New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC

[Dave Silcock]

I heartily agree with Parnelli, we have been pushed around by the most stupidly inconcieved rules for far too long. Enough is enough. Its hard to belive the total bloody mindness of the organisation. They don't seem to be there to help but to hinder, it s almost too hard to get your car and yourself approved too race. If one did a poll of people who have given up racing, I'll bet a large proportion of them would cite the organisation and the bullying attitude of its officials.

[Kiwiboss]

Hold your horse's here guys!! the rule is law so 95 it is and also Hampton have consent issue's to conform to, BUT i believe TR and CW are working on a possible consent application change for Classic and Historic ONLY events to allow overseas historic cars that never ran mufflers to come to NZ for these special events, so watch this space.

Also, i have run open exhaust at Skope, Amon and at BMW and did so at the recent Ice Breaker, i blew 103DB so had to sign off with the DB guy. I got pinged at Timaru 3 years ago and had to changed my exhaust. I have a slip-on exhaust system i can change in 2 min, my advice to all racing at Denny Hulme next year is to do the same. I can't advise anyone to run open exhaust's but should they do so, have it so you change quickly should you be required(never been asked yet).

When i took my Mustang to Sears Point and Thunderhill a few years back, friday and Saturday where open exhaust days, sunday we all had to run mufflers, most of the historic Trans Am don't have a slip-on muffler system so their race was Sat and they stood down on the sunday. It seemed crazy that one day is OK but the next isn't, BUT thats the "consent rules" they have to work to up there and like i got told, better than NO open exhaust days!!

Dale M

[John McKechnie]

So Steve, with a moniker of fullnoise68 does that mean you would like your 68 to run full noise?
Dale, thanks for a glimmer of hope.

[fullnoise68]

From where I`ll be sitting John, that`ll be happening regardless!

[Steve Holmes]

By my reckoning, any events where F5000s are racing, you should be able to get away with running open pipes on a sedan car. You'll still not be as loud as the F5000s. Especially if the pipes stop in front of the rear wheels. The loudest sedan car I've ever heard was Norm Beecheys HT Monaro, but it had open pipes that dumped down right behind the front wheels! But, as Dale said, make sure you have a quick-release set-up where you can switch to mufflers, just in case!

[Steve Holmes]

I agree Mike, it`s a nice looking car. The one thing that I have noticed with HMC and how it`s shaping up, is the both the level of commitment - whether financially or authenticity - and the like mindedness of the guys that will be competing and I reckon when the punters see 20 plus of these cars coming up the hill for the first time at Hampton Downs in January, it`ll make people realise what Steve, Tony and Dale have worked so hard to make happen and I for one am looking forward to being part of it.

Steve, another important reason this class is taking off is because guys like yourself, and John McKechnie etc, who are genuine enthusiasts with a real interest in history, are getting right in behind it and building/buying cars specifically for it. You understand the purpose of the class, and you're getting involved due to your passion for history, and your genuine passion for old big-bore sedans. Its all about the cars, and you guys get that.

[John McKechnie]

Steve (HOLMES ) .your reckoning to me is a sound as sweet as Norms 350

[fullnoise68]

Steve, when you look at commitment to HMC, I look at guys like Murray Brown and Dave Sturrock, etc, who are prepared to change existing cars to comply with HMC and obviously spend plenty in the process for no reward other than the satisfaction and enjoyment of running against similar cars. Only having a few race meetings a year, but good meetings, will in itself create interest in the class.

[John McKechnie]

I agree with you Steve, having seen the details of stripping these cars and converting to new rules just for the pleasure of running with HMC is truly amazing.To start from scratch is one thing, but to tear down existing proven work and rebuild takes this to a higher level.

[Rod Grimwood]

Parnelli got my support as well Dave, I parked up in 88 and that was over bulls&%t with the bone headed officialdom at that time. Christ sakes we had a bloke who played in a Vee (dont get it wrong, close racing great stepping stone) telling Sports Sedans what they could and could not do, hello.

[Parnelli]

Hold your horse's here guys!! the rule is law so 95 it is and also Hampton have consent issue's to conform to, BUT i believe TR and CW are working on a possible consent application change for Classic and Historic ONLY events to allow overseas historic cars that never ran mufflers to come to NZ for these special events, so watch this space.

Also, i have run open exhaust at Skope, Amon and at BMW and did so at the recent Ice Breaker, i blew 103DB so had to sign off with the DB guy. I got pinged at Timaru 3 years ago and had to changed my exhaust. I have a slip-on exhaust system i can change in 2 min, my advice to all racing at Denny Hulme next year is to do the same. I can't advise anyone to run open exhaust's but should they do so, have it so you change quickly should you be required(never been asked yet).

When i took my Mustang to Sears Point and Thunderhill a few years back, friday and Saturday where open exhaust days, sunday we all had to run mufflers, most of the historic Trans Am don't have a slip-on muffler system so their race was Sat and they stood down on the sunday. It seemed crazy that one day is OK but the next isn't, BUT thats the "consent rules" they have to work to up there and like i got told, better than NO open exhaust days!!

Dale M

Accepting that you have to be diplomatic with your advice and accepting that Hampton has consent issues to deal with , even my untrained ears pick two of the loudest cars out there are a certain red mustang and a certain blue corvette. Perhaps you can elaborate on how you got on with the noise police after “ blowing 103 decibels ? And my questions remain unanswered as to how does Taupo Motorsport Park operate one day as circuit track with a 95 Decibel limit , then operate the next day as a Dragstrip with unlimited decibel levels ? The same applies to Hampton and Meremere Dragstrip ?

[Rod Grimwood]

Dale, I hope they did not confiscate your stereo.

[Jac Mac]

Accepting that you have to be diplomatic with your advice and accepting that Hampton has consent issues to deal with , even my untrained ears pick two of the loudest cars out there are a certain red mustang and a certain blue corvette. Perhaps you can elaborate on how you got on with the noise police after “ blowing 103 decibels ? And my questions remain unanswered as to how does Taupo Motorsport Park operate one day as circuit track with a 95 Decibel limit , then operate the next day as a Dragstrip with unlimited decibel levels ? The same applies to Hampton and Meremere Dragstrip ?

I find it quite amusing to read that post knowing that a certain white TVR has humbled both of those cars while making only 89/90 db, perhaps they should freight both those cars down south for some 'muffler technology' and end up going faster in the process

[John McKechnie]

I understand that some people like English cars for their "handling",whereas others like American simply for horsepower,noise and the fun of getting a leviathon round the corners.Takes all types to make up a world.

[Parnelli]

Hi Jac, Yes it can be done ,but perhaps you’re missing the point. This class is about fun, not “ muffled “ performance. Whilst trying to emulate the cars as they were in the sixties, it would be nice to have a bit of the sound that goes with that. Look at how many people complained of hearing nothing but gearbox whine from the Supertourers when they first hit the track. When the P.C. brigade has enough clout to get the promoter of international events to stop a feature race half way thru its duration to meet noise complaints ( as has happened on numerous occasions at Western Springs ) then in my opinion this P.C. bull…. has gone too far. I’ll say it again, why should Hampton be restricted when Meremere is not ?

[Kiwiboss]

October E-Mailout for those that didn't get it.

Greetings HMC Guys and Gals

What seemed like a dismal start for HMC at the Ice Breaker meeting turned out to be a whole lot of FUN, the weather didn’t exactly go our way but that’s normal for the time of the year and it gave the U3L Saloons a chance to deal to our bigger HMC cars. We had 6 entries while 4 more just couldn’t quite make it and 2 still required further compliance but what it did do was get HMC up and running and show that this is happening. I was also quite surprised by the number of spectators that came along, wet weather and all, mainly because they knew HMC was going to be at Ice Breaker and most said they are looking forward to Denny Hulme as they know we’ll have a huge presence at this event, so bring on January and warmer fine weather I say. But anyway, we’ve done it, HMC is up and running and like we’ve said all along, NO cars can race that aren’t to the HMC rule criteria, a standard which we will continue to enforce. Have a look at the fabulous pictures and comments here http://www.theroaringseason.com/show...-Hampton-Downs

We had a group get together after the last race Saturday once all was quiet, I had made this known to all in a previous E-mail so I guess only the keen in HMC turned out, anyway for those that did thanks, even though it got rather late after the last race had finished, but this did show who the real keen persons in HMC really are. One item that came up was making HMC a Group 2 Saloon class only as this will be the majority of the cars proposing to race. Myself, Tony and Steve pondered on this the following week as it meant NO sports cars, so with none on the horizon and with 99% of the interest show to be Saloons we have decided to go that way and have HMC as a Group 2 class for Production Saloon Cars only, for over 3 litre pre 78 Vehicles as per the rules and updated eligibility list, remember a Saloon Car is vehicle that was originally a 2 door 4 seat, or a 4 door 4 seat vehicle. So with this sorted and the way the interest is and the car builds that are going we can see further down the road in 3 or so years time that we’ll have quite a group. Steve has also updated the rules and these can be seen at http://www.historicmusclecars.co.nz/...out/about.html mostly it’s a re-wording definition for better understanding.

Some of us will be racing at the MG Classic meeting November 10/11th, a fantastic event and worth the visit. I always enjoy catching up with those in the lower half of the north island and some South Islanders that make the crossing, see you their.

JOB INTEREST: WE are looking for a suitable person that has an interest in Historic and Classic saloon racing to act as a referee, eligibility come technical officer for HMC, this would require the person to be at the track for all HMC meetings and to deal with current and proposed racers after hours, be Computer salve, travel to check vehicles out, report back to the 3 HMC directors and make informed rule definitions as defined by the directors and the rules. NZ is a small country so this person would most likely know some or most of the racers, he would need to think independently and apply rules based on “fact” and the decisions of the directors. A tuff job maybe, but to see this class grow would be certainly be satisfying. Contact myself, Tony or Steve if you fit the bill

I’ve had several ask about ready built turnkey Eligible Race cars that will suit HMC or are close that are For Sale, so below I have complied a list all from the Australian my105.com website as not much is For Sale in NZ, most would require some changes to make them legal, others are ready to go.

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...5/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...9/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...1/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...5/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...1/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...5/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...0/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...3/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...0/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...2/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...5/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...0/Default.aspx

http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...3/Default.aspx

For something different here’s a great Youtube piece, see if you recognise the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS-af...eature=related

Philosophy. Historic and Classic motorsport is that branch of the sport where vehicles from a past era are used in friendly rivalry to allow them to be exercised in a manner that the manufactures intended. It is not a branch of the sport where series and trophies for winning races are held in higher regard than the sheer enjoyment of being involved.

WE all know that the Gulf sponsored Festival of Motor Racing featuring Denny Hulme is just around the corner, you have 3 months to get your vehicle ready, and as mentioned in the past, THIS EVENT WILL BE HUGE so you’ve been warned. Entries are available online at http://www.motorsportentry.com/ and its my advice to get this done NOW, in the meantime keep a watch on updates at http://www.nzfmr.co.nz/index.php and just yesterday this bulletin came out from HRC: Entries are now open for the two HRC meetings, the Gulf Denny Hulme Festival and Tasman Revival Meeting at Taupo and entries are pouring in. A number of fields will be oversubscribed, so entries will be on a first come basis. Formula Junior has so many entries already from overseas that we are running two classes just to accommodate them! The very popular barbeque on Saturday night at the last Festival will be repeated at the Festival this year. This is limited to 300 so make sure you book early as a number of people missed out last year. Tickets can purchased when you enter or on www.nzfmr.co.nz.


Below is this coming summer’s race dates:

2 - Denny Hulme Festival, 18/20th January 2013 at Hampton Downs(be warned, this will be HUGE)
3 - Denny Hulme Festival, 25/27th January 2013 at Hampton Downs(be warned, this will be HUGE)
4 - Legends of Speed, 23/4th March 2013 at Hampton Downs

So our next up event will be Denny Hulme in January, through to the end of this year i'll keep you all reminded. Once again we are not about having large fields, we only want HMC and T&C legal cars and if we only have 6 or so cars, so be it, and we will be racing with the under 3L Historic Saloons and Sports and GT cars at these coming events.

Also check out the current Classic Car Magazine for Steve Holmes monthly article and ramblings about HMC's goings on. Articles like this help lift the profile of Historic Saloon car racing in New Zealand, it certainly attracts the type of person we want to see in HMC. Also in today’s high tech world it is a must to keep up with the play on the http://www.theroaringseason.com/foru...ral-Discussion with some fantastic picture’s at http://www.theroaringseason.com/show...Cars-Under-HRC

Historic Muscle Car Tee Shirts are available for $20 each plus postage, E-mail me for size’s and colour.

That’s it from me again this month, any questions and queries don't hesitate to contact Myself, Tony or Steve. Remember if you are changing your car to suit HMC/MSNZ T&C Rules or building a new racer you will NOT be racing with other non compliant cars, its a level playing field for all. Lets keep the "Classic and Historic" in Classic and Historic racing. And I know I don't need to remind you but remember, "The Cars are the Stars" and this is a new one i heard the other day "Grey hairs and four Gears" or is it "Four Gears and Who Cares" very cool, so that’s all from me for another month, feel free to contact me or anyone of the directors below.

To race and be apart of HMC you need to join HRC http://www.grandprix.org.nz/Contact_Us.wse their $50 membership deal is a bargain, and a requirement to race.

HMC WEBSITE: http://www.historicmusclecars.co.nz/

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to be removed from this E-mailout please let me know, if you wish to add someone please do the same.

Take care and enjoy your Historic Motor sport

Dale Mathers dmathers@xtra.co.nz , Tony Roberts tony@hamptondowns.com , Steve Holmes enquiries@monsterracewear.co.nz
HRC Members/HMC Directors

[fullnoise68]

I got a quick peek at my red Camaro this afternoon just before the MAF guy fumigated the container! Should be in my workshop sometime Wednesday.

[John McKechnie]

Congratulations Steve, every step gets you closer

[kiwi285]

I got a quick peek at my red Camaro this afternoon just before the MAF guy fumigated the container! Should be in my workshop sometime Wednesday.

I can't think of a better Christmas present and you get to play with it in earnest come mid January.

[ERC]

Someone mentioned about the kids being upset about the noise and we should make sure the kids are protected as their ears are very delicate.

Just remember that although we all like the sound, the difference between 95db and 103 may not be massive, but, once your hearing is damaged, it is damaged permanently, and as a Gold Card holder now beginning to suffer the effects of too much exposure to noise, I am probably wishing I'd worn ear defenders when I was younger. Ironically, being at an event or party now where the noise/music is too loud is extremely uncomfortable.

The 85db at speedway is too low, but 95db is still pretty loud. When Harry fires up that blue Corvette and trundles it out of its garage, we know it is time to get up...

By all means run the cars with open exhausts, but if we all have to walk around wearing ear defenders because they are TOO loud, it rather defeats the object. I just do not want my hearing to deteriorate any more, as I love my music far too much (I import Trad Jazz CDs) and further deafness is not an appealing long term prospect.