Historic Sport Sedans

[George Sheweiry]

Well no Custaxie I don't think you need to be that harsh on old Tony, after all I would say he is just as passionate about it all as we are. all I wanted to do there was to remind him a great deal of us have done this out of our own pockets and its easy to pass judgement when you aren't aware of all the comings and goings. As for the period correct class I have no doubt that this is coming just like in the US and England. Look Dale has stood his ground to have a class that replicates the early Trans ams as close as is practical and he has succeeded. John felt that with a lack of period correct sports sedans there should still be an interim class in the meantime and that is what is happening and they are just getting on with it. Because I did such a piss poor job of racing the Mustang back then due to lack of funds and knowledge I rebuilt the car to the standard of preparation it should have had and cant wait for the day to run it up against all the old protagonists to see how it would actually have gone. I just hope that day isn't too far away cause a guy aint gettin any younger. So in the meantime all we can do Custaxie is talk about it,or maybe we've overstayed our welcome!!!!

[CUSTAXIE50]

Well no Custaxie I don't think you need to be that harsh on old Tony, after all I would say he is just as passionate about it all as we are. all I wanted to do there was to remind him a great deal of us have done this out of our own pockets and its easy to pass judgement when you aren't aware of all the comings and goings. As for the period correct class I have no doubt that this is coming just like in the US and England. Look Dale has stood his ground to have a class that replicates the early Trans ams as close as is practical and he has succeeded. John felt that with a lack of period correct sports sedans there should still be an interim class in the meantime and that is what is happening and they are just getting on with it. Because I did such a piss poor job of racing the Mustang back then due to lack of funds and knowledge I rebuilt the car to the standard of preparation it should have had and cant wait for the day to run it up against all the old protagonists to see how it would actually have gone. I just hope that day isn't too far away cause a guy aint gettin any younger. So in the meantime all we can do Custaxie is talk about it,or maybe we've overstayed our welcome!!!!

I for one don't think you have done a piss poor job at it George,do we want to fit into what they do in the u.s,uk.So just looking at what you have just said John will be beating that same old road again (period correct) cars that's not going to work is it,just think if someone calls you up and says after all your hard work that you have done you cant race.Maybe some may feel we have overstayed our welcome I don't give a shit do you lol.

[TonyG]

First of all to custaxie50 - we don't know each other and probably never will other than on this forum. I have actually read those articles on the Custaxie and still don't care that it is not period correct as it is the only way that I am ever likely to see it again in my lifetime so what is wrong with that.

George, my apologies if you have taken my comments about the Mustang as a personal attack on you - it was not! What I was saying was people have different memories of different cars like mine of the Mustang. I remember reading magazine articles at the time that mentioned some of the mechanical troubles you had like many others did with their cars.

Until Keiran Wills came along with his setup for the RX8 I would hazard a guess that no one really had the neccessary budget to do the job, some just had a bit more thanks to some sponsors.

People like different things and different colours. It is what makes us different. Hell look at Steve, he raced a "PINK" Escort back in the day. You liked the Mustang in Black , I didn't. Doesn't mean we don't like the same car.
I am and was well aware of your profession then and now and wished I could build and race a car just like a lot of you did but my choices led me in other directions.
As I also stated , I would rather see the Mustang with Sheweiry on the side than not see it at all.

Ok I have said my piece and I have no doubt that unlike Custaxie on the Custaxie I will say no more.

Tony Growden

[CUSTAXIE50]

First of all to custaxie50 - we don't know each other and probably never will other than on this forum. I have actually read those articles on the Custaxie and still don't care that it is not period correct as it is the only way that I am ever likely to see it again in my lifetime so what is wrong with that.

George, my apologies if you have taken my comments about the Mustang as a personal attack on you - it was not! What I was saying was people have different memories of different cars like mine of the Mustang. I remember reading magazine articles at the time that mentioned some of the mechanical troubles you had like many others did with their cars.

Until Keiran Wills came along with his setup for the RX8 I would hazard a guess that no one really had the neccessary budget to do the job, some just had a bit more thanks to some sponsors.

People like different things and different colours. It is what makes us different. Hell look at Steve, he raced a "PINK" Escort back in the day. You liked the Mustang in Black , I didn't. Doesn't mean we don't like the same car.
I am and was well aware of your profession then and now and wished I could build and race a car just like a lot of you did but my choices led me in other directions.
As I also stated , I would rather see the Mustang with Sheweiry on the side than not see it at all.

Ok I have said my piece and I have no doubt that unlike Custaxie on the Custaxie I will say no more.

Tony Growden

Your missing the point Tony.

[Jaydee]

Avoiding all the 'issues' being bandied around here, can I just make a general point?

If someone takes the time and trouble to start and run a series, they invite the cars that they want to have on their grids. It's their call, pure and simple. I take my hat off to anyone who does run a series. If they want one of my cars, they'll say or I'd approach them and ask. And if they don't want me, it's their call. Thanks to John, Dale, Ray and all the others who make it possible to put these grids together.

Let's go racing.

JD

[RogerH]

Avoiding all the 'issues' being bandied around here, can I just make a general point?

If someone takes the time and trouble to start and run a series, they invite the cars that they want to have on their grids. It's their call, pure and simple. I take my hat off to anyone who does run a series. If they want one of my cars, they'll say or I'd approach them and ask. And if they don't want me, it's their call. Thanks to John, Dale, Ray and all the others who make it possible to put these grids together.

Let's go racing.

JD

I agree John - it is the prerogative of someone to build a car and it is the prerogative of someone to run a series - if the two can match up then the car runs in the series and everyone is happy.

From reading earlier posts there has been some discussions regarding the "Custaxie". I have previously expressed my view on this and I think the matter is straightforward. The original Custaxie is long gone - the current car referred to as the "Custaxie" has (as far as I'm aware) no components of the original car. It is at best a modern homage to the original car but unfortunately not close to being a replica of it. It is great to see this homage car run but it is important to appreciate what it actually is as I fear that over time it may evolve into being portrayed as either the real thing or a restoration of the real thing when neither is correct .

[CUSTAXIE50]

I agree John - it is the prerogative of someone to build a car and it is the prerogative of someone to run a series - if the two can match up then the car runs in the series and everyone is happy.

From reading earlier posts there has been some discussions regarding the "Custaxie". I have previously expressed my view on this and I think the matter is straightforward. The original Custaxie is long gone - the current car referred to as the "Custaxie" has (as far as I'm aware) no components of the original car. It is at best a modern homage to the original car but unfortunately not close to being a replica of it. It is great to see this homage car run but it is important to appreciate what it actually is as I fear that over time it may evolve into being portrayed as either the real thing or a restoration of the real thing when neither is correct .

Well said.

[CUSTAXIE50]

Avoiding all the 'issues' being bandied around here, can I just make a general point?

If someone takes the time and trouble to start and run a series, they invite the cars that they want to have on their grids. It's their call, pure and simple. I take my hat off to anyone who does run a series. If they want one of my cars, they'll say or I'd approach them and ask. And if they don't want me, it's their call. Thanks to John, Dale, Ray and all the others who make it possible to put these grids together.

Let's go racing.

JD

What do you have that could run with these boys

[Steve Holmes]

Custaxie, Jaydee owns and races the ex-Don Halliday MkI Escort, among other very nice cars. If you look at the pics posted on this site of John driving the car, you can see he really drives it extremely well. Its even better to watch in the flesh. An excellent driver and a very cool car, and quite spectacular to watch.

[ERC]

We welcomed Jaydee into our series with the Escort a few years ago, even though it was closer to a full race car than a road car. None of our drivers complained anyway, but at that time, there was no suitable grid for it to run exactly as it did in its day. (We have always had a pragmatic policy as by now most of you will be aware). (Plug problems today with the Escort - a bad batch by the sounds of it. Now OK.)

Thanks to Jon McK's sterling efforts, there is now a far more suitable class for this car. As that class doesn't run very often, Jaydee knows that he can always run the car with us again.

Jaydee is also racing that very rare Aston Martin Vantage with us and although it would always be my first choice over the Escort (for obvious reasons) we respect that at times, that may not be possible.

As always, although we all keep saying "it is all about the cars", we have to quantify that, by saying - "but it is even more important that the driver respects the series' philosophies and drives accordingly".

[Paul Wilkinson]

I would have liked to run my car in the Heritage touring cars, but gearbox is wrong. I bought a ZF for it on a punt from overseas before last festival. Cheap but condition commensurated the price. Gerry was happy for me to run there if I could change the gearbox. So given that I will have to run in with the Sport Sedan boys where I have done the last couple of years, not quite right there but cool running with some really neat cars. Also trying to get the Lotus 47 all going as well.

I was stoked to see the 47 there Paul. I was at the festival today (Sat 24th) and you put on a class show. Definately my pick of the day.

[ERC]

Best of luck for tomorrow John. Hope the repairs are successful!

[John McKechnie]

Ray- thanks for the kind thoughts mate.
I would like to thank all the drivers, crews, marshals, flaggies who were involve with the Historic Sports Sedan class that ran over the 2 weekends, fantastic effort.
There were breakdowns and everybody made the effort into keeping their cars going right to the end.
Also there was no contact between any drivers both on and off the track, always looks good for a Historic meeting.
All 250 posters here given away to fans,such was the interest.
Peter Hooper in the Starlet was my hands down choice for the "Best Allrounder' award- did all races, always well turned out, on time ,cheerfully running with everyone ,entertaining the crowds where ever he was. Super effort.

[Paul Wilkinson]

Was that the 1500cc Starlet? There must be some black-magic at play there - jeez it was quick. Having a David among the Goliaths made the racing much more interesting. Especially given the performance he put in.

[Rod Grimwood]

That last race/run with the Escort and the Starlet at it was great to watch. also the guys out front keeping it close, tidy and entertaining. Pity about the drop outs with problems and bits of smoke etc but that does keep it 'authentic' . Well done guy's

[Grant Sprague]

Thanks Guys , from a spectators point of view...... this was a great fun meeting ....I have only visited this beautiful race track a couple of times .....was a very well earned boys weekend away from a few years staying put working & raising a family... I caught up with some old mates & wanted to see how our locals were doing in HMC being Dale , Pete & Gary.....them & the whole deal very professional I thought given the age of most of us you were giving it plenty of stick [well done Dale I take my hat off to you in more ways than one] was great to catch up with local hero Paul F being there this weekend signing posters etc a really nice humble man , he did tell me a little story or two re the lotus Cortina days & the Mk3.......Hey also Kenny wooow 70 plus & did watch younger Clark & Steve hound him, Ken is still way up there no doubt about that , Also John M was good to meet you , we ended up talking more about ever green trees than race cars .........keep cool guys an other day tomorrow ....... Grant

[John McKechnie]

Was that the 1500cc Starlet? There must be some black-magic at play there - jeez it was quick. Having a David among the Goliaths made the racing much more interesting. Especially given the performance he put in.

Paul- that Starlet is a normal single cam 1500 engine with normal gearbox- you can see how effective it is.
For anyone wanting to do the same and build a Shellsport replica, bring a genuine car in, Crunch at MSNZ has given me the 1982 rules for 0-2000 class..please contact me before you come to a meeting with the car.
Lets get some more Davids with the Goliaths

[crunch]

Paul- that Starlet is a normal single cam 1500 engine with normal gearbox- you can see how effective it is.
For anyone wanting to do the same and build a Shellsport replica, bring a genuine car in, Crunch at MSNZ has given me the 1982 rules for 0-2000 class..please contact me before you come to a meeting with the car.
Lets get some more Davids with the Goliaths

Not a lot of black magic Paul.

Back in Shellsport days there were two Starlets that really flew. One belonged to Warren Burt, the other I know a bit more about, cos I was involved with building and maintaining the beast.
It was a 1300 4K with the engine stood up so it could run 4 dellorto carbs off a Ducati? motorbike. It was driven by Malcolm Webb. AT Pukekohe it wasn't competitive, but at Manfield and Bay Park it was very!

[crunch]

Peter's car is a great example of how it can be cost-effective to run in high profile meetings, and should be an encouragement for future entries in the "Shellsport" class of Historic Sports sedans

[nigel watts]