I agree Steve, thats why i like this pic, the first year ofcourse Jim won the NZSCC and the mustang was still basically to FIA group 5 rules under MSNZ, then the following year it pretty much became a Sports Sedan and is probably most famous for here and in Australia, in that look.
Dale M
I wasn't going to include this photo, because its been over-exposed, or something, and the colour is way out. But then I noticed what appears to be a trackside commentator, and a young kid (his son?) standing on the outside of the track, with what looks like no protection. Is there a bank they're standing on that can't be seen in this pic? Either way, quite interesting, as the two Fiats charge past at racing speed.
Castrol GTX time again, with Jim Richards in the Team McMillen XA GT Falcon.
Here is the AWA Escort, formerly a Ford Boreham Group 2 factory race car that competed in Europe. Its currently owned by Roaring Season member Chris Kitzen, who is restoring it, and looking for photos! I hope this helps Chris.
Better ?
ShellSport cars line up on the grid, with Bryce Platt on pole in the Escort, Reg Cook alongside. Looks like Rex Findlays Datsun in behind, but whose is the MkII Escort #20? Possibly Bill Leckie?
Castrol GTX action, and here is the Paul Fahey owned Union Travel Camaro, raced by Kevin McNamara. This car was built up from the best of three junk cars by Jandals Sheehan. Incidentally, this car is now in Australia. Note also the black Neville Crichton Camaro in shot, which was also raced by Jim Richards, and I believe this is the car that went to George Bunce. Whose is the XU1? Possibly Wayne Wilkinson?
Another from the Castrol GTX ranks, Rod Coppins in the L34 he purchased in 1974, and which he and good buddy Jim Richards took to Bathurst that year, finishing an impressive third. This was the first time Richards had ever been to Bathurst.
Attachment 18045
Fred Bailey.
Yep. Built by Bill Leckie for Fred Bailey and Kent Baigent. Made its debut at the Bay Park Gold Star meet end March 78. At the GP meet Jan 1980 it was entered to be driven by Bailey. Leckie was entered driving the Lancer.
Then on sold to John Armstrong who ran it for a season before selling it to Allan Farr who still races it today. The car has raced in Shellsport, OSCA, South Island Endurance Series and still retains it's Shellsport configuration as used by Allan during the 1982 season
Great info thanks guys, good bit of research. Carlo, do you have any pics of how it looks today?
The next six photos are all from Pukekohe in January 1980. They include the two Group C A9X's Torana's that visited the North Island race tracks Puke, Bay Park, and Manfeild. One was the Holden Dealer Team car, the other was that of Garry Rogers. The third Aussie car was the Graeme Whincup Monza. There was a bit of musical chairs going on with the Monza and HDT Torana. Graeme himself sometimes drove the Monza, Peter Brock sometimes drove the Torana, and Jim Richards had a steer in both. No doubt someone here can tell me who drove what, where.
The fourth car in the pics is Wayne Huxfords V8 Capri, in only its second year of competition, and still fitted with the Morand Chevy out of the Oxton driven Begg FM5.