This is from the Speedsport report of the 1997 Southern Festival of Speed meeting at Dunedin.
There were no bike races at the 1992, '95, '96, '98 meetings.
This is from the Speedsport report of the 1997 Southern Festival of Speed meeting at Dunedin.
There were no bike races at the 1992, '95, '96, '98 meetings.
Speed limits and conversion from " English " to Metric = MpH to KpH
This from Kelvin Brown
" Had to check that, our NZ road metric change was in 1975. Of interest were the NZ open road speed changes we have had. 1962 from 50 to 55 mph, 1969 from 55 to 60 mph, 1973 from 60 to 50 mph or 80 kph. 1986 from 80 to 100 kph. "
This makes more sense now ; - and a bit more on the McLaughlin Healey
- These speeds are from 1963 - Thanks Kelvin Brown.
Would have been the inaugural " Pukekohe " New Zealand Grand Prix meeting.
Keith Yeats in the Orchid in this part and the other McLaughlin / McLoughlin in a Sprite
Will put the full list on the Pukekohe thread
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 09-13-2020 at 12:12 AM.
didnt we change to KM in 1974?
You could be right, I was just going by the comment above which mentions 1975 - and remember getting stickers with numbers for the km equivalent of the proposed KM equivalent speed limits to attach to the speedo on my first Mini back in the late 1960's.Originally Posted by jellywrestler
Didn't get to July or August and will miss September too !!
A couple more photos from the June event - when UN7284 was allowed out for the first time in 12 months as road legal and mobile again.
Had mentioned using this thread a bit like ERC's just a mix of pics as don't want to start another thread.
Apologies if any posted before - will keep away from AH and Austin [Metro ] as know they have been seen.
just posted on ERC's thread that Brazilian Jeep
J for Japan and H for Humber - probably never seen together before.
A couple of random photo's both taken at Te Poi, near Matamata on a property in Rapurapu Road SH28 - this
" VANDUB " a Kombi camper belongs to a family friend who called in to see us in Omokoroa this week -[ in her modern - which was a pity ] I will see VANDUB when next in Auckland.
VANDUB.
" Year: 1970
Make: VOLKSWAGEN
Model: KOMBI
Colour: Blue
Second Colour: White
Submodel: CAMPER
Body Style: Self Propelled Caravan
VIN: 7A8J40J1095073055
Plate: VANDUB
Engine No: 5545AD-378542
Chassis: 2272073055 "
Another Family friends vehicle an ex Tokyo Fire Department Toyota Dyna Fire Truck a 1990's model but when it arrived in NZ only had about 7000km on the clock, my friends Dad owns it and it lives in Matamata.
The DYNA
" Year: 1997 (1996-09)
Make: TOYOTA
Model: DYNA
Colour: Red
Body Style: Flat Deck Truck
VIN: 7AT0H60EX18003572
Plate: LMJ637
Engine No: 3L-COVERED
Chassis: LY151-0003572
Vehicle Type: Goods Van/Truck/Utility
Seats: 6 "
Yes it does seat 6 - a double cab and still has all the clips on the back of the front seat for the firemen to stow their gear.
The owner sitting in the Drivers Seat - he loves his new Truck - his other vehicle is a Long wheel base Land Rover Defender also of 1990's vintage a Station Wagon version, and on the farm a SWB Landrover Pickup of around 1990 vintage - another Classic
Ken H, Kevin H and Rhys N will all know the area.
Cheers
The answer is there if you hover your cursor over the Photos.
The link was sent to me by Richard Armstrong, a Rally and Racing guy from Hamilton Car Club, now living in Tauranga.
Three well known cars, well - One very well known one well known and the third known for being unusual !!
One still exists and is in New Zealand the second still exists but not as seen here - the third ?
details may a bit incorrect on this photo - all from Glen Kirk archives.
Will try to find if Glen has anymore.
Photo from Jim Bennett archives with his brother in the Morgan ;
Jim notes ;
" Nelson December 1960. Right to left. RA Zephyr Ron Rutherford hiding The RA Lycoming of Duncan Rutherford, Brian Mabey BCM ahead of Wally Darrell, Keith Roper V twin Cooper, Stewart Ransley Riley, Ivan Bennett Morgan ".
further comment from Graham Kyle - Morgan owner and racer back in the day
" Behind Ivan's Morgan was Bob Stewart in his V8 sports special, and the Austin A40 could be either Dennis Stanton or one of the Collins brothers. "
Thread now covers South Island races and other events - rather than create a new Thread.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-13-2021 at 08:08 AM.
A couple of photos have come to light recently from Waimate in 1966.
This the Saloons with a very wide grid
Anglia left and right - others in the middle; Fowog, A40, Lotus Cortina.
A photo from Dave Simpson's own archives - Dave's Fastback Anglia on the right with Fahey beside ;
a version of the track - understand it did vary - this from the 1964 programme.
Going through a book in my collection by NZ Classic Driver, a Special Edition from 2012 called "A Dashboard View ".
It had a collection of articles from the first 10 years of the Magazine ;
Included was an article on the Dunedin meetings and a small summary entitled " High and Lows " - winners and the bad events crashes and tragedy.
Ron Roycroft raced at Dunedin in a variety of cars, The Alfa Romeo, The Bugatti [ Bugatti - Jaguar and the 41/2 litre Ferrari
Some of Rons own notes about Dunedin and other events in the 1950's - in his lists of events in the various cars - Rons own notes - as posted in the NZ Classic Driver Book.
Bugatti and Alfa Romeo
Bugatti - Jaguar
Ferrari 4.5 litre
- the " Pale Blue " car - ex French driver Louis Rosier, I understand [ as in need to check !! ]
I note that Johnny Mansell who sadly was killed at Dunedin drove Rons car on at least one occasion
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 07-19-2022 at 05:30 AM.
After the war Motor racing returned to the new Zealand Motoring scene.
Pre-war many courses were on Beaches,but there were a few " Speedway " circuits and others " Hennings "in Mangere Auckland and others.
Seagrove Airfield on the Manukau Harbour was a new course after the war and used from 1946/47 onwards.
In 1948 a 100 Mile race was proposed at Waimari in Canterbury using a set of roads in the district.
The proposal was declined by the police and so the Club and group involved finished up having a race at Wigram Airforce Base on the Airfield.
A plan of the track with details of the roads used and the direction of travel.
Thanks to Graham Woods for the image.
A story from Wikipaedia - seems a bit inaccurate - see bold **.
" Wigram Airfield Circuit was a temporary motor racing circuit at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, New Zealand. The airfield is a former base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. The temporary circuit was 3.540 km (2.200 mi) with a 1.3 km (0.81 mi) main straight.[1] The first summer meetings held at Wigram Aerodrome in 1949 are considered the oldest motor races in New Zealand **.[2] The track hosted rounds of the annual Tasman Series from 1964 to 1975. For safety reasons, the last race at Wigram (for classic racers) was held in the year 2000.
Wigram also held the 1974 New Zealand Grand Prix which was won by Australian race driver John McCormack.
The Lady Wigram Trophy which was organized by the Canterbury Car Club had been raced at Wigram Aerodrome since 1949.[3] The race for the trophy has since moved to Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park.[1] "
My late father was one of the group who found that circuit - and worked the landowners round to approval. Then of course it was declined Police approval - despite, I was told, the "old pals act " being worked hard on senior Police.
He went on to become one of the founder members of the Motor Racing Club - which ran Wigram for many years. Not the Canterbury Car Club as above. Amalgamation came many years later.
wow, was he a bike man too? Do you think this would have been a combined meeting, bikes and cars?
I don't recall any mention of bikes being included at that point. I'd have to look at the book which is the history of the Motor Racing Club to see when they first ran at Wigram. Unless someone on here has a copy.
And yes, of course he was a bike guy Spyda. A Grade at Monica Park speedway prewar. Scrute for first season of Aranui and chief lapscorer at Cust up to '61.
I understand that a large part of the "old pals act" being used on the senior police to get the circuit approved came from the old man having taught a lot of them to ride a motorcycle pre-war.
Going through some " Old " magazines, in this case one of the "Classic and SportsCar " that I did not pass on and came across an article by " New Zealand Classic Driver " Contributor and Book Reviewer Mark Holman.
The article appears in the May 1989 Issue Volume 8 Number 2. It covers both the Ardmore meeting in mid January and the Dunedin meeting " two weeks later ".
.
I had attended the Ardmore Meeting in 1989 and had previously been at Dunedin in 1984 - the story that started the thread. I saw the " Hanuman " ERA at the time 1984, both racing and in a Motor Cycle Showroom during the week prior to the event.
As noted a couple of famous cars had missed Ardmore because of shipping /unloading issues, but were at Dunedin.
As an aside - Photos from Lewis Townsend as processed by Ross Cammick - there are quite a number from Levin and other events. Myles Hicks apparently knows or knew Lewis and has other photos from Ohakea events too !! Which i hope we get to see..
Question ; Levin photos -must find an appropriate thread to show them ?. - Preferring to keep this thread for " South Island " events although have put some others on here.
Or maybe this thread should be " Dunedin and other Classic Events ".
PS Thanks to Milan Fistonic for identifying the Sports Car " Brian Watson's Missattor " behind the Rex Flowers Lotus 6 in one of the Lewis Townsend photos on the Austin Healey thread
Got a message from Mark Holman,regarding the article in C and SC May 1989.
as follows;
" Hello Roger
Thanks for your kind words and for the photos and recollections which brought back great memories of both race meetings. My first ever ‘big’ overseas magazine article too!
The Ardmore meeting, from memory, suffered from the non arrival of various cars from overseas (BRM V16 among them?) and it was very hot. I must have caught the train from Wellington up & back. It was well worth it anyway.
The Dunedin race meeting was brilliant; I just loved the circuit and the range of cars present. A couple of photos attached; there are more!
The Wigram Country Gents meetings from the late 80s were magical too.
Thanks again and kind regards
Mark H "
The non-arrival of various cars is mentioned in Mark's text in the article.
Mark also added three photos from Dunedin.
The ERA, being tailed by a Formula Ford ?
The Nissan Prince " 2000 " GT - I put Nissan on the photo - Nissan took over the Prince Motor Company around that time. see plate details below - now added **.
Prince being followed by an Alfa Romeo Saloon...
Stanton Corvette - being followed by another Single Seater - Formula Ford ?.
- Need to find a copy of the programme for the event.
The Track was different to the 1984 Track apparently - the " Wharf Circuit ", used in 1984 and 1986 and is described as the " Oval Circuit " ....- now to find the details.
A bit of detail on the " Prince ".
" 1967
Make: NISSAN
Model: PRINCE
Colour: White
Body Style: Saloon
Plate: JH17
Engine No: G7158531
Chassis: 54111642
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 5
CC rating: 1,988cc
Fuel Type: Petrol "
Plate details;
" JH17
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Exempt Class A (EA) vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 15-Mar-1976
Cancellation Date Of Registration: 30-Oct-1995 ".
JH plates - were issued in 1980 according to information I have so the Mar 1976 dates seems - irregular.
- 1967 plate issue was EE to EL prefixes.
- 1976 plate issue was HO - IJ,
On checking the Carlos Neate Prince GT, which did come to New Zealand new but it was in 1965 had Registration prefix DV ..[ DV8717 ]
" 1965
Make: PRINCE
Model: SKYLINE
Colour: Cream
Submodel: GT
Body Style: Saloon
VIN: 7AT0EL03X21100486
Plate: DV8717
Engine No: COVERERED
Chassis: 54-100486
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 5
CC rating: 1,998cc
Fuel Type: Petrol
Assembly Type: Imported Built-Up
Country of Origin: Japan "
Plates History
Plate Effective Date
DV8717 05-Aug-2021
DV8717 01-Jan-1965.
The Carlos Neate Prince GT at Dunedin - a different event. Crawford Street Sprints in 1967.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 07-26-2022 at 11:52 PM. Reason: DV8717 photo notes added ##47
what programme do you want? got some Dunedin ones to sort today
" jw " - sent you an Email, cheers, Roger
" Question ; Levin photos -must find an appropriate thread to show them ?. - Preferring to keep this thread for " South Island " events although have put some others on here.
Or maybe this thread should be " Dunedin and other Classic Events ".
Never got it renamed to Lost tracks etc.. but it now is ..
As noted in the First Post - Old Tracks and Old Events apart from Pukekohe will post on here "
A couple of photos from Lewis Townsend - the archive that Ross Cammick has been working on ..
Ohakea. 1961 The grid was wide not deep..
Levin. 1960
More to come on these - have information on many of the drivers and details of the Cars..
A collection of photos from Ohakea 1961 - from the Lewis Townsend collection - processed by Ross Cammick.
The entry list from the archives of Graham Woods - the Racing Cars Sports Cars and Specials.
Some of the entrants cars ; The Racing Cars
Coopers of different styles and engines.
Climax - Tony Shelly
Repco Holden - Jack Malcolm
Bristol - A A ' Bert ' Grimshaw - Jones.
A Special - The Normac. - Normac III.
Chevrolet 6 powered. built by the McCutcheon brothers - they made two Racings cars, Normac I and Normac III.
They all used the same Wayne Chevrolet Engine.
Information on the cars from Bob Homewood Milan Fistonic Graham Kyle and others.
More of the Lewis Townsend photos.
In the Paddock
Tojeiro Jaguar of W R Gardiner ..
parked behind Ivy Stephenson Buckler #3, W S Donnelly Zephyr Special #19, another Sports Car - looks like a Mistral body is it the Missattor ? and G G Eder in #10 an Elva Ford.
Ruddspeed 3000 - the Russell Leathers car that later went to the McLaughlin Brothers.
Rod Coppins at speed in the XK120 ..
The XK120 at Alfriston with Rod and family - friends - from the Coppins archives.
MG TF - believed to be a Spectators Car.
Saloons on track and Grid Field photos to come
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-01-2022 at 04:13 AM. Reason: Gardiner ###47
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