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Thread: Northern Sports Car Club - the early years.

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  1. #1
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Name:  Win Bristow Alfa ; Ron Roycroft #2 19-05-2015 04;06;01PM (500x315).jpg
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    The Ron Roycroft Alfa Romeo, with some details of his races. sketch by Winton Bristow.

  2. #2
    Greetings Duncan,

    It would be very worthwhile to get the photos you have scanned and recorded here.

    The Singer nine in the mud is Driven by Ralph Watson but is his Four seater, rather than the Le Mans which was his second Singer. Refer here, pages 6 & 122/6. ---

    http://ralphwatson.scienceontheweb.net/

    The NSCC mud plug was officially titled, “The Winter Trial” and was certainly a fun event, but it comprised a serious component in the clubs yearly calendar, with a still existing designated trophy. It was Ron Roycroft’s habit to specially acquire a Model T Ford each year in order to win the event. However on the last occasion, he ran second to me after I attacked the final hill at maximum speed in my very versatile ACV8. LOL

    Them were the days. Trevor.
    Last edited by Trevor Sheffield; 06-14-2015 at 09:05 AM.

  3. #3
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Trevor S , sent you a private message, cheers Roger D. re Ralph Watson and another BSA Special.

  4. #4
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield View Post
    Greetings Duncan,

    It would be very worthwhile to get the photos you have scanned and recorded here.

    The Singer nine in the mud is Driven by Ralph Watson but is his Four seater, rather than the Le Mans which was his second Singer. Refer here, pages 6 & 122/6. ---

    http://ralphwatson.scienceontheweb.net/

    The NSCC mud plug was officially titled, “The Winter Trial” and was certainly a fun event, but it comprised a serious component in the clubs yearly calendar, with a still existing designated trophy. It was Ron Roycroft’s habit to specially acquire a Model T Ford each year in order to win the event. However on the last occasion, he ran second to me after I attacked the final hill at maximum speed in my very versatile ACV8. LOL

    Them were the days. Trevor.
    Name:  Roycroft and NSCC Up to Speed page 81 #2, CCI04082015 (2) (800x530).jpg
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    Name:  Roycroft NSCC Up to Speed page 82 #3 , CCI04082015_0003 (3) (488x640).jpg
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    Name:  Roycroft NSCC Up to Speed page 83 #2, CCI04082015 (2) (561x640).jpg
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    Name:  Ed and Una's Riley with others Helensville Mud Trial 1949 . 17-05-2015 02;03;24PM.jpg
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    " The Winter Trial ", as Trevor calls it was a very popular event and gets some mention in Scott Thomson's book, " Up to Speed " the Ron Roycroft biography. It mentions a lot of names, Ken Hemus [ who is an official at the 1956 Ardmore NZ Grand Prix ] and others who feature in NZ Car Club history of the time.
    The last photo was taken at Helensville and is at the same Hall that the photo of Ron Roycroft in the book was taken
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-13-2015 at 10:13 PM. Reason: correction from Milan Fistonic

  5. #5
    The author of "Up to Speed" is Scott Thomson.

  6. #6
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic View Post
    The author of "Up to Speed" is Scott Thomson.
    Milan, you are so right - need to look before I type. now corrected in the post, thanks

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    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Name:  Win Bristow Ardmore Holden Special - Australian Competitor 19-05-2015 04;07;59PM.jpg
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    Name:  Win Bristow Ardmore BRM Pits, with details of plugs - smaller 19-05-2015 04;15;49PM (307x450).jpg
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    Name:  Win Bristow Ardmore single seater 19-05-2015 04;11;16PM.jpg
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    More of the sketches from Ardmore NZ Grand Prix 1956. By Win Bristow.
    Interestingly the Austin Healey featured earlier John Seabrook driving #16, was subsequently owned by David Lichenstein, Phil Neill [ racer of some note ] and Mark Donaldson - founder of the Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand.
    Not much detail with a couple of the photo's

  8. #8
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Name:  Win Bristow Ardmore Aston Martin DB 3 19-05-2015 04;09;50PM.jpg
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    Name:  Win Bristow Ardmore, Pits Healeys 19-05-2015 04;12;43PM.jpg
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    Ardmore NZ Grand Prix, 1956;
    Two more Win Bristow sketches, probably should have been another thread, all the photo's and sketches from Eddie Dowding.
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-14-2015 at 07:00 AM. Reason: photos did not attach.

  9. #9
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Not the early years, but a Northern Sports Car Club member [ racing for Austin Healey Car Club NZ ] at the 1983 Jaguar Drivers Classic Le Mans Relay Race.

    Name:  Healey at Pukekohe 1983) (2) (800x553).jpg
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    A collection of photos, which will post as a new Thread to follow.

  10. #10
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    In a recent conversation [ E-mail ] Eddie Dowding advised me that as well as being Club Captain / President of NSCC, as a School Teacher at Seddon Technical College in the early 1950's he taught a teenage Bruce McLaren when Bruce was in the 4th Form.
    Bruce's interest in cars was apparent then which Eddie would have enjoyed too!!
    The College was based in the central city in those days, not at Western Springs where it is now. small world.

  11. #11
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Dowding View Post
    NSCC, was formed during the second world war - believe or not and from what I have gleaned from my Uncle Albert Edward " Eddie " Dowding, initial discussions took place on the Ferries bewteen, Auckland City and the North Shore jetty's, Devonport, Northcote and Birkenhead. Eddie lived at the time in Herne Bay and caught the Ferry to Northcote to visit his girlfrend. amongst the group initially involved were, Phil Seabrook, Alan Pybus, Laurie Powell and others, Ron Roycroft was a member in the late 1940's too !!. Eddie Dowding and his brother-in-law Jack Boot both belonged, Eddie was Club Captain in the early days / years.

    Eddie is still alive and well at 95, and many years ago gave me a few photos on NSCC and some events.
    Here are a few to start

    Name:  0NSCC Concours TRS NSCC Concour TRS #2.7-05-2015 01;51;51PM (640x337).jpg
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    NSCC Concours 1947 -

    Name:  Ed and Una's Riley with others Helensville Mud Trial 1949 . 17-05-2015 02;03;24PM.jpg
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    NSCC Helensville Mud Trial 1949

    Name:  Jack Boot - Riley Special  cinder track Huntly mid 1940's #2 17-05-2015 02;16;37PM (640x475).jpg
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    Jack Boot Riley Special - raced at a Cinder Track in Huntly - year not known but late 1940's.

    As I find more will post them.

    Please add to the thread.
    In my rummage around the garage, I found Eddie's Memoirs written in 2006, It has some information on the his cars and a mention that he was Club Captain 1943-45 and its second President 1945-46, although the NSCC website has him as Eddie Downing, must get that corrected
    ** the entry was corrected back in 2016 following my contact with the Club
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 05-18-2020 at 03:14 AM.

  12. #12
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Eddie Dowding who provided all the photos sketches turned 96 today.

    As one of the founding members of NSCC an early Club Captain and later President, I am pleased to say had a good conversation with Ed today on his 96th Birthday.

    Name:  Austin 7 Tourer - modified by Ed and Mac Dowding pre-war 1938 resize #2 !!CCI08072015 (902x1280).jpg
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    Here he is on the left as a 20 year old .. with Ted Kippenberger

  13. #13
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Not an NSCC vehicle The Rangitoto Bus - photo from Ed Dowding

    1924 White Bus, photo from mid 60's.

    Name:  Rangitoto Transport - 1924 White Bus v3, CCI25102015_0001 (800x553) (2).jpg
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  14. #14
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Northern Sports Car Club in later years..

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Dowding View Post
    NSCC, was formed during the second world war - believe or not and from what I have gleaned from my Uncle Albert Edward " Eddie " Dowding, initial discussions took place on the Ferries bewteen, Auckland City and the North Shore jetty's, Devonport, Northcote and Birkenhead. Eddie lived at the time in Herne Bay and caught the Ferry to Northcote to visit his girlfrend. amongst the group initially involved were, Phil Seabrook, Alan Pybus, Laurie Powell and others, Ron Roycroft was a member in the late 1940's too !!. Eddie Dowding and his brother-in-law Jack Boot both belonged, Eddie was Club Captain in the early days / years.

    Eddie is still alive and well at 95, and many years ago gave me a few photos on NSCC and some events.
    Here are a few to start

    Name:  0NSCC Concours TRS NSCC Concour TRS #2.7-05-2015 01;51;51PM (640x337).jpg
Views: 8840
Size:  77.1 KB
    NSCC Concours 1947 -

    Name:  Ed and Una's Riley with others Helensville Mud Trial 1949 . 17-05-2015 02;03;24PM.jpg
Views: 24094
Size:  162.5 KB
    NSCC Helensville Mud Trial 1949



    Name:  Jack Boot - Riley Special  cinder track Huntly mid 1940's #2 17-05-2015 02;16;37PM (640x475).jpg
Views: 19794
Size:  141.2 KB
    Jack Boot Riley Special - raced at a Cinder Track in Huntly - year not known but late 1940's.

    As I find more will post them.

    Please add to the thread.
    Rather than start a new thread, I have other articles photos, etc, connected with Northern Sports Car Club. Bob Homewood posted a photo on Facebook about his property, which would makes a great grass hill climb site, and Brent Thomas, Owen Thomas' son, Owen was President of NSCC back in the late 1960's made a comment which prompted me to reply.

    Some of this has been posted on other threads, Hillclimbs Sprints etc by Ross Cammick and Yards and Yarns,
    This will connect related pictures and articles, results etc.

    PS, Eddie is still getting around, at 96, not in Riley these days, but a little Dae Woo. I was talking to him last week.
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-15-2015 at 10:38 PM.

  15. #15
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Cosseys Farm Hill Climb the article from 1967/68 NZ Herald

    Michael Clark now lives at the site - there was a video posted a while ago which shows the new sealed road is different to the original metal track, with a concrete pad at the start.
    Name:  Cosseys Hill climb article 1967 #2 (500x424).jpg
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    I first ran there in 1971, in this Mini [ this is a Dennis Green photo - at Woodhill - Tom Grace's farm also 1971]
    Name:  Mini Woodhill 1971-2, 18-04-2015 11;44;04AM.jpg
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    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-16-2015 at 02:11 AM.

  16. #16
    One from my wall, Mini Max [me]Name:  Mini Max Cosseys Farm.jpg
Views: 1917
Size:  130.5 KB Cosseys Farm 3/12/67 FTD and new hill record . 54secs .Not sure if they always used same start finish but seem to remember start was uphill on concrete.

  17. #17
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ross Hollings View Post
    One from my wall, Mini Max [me]Name:  Mini Max Cosseys Farm.jpg
Views: 1917
Size:  130.5 KB Cosseys Farm 3/12/67 FTD and new hill record . 54secs .Not sure if they always used same start finish but seem to remember start was uphill on concrete.
    Ross, love the attitude of the car and the driver, a great shot gives us some idea of the hill, done the start and the right hander then the short straight, the left hander on wards and upwards .. great memories for this guy.. thanks. Ross..
    and the start was always the concrete pad, the finish, not so sure.

  18. #18
    Ross- 1974 Cosseys Farm was still uphill start on concrete.

  19. #19
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John McKechnie View Post
    Ross- 1974 Cosseys Farm was still uphill start on concrete.
    Yes, they used to chock a non driving wheel, so at the back on the Mini easy, not so on rear wheel drive, as had to get the chock out quickly, and the hockey stick ..

  20. #20
    I found that when I ran my quite warm 1275 Cooper S at Cossey's it was near impossible to get traction at the start and recording a decent time was therefore hopeless. I somehow recall cow dung on the concrete.

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