Baypark Raceway, 67 to 95, RIP

**Kiwiboss** · 05-21-2011, 07:52 AM

This interesting picture is from the Rorison Family showing their truck fleet in the foreground and Baypark behind, not many pictures around that show the overall size of Baypark, taken in the early 80's i've been told!! Parents were involved with the speedway track in the middle in the early 70's, great memorys(but im sure most have?) and what about Graham Pierce and Peter Hanna, nows there's two characters if there ever was!!

Dale Mathers
Tauranga, NZ

**Steve Holmes** · 05-21-2011, 09:09 AM

An amazing photo Dale. Like so many great tracks, its all houses now.....

**pallmall** · 05-22-2011, 10:01 AM

That photo brings back many memories, although back in the early days all the cleared land was in trees, where the back entrance road weaves a crooked path. Easter used to see many late night parties under those trees, and loads of us used to camp under there. That was the days when there was a race meeting on the Saturday and drags on the Sunday, plus the Hot Rod show in Mt Mauganui. Taking photos for NZ Hot Rod magazine back then, and three events to cover, plus a party on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, drive home Monday and spend all night developing and printing photos and back to work on Tuesday. The things you can do in your twenties!
And there wasn't a house for miles back then, just the camping ground at the beach end.

**Steve Holmes** · 05-23-2011, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by pallmall

The things you can do in your twenties!

Ain't that the truth!

**Jeff** · 05-19-2014, 02:09 AM

Seemed that every time we would go there the flooded subway under the track at the start/finish line would claim a few victims....
I recall the '78 International rally used the subway and track and the water was up to the headlights of the cars. Caused a lot of anxiety amongst drivers ! Spectators gave a round of applause to cars that didn't make it through.

Originally Posted by pallmall

That photo brings back many memories, although back in the early days all the cleared land was in trees, where the back entrance road weaves a crooked path. Easter used to see many late night parties under those trees, and loads of us used to camp under there. That was the days when there was a race meeting on the Saturday and drags on the Sunday, plus the Hot Rod show in Mt Mauganui. Taking photos for NZ Hot Rod magazine back then, and three events to cover, plus a party on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, drive home Monday and spend all night developing and printing photos and back to work on Tuesday. The things you can do in your twenties!
And there wasn't a house for miles back then, just the camping ground at the beach end.

**Kiwiboss** · 05-24-2011, 09:37 PM

Couple of pics from Baypark, the Grid line up with a huge crowd!!!

Dale Mathers

**kiwi285** · 05-26-2011, 10:15 PM

One of my photos taken at the Christmas meeting I guess as the Tasman cars are there. Not sure what year it was. McRae in the Crown Lynn M10A and Chris in the 246T Ferrari leadfing the field. This was the rolling start lap and was taken just off the back straight.

**Murray Maunder** · 05-26-2011, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by kiwi285

One of my photos taken at the Christmas meeting I guess as the Tasman cars are there. Not sure what year it was. McRae in the Crown Lynn M10A and Chris in the 246T Ferrari leadfing the field. This was the rolling start lap and was taken just off the back straight.

Graeme Lawrence in the Ferrari #14 - what a beautiful car. Is that Bryan Falloon in P3 in the Rorison car with the Porsche engine and the ex-Lawrence M4A McLaren in P4? Actually both those cars on the front row are right up there in my memory. The M10A seemed to have huge front suspension dive under braking. Hey GM was such a forceful driver! Thanks for the photo and the memories Mike.

It brought back Baypark memories when I saw the Ferrari 246 at Hampton in January. Chris sat in the car for me and chatted about what it was like to drive.

**GD66** · 05-27-2011, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Murray Maunder

Graeme Lawrence in the Ferrari #14 - what a beautiful car. Is that Bryan Falloon in P3 in the Rorison car with the Porsche engine and the ex-Lawrence M4A McLaren in P4?

Probably mate, although I think it may be Paul Bolton in the Rorstan car (dark helmet) with Bryan Falloon in the row behind in his metallic blue Brabham. Frank Radisich would have been aboard the M4A by then.

**thunder427** · 05-29-2011, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Kiwiboss

Couple of pics from Baypark, the Grid line up with a huge crowd!!!

Dale Mathers

Moffat and Gardner front row,with a Jensen/Healey 'pace' car???...what where they thinking???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......regards thunder427

**Steve Holmes** · 05-27-2011, 12:54 AM

Thats possibly the Bay Motors Trophy event Mike, held in November 1969. If thats the case, Marwood should have been starting alongside McRae on the front row in the big Eisert, but suffered engine problems in qualifying after recording the second best time and was withdrawn from the race. I guess thats why Lawrence is alongside McRae.

**kiwi285** · 05-27-2011, 04:36 AM

I know its taken at Pukekohe but it was one smart car in its day and driven by a wily old fox.

**kiwi285** · 05-27-2011, 04:50 AM

Another shot taken at Pukekohe. I reckon that this was one of the best looking Mustangs on our tracks. Became PDL 1 I believe now owned by Steve Ross in Dunedin.

**Kiwiboss** · 05-27-2011, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by kiwi285

I know its taken at Pukekohe but it was one smart cat in its day and driven by a wily old fox.

Atleast it resides back in NZ now!! can't wait to see it back looking this way!! one day!!

Dale

**TonyG** · 08-12-2011, 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by kiwi285

I know its taken at Pukekohe but it was one smart car in its day and driven by a wily old fox.

I loved that car and driver back in the day. Is the riley car in the background the one that was restored to original Geoghegan form by the Bowden family here in Aus or is that another one?

**Lee Tracey** · 05-28-2011, 05:18 AM

Didn't make it to BP more than twice. The main one I remember was for the 83 Just Juice Series meeting. Here are a few very poor photos from there.

Cheers
Lee