A new member - Rotary fanatic or was!!

[Warninglight]

Was very involved in the sport during the 70,s and 80,s. The times when you could compete with minimal budget (none) and enjoy every moment of it without too much BS. Rallied/hillclimbed several RX3's and raced the ex Findlay RX3 in OSCA with sponsorship from DIC (almost never got caught- DIC that is). Pipped at the post for overall OSCA win in 79 by Johny Osbourne. I was pretty proud of an engine I built that officially surpassed 100MPH on water ( 107 from memory ) was arguably the first rotary in the world to do that. I was particularly happy I wasn't driving that boat !! I look forward to catching up with a number of you on this site. John

[seaqnmac27]

Welcome John.

[Rod Grimwood]

Welcome John, where did the Findlay RX3 go after you had it.

[spinner32]

Welcome John, where did the Findlay RX3 go after you had it.

The shell is sitting in the back of my shed, Rod. It needs a total rebuild, which will be a major project.
It is my intention to restore the car once rotaries are accepted into historics in the SI. e.g Skope

[spinner32]

The shell is sitting in the back of my shed, Rod. It needs a total rebuild, and will be a long project.

However, any photos and information would be appreciated.

[Warninglight]

Hi Rod, I sold it to Don Grindlay of Christchurch who used it for a short period before moving on to a RX7. As you know Rex had it built by Peter Bruin, Bill Shiells etc to race in Shellsport. However rotary's were subsequently ruled out by those in power so Rex traded it on to me. I competed very succesfully in OSCA for 3 seasons Winning B Class and led the outright points until the last race of the season when John Osbourne managed a win. It was an extremely reliable car whilst I had it. Only 1 DNF in that time, blew the apex seals in front of Leo Leonard in the PDL car towards the end of the straight at Wigram.

[spinner32]

Hi Rod, I sold it to Don Grindlay of Christchurch who used it for a short period before moving on to a RX7. As you know Rex had it built by Peter Bruin, Bill Shiells etc to race in Shellsport. However rotary's were subsequently ruled out by those in power so Rex traded it on to me. I competed very succesfully in OSCA for 3 seasons Winning B Class and led the outright points until the last race of the season when John Osbourne managed a win. It was an extremely reliable car whilst I had it. Only 1 DNF in that time, blew the apex seals in front of Leo Leonard in the PDL car towards the end of the straight at Wigram.

Don sold the car to Craig "The Wizard" Hool who successfully ran a 13B turbo in the car for some seasons. He made many changes over the car's career as is the norm. Somehow the late Dean Kirk obtained the car and made some unfortunate and radical body mods, which will be hard to remedy. A friend purchased the remains off Chris Blackwood about 10 years ago, just before it went to the dump. It is our long term aim to rebuild the car, although there has been no decision as to what paint scheme it will be in, Shellsport or OSCA

[Warninglight]

Don sold the car to Craig "The Wizard" Hool who successfully ran a 13B turbo in the car for some seasons. He made many changes over the car's career as is the norm. Somehow the late Dean Kirk obtained the car and made some unfortunate and radical body mods, which will be hard to remedy. A friend purchased the remains off Chris Blackwood about 10 years ago, just before it went to the dump. It is our long term aim to rebuild the car, although there has been no decision as to what paint scheme it will be in, Shellsport or OSCA

Without disrespect to Rex I would suggest that OSCA paint scheme would be most appropriate as it did not compete in Shellsport.

[seaqnmac27]

Without disrespect to Rex I would suggest that OSCA paint scheme would be most appropriate as it did not compete in Shellsport.

Sorry John, but, it was designed to run in the original 0-4200 class ShellSport class when the definition of ShellSport was essentially what became Sports Sedans, so therefore the color scheme as when you got it.

[seaqnmac27]

no, it was built in 75 first run early 76, very definitely ShellSport not BNSW, I think Rex's remembrance of the build is elsewhere on this site. I will find a pic of it from 76 and scan and post as soon as I am able to.