The first race meeting I attended was....

[seaqnmac27]

Your post #15 above Jac Mac reminds me of Teretonga 1976. I was mechanicking for Bryan Blackberry on the "Frist" Escort. The plod squad were tiring of drunkards at the event and warned everyone that they intended searching every vehicle entering the circuit for alcohol. They were true to their word to the extent that traffic was banked up from the circuit all the way back to Invercargill. Many fans never got to the motor racing that day. We were assured by the local Watties rep in Invercargill that we would get ample drink ("Frist was a division of the Watties group). At the conclusion of the racing we were told to go to the back of their delivery truck. There was a solid wall of soft drink cartons except for one small gap. A head appeared and we were helped inside. Once inside the entire area was empty except for a small area up front behind the cab. Behind another wall of soft drink cartons there was a cleverly hidden 'bar'. Afraid that the authorities might get suspicious with all the guests coming and going to the circuit's toilets they even concealed a camp toilet!

This is 77/8 at Teretonga, after it had been sold to Ken Sager

[kiwi285]

I am sure it has been asked before and answered - but does the Frist Escort still exist ?? They were such great looking cars and still are.

[rf84]

Beaut photo seaqnmac-thanks for posting it.
I do not know where the car went and was not even aware that Ken Sager had bought it. I was always under the impression that Bryan sold it to someone by the name of Moore who had a car sales (I think on Princess Street) in Palmerston North. Bryan unfortunately is no longer with us and I don't know who else to ask about it's whereabouts.

[seaqnmac27]

Yep Mike Moore. Eventually it was painted Black under his ownership. I remember him racing it, probably 83-85 somewhere around there. But he also tried to sell it from about 1980 on

[crunch]

Beaut photo seaqnmac-thanks for posting it.
I do not know where the car went and was not even aware that Ken Sager had bought it. I was always under the impression that Bryan sold it to someone by the name of Moore who had a car sales (I think on Princess Street) in Palmerston North. Bryan unfortunately is no longer with us and I don't know who else to ask about it's whereabouts.

You are thinking of Mike Moore who had a car sales yard (Mike Moore Autos) on Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North up until a couple of years ago. He used a mk.1 Escort twin Cam in Shellsport, think it was black

[rf84]

Hi Raymond
Yes-that name sounds right. Think he was originally on Princess Street? (the one where the old Newmans bus depot used to be) just around the corner from Broadway and on the south side of the street (Newmans was on the northern side). Maybe a motel there now?
Could be wrong but seem to remember Blacky telling me Moore bought the car. Ken Sager (who it seems was the first owner after Bryan) owned the Albert Motor Lodge at that time so there definitely was a Palmerston North connection.

[RogerH]

My first race meeting was Ardmore 1960 when still at primary school. Went there with my dad and friend of his in the friend's black Aston Martin DB4. There were huge traffic queues so we went down a side road and got some tennis shoe white out of a bag in the boot and painted a number on the doors of the DB4. They thought we were a competitor so we were waved past all the queues and onto the track without paying and we parked behind the pits …….

[Carlo]

You are thinking of Mike Moore who had a car sales yard (Mike Moore Autos) on Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North up until a couple of years ago. He used a mk.1 Escort twin Cam in Shellsport, think it was black

While I could be corrected I am pretty sure that during the years we were involved with Shellsport Mike was running the car as a RS2000 rather than as a Twin Cam.
At the time Twin Cams were the domain of Bryce Platt, Father Harrington, Kirk Stoneman & Don Halliday

First race meeting would have to be a toss up between the 1st Grasstrack meeting of the Malborough Car Club and the Nelson Car Club New Year Beach Race meeting back about 1955 or 56 when I was in Standard 3 or 4.
Add in the Hawkesbury Motor Cycle races about the same time too.
First 100% sealed circuit meeting would be the 1959 Dunedin Road Race Meeting and 1st year of high school.

[crunch]

While I could be corrected I am pretty sure that during the years we were involved with Shellsport Mike was running the car as a RS2000 rather than as a Twin Cam.
At the time Twin Cams were the domain of Bryce Platt, Father Harrington, Kirk Stoneman & Don Halliday

First race meeting would have to be a toss up between the 1st Grasstrack meeting of the Malborough Car Club and the Nelson Car Club New Year Beach Race meeting back about 1955 or 56 when I was in Standard 3 or 4.
Add in the Hawkesbury Motor Cycle races about the same time too.
First 100% sealed circuit meeting would be the 1959 Dunedin Road Race Meeting and 1st year of high school.

Mike's Mark2 Escort was a RS2000 and I think that car became the "donor car" for Bob Holmwoods Sports Sedan Escort?

[ERC]

Surely there must be someone on here who spectated before 1951? There are times when I don't just think I am old, but know I AM old.

[Allan]

Sorry ERC if you were spectating in 1951 you are old.
For me the first meeting was Mt Manganui that I have posted pictures of. Also went to the first Wills six hour race in 63.
Allan

[Greg Mackie]

I wasn't going to admit it, but my first was Parramatta Speedway.....in 1946! Even though I was only 5 years old, the memories are still quite vivid of the noise, and the flashing of the chrome under the lights [it was night-time ].

[ERC]

Phew! So Allan, that makes me middle aged...

[Greg Mackie]

Nah, that make you fairly young....I'm middle-aged [except for a few bits, here & there].

[Oldfart]

Now that the pi%^ing contest is nearly over no-one else is going to post.

[seaqnmac27]

Mike's Mark2 Escort was a RS2000 and I think that car became the "donor car" for Bob Holmwoods Sports Sedan Escort?

I thought it was Mark Rutherfords Mk 2 that was the donor.

[crunch]

I thought it was Mark Rutherfords Mk 2 that was the donor.

Could well have been. I may be confused in the sense that M. Moore's Mk2 might have passed into Rutherford's hands before going to Bob?

[david5]

Mine was the 1983 James Hardie, stayed up all night watching old Falcons change colours and fell asleep about 3pm and missed the finish.

[Bruce Blacklock]

The first "proper" motor race meeting for me was Ardmore 1958. Watching the speed of the cars down the back straight was mind blowing for a 11 year old. The size of the crowd,the noise and the colours no wonder I was hooked for life!

[Habu]

I am sure it has been asked before and answered - but does the Frist Escort still exist ?? They were such great looking cars and still are.

Without wishing to hijack this thread any further, isnt the Frist car / shell owned by Chris Kitzen? Pretty sure theres a thread on here for it.