ERC Race Series - Euro Saloons & Sports

[ERC]

I guess this forum is as good a place as any to tell you all about the presentation that was made by Deb Day to Ray and his wife at the conclusion of the prizegiving yesterday afternoon. It celebrated the 20 plus years that they have put into this series and resulted in every person in the room rising to their feet - a fitting tribute indeed!

Very humbling Michael! If it wasn't for the fact that the guys are such a delight to deal with (most of them, most of the time!) then I wouldn't have hung around for so long.

Few people outside the series would realise just how strong the camaraderie is, with humour a very dominant aspect. Of all the excellent classic/historic series around, we believe that ERC epitomises the real values of classic racing as well as any other and probably, that adherence to a 100% reliance on handicap races levels the playing field better than any technical rules based system.

My own thanks not only to Deb (and her team) but also to Tony Rutherford for insisting I did 3 "Hot laps" in the safety car, but all the officials who have supported both me and the series for so long.

I still have a couple of race meetings to go and the awards dinner June 11th, before I hand over to Chris Browne and although there are on-going challenges to be faced, we have always agreed on the philosophy and I will of course offer Chris every bit of support he needs.

[944turbo]

Brilliant racing by all, especially the ERC Classic Race Series (NZ) which again had the best supported grid and anecdotally the best racing to watch, but unfortunately never seems to get the recognition it deserves. Perhaps the powers that be could look at the numbers we get in our races and the fact that most classic racers do so on a relatively small budget and acknowledge this more openly and support the series (and other similar series). As a racer the delays between races and car recovery times can be mind numbing, just a suggestion but could we not run fast recovery vehicles (such as the large quads at Taupo) and quickly pull the stricken cars off behind safety barriers rather than red flag or yellow flag races for multiple laps. Also a safety car just past the pit entry allowing the finished race cars to exit the track whilst the next grid could leave the pit exit behind another safety car and get the grid ready much quicker. Both these point should save a massive amount of time during each race meeting. On a positive note the cars at the event were stunning and a big thanks to all that attended, also a thank you here for the fantastic work done by Ray Green over the millennia, no pressure but boy has Mr Brown got big shoes to fill.

[ERC]

Award for the ERC Series "Spirit of the Meeting" was to Alan Brook, who had a hiccup Friday weekend 1 with the car, then drove well throughout the two weekends. Great support from wife Chrissie who "Mother Hens" the drivers with grid sheets and making sure all is OK.

[944turbo]

Well done Alan & Chrissie

[beowulf]

I guess this forum is as good a place as any to tell you all about the presentation that was made by Deb Day to Ray and his wife at the conclusion of the prizegiving yesterday afternoon. It celebrated the 20 plus years that they have put into this series and resulted in every person in the room rising to their feet - a fitting tribute indeed!

I wasn't at the prize giving but if anyone deserved a presentation it was Ray. A fantastic job over 20 odd years, starting with the old BMC series. Well done Ray, enjoy the time off, I look forward to seeing you at the track looking a lot less frazzled. May your series grow and prosper.

Richard

[ERC]

Thanks Richard.

Just had this pic posted to me from Donn White, of the first ever grid for the BMC Series, November 23rd 1986 at Taupo. He has named the front runners, so we are not looking to identify the grid.

Tony Sturm won that first race (MGB) and AMCO (Mini Cooper S) won the series.

[AMCO72]

Can just see Stu Hoopers Austin A35 on the second row. Stu was always an entertaining driver.......he managed to upend the Austin in one race........cant remember the details, but I dont think we saw the car again. They always looked a bit top heavy, but some folk made them go pretty well.........

[ERC]

This is the year 1 summary of the original BMC Series giving the points earned and also how many years each driver registered including the roll over to the Leisuretime/Tracer years and the AES/Arrow Wheels sponsorship years.

Up to the end of last season, we still had less than 400 drivers who have ever registered, including those who may have registered but never actually raced and therefore scored zero points. As at today, 113 paid up registered drivers for this season - and they are still joining!

Interesting that of the above list, no less than 8 drivers never registered again. I wonder why? I'd love to know.

[AMCO72]

I have to say that I won the series that year NOT because of any outstanding driving ability on my part........in my opinion, but rather that I had the best car for the job.......in my opinion!!!!!!!!! It all changed in subsequent years when everyone else got in on the act and cars became increasingly modified, and driving became more seriously focused. We still managed to get away with surprisingly little panel damage, considering our amateur status, but there was some. Inevitably, some of the gentlemanly 'after you Sir' went out the door, and a bit more 'out of my way sonny I'm coming through' became the norm. But compared to today we were pretty slow......a 50 second lap of old Taupo was pretty damn good, and most of us could get round in under 56 seconds. Amazing that it was 30 years ago.....sometimes seems just like last week.

[ERC]

Interesting AMCO that I perceived the same thing when I inherited the series (and the reason for it). At the end of my first season, I realised that it was indeed one or two of the faster guys who really wanted to win, and saw that as a disincentive to the 'also-rans', hence the move to 100% handicaps..

The rest as they say, is history. There can of course only be one winner in any race, but if there is a field of just 3, scrapping for overall honours, it isn't really my cup of tea.

[ERC]

This site is causing me hiccups today!

ERC Series entry for what is my last round before I hand over the Series. Might have to contact Steve to change my TRS name but without losing all previous posts.

Grant Kern is giving his "Cream Cracker" MG TD a run! Sadly, I don't think we'll see the MGCC Series running next season.

2 Bert Quin Ford Capri Perana Rep
6 Mal Clark Rover P6 3500
28 Michael Sexton Ford Escort RS2000
69 Dennis McConnell Ford Escort Lotus Twin Cam
79 Gary Langsford Alfa 75
83 Nigel Patterson BMW 320i
88 Bruce Manon Ford Escort RS2000
93 Ivan Selak Escort YB Cosworth
117 John Sampson Ford Capri RS2600
119 Eddie Beresford Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti
120 John Munro Jaguar XJ6
203 Andy Mygind Datsun 240Z
279 Barry Hare Rover SD1
431 Phil Josephs Rover Tomcat
944 Paul Madeley Porsche 944
996 David Heron Porsche 996
17 Peter Northin Ford Escort RS2000
20 Geoff Sparkes Triumph Dolomite Sprint
21 Bryce Platt Porsche 924S
29 Mike Lucas Austin Mini Cooper S
30 Rod Hemmings TVR 3000M
34 Graeme Park Porsche 944S2
39 Grant Kern MG TD
45 John Nuthall Alfa Romeo GT
47 Gary Baildon BMW 325is
49 Chris Browne Alfa Romeo Alfasud
77 Jeremy Thornton Peugeot 205 GTI
92 Brian Yates Porsche 924S
116 Phil Neely Alfa Romeo Alfetta
135 Don Roy MGB GT V8
150 Allan Brook MGB GT
205 Richard McCarthy Peugeot 205 GTI
213 Dave Mallin MGB GT
231 John Hudson BMW 2002
233 Max Van Maanen Alfa Romeo 33 (16v)
280 Ken Williams Mercedes 280CE
503 Steve Cowie Fiat Bravo HGT
833 Robert Hunkin Alfa 33
866 Francois Cronje Renault R8 Gordini
891 Chris Hunkin Alfa 33

[ERC]

What a cracker!...

[ERC]

Just a few days now to the celebration of 30 years of the Series and between 150 and 160 people attending the awards dinner - and my hand over to Chris Browne. Then I can swan off June 20th for a long break!

Massive thanks to BNT, CRC and AES for their very generous support of the evening and the expectation that we'll raise a fair bit for the Child Cancer charity.

Also an evening for a load of laughs!

[ERC]

As expected, a load of laughs! Look out for Adam's excellent ERC promo video. Will be on YouTube, but may need one sector censoring!

Time now for me to wrap up, but before I do, I'll post a list of the award winners and the amount we raised for Child Cancer. Off overseas on Monday, so will have to get my skates on.

[Allan]

Enjoy your trip.

[ERC]

Fast Files - YouTube celebration of our series.

Went down very well on Saturday night!

[ERC]

We are sad to record the passing of former VW Golf driver, Pete Gannaway, from Napier. A long battle with cancer, finally lost on Thursday.

Lovely bloke and our condolences to Sarah. At Pete's request, definitely no public funeral. He hated funerals...

RiP

[ERC]

I've just realised that I didn't get time to post the list of trophy winners for my last season before I went away. Please note, that as a matter of policy, for the last 10 years, we have never published the points before the Awards Dinner, as this series is still about participation. So much so, that any driver who attends a meeting, even if his/her car fails on the first lap of practice, will get points awarded.

Congratulations to all drivers, past and present, for a fantastic final race season for me - and massive thanks for their support, camaraderie and humour (and tolerance...) over the previous 20 years. A great journey with lots of very special memories.

Long may the series continue, with the same philosophies that have ensured its longevity.

The TOPS trophies were donated by myself under my trading name of TOPS...

[ERC]

We are sad to announce that after a long battle with brain tumours Colin Craig passed away this morning at 7:05.

Colin raced and rallied a Ford Escort but also had a strong association with Alfa Romeo people and occasionally shared David Frith's car.

A lovely man with a wonderfully dry wit, he will be missed. Our condolences to Steph who has been a real rock over the last couple of years.

Colin, far left, front row.

[ERC]

We also lost Ivan Selak December 13th, to cancer.

Although a long time car person, I'm not sure that Ivan had too much race experience prior to running his very quick Escort in the ERC Series, where he pedalled it extremely well and was one of the 3 fastest cars in recent times.

Another genuinely nice guy who will be missed.

Pic taken at what was his next to last race meeting, in October.

PS: Neil Tolich may drive the car at the Kenny Smith Festival in January, even if only for demo laps.