The Roaring Season

Ok an update, John Wigston appears to have both the ex-Rosberg B34 and the ex-Campbell B39.

Keke Rosberg is said to have raced his main chassis B34-21 (but could this be B34-12, if John is correct, see below) and had a spare B34-19. John Wigston has stated that he has the following 3 chevrons…….

a) B34/19/76 (Keke Rosberg Car): 76/19 was a Fred Opert team car for Juan Cochesa and Rosberg in NZ 1977. Then sold to Norm Lankshear, Bryan Hartley, Ken Smith and then John Wigston.

b) B34/12/76 (Fred Opert team) car drivers unknown, spare car in NZ 1977.

c) B39/01/77 (ex-Campbell B39)

d) He understands my Chevron, bought from Higgins (NZ) was imported from Asia along with a March by Graham Simms. Then sold to Ken Smith (NZ), Andy Higgins (NZ), Dave Gathercole (UK), and Rod Stead (UK) then sold to Andy Huxtable (UK).

Regards my car B34/21/76 the investigation continues………..
a) We know Pocholo Ramirez had a B34 (described as ex Opert) used in S.E.Asian races for a long time, from 1977 to 1983). This is probably chassis 21.

b) From 1976 race reports Opert seems to have had at least four B34s in action in the US/Canada.
So more help please!….. Apparently Graham Simms is now in Canada. Can anybody assist with contact details as he may be able to clarify and provide further history/records on my B34??

The Race Records for Chevron B34 –76–21 (from old racing cars) suggest both José "Pocholo" Ramirez and Keke Rosberg are linked with this car.....but lets see?!?

Hi All, these last sets of photos look like later chevron's (the B34 nose /bodywork is different ---flat across the front no bump) unless john was running custom bodywork. Anyway John and I are corresponding to try a resolve any confusion over the Opert B34 racecars, he is checking his tubs against mine.....will keep you advised. Again thanks for all the photos and info.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]39029[/ATTACH]

Johns daughter drove 1 and he drove the other. top photo is daughter i think

I believe John still owns both the cars although they need some "remedial work" done to get them on the track again.
Here's a few shots I took of the cars at Otaua hillclimb in the mid 80"s. John was running a Kent crossflow engine at this stage, but it was still a very quick little car.

Wigston had both the ex Rosberg B34 and the ex Campbell B39. Rosberg had his main chassis B34-21 and a spare B34-19, 19 is the one that eventually went, via Brendon Hartley to John Wigston. I believe

John has a ex Rosberg car, he would be the one to contact. I have contact for John. Hux email me your Contact ([email protected])
I think Cotter was only Bay Park and Puke, but don't quote.

Horizon wrote:How many cars (tubs) did Rosberg use while racing in NZ ? I know one car, possible two were sold to John Wigston in Auckland at the completion of the race series.
I remember seeing the car with most of the rivets missing from the floor pan !

John Wigston ran a car in the AHCCNZ Hillclimb one year, is this one of the Chevrons.?? .these are from the mid late 1980's 85- 89

i recall seeing one of the Opert, rosberg cars on ebay (may have been 10 years ago) still with NZ scrutineers stickers on the tub

Horizon wrote:How many cars (tubs) did Rosberg use while racing in NZ ? I know one car, possible two were sold to John Wigston in Auckland at the completion of the race series.
I remember seeing the car with most of the rivets missing from the floor pan !

Hi Tony, from what I understand, he raced a B34 in the 1977 season, and a B39 in the 1978 season. But I'm not sure if he just ran two chassis' or if there were more.

How many cars (tubs) did Rosberg use while racing in NZ ? I know one car, possible two were sold to John Wigston in Auckland at the completion of the race series.
I remember seeing the car with most of the rivets missing from the floor pan !

Actually it is not me thank God, the driver Jon Finch was ok but his car was pretty much a write off. This is the guy I had a great race against previously at Silverstone (see my other post regards autosport mag)

HUX wrote:lola v chevron .....donnington park upside down chevron ! [ATTACH=CONFIG]38254[/ATTACH]

So Andy,
Can you give us the results of the roll hoop test that you did here ?

( Ken Hyndman )

From Teretonga in 77 it appears to be Warsteiner

Starting grid Oulton Park "Gold Cup"

lola v chevron .....donnington park upside down chevron !

B34 one-two at Silverstone (from autosport)

June 2011 just out of the workshop, all shiny and new after full restoration!

She can be a hand full on old slicks! (Thruxton Circuit --Segrave corner)

Interesting how low the roll hoop is back then, under modern day regs they made me extend it for obvious safety reasons! No all bad however we are one of the few classes than can run without silencers (no noise police) and after my year (1976) also you now have to adapt the cars to allow for Hans --FIA rules

WOW some great stuff here thanks all, I will dig out some more pics of the car in action as it is currently