Lost Race Cars

[seaqnmac27]

I actually posted the following on the Nostalgia forum on Autosport.com a few years back, and I know a few of my alumni responded to it but there are still some blanks for me. I know there is this wonderful photo gallery http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...tra/Puke%2082/ which has given some wonderful images and recalled many memories, however does anyone have an entry list to that particular reverse grid race?? I have also corresponded with Jac Mac, although one way, sorry Jack over the McElrea Cortina, are there any images of it? The link to that forum is http://forums.autosport.com/index.ph...20sedans&st=40

I am just wondering if any of my fellow New Zealanders or Expat NZers have any pictures or know any websites to view any of the great cars and drivers of the last 30 years or so.

My father has quite an extensive collection himself, however I live in Queensland now, and it gets quite annoying trying to explain to people cars like those driven by the likes of Ian 'Inky' Tulloch, Trevor Crowe, Jack Nazer, Leo Leonard, Ian Algie, Wayne Huxford, Don Grindley, John Osborne, etc not to mention some of the very great Touring Drivers like messrs Baigent, Bowkett, Crichton, Francevic etc, some of whom were seen over here in Australia with varying success, notably that of Robbie Francevic.

My father used to buy me annual memberships to New Zealand Motoring News magazine, and I used to have many boxes dating back to 1981, however, when I moved to Australia I had to leave then behind, and now as those magazines and newspapers have long been turned to refuse, so have the memories, like back in 1983 when, to debut the Ford Telstar into New Zealand, Dick Johnson co-drove one in the then Benson and Hedges Touring Car event at Pukekohe, or I think the same year or soon after Kent Baigent was lucky to walk away with his life as he demolished his BMW 635CSi along the back straight of Manfield, or the reverse grid Sports Sedan race at the New Zealand GP meet at Pukekohe in 1982?? when Tulloch and Crowe and someone else? drove through the field to win.

Regards

Sean McBride

[seaqnmac27]

You know those moments when you ask a question of a group, but should have asked a parent first?? well these are from my fathers collection. I was at most of them, but do not remember a great deal. Puke 73, 76 or 77, Manfield 78, 81 and 82

[seaqnmac27]

More

[Steve Holmes]

Cool photos Sean. Looks like the Manfeild ones are using the short club circuit. I really used to like those ShellSport cars. Lots of interesting cars in that class. The Pukekohe pit shot is from the '76 season. I can see Bill Leckie's V8 Capri in there, and (I think) Greg Lancasters 'Grey Ghost' V8 Victor. Check the size of the crowd in the last photo.

[Steve Holmes]

Anyone got any info on the Grant Day Escort? Looks like a ShellSport car. Great looking car. Love the Zakspeed colour scheme. Could it be the ex-Halliday Escort?

[seaqnmac27]

Still more

[seaqnmac27]

Steve the Manfield ones were the Clubmans races as part of the B&H Touring car race I think January 81?

[seaqnmac27]

B&h Touring Cars Manfield 81

[seaqnmac27]

[Steve Holmes]

Good to see Rod McElrea's V8 Cortina (photo 4 in post 106) in there Sean. Great looking car that one. Didn't it race with a jet boat or drag race motor at one stage? I do remember it blowing its guts out down the front straight in spectacular fashion at Manfeild one year. Where is this car now?

[seaqnmac27]

Yes and pic 5 directly under McElrea in mid pack is the Chavenger directly behind Graeme Pickett in his Honda Civic, Graeme ran a bookshop in Broadway in Palmerston. Some of these will need to be identified.

[seaqnmac27]

[seaqnmac27]

[Munty]

Hi Steve, Rods Cortina has just gone to Anthony Prendergast from Ashburton who also has the first Jac Mac Cortina. The car will probably be on show at the OSCA 40th Anniversary Reunion meeting on Nov 5/6 this year. The first Cortina will be running in the Classic OSCA races.

[bob homewood]

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

[Steve Holmes]

Post 113 includes Aussie Pat Crea in the V8 MkIII Cortina chasing Greg Lancasters Victor in the first shot, then fellow Aussie Tony Edmonson in the ex-John McCormack Repco Charger in the third shot. These are from the 1977 season.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve, Rods Cortina has just gone to Anthony Prendergast from Ashburton who also has the first Jac Mac Cortina. The car will probably be on show at the OSCA 40th Anniversary Reunion meeting on Nov 5/6 this year. The first Cortina will be running in the Classic OSCA races.

Thats great Evan! Good to hear the McElrea Cortina has survived. That was a good looking car, with very nicely crafted flares. Barry Search in Wellington owned it for several years in the 90s.

[Steve Holmes]

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

Thats a wild looking thing Bob! Got any more info?

[bob homewood]

Steve ,I was a bit busy doing my own thing at that time ,but Rod might remember a bit more about it ,the Torana behind my car ,was that the ex Bryan Bate one ?

[Rod Grimwood]

That little beast was a engineering piece alright. It had a 3.5 Rover mounted across the back and the gearbox (wait for it) was from a TASMAN (does anyone remember these land crabs) true, and the gearbox was driven from the engine by chain. The same Gary Hastings was responsible for a lot of the building of Mr Huxfords Capri along with Mr Huxford

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?