Page 17 of 21 FirstFirst ... 71516171819 ... LastLast
Results 321 to 340 of 414

Thread: Dunedin Street Races - revival meeting January 1984

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    You know Kevin Clarkson don't you Spyda. Chairman of Beaded Wheels editorial comittee. Used to race in CAMS and his son Brent still does occasionally. Kevin would I'm sure put you in touch with Andy anderson.

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by GregT View Post
    You know Kevin Clarkson don't you Spyda. Chairman of Beaded Wheels editorial comittee. Used to race in CAMS and his son Brent still does occasionally. Kevin would I'm sure put you in touch with Andy anderson.
    yeah have to get onto it. It's not cheap to travel within nz anymore, my two rental car compaines have put their prices up, one tripled and the other quadrupled, flights are a lot deare, instead of getting a three day weekend for around $150 travel and car it's now many times more, gonna have to rethink moving around the country bugger it all.

  3. #3
    Slightly irrelevant, but I was taken to see Te Pirita airfield remains in 1970 when I was teaching at Dunsandel in 1970. Largest airfield? That's surprising. FWIW Dunsandel Rugby club played in the South Canterbury sub section, although most other areas defined the boundary as the Rakaia river.
    I believe the local garage owner, Ivan Happer raced there.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Oldfart View Post
    Slightly irrelevant, but I was taken to see Te Pirita airfield remains in 1970 when I was teaching at Dunsandel in 1970. Largest airfield? That's surprising. FWIW Dunsandel Rugby club played in the South Canterbury sub section, although most other areas defined the boundary as the Rakaia river.
    I believe the local garage owner, Ivan Happer raced there.
    I beleive when it was built it had the longest runways. It was far enough inshore to not be shelled by warships I would guess is why it was put there. Ivan was a good friend of mine, I've got his old King Dick V Twin.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by jellywrestler View Post
    I beleive when it was built it had the longest runways. It was far enough inshore to not be shelled by warships I would guess is why it was put there. Ivan was a good friend of mine, I've got his old King Dick V Twin.
    I thought Waharoa was vastly bigger, at least judged by the planes that were there, and having walked both! Ivan vowed and declared he hadn't bought a car from me which he paid me money for! (And his daughter crashed my MGA when it was in for a WOF!)

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Oldfart View Post
    I thought Waharoa was vastly bigger, at least judged by the planes that were there, and having walked both! Ivan vowed and declared he hadn't bought a car from me which he paid me money for! (And his daughter crashed my MGA when it was in for a WOF!)
    The airfield was constructed in record time using seconded civilian and New Zealand Armed Forces engineers. Three heavy earth compacted runways up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) long were laid in the prevailing wind directions of the region. The runway surfaces were laid with wattle tree seeds for strength while the base was designed to handle large numbers of US Boeing Flying Fortress and Consolidated Liberator bombers.[1]



    where in waharoa was the airfield, i'll measure them and see what i can see

  7. #7
    Ivan quite probably did race there. He's long gone now, Happers honda is now run by a grandson.

  8. #8
    where in waharoa was the airfield, i'll measure them and see what i can see

    Waharoa is still in the same place that it was when built during the war. Alongside SH27 Now showing on Google maps as Matamata Aerodrome. It has lost some length off both runways, the predominant one almost parallel to SH27 originally went as far south as Wardville Road, and the cross wind runway (shorter) went further west. It had the perforated metal strip, as used in the Pacific Islands under the surface as recently as the early 70s to my positive knowledge. The part at the southern end now not used was prohibited from being ploughed then in case it was needed again at the same time.
    During the war US bombers were stationed there, I am unsure exactly which variety.

  9. #9
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Dunedin Street Races - Festival 1962

    A couple of images from Dunedin.

    Copy of a track map with some notes and the programme - can't read the date on the programme. notes by Graeme Staples.
    Can confirm that the track was as used in 1959 and 1960.
    There are even notes about the gradients on part of the circuit.

    Have found several version of the tracks used over the period 1954 to the 1980's.
    posted before but will group them in a new post.

    Name:  Dunedin 1958 #007 Dunedin Street Circuit Track Map with notes Graeme Staples.jpg
Views: 1516
Size:  47.7 KB

    Cars having fun at a corner - two going ahead, and two spinning around. Year not sure !! Late 1950's *** ??.
    Just checked my notes ;
    *** " Dunedin 1962 - Stan Prestige in the Ford V8, VW and Minor spin - Allan Dick archives. "
    Hard to read the plates - which if 1962 will be the last of 5 yearly issue 1961 - 66 - actually finished in the 1965 -66 licencing year. Black Numbers on a Yellow Plate..
    The corner is, I presume " Service Station Corner " where Wilkie Street meets King Edward Street.

    Name:  Dunedin 1955 #011 1955 Q Saloon cars Ford V8 Morris Minor and VW pair Graham Woods.jpg
Views: 1479
Size:  48.9 KB

    Entry List for the Saloon Car Race - from Graham Woods archives.

    Stan Prestige ran the two tone Ford V8 in 1961 as well.

    1962 Entry List.
    S Prestridge

    Name:  Motor Racing Dunedin #027 1962 Festival Saloon Race Event 4 Graham Woods.jpg
Views: 1345
Size:  101.4 KB

    1961 Saloon Car Entry List;
    S Prestidge .. - different spelling -

    Name:  Programme Dunedin Festival 1961 #041 p20, 21 Event IV Saloon Cars 3 classes CCI15092016_0010 (75.jpg
Views: 1380
Size:  142.2 KB



    Should put all the track maps - various versions of the circuit in one post.
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-14-2022 at 01:56 AM. Reason: Track details Entry list added ###47

  10. #10
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Dunedin - The Tracks..

    In year order ;

    The Track 1954.

    Name:  Dunedin 1954 #002 1954 Street Circuit map  Programme Page 9 arch Bruce Dyer CCI22122015 (700x455.jpg
Views: 1306
Size:  119.7 KB

    The 1959 track same as the the one posted in previous post.
    This from the Otago Sports Car Club magazine.

    Name:  Dunedin 1959 #111 1959 Street Circuit Festival Road Race OSCC Wheelspin newsletter Graham Woods.jpg
Views: 1339
Size:  151.5 KB

    The track in 1961 - from the programme. with notes about the 1960 event.
    The same as the 1959 track but the comments mention the Oval Circuit.
    As seen in the details from the OSCC Magazine about the Track in 1959 - it ran around " the Oval " which was the cricket ground in Central Dunedin.

    Name:  Dunedin 1961 #006 1960 - 61 Track Map Programme page 10 - 11 with 1960 review CCI15092016_0005 (.jpg
Views: 1324
Size:  138.8 KB


    The 1964 track. Proposal for an event in October.
    The Festival Road Races were usually in January or February.

    Name:  Dunedin 1964 #121 1964 Dunedin Street Circuit Proposed Track for October event Graham Woods  (2).jpg
Views: 1351
Size:  75.3 KB

    The 1984 Track for " Revival " meeting.

    Name:  Dunedin 1984 #020 1984 Dunedin Street Circuit Road Race 29 Jan 1984 VCC and OSCC Graham Woods (2.jpg
Views: 1334
Size:  126.7 KB

  11. #11
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Ryal Bush 1956 - Southland Centennial Races.

    Ryal Bush 1956 - Southland Centennial Races.

    The event entry list the Main Race ;

    Name:  Motor Racing Ryal Bush #002 1956 Entry List Southland Centennial Race Giller AH 100 Ross Jensen .jpg
Views: 1292
Size:  181.5 KB

    Cars at the start of the Centennial Race

    The unusual bodied Connaught on the front row;
    The Lesley Marr Connaught that came to NZ and raced at Ardmore and others tracks [ including here ] in 1956

    Name:  Motor Racing Ryal Bush #022 Racing and Sports Cars Ferrari Conaught fr row arch Classic Autonews.jpg
Views: 1265
Size:  44.4 KB

    Had this photo from Graham Woods archives.

    Some interesting photos from this event;
    Not even at the track, but were they going to ? or coming from ?

    Car - Race #1 Aston Martin finished 2nd

    Name:  Motor Racing Ryal Bush #023 Aston Martin Reg Parnell 2nd off the train  Classic Autonews Allan D.jpg
Views: 1263
Size:  48.0 KB

    Car - Race #3 The Peter Whitehead Ferrari finished 4th

    Name:  Motor Racing Ryal Bush #024 Ryal Bush Ferrari #3 off the train Classic Autonews Allan Dick .jpg
Views: 1257
Size:  40.9 KB

    Note that it has the roundels on both side of the nose - presume for left hand or right hand tracks depending on where the timekeepers were ??
    Name:  Motor Racing Ryal Bush #025 Ferrari Peter Whitehead 4th off the train Classic Autonews Allan Dic.jpg
Views: 1248
Size:  50.5 KB
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 01-02-2025 at 05:41 AM. Reason: Notes added Lesley Marr ###47

  12. #12
    There are other pics in that sequence which I've seen somewhere else - maybe TNF ? Pretty sure they're loading post race.

  13. #13
    I had forgotten the days when if you wanted to road freight on a route served by the Railways you had to get , and pay for a permit!
    A relative living in Wanganui (note carefully the spelling) had to get a permit, in person, to take his stockcar to race at Palmerston North, and apply every week. No season ticket available.

  14. #14
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Ryal Bush 1956 - Southland Centennial Races. and 1957 Southland International Race

    Programme Covers for the two Ryal Bush events - these were recently acquired by a TRS member [ not me though ].

    Name:  Ryal Bush Programmes G Staples.jpg
Views: 1251
Size:  111.5 KB

    Would like to see the inside pages where no doubt there was some non - PC advertising ..!!!
    Also note the price went up " sixpence " - whereas the Magazines mentioned on the NZTT thread only went up " half a sixpence "- just thinking !!
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 11-28-2022 at 03:53 AM.

  15. #15
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071
    Added a couple of Entry Lists to post #321 above -Dunedin Festival Road Race -Saloon Car Race -for 1961 and 1962 - where Stan Prestidge ran his postwar Ford V8 Sedan. in two tone Orange and Grey. Car looks like around a 1948 model and has a 3600 cc Ford V8 - side valve motor.

    Cover of the 1961 Programme Saturday January 28, 1961.

    Name:  Programme Dunedin Festival 1961 #048, front & back covers CCI15092016 (750x569) (2).jpg
Views: 1215
Size:  154.9 KB

  16. #16
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Paritutu 1965 .. An Island away from Dunedin..

    A couple more John Larry Lawton images from Paritutu 1965.

    A certain Holden features in both photos.
    Notes " .. " by J L Lawton
    Dave Simpson in his fast front but not yet Fastback " Anglia ahead of McPherson in the FJ Holden and Innes " in a Mini - presume Brian Innes.
    Dave Simpson won all his races that day.

    Name:  Motor Racing Paritutu #049 Paritutu 25 Oct 1965 Dave SimpsonAnglia -pre fastback leads McPherson.jpg
Views: 1229
Size:  74.7 KB

    " McPherson Holden swerves to avoid R C Grace Mini."

    Name:  Motor Racing Paritutu #050 Paritutu Oct 1965 McPherson Holden swerves to avoid R C Grace Mini Jo.jpg
Views: 1194
Size:  79.9 KB
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 01-19-2023 at 12:53 AM.

  17. #17
    looks like Waka Kotahi prepared the corner in the last piccie

  18. #18
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Dunedin 1950's - 1960's

    A couple of photos - one from Allan Dick archives of a line up of cars at a South Canterbury Car Club event around 1952.
    Godfrey Paape, and his Austin A90 Atlantic, that had a few Austin Healey type mods amongst a group of Sports Cars and Midget style racers .. the cars in the background are interesting too a dark Vauxhall,- but what is the light coloured car in front of the group of saloons on the right ??

    Photo was shared by Jonathon Paape one of Godfrey's sons recently.

    Name:  Godrey Paape Austin A90 Atlantic with sports cars and Midget racers c 1952 Sth Canterbury CC arc.jpg
Views: 1161
Size:  40.0 KB

    Also seen recently with a Dunedin connection is this photo of the main streets in Dunedin 1960's with a Mistral and Austin A40 Sports convertible a Triumph Herald and others..

    The Mistral has a strong " Dunedin "connection as " Emslie and Flockton " took over the manufacture / kitset provision of Mistral cars, making both Chassis and Body from Weltex Plastics in Christchurch, the business of Bob Blackburn who raced Mistral's and other cars in the South Island in the late 1950's..

    Name:  Mistral #019 Dunedin 1960's Mistral - A40 Convertible - Herald arch John Newman  (2).jpg
Views: 1181
Size:  74.0 KB

    The Booklet and Brochure issued by both Mistral manufacturers from the late 1950's - given to me by Lloyd Gleeson.
    A VCC and Morgan guy I know..

    Name:  Mistral #123 Mistral Specifications Book Weltex Plastics Microplas Ltd UK advert Emslie and Floc.jpg
Views: 1158
Size:  115.3 KB

    The image also includes an advert from " Microplas "in England who first created the Mistral body and was made in NZ under licence.

    If any Mistral owners would like copies of the brochures, please let me know.

    Cheers
    Roger
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-24-2023 at 04:21 AM.

  19. #19
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Dunedin - the 1984 Street Races January 1984

    The topic that started this thread - photos of the 1984 Races that I attended.

    Among the cars that were racing - at Bethunes Gully Hill Climb on the Saturday, [ while the Sprints were on Fryatt St ],
    and in the Saloon Races on the Sunday was Mark D, in his huge Pontiac Bonneville 1965 model 4 door Sedan. NZ Registration JA1965.

    Mark still has the car and after 30- years in storage it is being progressively restored mechanically and bodywork, largely by Mark's son.

    The car has attended a few car events in the last couple of months in the Christchurch area.

    Here at the " JD's BOP Day " on Waitangi weekend - the Sunday.
    JD - John De Lorean who was " an important figure in Pontiac in the 1960's ".
    BOP - Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac group.
    The events were double as on the Saturday the car was in a " Parade of Old Race Cars " at Ruapuna, and at the BOP day on the Sunday.

    In the background of the photo one of JD's other Automotive ventures - probably more well known for all the wrong reasons.

    Mark Dawbers photos.

    Name:  Pontiac #123 Pontiac Bonneville 1965 NZ Reg JA1965 Mark Dawber JD BOP meeting 5 Feb 2023 M Dawbe.jpg
Views: 1117
Size:  50.3 KB

    The car at another event in January 2023.

    Name:  Pontiac #121 Pontiac Bonneville JA1965 Mark Dawber with friends VCC meeting Jan 2023 M Dawber (2.jpg
Views: 1117
Size:  37.3 KB

    The car before the rebuild / restoration began.

    Name:  Pontiac #074 Pontiac Bonneville Mark Dawber JA1965 to be restored 2022 2 Jan 2017 Mark Dawber.jpg
Views: 1119
Size:  123.8 KB

    The car at Dunedin in 1984.

    At Bethunes Gully Hill Climb
    As an aside - Mark notes that events,
    - " Hill Climbs have been held at Bethunes Gully, believe since the 1920's "
    and that it is
    " a very steep and narrow road with the added hazard of ' bovine guano ' ".
    - seems a bit like Cosseys Farm Road of NSCC fame back in the 1960's to 1990's

    Name:  Pontiac #088 Pontiac 1984 Bethunes Gully Dunedin JA1965 Hill Climb Jan 1984 Mark Dawber M Dawber.jpg
Views: 1110
Size:  32.0 KB

    At the Street Races on the Sunday

    Name:  Dunedin Festival 1984 #077 Pontiac race #77 Mark Dawber photo M Dawber.jpg
Views: 1143
Size:  30.0 KB

    above photos - Mark Dawber archives.

    My own photo of the car in 1984

    Name:  Dunedin Festival 1984 #122 Pontiac v2, CCI27102015_0001 (3) (800x764).jpg
Views: 1119
Size:  151.9 KB
    Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-24-2023 at 04:36 AM. Reason: Bethunes notes ###47

  20. #20
    World Champion Roger Dowding's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Omokoroa Beach Bay of Plenty NZ
    Posts
    4,071

    Another South Island Track from the 1950's - McCormack's Bay, Christchurch

    Another South Island Track from the 1950's, one I had not heard or read about.
    McCormack's Bay, Christchurch in 1953.

    The Roads are still there - the Main Straight was the " New " Causeway and the rest of the track the Original MCormacks Bay Road, around what is by then a Lagoon, so it was a Triangular shaped Track.

    Organised by the " Motor Racing Club " who ran Wigram

    Another Gem from Milan Fistonic - now to find a period Map ..
    - " jellywrestler " Is this in your book ? - there is a connection as some Motorcycle engined cars. !!

    Name:  Motor Racing Christchurch #051 McCormacks Bay 1953 1st Meeting article Page 1 Milan Fistonic .jpg
Views: 1088
Size:  71.1 KB

    Name:  Motor Racing Christchurch #052 McCormacks Bay 1953 1st Meeting article Page 2 Milan Fistonic .jpg
Views: 1075
Size:  76.4 KB

    Name:  Motor Racing Christchurch #053 McCormacks Bay 1953 1st Meeting article Page 3 Milan Fistonic .jpg
Views: 1094
Size:  80.2 KB

    Name:  Motor Racing Christchurch #054 McCormacks Bay 1953 1st Meeting article Page 4 Milan Fistonic .jpg
Views: 1072
Size:  86.3 KB

    The Results - many well known names Tutton, Shuter, Hoare, Green, Haig, Les Moore and one E Sprague

    Name:  Motor Racing Christchurch #055 McCormacks Bay 1953 1st Meeting article Page 5 Results Milan Fist.jpg
Views: 1091
Size:  73.0 KB

    Hopefully Entry Lists /Programmes and a Map will emerge.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •