The Roaring Season

Well, I did say "signing off " a few posts back.
As many will have seen from the ERC and Nigel Watts pics the HRC has picked up the ball and there are a number of events for the cars, even if they haven't got their own grid YET. So, for all those wh thought it might be interesting, you can still join in. Even though I am now living in the UK I know where there are cars ready, or almost so, to run and under 7K so...

That is a shame Rhys. Part of the problem is that we are probably too late to rescue enough pre 1961's from the crusher.

With good examples of even modest cars now fetching good money, I think that finding enough raceable ones was always going to be an uphill battle. Years ago in the UK, the pre '57 saloons, when they could be picked up fairly cheaply were moderately popular, but grids were rarely full even then.

They did allow very limited modifications and they were enough to make the racing pretty good. Bog standard 60 year old cars on modern tracks are a bit lost and personally, I would have liked to have seen limited modifications allowed, to make them a) more enjoyable to drive b) better to watch, even if there were two classes - or more. Nowadays, numbers on the grid are essential, even if it does mean mixed grids.

At least you gave it a crack, OF. So much better than sitting on the couch moaning, "Why can't the club do ABC etc" It is bloody hard to get something off the ground, for a start there are SO many categories in NZ motorsport already that many of them run in a niche with overlaps on both sides. Unfortunately expressions of goodwill, half-pissed conjecture and tyre-kicking from those threatening to join in don't get it done but it would be a shame if you couldn't get your squad together for at least one combined attack a year and hope to build from there.

Well this is the "sign off" on this topic from me.
I tried, I failed.
Despite finding cars, building them up for others to use and such, there is little growth in the concept, in the North Island at least.
In the mainland it is taking off with the enthusiasts down there buying cars, agreeing on where they are going, and in the next few months the "pre 61, as it was" group will be viable.
I do thank those who supported the idea, both those who talked about it, and even more those who have cars and will progress this to whatever level it may be.
Enjoy, as the girl in the cafe might say.
See you

ERC wrote:Great news Rhys. Running at just one race meeting a year was never going to attract big support. Hopefully, if successful, you'll get invites to more HRC meetings and that should encourage a few more out there.

We always had 2 race meetings plus sprint and hillclimbs, but you are right. Getting the extra invites will be a bit "chicken and egg". More invitations needs more cars, to get more cars.... Nil Bastardum Carborundum!

Great news Rhys. Running at just one race meeting a year was never going to attract big support. Hopefully, if successful, you'll get invites to more HRC meetings and that should encourage a few more out there.

Well, as some may know we have been offered a grid at Icebreaker. This means we have serious recognition, now just have to front up and fulfil those expectations. More always welcome to come and join us!

Lift off has been achieved. I am advised tonight of yet another car underway. Time for the fence sitters to come and play!

Well, time to get this back up. 9 cars this year at Roycroft, and even then missing a couple from last year who will be back.
There has been a stream of phone calls, and with other meetings being offered (October) this is your real chance to get in. Some of the current cars are being given a birthday, one entrant reverting almost to his roots in motorsport to run a car similar to his second, full steam ahead!!

When I was at College in 1971, there was a friends brother who had a Bantam, they used to call it a sawer- no, not Soarer- because it sounded like a chainsaw.
Also in 1969 ,a group of young teens used to fly model aeroplanes- control line- with gloplug engines. We used to think that the bottles of Methane 1000 -read methanol- from ModelAir was great smelling as we filled the tanks. Probably helped prepare us for circuit racing.

ERC wrote:Didn't the telegram boys at the Post Office all ride BSA Bantams back in the UK? I'm sure the petrol tank wasn't that large though! Brilliant pic.

No not original, probably running on methanol / castrol R, never been a better smell invented yet, uses a lot more,

Didn't the telegram boys at the Post Office all ride BSA Bantams back in the UK? I'm sure the petrol tank wasn't that large though! Brilliant pic.

GD66 wrote:The dreaded bantam, this one's at Ballaugh Bridge on the Isle of Man, can't quite see if it's been going quick enough to blow the ash off his fag...[ATTACH=CONFIG]26565[/ATTACH]

Must have excellent cig, lighter. also can,t see ashtray attached to bike. Who was that man Reece ?

GD, do you know who this is? A very good friend in the UK prepared a Bantam for the IOM way way back which went rather well, certainly in the top 10. After the race he was offered a job to make (I think) Yamahas go better. When he asked how much pay, he declined as he reckoned he could not drink that much Guiness. I did some research and it turned out the offer had been made, stupid as it may seem.

The dreaded bantam, this one's at Ballaugh Bridge on the Isle of Man, can't quite see if it's been going quick enough to blow the ash off his fag...

GeebeeNZ wrote:Did the bantam race from the top to the bottom ?

No Kevin he is a true racer. Two stroke smoke bottom to top.

Great, G.B. the one I had as a lad would have taken half the day to get up there, that was before we found out abou t porting & compression though, just wish the locost was old enough to compete, maybe when [if] I get to ninety it may be eligeable, no I will have to be 100 on countback.

Did the bantam race from the top to the bottom ?

No Kevin he is a true racer. Two stroke smoke bottom to top.

GeebeeNZ wrote:Ray Chelsea was last weekend. There are pictures on my facebook page. A Bentley, Bugatti, Tiger Moth Riley, Austin A30, JBS, Bucklers, MGs, 1906 Darracq, A 90 year old on a BSA Bantam and a few more it was a good event
Graeme

Did the bantam race from the top to the bottom ?

Oh drat!!! Pity it wasn't mentioned on here - or if it was, I missed it.

As for the decrepit MG, I have had a very, very, mentally traumatic three years and a very physically traumatic two years, since being made aware of the "Hobby Car Manual" December 2010 - which is the bible for the LVVTA, plus MSNZ issues.

About 10 months ago, I thought we had cracked it with an LVVTA plate finally issued, but it failed compliance on an LVVTA issue in February and on the lack of a repair certificate for the extensive body repairs.

Let's just say that to say any more on a public forum would not be a wise move at the moment.

Ray Chelsea was last weekend. There are pictures on my facebook page. A Bentley, Bugatti, Tiger Moth Riley, Austin A30, JBS, Bucklers, MGs, 1906 Darracq, A 90 year old on a BSA Bantam and a few more it was a good event
Graeme

ERC wrote:Is it this weekend for the Chelsea Hillclimb? If so, will be there, armed with a camera not a steering wheel.

When I was lookinng for a project car to be repowerd by a Rover V8, top of my list was a Riley 1.5 (I remember the late Alan Payne in the UK sprinting his - "Smiley" the Riley).

Second choice was a Standard 10.

Then the decrepit Magnette was advertised in the MGCC newsletter...