Don't get too down Dale, no one said this was going to be easy although the instant grid numbers from the Aussies probably made it look too easy at the start.
Assuming there is an appetite for a grid of period correct cars from both spectators and competitors the concept will succeed especially given the backing and promotion your series has enjoyed, I for one am 100% behind the concept. Already out of this set back there have been some great suggestions and input here already and it is hard to fault Ray's logic and ideas.
In the short term I believe we need to:
1. Combine HMC and its own car specific rules with a wider Schedule K Saloon class, not limited to U 3 litre. There are quite a number of suitable cars already not to mention existing cars which are not being used because they feel there is nowhere to run.
2. Level the playing field with items such as tyres. The HMC guys started on period Goodyear Blue Streaks but the Aussies quickly showed that their Hoosiers were quicker so those who could afford to changed to those which has spread the field. Also currently with sched K cars there is some grey areas regarding tyres with some running race tyres. Indeed in my view the "Angus problem" occurred simply because with his race tyres his braking distance was so compressed that his closing speed into corners took everyone by surprise. Why not make a DOT rated (but not necessarily NZ road legal) tyre compulsory for all? There are several options available which meet this spec.
3. Introduce handicap and/ or reverse grid races. I had my doubts about the reverse top 10 races at NZFMR but in reality they worked really well with no issues.
4. Keep the focus on driving standards and this applies to all participants. My point 2. regarding tyres should reduce the speed differential up to a point but also the David and Goliath aspect is what attracts spectators (and drivers). Little car/ big car inevitably means the big guys passing on the straights only to be repassed in the corners. There is no point in the big car drivers bitterly complaining about being "blindsided", the onus is on the passing driver to pass safely and the passed driver to allow room, regardless if this is on the straight or a corner!
4. Formalise a series with a points structure and calendar even when running within another class, eg Fast Saloon at Manfeild.
New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
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Howard Wood
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Steve Holmes
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Really good posts there guys, makes for very interesting reading. Steve and John, your comments are really positive. I tend to share a similar positive view, although I'm less at the cold-face than Dale. I look at where HMC started, and I look another 12 - 18 months towards the future, and I feel pretty positive about it.
HMC has been up and running for about 2.5 years. When the rules were first drawn up, there was not one single car in New Zealand that actually fitted them without at least some minor changes required. Dale's Mustang required several changes (eg, wheels, tyres, front a-arms, diff housing etc). There were 10 HMC cars racing at the 2014 Festival in January. There were another 8 - 10 cars that are 100% HMC compliant, and could have been there, but for various reasons, such as financial, or mechanical problems etc (eg, Rodger Cunninghame and Colin Dawson from Invercargill are planning bi-annual visits to the Festival, Craig Stacey had mechanical issues, a couple of others have personal issues etc). Add to that, there are another 10 cars that are either currently being built, or currently being imported out of the US to race in HMC.
Most cars coming to HMC are being built in NZ. Buying a car out of the US is a great idea, and can get you on the track faster, but even that has its challenges, as you still have to find a car that suits your needs, and there isn't a huge pool in the US of available cars. So you have to go looking. And once in NZ, those cars usually require work to comply, either with HMC, MSNZ, or to the owners personal standards. So still a lot of work involved, and commitment made by the owner.
So now you have close to 30 HMC compliant cars. Given the category was started 2.5 years ago, I think thats pretty good. Ray is absolutely right, you'll never get all your cars on the grid at one time, that just doesn't happen. To get 30 cars on the grid, even for a high profile event where owners are really motivated to be there, you probably need 45 cars on your books. For lower profile events, the numbers always diminish further. But I think HMC is headed in the right direction, and I'm pleased by what has been achieved in a very short space of time, from a set of rules in which, at the beginning, not one single car complied with.
HMC has been up and running for about 2.5 years. When the rules were first drawn up, there was not one single car in New Zealand that actually fitted them without at least some minor changes required. Dale's Mustang required several changes (eg, wheels, tyres, front a-arms, diff housing etc). There were 10 HMC cars racing at the 2014 Festival in January. There were another 8 - 10 cars that are 100% HMC compliant, and could have been there, but for various reasons, such as financial, or mechanical problems etc (eg, Rodger Cunninghame and Colin Dawson from Invercargill are planning bi-annual visits to the Festival, Craig Stacey had mechanical issues, a couple of others have personal issues etc). Add to that, there are another 10 cars that are either currently being built, or currently being imported out of the US to race in HMC.
Most cars coming to HMC are being built in NZ. Buying a car out of the US is a great idea, and can get you on the track faster, but even that has its challenges, as you still have to find a car that suits your needs, and there isn't a huge pool in the US of available cars. So you have to go looking. And once in NZ, those cars usually require work to comply, either with HMC, MSNZ, or to the owners personal standards. So still a lot of work involved, and commitment made by the owner.
So now you have close to 30 HMC compliant cars. Given the category was started 2.5 years ago, I think thats pretty good. Ray is absolutely right, you'll never get all your cars on the grid at one time, that just doesn't happen. To get 30 cars on the grid, even for a high profile event where owners are really motivated to be there, you probably need 45 cars on your books. For lower profile events, the numbers always diminish further. But I think HMC is headed in the right direction, and I'm pleased by what has been achieved in a very short space of time, from a set of rules in which, at the beginning, not one single car complied with.
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ERC
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
To my simple mind, ignoring country of origin or engine size, there are effectively three broad groups of saloons into which just about every classic car slots.
1) Period pure run to a tight set of rules such as HMC or even Oldfart's pre 1961 group. Appendix/Schedule K etc. CoD's whatever. Even the older U2K cars although some might not like it, but they are the future classics!
2) Road going but mildly modified or even reasonably heavily modified, but still on DoT rated tyres and theoretically along the lines of what T & C should be. ERC, Alfa Trofeo, some BMWs, probably Japanese classics, MG Series.
3) Race saloons, be they historic or recreations, or merely classic race saloons of any age. This includes all the other Muscle car classes, Historic Sports sedans, Pre 65's, some open BMWs.
Quite where you'd slot BMW E30's I'm not too sure but theoretically, group 1 as they do run to a tight set of rules but they are not 100% in line with T & C either!
You can subdivide the above any way you like and equally, you should be able to mix and match any of those sub groups. Whether drivers wanted to mix with other groups or the age and performance of the various cars has nothing to do with it. This is merely a car classification comment.
The points above regarding handicaps is still one we stick to and no point in repeating why.
It is when you start to subdivide those basic groups that it fragments and the various sub groups have to decide at what point they are viable or have to combine.
Regardless of the support for HMC as a stand alone class, it does represent one essential section of what we are about.
1) Period pure run to a tight set of rules such as HMC or even Oldfart's pre 1961 group. Appendix/Schedule K etc. CoD's whatever. Even the older U2K cars although some might not like it, but they are the future classics!
2) Road going but mildly modified or even reasonably heavily modified, but still on DoT rated tyres and theoretically along the lines of what T & C should be. ERC, Alfa Trofeo, some BMWs, probably Japanese classics, MG Series.
3) Race saloons, be they historic or recreations, or merely classic race saloons of any age. This includes all the other Muscle car classes, Historic Sports sedans, Pre 65's, some open BMWs.
Quite where you'd slot BMW E30's I'm not too sure but theoretically, group 1 as they do run to a tight set of rules but they are not 100% in line with T & C either!
You can subdivide the above any way you like and equally, you should be able to mix and match any of those sub groups. Whether drivers wanted to mix with other groups or the age and performance of the various cars has nothing to do with it. This is merely a car classification comment.
The points above regarding handicaps is still one we stick to and no point in repeating why.
It is when you start to subdivide those basic groups that it fragments and the various sub groups have to decide at what point they are viable or have to combine.
Regardless of the support for HMC as a stand alone class, it does represent one essential section of what we are about.
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John McKechnie
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Steve- thanks for your extra comment-
quite economical on the basis of what you get in the car as to pricing out building one.
That is something that you can lose track of-
cost of building it.
cost of someone elses work already done.
quite economical on the basis of what you get in the car as to pricing out building one.
That is something that you can lose track of-
cost of building it.
cost of someone elses work already done.
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Yeh Dale........don't get 'down'. We could all put the boot in, but that would achieve very little. We all need, as Nikita Khrushchev said....'to live in peaceful co-existence'.
Howard, your usual well thought out and sensible comments. Thanks.
The tyre thing shouldn't be a problem.......it already states in the regs that a dot rated tyre is mandatory. Unfortunately, there is very little in the way of a decent DRY tyre in a ten inch size. We did try Bernie Hines 'American Racer' tyres, but they are really a speedway tyre and not suitable for our conditions. We are not spoiled for choice as are most other sizes. The old CR65 is about it.....a wet race tyre which lasts about 2 minutes on a dry track. Could dig out some old C49's!!!!!!!!!
The South Island boys are a bit more upfront with this, and you are able to run race tyres IF the car was raced with them in the day......which ours was. A form was filled in with all the details, photos etc, and permission was granted.
BUT, as you pointed out, the stopping distance with a light car on race tyres, is vastly different to a large car on Dot tyres. [or a large car on any tyres for that matter]
However, I think you can say goodbye to the Mini in the U3L class running with the HMC boys at any future Festival, so you can all breath a sigh of relief, and bring those Muscle cars out again.
Howard, your usual well thought out and sensible comments. Thanks.
The tyre thing shouldn't be a problem.......it already states in the regs that a dot rated tyre is mandatory. Unfortunately, there is very little in the way of a decent DRY tyre in a ten inch size. We did try Bernie Hines 'American Racer' tyres, but they are really a speedway tyre and not suitable for our conditions. We are not spoiled for choice as are most other sizes. The old CR65 is about it.....a wet race tyre which lasts about 2 minutes on a dry track. Could dig out some old C49's!!!!!!!!!
The South Island boys are a bit more upfront with this, and you are able to run race tyres IF the car was raced with them in the day......which ours was. A form was filled in with all the details, photos etc, and permission was granted.
BUT, as you pointed out, the stopping distance with a light car on race tyres, is vastly different to a large car on Dot tyres. [or a large car on any tyres for that matter]
However, I think you can say goodbye to the Mini in the U3L class running with the HMC boys at any future Festival, so you can all breath a sigh of relief, and bring those Muscle cars out again.
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Murray Maunder
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Dale,
The numbers for this weekend for HMC are probably consistent with he fact that so few of the HMC stalwarts supported the glamour event of the year. This (Legends) meeting is always poorly supported so - go figure.....
As a non-competitor I'm probably not qualified to talk shop but as I've been such a keen follower for the duration of HMC including it's birth, here goes....
Dale, you make a HUGE commitment to HMC and you have alway been incredibly realistic in your expectations of growth etc so I appreciate how you must feel at this unviable position.
My suggestion (and it may not be practical for a number of reasons) is you set up a competitor liaison person whose role it is to talk on a regular basis to all members of the group by email, skype, phone or in person. This role isn't to directly sort issues but purely to report issues that the various guys have going on. In some cases non-involvement is for personal or financial reasons but the person envisages being back in the short to medium term. In others the issues run deeper and a disillusionment or loss of interest has set in and the liaison person needs to be trusted to listen and not judge, is to be a messenger not a troubleshooter or defender of the realm.
It's bit like a customer feedback form - if you don't ask you often don't FULLY know what is going on in someone's life, finances and thinking. If you start to connect up the thoughts and feelings of individuals who make up the group you have a better chance of moving ahead smoothly - and planning events to cater for the needs of the group. None of this implies rule changes and COD issues as such. I believe that you can't please all the people all the time - especially in motor racing.
On a positive note I was talking to Dewi Jones yesterday about Aussie TransAm and in spite of the split that happened recently their recent Lakeside round attracted 18 competitors and they are projecting 22 or 23 for next month at Queensland Raceway. And the extra good news is their recent ATA meeting their was talk of sending 12 cars over! Now I'm sure that will dwindle in 10 months time but it looks like a rejuvenated TransAm class may result in maybe 8 cars coming over - time for the Kiwis to get their s#%* together I would say! Remember it was only 7 months ago that 8 Kiwi HMC cars went over and plundered their Lakeside event and all 8 of them finished the final race with only 8 Aussie cars still running. And Dale Mathers taking away the trophy for most successful and consistent driver!
I admit I'm worried a little but this is the time to get the email, skype, phone and boot leather going rounding up everyone with a compliant HMC car and finding out what they are doing, what they would like to see happen and very importantly - what meeting(s) are you going to support? The liaison role probably is better not being a competitor as petty jealousies and gripes often lurk under the surface preventing "full and frank disclosure".
Regards, "the Mini" I say it's just too bad. Angus is a really good guy and a very quick driver but as some feel in historics is prone to the "red mist" and overdriving. Howard's point about the braking zone is very good and because of this and the above comment I think illustrates why, sadly, this great and very historic Mini is an uncomfortable fit for the class in the hands of a top driver.
I hope some of this may be helpful.
Murray
The numbers for this weekend for HMC are probably consistent with he fact that so few of the HMC stalwarts supported the glamour event of the year. This (Legends) meeting is always poorly supported so - go figure.....
As a non-competitor I'm probably not qualified to talk shop but as I've been such a keen follower for the duration of HMC including it's birth, here goes....
Dale, you make a HUGE commitment to HMC and you have alway been incredibly realistic in your expectations of growth etc so I appreciate how you must feel at this unviable position.
My suggestion (and it may not be practical for a number of reasons) is you set up a competitor liaison person whose role it is to talk on a regular basis to all members of the group by email, skype, phone or in person. This role isn't to directly sort issues but purely to report issues that the various guys have going on. In some cases non-involvement is for personal or financial reasons but the person envisages being back in the short to medium term. In others the issues run deeper and a disillusionment or loss of interest has set in and the liaison person needs to be trusted to listen and not judge, is to be a messenger not a troubleshooter or defender of the realm.
It's bit like a customer feedback form - if you don't ask you often don't FULLY know what is going on in someone's life, finances and thinking. If you start to connect up the thoughts and feelings of individuals who make up the group you have a better chance of moving ahead smoothly - and planning events to cater for the needs of the group. None of this implies rule changes and COD issues as such. I believe that you can't please all the people all the time - especially in motor racing.
On a positive note I was talking to Dewi Jones yesterday about Aussie TransAm and in spite of the split that happened recently their recent Lakeside round attracted 18 competitors and they are projecting 22 or 23 for next month at Queensland Raceway. And the extra good news is their recent ATA meeting their was talk of sending 12 cars over! Now I'm sure that will dwindle in 10 months time but it looks like a rejuvenated TransAm class may result in maybe 8 cars coming over - time for the Kiwis to get their s#%* together I would say! Remember it was only 7 months ago that 8 Kiwi HMC cars went over and plundered their Lakeside event and all 8 of them finished the final race with only 8 Aussie cars still running. And Dale Mathers taking away the trophy for most successful and consistent driver!
I admit I'm worried a little but this is the time to get the email, skype, phone and boot leather going rounding up everyone with a compliant HMC car and finding out what they are doing, what they would like to see happen and very importantly - what meeting(s) are you going to support? The liaison role probably is better not being a competitor as petty jealousies and gripes often lurk under the surface preventing "full and frank disclosure".
Regards, "the Mini" I say it's just too bad. Angus is a really good guy and a very quick driver but as some feel in historics is prone to the "red mist" and overdriving. Howard's point about the braking zone is very good and because of this and the above comment I think illustrates why, sadly, this great and very historic Mini is an uncomfortable fit for the class in the hands of a top driver.
I hope some of this may be helpful.
Murray
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
An outstanding suggestion Murray. In a class where there is no club meetings to openly discuss issues then we need an opportunity to raise concerns which are not best discussed in an open forum such as T.R.S. I personally have much more to add, and such open dialog can only be beneficial for all involved.
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ERC
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Good suggestion. We poll ALL drivers on any relevant issues (including those still on the circulation list who may not have paid up or are 'resting'). If you then accept that you'll only ever get a 30% return at best, at least drivers are consulted. You make your decisions accordingly.
Having said that Dale, you can trim and blacken your moustache and ignore the poll results anyway... It has been done before, even without a moustache.
Parnelli, please add your comments if you have more to add.
Having said that Dale, you can trim and blacken your moustache and ignore the poll results anyway... It has been done before, even without a moustache.
Parnelli, please add your comments if you have more to add.
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Grant Ellwood
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Murray Maunder wrote:Dale,
The numbers for this weekend for HMC are probably consistent with he fact that so few of the HMC stalwarts supported the glamour event of the year. This (Legends) meeting is always poorly supported so - go figure.....
As a non-competitor I'm probably not qualified to talk shop but as I've been such a keen follower for the duration of HMC including it's birth, here goes....
Dale, you make a HUGE commitment to HMC and you have alway been incredibly realistic in your expectations of growth etc so I appreciate how you must feel at this unviable position.
My suggestion (and it may not be practical for a number of reasons) is you set up a competitor liaison person whose role it is to talk on a regular basis to all members of the group by email, skype, phone or in person. This role isn't to directly sort issues but purely to report issues that the various guys have going on. In some cases non-involvement is for personal or financial reasons but the person envisages being back in the short to medium term. In others the issues run deeper and a disillusionment or loss of interest has set in and the liaison person needs to be trusted to listen and not judge, is to be a messenger not a troubleshooter or defender of the realm.
It's bit like a customer feedback form - if you don't ask you often don't FULLY know what is going on in someone's life, finances and thinking. If you start to connect up the thoughts and feelings of individuals who make up the group you have a better chance of moving ahead smoothly - and planning events to cater for the needs of the group. None of this implies rule changes and COD issues as such. I believe that you can't please all the people all the time - especially in motor racing.
On a positive note I was talking to Dewi Jones yesterday about Aussie TransAm and in spite of the split that happened recently their recent Lakeside round attracted 18 competitors and they are projecting 22 or 23 for next month at Queensland Raceway. And the extra good news is their recent ATA meeting their was talk of sending 12 cars over! Now I'm sure that will dwindle in 10 months time but it looks like a rejuvenated TransAm class may result in maybe 8 cars coming over - time for the Kiwis to get their s#%* together I would say! Remember it was only 7 months ago that 8 Kiwi HMC cars went over and plundered their Lakeside event and all 8 of them finished the final race with only 8 Aussie cars still running. And Dale Mathers taking away the trophy for most successful and consistent driver!
I admit I'm worried a little but this is the time to get the email, skype, phone and boot leather going rounding up everyone with a compliant HMC car and finding out what they are doing, what they would like to see happen and very importantly - what meeting(s) are you going to support? The liaison role probably is better not being a competitor as petty jealousies and gripes often lurk under the surface preventing "full and frank disclosure".
Regards, "the Mini" I say it's just too bad. Angus is a really good guy and a very quick driver but as some feel in historics is prone to the "red mist" and overdriving. Howard's point about the braking zone is very good and because of this and the above comment I think illustrates why, sadly, this great and very historic Mini is an uncomfortable fit for the class in the hands of a top driver.
I hope some of this may be helpful.
Murray
Guess that's why you need to sort out which classes can race or just be processional. I would offer that Angus is at obviously at the level where he would expect the guys he is about to pass would be using their mirrors and not make any noddy moves. If it was me in front, I would probably be the noddy so maybe you should fix the classes at over 60 ( noddys like me), under 40 (good reactions,not like me) and the in-betweens (40-60) stay at the pub and watch F1 replays on the big screen until they are old enough to do processional racing.
But the bugger is, it's the last class that usually can afford the F5000s, CanAms, old F1s etc. Kenny Smith not included in any of the above descriptions of course, he is in a class of his own.
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Oh how true Grant. sums up racing (I use the word losely)in this country perfectly
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
ERC wrote:Good suggestion. We poll ALL drivers on any relevant issues (including those still on the circulation list who may not have paid up or are 'resting'). If you then accept that you'll only ever get a 30% return at best, at least drivers are consulted. You make your decisions accordingly.
Having said that Dale, you can trim and blacken your moustache and ignore the poll results anyway... It has been done before, even without a moustache.
Parnelli, please add your comments if you have more to add.
O.K.Ray, seeing as you have opened the door – here does ! Better be sitting down cause this is going to take a while ………………………….
On second thoughts, I will hold off until HMC has an alternative discussion option to T.R.S. Similar discussion on the ERC thread suggests that not all participants can handle the honesty of open dialog on this forum. Unless that situation changes, I believe something along the lines of yours or Murray’s suggestions have the best chance of success. .
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Kiwiboss
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Only had time for these pit pictures. good Nite. Dale M
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Kiwiboss
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
WOW, What a fantastic weekend of classic racing, what was looking like a down event for HMC ended up been absolutely superb, Roger Williams newly imported American Airlines ex Joe Chamberlain look alike Camaro ran and looked amazing winning the first up race on Saturday from grid 5 his first time in the car, now here’s a guy that’s just imported this 69 Camaro all the way from the USA, only been in the country 2 weeks, he’s painted the car completely in AA colours in just this short time, fitted all the glass, bumpers and lights to make it HMC legal, ABSOLUTLY OUTSTANDING and shows commitment to our group, these are the guys we want and shows what can be done if you put your mine to it, Roger’s defiantly not a “Should av-Could av-Would av” guy and then on Ray’s(ERC) advice we done 2 handicap races today and they worked out spectacular with a grid of around 18 cars including U3L saloons and not one crash with everyone enjoying themselves and very close racing. The public interest(what was there) was amazing with me explaining the class to some, 2 more persons are a definite go for HMC Camaros out of the USA and another ex USA A-Sedan Mustang has just been purchased all looking to come to the group. Not only that we had a group of guys(and wives) travel down from Wangarei just to watch HMC/U3L and their comments were very positive, I asked them why they weren’t at Beach hop, hell no they said this is better(pity more public didn’t think that)!! spoke with the Sinclair’s and there Hemi Cuda is off to the painters next week and will be with us next season, I really came away with positive vibes so I think for HMC its onwards and upwards, very friggen HAPPY.
Only managed these pit pictures, more to come.
Dale M
Only managed these pit pictures, more to come.
Dale M
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Good on you Dale, great to hear your firing on all cylinders. Love the 69 Camaro and those daisys look great. cheers
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Paul Wilkinson
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
The dice between the Camaro and Mustang was a real highlight. It makes a huge difference not knowing which car will be coming 'round the corner in the lead. The dices between the some of the U3L cars and the slower HMCs were great too. Having cars with different speed/handling characteristcs but similar lap times made for some great racing, or at least great viewing. This combination will drag this punter back for sure! Please, even if you get a full HMC grid, combine these classes on a regular basis.
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ERC
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Well done Dale! Great racing and congratulations on having the courage and to your guys for giving a full handicap a real go, rather than a reverse grid.
It really doesn't matter whether the handicapping is brilliant or average as there are too many factors to muck it up anyway, and as Paul says, above, not knowing which car is coming around the corner first, with dices all down the field, adds a degree of interest to the spectators.
When you come away from a meeting jumping up and down, with your cowboy hat on, yelling out "Yeeha!!!!" it's better than actually winning a race that you knew you should have won anyway!
Brilliant weekend with smiles everywhere. Onwards and upwards Dale.
It really doesn't matter whether the handicapping is brilliant or average as there are too many factors to muck it up anyway, and as Paul says, above, not knowing which car is coming around the corner first, with dices all down the field, adds a degree of interest to the spectators.
When you come away from a meeting jumping up and down, with your cowboy hat on, yelling out "Yeeha!!!!" it's better than actually winning a race that you knew you should have won anyway!
Brilliant weekend with smiles everywhere. Onwards and upwards Dale.
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Murray Maunder
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Wow - that Joe Chamberlain Camaro looks the business and apparently gets the job done, like it's owner! Great to see pix and only wished could have been there. Paul's comment about cars with different speed/handling is spot on and what is missing from all modern categories, HMC is made more of a spectacle by U3L not merely for the extra numbers but that "David and Goliath" aspect that the crowd love.
Roll on January 2015 for the return of Aussie TransAm and all the new HMC cars in the pipeline. Well done to Dale and your faithful supporters to keep with the program and not be diverted by the naysayers and those who want to dilute your original vision for HMC.
Roll on January 2015 for the return of Aussie TransAm and all the new HMC cars in the pipeline. Well done to Dale and your faithful supporters to keep with the program and not be diverted by the naysayers and those who want to dilute your original vision for HMC.
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Steve Holmes
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Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
Wow, isn't that new Roger Williams Camaro a cool addition to HMC! For those who aren't aware, Roger has painted this car up to replicate the colour scheme worn on the second Trans-Am Camaro that American racer Joe Chamberlain raced in New Zealand in late 1972/early 1973. Very cool colour scheme.
Re: New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC
I have just had a read through all the recent comments on this thread and see what has happened this last weekend. I like the idea of a liaison person as, with no class meetings on a regular basis, id is difficult to guage what people are really thinking. Even in a meeting some people will not really open up and say what they really think or would like to see happen.
I like handicap races as has been said recently, you don't know who is going to appear first round the next corner or the progress through the field of the cars off scratch. Keep the U3L cars there - that's the way it was in period with the smaller capacity cars being in the majority back then and the punters always loving the possibility of them rolling the V8's. Even if some of the faster drivers fox a little to stir the field up then the punters love it.
Rogers new Camaro looks fantastic and with a few more of these cars due on track hopefully later this year it augurs well for the class. I strongly believe that the interest is there and soon we will get past the critical numbers and more will want to join up and actually race.
Good to hear that you feel re-juvenated Dale and looking forward to the start of the new season which is less than 6 months away now.
I like handicap races as has been said recently, you don't know who is going to appear first round the next corner or the progress through the field of the cars off scratch. Keep the U3L cars there - that's the way it was in period with the smaller capacity cars being in the majority back then and the punters always loving the possibility of them rolling the V8's. Even if some of the faster drivers fox a little to stir the field up then the punters love it.
Rogers new Camaro looks fantastic and with a few more of these cars due on track hopefully later this year it augurs well for the class. I strongly believe that the interest is there and soon we will get past the critical numbers and more will want to join up and actually race.
Good to hear that you feel re-juvenated Dale and looking forward to the start of the new season which is less than 6 months away now.