[QUOTE=Andrew Metford;63424]Andrew, that would help with the Finances, and around the amount needed,will say no more !! It is not about cars though !!Originally Posted by Roger Dowding
[QUOTE=Andrew Metford;63424]Andrew, that would help with the Finances, and around the amount needed,will say no more !! It is not about cars though !!
Nothing on Google about the reason either Roger, even though we know. Andrew, if you need more info, email me! I enjoyed reading Tony Quinn's book and it gives a reasonably good insight. Apparently, he made money out of it too, which was a surprise to him as he didn't think it would sell as well as it did.
I love autobiographies and biographies and recently managed to track down a copy of Bob McMurray's book in excellent condition, via Trade Me. Another good read is Di Spiers book, "I Only made The Tea". Good friends of the McMurrays.
You could never call the British saloon cars of that era flash, based on this rather nice Wolseley 6/80. I wonder what it would have looked like painted bright red?
...like the Studebaker.
Last edited by ERC; 01-17-2018 at 01:08 AM.
Non-original V8 in a Daimler Sovereign
Ford V8 Cortina
In sharp contrast - Morgan 3 wheeler
Family resemblance?
Last edited by ERC; 01-17-2018 at 01:52 AM.
Without trying to hijack Rays` thread too much...the Bathurst Festival was crap! Very little effort invested I felt. My dream would be a Touring Car themed event with separate grids for Group C, Group A and Super Touring. There are a number of groups world wide that could be contacted to sound out likely support. Cost would be the killer unfortunately. Imagine themes along the lines of Formula One, Group C Sports Cars, Group B Rally etc. One can dreamImagine if HRC and TACCOC could pull these off! Have the cars and charge reasonable ticket prices and watch the crowds arrive.
Anthony
Unfortunately Anthony, NZ being so far from Europe and the USA, it is always going to be almost impossible to attract enough support to make a fully viable international meeting. Judging by Tony Quinn's comments as published, Bathurst is going to be the ongoing theme. Oh deep joy...
If that is going to be the case, then they are going to have to lift the game considerably to attract paying spectators.
I'm pretty sure that Jim Barclay spent a lot of time and effort trying to attract overseas competitors and no doubt where he and his team were successful, it wouldn't necessarily have swelled the coffers.
The Festival certainly needs one or two groups that are more attractive than just a couple of iconic touring cars - and at least 300+ competition cars - not to mention a far more varied and interesting display of show cars. We certainly deserve more than 5 grids too, especially over a two day event.
Last edited by ERC; 01-17-2018 at 08:44 PM.
Where were all the Heritage Touring Cars from Australia? What would that have cost? Jim Barclay may well have succeeded where Tony Quinn failed. And what about display laps? There are cars out there that would be ideal candidates. They might not be racing but they invoke memories and those memories create passion! The Sampson clan went to Muscle Car Masters last year and one of the best features was Heritage Hot Laps...a handful of cars made me tear up every time they went out on track...don`t mind admitting it. This event HAS to be better next time Ray or I won`t be there.
Anthony
Taken from Wikkipedia-
Mount Panorama began as a dirt-track/tourist-drive carved out of the bald hills around the bustling city of Bathurst in the mid 1930s. The Council of the time, specifically Mayor Martin Griffin, had a vision for a premier motor racing circuit with the sharp hills, hairpin bends and a fast downhill straight that would inspire awe and demand respect from all who took up the challenge for years to come. Strong support from the New South Wales Light Car Club, Auto Cycle Union and the Federal Government, through a national employment relief scheme, saw this vision become a reality. On 17 March 1938 Mayor Martin Griffin declared the Mount Panorama Scenic Drive open. He always knew that the road was going to be used for motor racing but Depression Era funds weren't easy to come by, so he had to create a ruse. At Easter 1938 the first races were held and except for the war (WWII), have been run ever since.
Mount Panorama is indisputably a Mecca for motor racing fans all over Australia and around the world. On 16 April 1938, Mount Panorama attracted an overwhelming 20,000 spectators to its first race, The Australian Tourist Trophy.
My point.....So there is a lot of variety and themes possible on a yearly basis if imagination and planning was used properly
Remember the first festival, cars from all over the world there in the huge marque. would have been 90 to 100 million bucks worth just in the big marque. Juniors, F1, Can Am, F5000, sports cars, and out the back HMC, Sports Sedans, your groups. huge, and people loved it.
And I would volunteer to help you guys create something of our own
Anthony
The first Festival in 2010 was a huge success in terms of the competitor turnout and we not only saw a lot of cars from overseas, but also from the South Island - most we haven't seen since. Despite that, I believe it was a huge financial loss, but the Hampton Downs owners probably saw it as putting HD on the map and therefore money well spent to get the ball rolling.
As we are in the northern hemisphere off season, and given the huge costs to enter high profile meetings and minimal track time there, I believe that the costs of freighting cars to NZ and doing several events would be surprisingly attractive to many racers if they were more aware.
When I say 'minimal track time', think on this. Having attended the Monaco Historics in 2012, over the three days, cars had maybe three track sessions only and the entry fee was $5,000NZD. As is usual, a 15 minute race followed by 30 minutes of hanging around for spectators. NZ events are run to a much better format. Apart from start time, they do not rigidly adhere to the clock and as long as there are enough groups, spectators see far more track action.
Goodwood Revival, one practice/qualifying on Friday (and a 1 hour race at dusk!) and 1 x 20 minute race on Saturday OR Sunday for most groups. Some two driver groups such as the TT might have been 1 hour, but it was still only 9 races a day. Cars had just two track sessions over a 3 day period - and a total spectator sell out with all Saturday tickets sold out in April for a September meeting!
I have no idea what the entry fee is and it is by invitation only but from my perspective, ALL grids are full and it is a photographic nirvana, so well worth the effort. The Pre 1966 public car park alone is worth a visit.
We can't compete with Goodwood, but there is no excuse whatever for a miserably small turnout of competing cars or display cars.
NZ/Australia has a very rich heritage and I agree with Anthony, there is a huge number of cars that the public would like to see, even if they are only doing demonstration laps. I'd even go as far as to say that from behind a camera, I really don't care whether they are racing, qualifying or demonstrating, just as long as they don't all look the same.
Caffeine and Classics managed an estimated 1,300 display cars February last year - and that is without any race or track cars. My guess is that with hangers on and spectators, the crowd would have been far larger than at HD - and no one paid a cent. Motorsport must be one of the few places where the competitor's provide the entertainment - and pay huge money for the privilege...
Last edited by ERC; 01-17-2018 at 09:23 PM.
Blasted images have disappeared again... Getting a bit fed up with posts and/or attachments disappearing. Re posted 12:45
Back to what the thread is about, but I don't mind the diversions! A real mix of cars. It isn't always easy getting an unobstructed shot, so most of these are indeed 'snapshots'!
Some of the detail touches on customised cars are what makes them so interesting. For a non-engineer/mechanic, is this attaching bodywork to the engine and wouldn't it need rubber bushes? Just curious as I work on the fibreglass bonnet of my own car...
TVR
For Spgeti of course...
Last edited by ERC; 01-18-2018 at 12:47 AM.
Bringing in cars and drivers from overseas can be done - it just requires a bit of commitment and organisation.
In 2017 we organised about 30 Formula Juniors to come here from UK, Europe, Australia, US, Canada etc. They ran at most of the North Island and South Island tracks so there was container transportation to be organised, marquees at the tracks etc. It all turned out OK and we even ended up with a small cash surplus. We are planning to do it again in Jan/Feb 2019. We don't seem to fit in with Mr Quinn's plans so we will probably end up running our own historic event.
More power to your elbow Roger! Pity that future planning by HD seems to largely ignore the Classic/Historic sector and what they contribute via their enthusiasm and obvious ability, to what makes a meeting worth travelling to.
Whenuapai would still be the ideal location for a motorsports/aviation venue and its closeness to the major population hub makes it even more suitable. HD may well be half way between Hamilton and Auckland, but that doesn't seem to have made it attractive to spectators in any great numbers and with zero public transport facilities, it doesn't help.
Wet, miserable and stormy so not working outside on fibreglassing or decking...
Nice Ray, owned a 500 a few years ago and been for a ride in a 308GT.
The trouble today is that we have so many events on and in direct competition as well and that dilutes the grids.
We have a similar event down here like your classics in the park, called the breakfast club, and it is always full to the brim.
It is hard work even just organising a grid let alone a meeting and I take my hat off to those who do.
I did not attend the Bathurst Festival so I really can’t comment but I am heading off to Taupo in the morning so will report back.
HMC/HSC have a healthy grid of 26 so far without the late withdrawals.
Seriously considering selling my GTV and getting a drive on the road classic and go and enjoy the more traditional classic car groups.
Anthony you are always welcome to help us in HMC/HSC,And I would volunteer to help you guys create something of our own
Anthony
Cheers
Bruce
My boss at Moss Motors in California, was in NZ last year and he was amazed at the quality and workmanship put into the classic cars he saw such as what you show here Ray.
And he knows what he is talking about.
So well done you Kiwis it does not go unnoticed!
(Ken H)
Nice to see some classics & hotrods Ray. I go to lots of those events myself and have heaps of images of some fantastic cars.
Three totally different takes on what made an American car over the decades. Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet.
Three totally different takes on what made a British performance car over the decades. Buckler, Sunbeam Tiger and McLaren.
Last edited by ERC; 01-18-2018 at 09:29 PM.
Last edited by ERC; 01-19-2018 at 09:50 PM.
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