These 3 cortinas were in the car display near the pits
Last edited by nigel watts; 06-19-2011 at 10:06 AM.
Some of mine are 1985... these were great meetings.
This one's 1985 - who could forget the excitement of the Swedish Taxi in the hands of Michelle Delcourt?
Neat photos guys. I always liked that Jim Keogh 635. Was a nice looking car with the maroon and gold colours. I think that was an ex-JPS car from earlier in the '85 season.
The Sierra XR4Ti was an exciting car that never really lived up to the hype downunder. It was built and raced by Andy Rouse in the '85 BTCC, and actually won the BTCC in '85, despite having to miss the first race due to it not having been homologated. It was both quick and reliable in the BTCC, but neither in NZ. It took pole at the '86 Wellington Street Race, but was outpaced by Francevic in the Volvo and Brock in the Commodore, before it broke. Neville Crichton raced an XR4Ti in the early rounds of the '87 ATCC. was this the same car? Where is it now?
How about a video of the 1986 ETCC race at Donington showing many of the same cars
http://www.megavideo.com/?d=T7BZZIDI
note you will have to click the RED play button and then the GREEN play button
(I have all the rest of that season on video as well... Spa, BRNO, etc... sorry about the quality, bit pixellated but thats all I had at the time. Since then Ive got the actual VHS tape and could redo them better sometime.
Last edited by faminz; 06-20-2011 at 08:03 PM.
Neat video Brett. 1986 was really the last great year of Group A. The manufacturer involvement was widespread, and there were teams from Rover, Ford, BMW, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes Benz, and Holden, and most of the cars were fairly evenly matched. But 1987 saw Ford step things up with the new Sierra Cosworth, then the RS500, and although the Eggenberger team were really the only ones to get both speed and reliability out of those cars in 87, by 1988 if you didn't have an RS500, you didn't have a shot at winning.
Nigel, do you have any photos of Commodore 15 (black) from Nissan Mobil Puke
Sorry Rod but I can't find one. I was shooting film then and had to make a couple of films last the whole day!!
That gold AC&B Commodore of Ray Smith and Denny Hulme was sold to Graeme Crosby in early 1986, and Croz raced it with some success in the '86 ATCC, finishing 7th in the championship. He picked up Bob Jane T-Mart sponsorship and the car was painted bright orange. It was found and restored some years ago and the owner chose the Croz guise over the AC&B guise, despite the former World Champion link which goes to show the popularity of the colourful Crosby in Aus.
I spoke to Croz a few months ago at his book launch about the Bob Jane sponsorship and was surprised to learn the package didn't include any money, only free tyres. Croz was happy with the arrangement though, but said he had to throw in the towel in early 1987, as it was just too expensive to compete.
there is a shot of the rear of a commodore ,with "IL CASINO" on the guard. This car has me a little stumped, any ideas as to who it is?
My first thoughts were the ex bowkett car but im not sure?
Huh, yeah that one has me stumped too! My first thought would that it be John Billington. Billington is from Wellington, as is Il Casino. But it wouldn't be the Bowkett car as that was also competing in the Wellington and Puke races those same two weekends, still in Sleepyhead colours. But Billington did buy the Bowket Commodore later that year, so maybe this was an earlier Commodore he raced?Originally Posted by rogered
I have some from Puke that may be of interest that appear to be the same year.
Tony, those are great photos!I have some from Puke that may be of interest that appear to be the same year.
Who it is I don't know, but it would appear to an earlier '308' VK Commodore without the bootlid spoiler as opposed to the later '304' VK's otherwise pictured. Also noted the lack of roll cage support struts visible through rear door windows, perhaps an older 'NZ Touring Car' having a run in Group A?
the missing cage bars are hard to understand, i agree Hmmmm
I suspect the rollcage supports are there, but perhaps following the internal rear roof line then down to the rear parcel shelf.
Often used to be done on more production type cars with rear seats still fitted, in order to avoid putting holes through the upholstery.
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