The Roaring Season

2022 trophy winners

Congratulations to the trophy winners for Season 36 (2021-2022) who were revealed at the dinner last night!

Marque Awards

TOPS Jaguar Win Jacob (294)
Jason Nicholl Porsche Bryce Platt (302)
Sutherland BMW John Blewett (457)
TOPS MG Gordon Harkness (421)
Simon Mills Alfa Romeo Wendy Metcalfe (414)
John Tomlin Ford Tony Vujnovich (712) Ford

Country Awards

Mark Rantin German Phil Josephs (569) BMW
TOPS British George Adams (564) TVR
Italian Brett Hickman (442) Alfa

Major Awards

BMC 4 Cylinder Glen Thompson(595) MG
Top Saloon (Tracer) Des Redgwell (607) Volvo
Modern (Post 1990) Ian Burkhill (587) BMW
Stephen Harris (Grp 2) Peter Bromley (854) BMW
Arrow Wheels (Grp 1) Sheridan Broadbent (745) BMW
Most Sporting - Convenor's award Gerry Kessels Porsche

For next season, it will be the Arrow Wheels series as the AES sponsorship since the sad passing of Steve Harris has not been maintained. All races will be combined grids but maintaining the existing two speed groups philosophy.

Great to see trophies won by Wendy Metcalfe and Sheridan Broadbent - both against considerable opposition. No 'Fast Frog' trophy this year as no drivers ran French cars and the Triumph Trophy hasn't been awarded for a while.

There were times when we had TR3a, Spitfire, Toledo, Vitesse, TR6, TR7 V8, Dolomite Sprint, Triumph 2.5/2000, racing.

Re #401. Clark Proctor bought the Escort and John Honore the Cortina.

First time out on track for the Cortina at Icebreaker. Not surprisingly, John was finding his feet after his Ferrari, but there again, I seem to remember his graduation to the Ferrari from a Holden Commodore also took a bit of getting used to.
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ERC wrote:Once again, some very sad news. Sunday, we lost Tony Sturm, who was the first ever winner of a BMC Series race, back in the 1986/87 season. He finished 3rd overall, just 5 points behind Gerald Fogg, driving an MGB Sports.

He raced with the Series for a total of 17 seasons, with a bit of a layoff, until he bought the ex-Derek Prior MGB. Many will remember his horrific crash at Taupo which destroyed the car and put Tony in hospital for about 3 months.

In recent times, I believe he was considering doing some trackwork again.

Once again, a lovely bloke who will be sadly missed, as he has been attending most ERC races in recent times, catching up with the many people who considered him a dear friend.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend the funeral, which will be on Saturday May 27th, midday at Meadowbank.

At this rate, there will be a fair grid of ex-racers upstairs.

RiP Tony, I was privileged to know you.

Knew who he was but didn't know him that well Ray but very sad............RIP Tony Sturm another racer lost......we seem to be loosing a generation of racers these days which is sad. Dale M

Once again, some very sad news. Sunday, we lost Tony Sturm, who was the first ever winner of a BMC Series race, back in the 1986/87 season. He finished 3rd overall, just 5 points behind Gerald Fogg, driving an MGB Sports.

He raced with the Series for a total of 17 seasons, with a bit of a layoff, until he bought the ex-Derek Prior MGB. Many will remember his horrific crash at Taupo which destroyed the car and put Tony in hospital for about 3 months.

In recent times, I believe he was considering doing some trackwork again.

Once again, a lovely bloke who will be sadly missed, as he has been attending most ERC races in recent times, catching up with the many people who considered him a dear friend.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend the funeral, which will be on Saturday May 27th, midday at Meadowbank.

At this rate, there will be a fair grid of ex-racers upstairs.

RiP Tony, I was privileged to know you.

Following on from the above - this was sent out to the ERC contingent yesterday:

1970 Ford Escort Mk 1 (Bluey), a beautifully developed, no expense spared, race Escort. In Ivan’s hands it was always a front runner. Neil Tolich, who raced it for Ivan at the January Festival at Hampton Downs, commented that it was the “most sublime race car I have ever driven”. Neil also said that the fresh Bruce Manon BDG twin cam engine was a delight with a huge spread of torque and power (330+). Strong and reliable, with no need to rev it over 8000 (it can do 9000+) to get to the front of the grid! It is now fitted with a fresh 5 speed T5 Cosworth gearbox. The Escort’s braking and its ability to carry speed thru bumpy corners is stunning. This car will appeal to anyone wanting one of the country’s finest race Escorts that is remarkably easy to drive flat out and can actually win races. Many spares also available in including a sequential 6 speed gearbox. Car plus wet/dry wheels and tyres, $75,000.

1965 Cortina GT Aeroflow. As new… never raced since its full rebuild. Stunning in flawless black paint with silver side flash. 5 speed T5 gearbox. New Bruce Manon YB Cosworth engine built for torque and longevity… about 220hp at 7000rpm. Road registered and great for Targa/tarmac rallies and racetracks. A rare classic race car, impeccably built. $35,000.

New covered race trailer. Purpose built, used once. Magnificent in every detail. No expense spared. Full height load area. Internal measurements 5.6m long, 2m high, 1.98m between wheel wells, 2.4 m internal width. Electric winch, work bench, tyre racks. Huge rear door folds down electrically to act as load ramp. Weighs over a tonne (plus race car) and needs a full size ute or SUV tow car. Trailer price under build cost at $25,000.

I won't publish telephone numbers on here for obvious reasons, but contact Neil Tolich or Paul Dunkley. If you need phone numbers, send me a PM.

We also lost Ivan Selak December 13th, to cancer.

Although a long time car person, I'm not sure that Ivan had too much race experience prior to running his very quick Escort in the ERC Series, where he pedalled it extremely well and was one of the 3 fastest cars in recent times.

Another genuinely nice guy who will be missed.

Pic taken at what was his next to last race meeting, in October.

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PS: Neil Tolich may drive the car at the Kenny Smith Festival in January, even if only for demo laps.

We are sad to announce that after a long battle with brain tumours Colin Craig passed away this morning at 7:05.

Colin raced and rallied a Ford Escort but also had a strong association with Alfa Romeo people and occasionally shared David Frith's car.

A lovely man with a wonderfully dry wit, he will be missed. Our condolences to Steph who has been a real rock over the last couple of years.

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Colin, far left, front row.


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I've just realised that I didn't get time to post the list of trophy winners for my last season before I went away. Please note, that as a matter of policy, for the last 10 years, we have never published the points before the Awards Dinner, as this series is still about participation. So much so, that any driver who attends a meeting, even if his/her car fails on the first lap of practice, will get points awarded.

Congratulations to all drivers, past and present, for a fantastic final race season for me - and massive thanks for their support, camaraderie and humour (and tolerance...) over the previous 20 years. A great journey with lots of very special memories.

Long may the series continue, with the same philosophies that have ensured its longevity.

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The TOPS trophies were donated by myself under my trading name of TOPS...

We are sad to record the passing of former VW Golf driver, Pete Gannaway, from Napier. A long battle with cancer, finally lost on Thursday.

Lovely bloke and our condolences to Sarah. At Pete's request, definitely no public funeral. He hated funerals...

RiP

Fast Files - YouTube celebration of our series.

Went down very well on Saturday night!

[video=youtube;LMFoDobEceg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMFoDobEceg[/video]

Enjoy your trip.

As expected, a load of laughs! Look out for Adam's excellent ERC promo video. Will be on YouTube, but may need one sector censoring!

Time now for me to wrap up, but before I do, I'll post a list of the award winners and the amount we raised for Child Cancer. Off overseas on Monday, so will have to get my skates on.

Just a few days now to the celebration of 30 years of the Series and between 150 and 160 people attending the awards dinner - and my hand over to Chris Browne. Then I can swan off June 20th for a long break!

Massive thanks to BNT, CRC and AES for their very generous support of the evening and the expectation that we'll raise a fair bit for the Child Cancer charity.

Also an evening for a load of laughs!

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What a cracker!...
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This site is causing me hiccups today!

ERC Series entry for what is my last round before I hand over the Series. Might have to contact Steve to change my TRS name but without losing all previous posts.

Grant Kern is giving his "Cream Cracker" MG TD a run! Sadly, I don't think we'll see the MGCC Series running next season.

2 Bert Quin Ford Capri Perana Rep
6 Mal Clark Rover P6 3500
28 Michael Sexton Ford Escort RS2000
69 Dennis McConnell Ford Escort Lotus Twin Cam
79 Gary Langsford Alfa 75
83 Nigel Patterson BMW 320i
88 Bruce Manon Ford Escort RS2000
93 Ivan Selak Escort YB Cosworth
117 John Sampson Ford Capri RS2600
119 Eddie Beresford Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti
120 John Munro Jaguar XJ6
203 Andy Mygind Datsun 240Z
279 Barry Hare Rover SD1
431 Phil Josephs Rover Tomcat
944 Paul Madeley Porsche 944
996 David Heron Porsche 996
17 Peter Northin Ford Escort RS2000
20 Geoff Sparkes Triumph Dolomite Sprint
21 Bryce Platt Porsche 924S
29 Mike Lucas Austin Mini Cooper S
30 Rod Hemmings TVR 3000M
34 Graeme Park Porsche 944S2
39 Grant Kern MG TD
45 John Nuthall Alfa Romeo GT
47 Gary Baildon BMW 325is
49 Chris Browne Alfa Romeo Alfasud
77 Jeremy Thornton Peugeot 205 GTI
92 Brian Yates Porsche 924S
116 Phil Neely Alfa Romeo Alfetta
135 Don Roy MGB GT V8
150 Allan Brook MGB GT
205 Richard McCarthy Peugeot 205 GTI
213 Dave Mallin MGB GT
231 John Hudson BMW 2002
233 Max Van Maanen Alfa Romeo 33 (16v)
280 Ken Williams Mercedes 280CE
503 Steve Cowie Fiat Bravo HGT
833 Robert Hunkin Alfa 33
866 Francois Cronje Renault R8 Gordini
891 Chris Hunkin Alfa 33

Interesting AMCO that I perceived the same thing when I inherited the series (and the reason for it). At the end of my first season, I realised that it was indeed one or two of the faster guys who really wanted to win, and saw that as a disincentive to the 'also-rans', hence the move to 100% handicaps..

The rest as they say, is history. There can of course only be one winner in any race, but if there is a field of just 3, scrapping for overall honours, it isn't really my cup of tea.

I have to say that I won the series that year NOT because of any outstanding driving ability on my part........in my opinion, but rather that I had the best car for the job.......in my opinion!!!!!!!!! It all changed in subsequent years when everyone else got in on the act and cars became increasingly modified, and driving became more seriously focused. We still managed to get away with surprisingly little panel damage, considering our amateur status, but there was some. Inevitably, some of the gentlemanly 'after you Sir' went out the door, and a bit more 'out of my way sonny I'm coming through' became the norm. But compared to today we were pretty slow......a 50 second lap of old Taupo was pretty damn good, and most of us could get round in under 56 seconds. Amazing that it was 30 years ago.....sometimes seems just like last week.

This is the year 1 summary of the original BMC Series giving the points earned and also how many years each driver registered including the roll over to the Leisuretime/Tracer years and the AES/Arrow Wheels sponsorship years.

Up to the end of last season, we still had less than 400 drivers who have ever registered, including those who may have registered but never actually raced and therefore scored zero points. As at today, 113 paid up registered drivers for this season - and they are still joining!

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Interesting that of the above list, no less than 8 drivers never registered again. I wonder why? I'd love to know.

Can just see Stu Hoopers Austin A35 on the second row. Stu was always an entertaining driver.......he managed to upend the Austin in one race........cant remember the details, but I dont think we saw the car again. They always looked a bit top heavy, but some folk made them go pretty well.........