So thinking they must be doing another warm up lap, he gives the Chevette a real shoeful..... only to arrive at the corner of the stables to find his opposition lined up in their starting order, right in front of him! What could have been a horrendous crash turned into one of the funniest `chase the steering wheel' demonstrations I have ever seen. The late Noel Goodwin was rolling around on the ground beside me pissing himself with laughter.Now, I assume this is Trevor McLean?
Graham Mortenson, in his official capacity, couldn`t see anything funny at all! Definitely a bit of humour!
Last edited by fullnoise68; 02-13-2014 at 08:45 AM.
Thanks Steve, great story!
Mike Price, current owner of the Janson/Hulme GM Dealer Team SS Commodore from the 1982 series has confirmed that this is the Midgley brothers car leading here. The Midgley's bought the car following the 1982 season. I need to ask Mike what the situation was with the Midgley's. They're Mormons, and therefore couldn't attend the racing on either Saturday or Sunday. It could be that they missed Saturday qualifying at each event. But they were very competitive in this car.
Yep, remember that, we all looked in the mirror in unisone, and I know I thought 'What the f$^k is Kempy up too'. Steve that Chevette was a hard case thing, and would have been a handfull any way but with Kempy it was never staright. The officials frowned on some of the behaviour back then, like the time I backed out onto the grid and 'Qacker" comes up and asked what was going on and I answered 'you said it was a reverse grid start' another telling off, but Goody loved it (he dared me) Good days then.
Did Kemp take the Chevette down to Ashley Forest?
Yes he did and the late Kim Austin drove it. In later years Kim also drove Don Hickmans Donovan V8 powered Starion there as well.
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