Bob Jane Racing Heritage - Photo Collection

[Steve Holmes]

Former motorcycle racing ace Graeme Crosby decided to get into touring car racing in the mid-80s, after his two-wheeled career had ended. He started out racing an elderly BMW 635CSi, before purchasing in early 1986 the beautiful black and gold AC&B Brock built Commodore previously raced by Ray Smith and Denny Hulme. Croz ran much of the '86 ATCC, initially without any backing, until Bob Jane T-Marts offered some help. The Commodore looked terrible with its interim paint scheme, remnants of the Ray Smith colours, but it was treated to a fresh coat of Bob Jane orange later in the year.

I spoke with Crosby about his brief period in Group A, and it was a time he'd rather forget. He poured a couple hundred thousand of his own money into it, and had little financial support. Bob Jane didn't actually give him any sponsorship money, rather just free tyres, although that certainly helped reduce the costs. Croz had a short and colourful career in Group A, but was gone again by the end of 1987. However, he left a lasting impression. His old Commodore has been restored in recent years, and painted in his orange Bob Jane T-Marts colours. High praise, considering the owner could have restored it to the gold and black AC&B colours in which it was raced by NZs only World Champion.