Go here for Festival details: http://www.nzfmr.co.nz/index.php of contact Jim Barclay at jimbarclay@xtra.co.nz for further details

Our current event schedule as below:

A. Pre Festival 4pm to 7pm, Dec 18th Twilight Test Session, Hampton Downs for HMC cars(others welcome)
3. Howden Ganley Festival, January 16-18th 2015 at Hampton Downs
4. Howden Ganley Festival, January 23-25th 2015 at Hampton Downs
5. Legends of Speed, March 28-29th 2015 at Hampton Downs
6. Days of Thunder, Queensland Raceway, Australia, June 2015
7. The Lakeside Classic, Lakeside Raceway, Australia, July 2015

Australian Trans Am

It’s now confirmed that 8 Australian Trans Am cars will be shipped over for the Festival to race with the Historic Muscle Cars, although racing to a different set of regulations these cars are still on period 15” wheels and tyres, have conforming body work and other tightly controlled regulations. Both class’s continue to work together to keep the performance levels evenly matched and remember, of all the historic/classic saloon car class’s in Australia and New Zealand, this is the most closely matched Trans-Tasman class that’s equal in looks and performance, this is very important. So come January you will see some fantastic trans-Tasman historic saloon car racing that’s not to be missed.

The Australian Trans Am series have their annual Prize Giving/X-Mas Dinner and end of season function on 15th November in Brisbane, anyone from NZ is welcome to attend. Please contact John English john@budgetheightaccess.com.au for further Details.

Historic Saloon Cars(U3L)

Its still work in progress but I can see this will be a rapidly growing class. From today’s date onwards, this group will be for Saloon/Sedan cars pre 12/77 only, as recommend by the Production Manufacture or FIA. All make and model under 3 litre saloons that actually raced in New Zealand and Australia, back in the period will be given preference over saloons that did not. This does not mean that any odd-ball saloons won’t be welcome, we just need to know what they are first before approving. Remember, it’s the recreation of history that interests us. Obviously vehicles like MK 1/2 Escorts, Mini’s, Datsun’s, Mazdas, Vivas and others were the more common small saloon in the day and will always be welcome, but we need to keep track of them. All cars must have a current MSNZ COD and be to Schedule K or T&C regulations, this is mandatory.

HMC Drivers/Owners Meeting

At the recent Ice Breaker meeting we attempted to organise an HMC conference/get together which didn’t pan out due to me been sick and unable to stay, along with other circumstances. I must apologize for this as most went out of their way to attend. In the future we will have at most every race meeting some sort of racer/driver/car owner get-together to discuss the direction of HMC and other ideas, this maybe from the social aspect up to organising racing at other tracks. My involvement with the Historic Trans Am group in the USA has shown me how they do this and it works for them, so at the Festival we’ll plan some sort of group meeting, this could be prior to the Festival but at least I know at this event most will be in attendance, watch this space.

Other News: If you’re looking to build, buy or update your current HMC car with improvements you must always keep check of the website rules page for updates. We are from time to time adjusting the rules for better understanding, this is usually minor but recently we decided to limited the wheel rim width on smaller cars like Chev Monza’s, Torana 6’s, Capri V8’s & V6’s, 64/6 Mustangs/Falcons, etc as although HMC has a 10” wide wheel rule these cars simply can’t fit a rim that wide without oversize sports sedan style flares, although some think you can! You can still offcourse use the same tyre such as the larger rear 26.5X9.5X15 Hoosier that was designed for an 8” wide wheel. We do have a very good tyre rule that’s unchanged which allows for the maximum size tyres front and rear, always check that you have the correct tyre size as per the rules, no exceptions.

MG Classic Meeting, Manfield.

This is always a great event and worth attending and in its 29th year, well organised and well run so please support Ron and team, the dates are November 14/15/16th

That’s it for another month, any further information contact me, Tony or Steve direct, or turn up at any of the above events for a chat. I’m always happy to talk HMC and historic saloon car racing in general! Remember we have a monthly article in Classic Car Magazine on HMC happenings, along with our race dates, so purchase from your local book store to keep up with what’s going on.

Take care and race carefully!

HMC Tech Auditor, David Graham COD Licence # 23013 david@fleetcaregroup.co.nz
HMC Tech Auditor, Keith Hardgraves, MSNZ Licence Officer, keith.hargraves@clear.net.nz
HMC Photographers, Mike Feisst, Phil Noble, Greg Panton, Euan Cameron, Terry Marshall, Alex Mitchell, and anyone else I’ve missed
HMC Facebook Page, Mike Feisst mikefeisst@xtra.co.nz with Phil Noble helping
HMC Classic Car Magazine articles, Steve Holmes

HMC Directors
Dale Mathers, dmathers@xtra.co.nz or 07-758-8852
Tony Roberts, tony@hamptondowns.com or 021-133-2895
Steve Holmes, monsterracewear@gmail.com or 06-370-3939

www.historicmusclecars.co.nz