I have very fond memories of this, but don't seem to be able to find much.
Anyone?
I have very fond memories of this, but don't seem to be able to find much.
Anyone?
How many years did they run it for Rhys? I don't think it was on the championship trail so didn't get the media coverage that other events did. There are a couple of great photos floating about of Red Dawson in his Willys coupe and Garth Souness in the Morrari from Matamata.
" I believe it ran for 2 years. The old man was Town Clerk there. There were plenty of articles and photos in Motorman, Almost all the "names" took part with every class imaginable. "Originally Posted by Steve Holmes
Continuing the story. I noted that some photos of Matamata had appeared on others thread some time ago.
At the risk of " repeating " the photos, thought I would bring a couple together that came from Milan Fistonic vast collection.
One from 1965 and one more recent.
The Events were as is now well known held in 1964 and 1965 ..
Milan notes with the photo ;- as written in 2016 on the Rhys Nolan photos thread ..
" This is from 1965 and was taken at the corner of Tamihana and Rata Streets. "
" John Richards in the locally built Lotus 15 replica followed by Bill Caldwell's Lola which is being monstered by Donelly's HWM- Thunderbird.
Well if all the Chev-engined cars were powered by Corvettes then the Ford engine must have been a Thunderbird! "
Tui - Yeah Right ..
Was Donnelly trying to merge #14 with #114 .. The HWM was looking pretty scruffy even before this " Accident " ..
The more recent photo - 2016 Matamata - the same location. Same house in the background, has had some shutters added to the windows ..
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 11-11-2022 at 05:36 AM.
I believe it ran for 2 years. The old man was Town Clerk there. There were plenty of articles and photos in Motorman, Almost all the "names" took part with every class imaginable.
Yep, I remember these meetings. Saw my first E Type Jag and Gordon Keeble at the Matamata races. Must have been 63 & 64 I think
I am pretty sure it was not 63, as we did not live there then. 64 and 65 or 65 and 66. I could have confirmed this if the council official newspaper cutting books had not been sent to the Turnbull after Mum died last year, as she collated them.
Certainly Andy Buchanan and co were there as I remember that he won the feature one year in the Brabham (?)
Last edited by Oldfart; 10-31-2012 at 07:34 PM.
Definitely 64 and 65. I went to the first one, but not the second
Ten points for whoever can identify the Spitfire driver:
The Spitfire Man. Perhaps someone who was more often seen in small saloons and bigger single-seaters?
Stu
Not sure I saw a definitive answer on this - Is it Reginald Cook?
There wasn't. Just someone with an answer being secretive. Newspaper report said "K.Grant". Drove A40/Lotus Cortina? Brabham 2.5.
Don't know if he ever drove a Spitfire at other meetings. Someone who lived at the other end of N Island might.
Stu
Kerry Grant raced the Spitfire at Ruapuna and then Matamata, then sold it to my mate Ian Pinkerton
norm agnew
The answer - somewhat late is ... Kerry Grant in the Spitfire.
as seen in this photo
Sadly David cannot award the ten points [ RIP David McKinney and RIP Kerry Grant recently ].
This is a Morrie Given photo as found in the Scott - Given Studio archives on the events in Matamata.
and this photo from Bob Homewood archives. Think the same photo that started the question in the earlier post..
The car is also in this group - photo by Alan Boyle
I posted the Scott - Given series of photos on my Dunedin Thread - but perhaps they could be repeated here.
This thread was started in 2012 before I joined TRS and I don't think I have looked at it before.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 09-24-2020 at 05:43 AM.
I would think that description fits
The circuit appears to be the same for both years.
Fantastic thread, lets keep this going. Thanks for starting this Rhys.
I was there ,first time I ever saw a car with dual wheels, a Dodge or ???plus around the fuel tanks at Mt Maunganui was the same time Frank Matich in a Lotus 19 ?? and a Brabham?? cleaned up. Archibald in a Mk2 Jag also ran I think
I just have to ask but did Archibald ever race that MK11 Jag in the North Island? I am sure he was never at Levin as I remember allways wishing he was going to be there
Archibald was in those 6hr races at Puke .Sadly I never saw him ,only wheels I had back then had Ped??? on the side a convertable top one or two pusher motors now fifty years ago.I did see him up close in 64 Ardmore reunion at Puke.had to look fast as he wasnt along side for very long plus Marwood was stuck to my bumper in stock standard v8 Rover ..No he woundnt BS me.Years later Ernie Spraque told me Ray changed his diff ratio to suit
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