Hi Homer,
The first meeting was SUNDAY 13 11 88 and was a very hot day which played havoc with cars on the grid without starters as the race was new and getting the races away was taking 5 minutes after formation. I cooked the motor! The Cooper Bristols of Jim Boult and Wayne Marsh were there I think and too fast for me. The BCM, ACE111 and 260M were evenly matched and we had great racing.
Times were 59 seconds. There is a great photo in the following weeks Press of Graeme Hamilton in the ACE and me in the BCM cutting the corner at the top under a verandah. Not sure if this meeting or the next but over the bridge the Stanton dropped its rear diff drive chain with me 1 foot behind and it sure made me pucker until I saw it lay itself on the ground and I passed over it and round the Stanton as it came to a stop.
THE SECOND MEETING WAS 12 11 89. It was a hot fine and sunny day. I was racing the BCM Special. Times were about 60 sec for the classic single seaters. Both the Coopers were absent. Russell Greer had the Stanton and once in front he was too wide to pass. I had pole but the Stanton got in front and stayed there. The ACE111 had broken its drive train so I had no one to play with except a bothersome anklebiting FF which was lots of fun. Getting the corner right onto the straight after the down hill bit gave you some straight speed to pass. I really enjoy street racing and this was all of that so it was a pity this was the last meeting. I think I was awarded the PDL trophy for best effort by a NZ built special. All I was trying to do was get past Russell.
A Porsche came to grief but not sure if that was why it did not happen next year. I think it was a matter of logistics. Great wee circuit and part of NZ history of street circuits. Chris Read - Arrowtown. ps -I have a photo but my scanner is US at the moment so will post when going again