Mystery NZ racing photos

[Homer]

definitly Wigram, Port hills in the back ground. Went for a drive round the Wigram area to try and have a look at the old track. It was a sad site and it is now barely recognizable with all the new subdivisions in the area.

[Rod Grimwood]

Strange how old race tracks make nice sub-divisions, then they winge about boy racers, how sad.

[John McKechnie]

I went to see the final V8 Supercar race at Oran Park.It was supposed to become a subdivision, but thanks to the economic meltdown, it has not proceeded.

[Steve Holmes]

There was talk an exact replica of Oran Park was to be built elsewhere. Was that just some flight of fancy dreamt up by a journalist?

[GD66]

From memory it was just part of the load of cow droppings proferred by Tony Perich at the time as part of the justification for shutting the joint down. While Oran Park wasn't really considered a great track, at least it was a track...

[Steve Holmes]

Well it was at least an interesting track, and far more so than many more recent efforts, such as Queensland Raceway.

[Habu]

Well it was at least an interesting track, and far more so than many more recent efforts, such as Queensland Raceway.

Or the pile of shite, once upon a time more glorious, that people refer to as Pukekohe....

[hilstwist]

Not Levin. too many hills in close proximity.I also remember the houses around the circuit.The only ones by the track were between the pits and main straight. I recall when I was much younger i wished I lived in one of them for the great view! My vote is Wigram. Good photos.

[John McKechnie]

Still talking about Oran Park-When I was there an authentic Bob Holden Escort barrel rolled on the last corner.Still had an authentic aluminium roll cage in it.The roof looked like the Sutherland E49 charger. The passenger side and roof took the impact of hitting the concrete with earth behind wall.Fantastic to watch, sickening to hear.Driver got out.The car was totaled.I am sure that the car will be rebuilt , not rebodied........yeah right. Loved the track layout with the overbridge, made for fantastic watching at many points.Saw Morris deliberately punt Wincup off there.

[John McKechnie]

Hi Rod Grimwood, In another thread you said you used to be with Patton and Black. Did you have much to do with Forrest Lake stadium stock car track? I bought the blue HK Kingswood with mags that they used there , in 1972/73.Registration DG7157. I used to hill climb it-Chamberlain Rd, Bgight Rd, Cosseys Farm ,Andersons Farm.Great fun. Also used it as a tow car for my racing Mini Cooper S. Did you also have anything to do with Blacks building of the HK Monaro , now a long time ago. Love to get some details of it

[Rod Grimwood]

Hi John, I worked at Waikaraka Park with Wally Page and Warren Black was boss. Looked after track preparation and fence's etc. (they were wooden planks then and always needed replacing.) Also any other faciities and visiting teams etc.
Wally was the trackman and good on grader, and bloody good in his stockcar as well.
Was handy to have car there later in week to check track was right. And make sure not too much water on Saturday afternoon (gave little horsepower saloon cars a chance in early race) loved those early races.
I was not involved in any of Spencers cars. Spent a bit of time with him over the years between boats and cars, good bloke, hard case bugger.
Remember Bald Hill, Cossey's, Andersons Farm, Chamberlain and Bright (tarseal) back then.

[John McKechnie]

Hi again Rod, I used to run ex Noel Goodwin Fiat 600 (Fyfe and Ransom)- your watering definitely helped little cars like mine., later crewed with Rob Watkins AP5 Valiant, back in early 70s.Really different atmosphere then.I remember Wally.Did you ever run a car there or at the hill climbs and grasstracks? In fact most of those names still stick in the mind, like most of the racing. I remember some nights the water truck was shifted from where it was blocking the track after racing (very naughty )-,people would barbeque and party into the night-and they would get their cars out again and have private races or girlfriends would have a drive.One night when this was going on at about midnight, we noticed a blue HK Monaro absolutely screeeeeming around -it was a road car and this guy was giving it absolute death.He did about 20 laps , then took off up the road.He was airborne over the bridge at Onehunga and totalled it.I know the guy who bought it and rebuilt it.He still has it.
You guys did a great job at the Park gave a lot of people enjoyment , fullfillment, direction in life , and a social life .Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back

[Rod Grimwood]

John email me mailto:?subject=&body= Tell you some more. What Bar B Q's, what sort of enjoyment.
Yep ran cars at all