Laser Sport series- Info?

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Expand view Topic review: Laser Sport series- Info?

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Shoreboy57 » Fri Nov 08, 2013 2:42 am

[quote="Powder"]Manfeild 3 Jan 88
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The last of Murray Starnes sponsors sounds just a bit dodgy. Mind you the waterbeds weren't much better..

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Mike Price » Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:24 pm

Hey thanks!! Ive been away on holiday, great surprise

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Powder » Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:56 am

Manfeild 3 Jan 88
88-01-03_Manfeild B&H.jpg


Lyn St. James !!! ... the US Indycar driver (way before Danica). Surprised to see her name on the list.
For some reason her Wikipedia page doesn't mention TX3i racing in NZ :)

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Powder » Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:47 am

Manfeild B&H 19 Oct 86
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Pukekohe B&H 11 Nov 86
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Pukekohe 4 Jan 87
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87-12_NZ Car.jpg
87-11-07_Manfeild MG.jpg
87-07_Rally NZ.jpg
87-01-04_Pukekohe.jpg
86-11-11_Pukekohe B&H.jpg
86-10-19_Manfeild B&H.jpg

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Mike Price » Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:25 pm

Powder wrote:The B&H Endurance series in late '86 included a few TX3i's and for the following summer series ('86/'87) they had their own class which replaced the Laser Sport series from earlier years. This TX3i class is what PM Lange raced in.
In Jan '88 & '89 the summer series was sponsored by B&H, but it was mostly (only?) sprint races, so although it was called the B&H series it isn't what most people remember the 'B&H Series' as. The TX3i class raced in the Jan '88 series but not the '89 series.
So your TX3i might have had a couple of summers racing in front of the big crowds. I've had a look through the entry lists and haven't spotted Richard Lester's name amongst them so perhaps he bought the car later. I can post the entry lists if it's any help.


That would be great thanks, I think Richard bought it later on. The rego number was mQ3590 if there are any photos floating about.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Steve Holmes » Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:26 pm

Sorry Mike, not Lasers, but these are kind of related, as the Laser Sport series superceded the Escort Sport series. Like the Laser series the Escorts put on some pretty dramatic racing. This is a photo by Graeme Bennett.

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Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Powder » Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:58 am

Mike Price wrote:What year did they run the last B&H series?? Would any TX3's have run or is that too late?


The B&H Endurance series in late '86 included a few TX3i's and for the following summer series ('86/'87) they had their own class which replaced the Laser Sport series from earlier years. This TX3i class is what PM Lange raced in.
In Jan '88 & '89 the summer series was sponsored by B&H, but it was mostly (only?) sprint races, so although it was called the B&H series it isn't what most people remember the 'B&H Series' as. The TX3i class raced in the Jan '88 series but not the '89 series.
So your TX3i might have had a couple of summers racing in front of the big crowds. I've had a look through the entry lists and haven't spotted Richard Lester's name amongst them so perhaps he bought the car later. I can post the entry lists if it's any help.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Kwaussie » Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:18 am

In an interveiw at the time David Lange said that taking part in motorsport was the first sport he had ever felt comfortable with.
He went on to say that he was overweight at school and was bullied when he tried to take part in any sort of schoolboy sport.
Motorsport gave him some sort of self worth and in his 'own way' said that having PM1 as his rego number helped!
It was sad that not more was made of his time racing - but I guess if he had started winning it would have been a very different story.

At the time I had a 'Ski Lange' sticker on my car, so I guess pollies were fair game!

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Mike Price » Sun Oct 20, 2013 8:39 am

What year did they run the last B&H series?? Would any TX3's have run or is that too late?

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Rod Grimwood » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:16 am

Nothing bad about at all, was good publicity stunt at time. Did bring its humour with it.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Oldfart » Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:53 am

Did he enjoy his racing? Tick
Did he bring publicity? Tick
Can't all be bad!

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by John McKechnie » Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:37 am

Not only that , he was our Patron at the Mangere BMX Club.......and, no, no one offered him a ride on any racing bike!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Rod Grimwood » Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:29 am

Mike Price wrote:I remember David Lange racing one, did he just do one round or the series?



He did a few races. Nickname was mobile chicane. There was a joke in pits that everyone should all dish in and get another (hard case bugger) competitor to T-bone at hairpin and that would solve most of the countries problems.
He had pretty good humour and laughed about some of the comments from people.

He took up 2 pit areas with his family and ontourage. Funny how it was situated very close to the ice cream store.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Malcolm McLeod » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:45 am

I'm sure Johnsy (Neil Johns) used to race one before he got his Corolla, you might want to contact him Mike, he might know something.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Mike Price » Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:41 am

Ha Ha, A bit of Winston Peters telling the flag marshall that he has waved the flag wrong.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Kwaussie » Thu Oct 17, 2013 10:08 am

Lange was a bit like Kevin Rudd - had to be on the Auckland TV News every night.
Low point in NZ Motorsport - now if Len Brown raced off with John Banks in the ill fitting undergear that would be about the same!

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Mike Price » Thu Oct 17, 2013 9:01 am

I remember David Lange racing one, did he just do one round or the series?

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Growler » Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:33 am

I remember that series with David Lange coming last...ummm racing with the pack.
I did a quick google search and only found this.
http://www.motorsport.org.nz/content/discontinued-race-championships

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by seaqnmac27 » Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:32 am

The Laser Sport series initially replaced the Escort Sport series, I am guessing, in 1982 or 83. The 1979 Escort series, I will check, also had Desire Wilson as a guest driver.

Re: Laser Sport series- Info?

by Shoreboy57 » Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:22 am

Mike - yes he is

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