The Roaring Season

[quote="Milan Fistonic"]Sad to report that Phil Neill passed away on July 17th. He was 92.

Phil was a regular competitor in the Auckland region through the middle-fifties and entered the NZ Grand Prix on four occasions.

In 1954 he drove the FSS Special to 14th place. The following year he was in an Austin-Healey 100 and finished 12th.

Although he again entered in his Healey in 1956 he did not start the race.

He then acquired the ex-Zambucka Maserati 6CM and tried to qualify for the '57 GP but a blown supercharger put paid to that attempt.

As it states in his death notice Phil is "now racing cars in a better place."[/quote]

Phil used to come into the bookshop from time to time and chat about his time racing once he knew I was involved. He was a mate of Jack Brabham, and used to stay with him when he went to Australia. A nice guy and I will miss our chat sessions. He was entered for the 1956 Levin Labour Day race meeting in the Maserati but does not feature in the results.

Sad to report that Phil Neill passed away on July 17th. He was 92.

Phil was a regular competitor in the Auckland region through the middle-fifties and entered the NZ Grand Prix on four occasions.

In 1954 he drove the FSS Special to 14th place. The following year he was in an Austin-Healey 100 and finished 12th.

Although he again entered in his Healey in 1956 he did not start the race.

He then acquired the ex-Zambucka Maserati 6CM and tried to qualify for the '57 GP but a blown supercharger put paid to that attempt.

As it states in his death notice Phil is "now racing cars in a better place."