Photos: The Graeme Bennett Collection - Part 3

[Steve Holmes]

[ATTACH]21982[/ATTACH]

Formula Atlantic/Pacific was introduced in New Zealand as the new premier single seater category in 1976, replacing Formula 5000. F5000 had been struggling for some time in New Zealand, with car numbers dwindling, and the cars themselves proving expensive to run and often quite unreliable. Really, even the die-hards had to admit, the writing was on the wall for F5000.

The category was created in the US by the Sports Car Club of America, and although it never achieved the huge spectator, sponsor, and superstar driver levels the SCCA's Can-Am and Trans-Am series did, still the US F5000 category was the richest in the world. And F5000 chassis makers built cars knowing most would find American buyers. With the Can-Am having died in 1974, the SCCA looked to try and rekindle some of its magic, and essentially made F5000 into a centre-seat Can-Am series. So, by 1976, it was very difficult to actually purchase a new F5000 chassis. There was really only one direction the class could take. It continued on in Australia for several more years, but in New Zealand, was replaced by Formula Atlantic, or, as it was known in NZ, Formula Pacific.

The Atlantic formula tended to polarise enthusiasts. People either loved it or hated it. Certainly, the small capacity, high revving Atlantic cars didn't make the ground shake like the old F5000's did. But as F5000 was reaching the end, so there was very little variety of chassis' to be had. Lola had pretty well cornered the market. With the new Atlantic formula, there was a vast array of different chassis' available. Furthermore, while F5000 was contested largely by drivers in the middle of their racing careers, Atlantic drivers were fresh-faced, fearless, and beating a path to Formula 1. And some of the driving was astonishing.

So while many F5000 drivers remained in the category for several years, those contesting Formula Atlantic viewed it as a stepping stone, to arrive, make an impact, and climb another rung up the ladder to Formula 1. And while most Atlantic drivers weren't actually in the category long enough to build a fan-base, it was fun to watch their progress beyond their time in the formula.

By the early 1980's, Atlantic had largely gone the way of F5000, in that one single chassis dominated. By the early 1980's, if you showed up for an Atlantic race with anything other than a Ralt RT4, you weren't going to win. Towards the end of the decade, the RT4 dominance had finally been ended by the Swift DB4. Likewise, if you didn't own a Swift, you were there to make up the numbers. But the early years of Formula Atlantic featured a great variety of cars, all a bit different to the next, all battling, like their drivers, to emerge on top.

This chapter of Graeme Bennett's collection of historic New Zealand motor racing photos focuses on Formula Atlantic/Pacific. The photos are all from either Pukekohe or Bay Park, and most are during the early, pre-Ralt RT4 years of the formula, so there are some interesting cars pictured. I've split the Atlantic collection into two parts, as there are about 100 photos in all. This first chapter features all the photos from Bay Park, plus a small number from Pukekohe. I hope you enjoy these. I think these are some of the prettiest cars ever to have raced.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, so, I'm struggling just a little bit to pin-point the year these photos are taken, but I'm pretty sure these first Bay Park shots are from the 1978 International, held on January 2, 1978. First up here, is Steve Millen in the Chevron B42, which, if I'm correct about the date, won the first Heat, and heading home some impressive drivers, including Larry Perkins, who finished 2nd, and Keke Rosberg, who placed 3rd.

[ATTACH]21983[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

And speaking of Keke, here he is leading Perkins and Millen. Rosberg won the second Heat.

[ATTACH]21988[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

[ATTACH]21990[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]21991[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]21989[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

Bit further back, is Bobby Rahal in the Chevron B39, with Ken Smith third in line. Who is sandwiched in between? Possibly Robbie Francevic in the Modus?

[ATTACH]21992[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

Brett Riley in the March. Riley was one of those Kiwi drivers who quickly rose to prominence when Formula Atlantic was introduced, as a potential F1 driver for the future. Was hugely talented in an Atlantic car.

[ATTACH]21993[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

Steve Emson, I believe, in the Modus, with Millen right up his jacksie. Possibly Eric Morgan third in line?

[ATTACH]21994[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

[ATTACH]21995[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]21996[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

OK, some interesting stuff here, with Ross Stone leading the way in the Cuda, from Graeme Crawford, with a hidden car in behind Crawford. The red March is probably Reg Cook, with, I think Pierre Dieudonne in the Ehrlich up next, while Steve Emson in behind.

[ATTACH]21997[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

[ATTACH]22007[/ATTACH]

[Michael Clark]

Rosberg v Millen at Bay Park in 1978 is in my top 3 Pacific races of the many I saw

[Steve Holmes]

OK, I don't when these next photos were taken, only that they appear to be from either the 1977 or 1978 season. David Oxton raced the Chevron B29 formerly driven in NZ by Brian Redman in the 1977 season (with Ford BDA replacing the 2.0 litre BMW unit), and then a B34 in 1978. When did he race the ex-Tom Gloy Tui? Was this at a Gold Star event?

[ATTACH]22008[/ATTACH]

[Michael Clark]

Well he raced it in Canada!

[Steve Holmes]

Here is Ross Stone in the handsome Cuda JR3, looking a bit like a shrunken McLaren M23. This pretty car was designed and built by brothers Jim and Ross Stone, but driven by Ross. This is the car in its original guise, before it was rebuilt as a ground-effects car, and given a new designation.

Does this car still exist?

[ATTACH]22009[/ATTACH]

[Steve Holmes]

Well he raced it in Canada!

Yes thats right, and I knew he'd raced it in NZ briefly, but what was the event?

[rogered]

Here is Ross Stone in the handsome Cuda JR3, looking a bit like a shrunken McLaren M23. This pretty car was designed and built by brothers Jim and Ross Stone, but driven by Ross. This is the car in its original guise, before it was rebuilt as a ground-effects car, and given a new designation.

Does this car still exist?

[ATTACH]22009[/ATTACH]

yes it certainly does still exist

[Michael Clark]

It lives not far from me...in the Gary Devon collection

[David McKinney]

Oxton raced the Tui in the last two 1977 Gold Star rounds - Baypark 10/04 (2nd to McMillan) and Manfeild 17/04 (first from McMillan)

Formula Atlantic was adopted by North American clubs, mainly in Canada, to replace their Formula B (similar to our old National Formula) but had started in the UK

[928]

yes David, a John Webb/MCD formula I believe

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for all that info you guys. Would love to see a few more of these cars out at historic events. Certainly no shortage of them built, and they are out there.