The Garry Simkin Collection - Part 3

[Steve Holmes]

OK, this is the third and final part of the Garry Simkin Collection of New Zealand motor racing photos, which I've really enjoyed posting up here. This portion of the collection is almost exclusively saloon car racing, so if tin-tops aren't your thing, you probably won't enjoy these too much. But if you do have an interest in this form of racing, these are pretty cool.

Most of the photos in this set are from the 1970, and 1971 New Zealand motor racing seasons. They depict a good selection of competitors racing in each of the three classes in the NZ Saloon car Championship, plus there are a few production car races, and some rallying.

So, enjoy. And feel free to jump in with comments and stories, and help me out with any blanks I manage to draw.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, kicking things off with a selection from the three (at the time) North island race tracks, Levin, Pukekohe, and Bay Park. The first shot is great! It shows Red Dawson in the Mustang battling the Escorts of Jack Nazer and Jim Richards. I'm pretty certain the spinning Anglia at Pukekohe is Denis Hamill? Can someone confirm this?

[Steve Holmes]

Next batch, I'm not sure the significance of the team pulling down the gearbox in the second photo, maybe Garry can help here? But isn't it neat to see young guys getting stuck in, doing on the spot repairs out under the baking sun. The third photo shows typical 0-1000cc action, with the Minis of Rod Collingwood, Peter Sharp, and Barry Phillips doing battle.

[Steve Holmes]

Mid pack action at Levin is first up here. The Max Pennington twin-cam Escort leads Reg Cooks Mini, an Anglia for which I can't read the number, Rodger Andersons BMW, and a Mini Cooper which might be Wal Wymers? Next up is Jim Richards and Jim Palmer in a proddy race at Levin. Then we have Don Hallidays crossed-up Escort leading Dave Silcocks Jag at Pukekohe, and, finally, Gary Spragues Escort twin-cam. Uuuuummm, is this the former Dave Silcock car?

[Steve Holmes]

More Escorts and Mustangs. First up is Grant Bloore leading Jack Nazer at Bay Park. I know very little about the Bloore Escort, although it was a twin-cam car. But it doesn't appear to have raced much. Can anyone help with this? The final shot in this post is of Stan Baird and Jim Richards.

[Steve Holmes]

Alrighty, another shot of the Baird/Richards battle at Bay Park. Can someone on here ID the Anglia thats punched in its right front corner? More Escort shots, of the magnificent Paul Fahey Alan Mann machine at speed, and, finally, Richards leading Baird and Halliday.

[Steve Holmes]

A close up of the photo posted above to lead. Next shot is of Richards leading South Island racer Clyde Collins in the PDL Falcon. Note the steel wheels. This was the first season the car was raced. It had Minilites the following year. The final shot is one of a few showing Spencer (Spinner) Black in his GTHO Falcon, and Jim Palmer in his HT Monaro production racers. I have a couple more shots of these two, first resident GTHO anorak to tell me if Spinners car is a Phase I or Phase II gets 10 points!

[Steve Holmes]

OK, last ones for now, I need to get some work done! First up is the pretty little Escort twin-cam of Max Pennington, which was fitted with the motor and wheels from Ken Smiths Lotus 41B. Sadly, it appears this car was later turned into a rally car, then a speedway car, and no longer exists. The Mini engine shot I'm not sure about, could this be Rod Collingwoods car? Last up, Palmer and Spinner getting sideways in the proddy racers. V8s and skinny cross-ply tyres sure make for exciting racing!

[mid-year]

Hi Steve,judging by the resonators on the Starlight-Blue GTHO it will be a Phase 2
Regards Pete.

[rogered]

what became of clyde collins falcon??

[Rod Grimwood]

It went back on the road, as a one lady owner Falcon I believe.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah that was my understanding too, converted back to a road car, and I was once told it was later wrecked.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve,judging by the resonators on the Starlight-Blue GTHO it will be a Phase 2
Regards Pete.

Thanks Pete, thats great!

[Steve Holmes]

Next batch, Rodger Andersons BMW, and the Spinner/Palmer production car battle.

[Steve Holmes]

This photo gets its own post, because its just so right, for so many reasons. Gary Sprague celebrates victory on the hood of his twin-cam Escort. This one photo sums up an era long since gone. A young guy who funds his own racing, does his own tuning, and his own preparation, and he and his buddies do all-nighters driving all over the country to get to the races, most probably with an old tow vehicle on its last legs, at a time when it was still possible to do this. And no sign of Health & Safety as he celebrates on the hood of his car being driven around the track! I know several of our own Roaring Season members have enjoyed a similar past. My, how times have changed!

[Steve Holmes]

OK, next batch, this post includes a couple of shots of Jack Nazers Escort, including one where he is spinning at the Pukekohe hairpin, with Rod Coppins taking avoiding action, plus a couple of Alan Boyles Mini Cooper.

[Steve Holmes]

Big bangers! Clyde Collins, Rod Coppins, John Riley.

[Steve Holmes]

First up, a three car battle with Clyde Collins exiting stage left, while Rodger Anderson and Gary Sprague give chase. Next up are a couple of really nice photos capturing Jim Richards and Rod Coppins. Finally, epic Bay Park tussle between Jim Richards, Paul Fahey (on the inside), and Rod Coppins. I think this final shot could be from the opening round of the 1970/71 NZ Saloon Car Championship, this race being won by Fahey from Richards.

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve, the Nazer Escort looks in normal position for a Escort, they used to do this Occassionally. Do wonder if there has been a little assistance to get to this angle, as Jack has a bit of opposite on. Not the quickest lines but the fun ones.

[Steve Holmes]

Thats true Rod, this was pretty typical pose for your Escort! And you usually got around the corners just fine!