ERC Race Series - Euro Saloons & Sports

[Allan]

Enjoy your trip.

[ERC]

Fast Files - YouTube celebration of our series.

Went down very well on Saturday night!

[video=youtube;LMFoDobEceg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMFoDobEceg[/video]

[ERC]

We are sad to record the passing of former VW Golf driver, Pete Gannaway, from Napier. A long battle with cancer, finally lost on Thursday.

Lovely bloke and our condolences to Sarah. At Pete's request, definitely no public funeral. He hated funerals...

RiP

[ERC]

I've just realised that I didn't get time to post the list of trophy winners for my last season before I went away. Please note, that as a matter of policy, for the last 10 years, we have never published the points before the Awards Dinner, as this series is still about participation. So much so, that any driver who attends a meeting, even if his/her car fails on the first lap of practice, will get points awarded.

Congratulations to all drivers, past and present, for a fantastic final race season for me - and massive thanks for their support, camaraderie and humour (and tolerance...) over the previous 20 years. A great journey with lots of very special memories.

Long may the series continue, with the same philosophies that have ensured its longevity.

[CENTER]

[/CENTER]

The TOPS trophies were donated by myself under my trading name of TOPS...

[ERC]

We are sad to announce that after a long battle with brain tumours Colin Craig passed away this morning at 7:05.

Colin raced and rallied a Ford Escort but also had a strong association with Alfa Romeo people and occasionally shared David Frith's car.

A lovely man with a wonderfully dry wit, he will be missed. Our condolences to Steph who has been a real rock over the last couple of years.

[CENTER]

Colin, far left, front row.

[/CENTER]

[ERC]

We also lost Ivan Selak December 13th, to cancer.

Although a long time car person, I'm not sure that Ivan had too much race experience prior to running his very quick Escort in the ERC Series, where he pedalled it extremely well and was one of the 3 fastest cars in recent times.

Another genuinely nice guy who will be missed.

Pic taken at what was his next to last race meeting, in October.

[CENTER]

[/CENTER]

PS: Neil Tolich may drive the car at the Kenny Smith Festival in January, even if only for demo laps.

[ERC]

Following on from the above - this was sent out to the ERC contingent yesterday:

1970 Ford Escort Mk 1 (Bluey), a beautifully developed, no expense spared, race Escort. In Ivan’s hands it was always a front runner. Neil Tolich, who raced it for Ivan at the January Festival at Hampton Downs, commented that it was the “most sublime race car I have ever driven”. Neil also said that the fresh Bruce Manon BDG twin cam engine was a delight with a huge spread of torque and power (330+). Strong and reliable, with no need to rev it over 8000 (it can do 9000+) to get to the front of the grid! It is now fitted with a fresh 5 speed T5 Cosworth gearbox. The Escort’s braking and its ability to carry speed thru bumpy corners is stunning. This car will appeal to anyone wanting one of the country’s finest race Escorts that is remarkably easy to drive flat out and can actually win races. Many spares also available in including a sequential 6 speed gearbox. Car plus wet/dry wheels and tyres, $75,000.

1965 Cortina GT Aeroflow. As new… never raced since its full rebuild. Stunning in flawless black paint with silver side flash. 5 speed T5 gearbox. New Bruce Manon YB Cosworth engine built for torque and longevity… about 220hp at 7000rpm. Road registered and great for Targa/tarmac rallies and racetracks. A rare classic race car, impeccably built. $35,000.

New covered race trailer. Purpose built, used once. Magnificent in every detail. No expense spared. Full height load area. Internal measurements 5.6m long, 2m high, 1.98m between wheel wells, 2.4 m internal width. Electric winch, work bench, tyre racks. Huge rear door folds down electrically to act as load ramp. Weighs over a tonne (plus race car) and needs a full size ute or SUV tow car. Trailer price under build cost at $25,000.

I won't publish telephone numbers on here for obvious reasons, but contact Neil Tolich or Paul Dunkley. If you need phone numbers, send me a PM.

[ERC]

Once again, some very sad news. Sunday, we lost Tony Sturm, who was the first ever winner of a BMC Series race, back in the 1986/87 season. He finished 3rd overall, just 5 points behind Gerald Fogg, driving an MGB Sports.

He raced with the Series for a total of 17 seasons, with a bit of a layoff, until he bought the ex-Derek Prior MGB. Many will remember his horrific crash at Taupo which destroyed the car and put Tony in hospital for about 3 months.

In recent times, I believe he was considering doing some trackwork again.

Once again, a lovely bloke who will be sadly missed, as he has been attending most ERC races in recent times, catching up with the many people who considered him a dear friend.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend the funeral, which will be on Saturday May 27th, midday at Meadowbank.

At this rate, there will be a fair grid of ex-racers upstairs.

RiP Tony, I was privileged to know you.

[Kiwiboss]

Once again, some very sad news. Sunday, we lost Tony Sturm, who was the first ever winner of a BMC Series race, back in the 1986/87 season. He finished 3rd overall, just 5 points behind Gerald Fogg, driving an MGB Sports.

He raced with the Series for a total of 17 seasons, with a bit of a layoff, until he bought the ex-Derek Prior MGB. Many will remember his horrific crash at Taupo which destroyed the car and put Tony in hospital for about 3 months.

In recent times, I believe he was considering doing some trackwork again.

Once again, a lovely bloke who will be sadly missed, as he has been attending most ERC races in recent times, catching up with the many people who considered him a dear friend.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend the funeral, which will be on Saturday May 27th, midday at Meadowbank.

At this rate, there will be a fair grid of ex-racers upstairs.

RiP Tony, I was privileged to know you.

Knew who he was but didn't know him that well Ray but very sad............RIP Tony Sturm another racer lost......we seem to be loosing a generation of racers these days which is sad. Dale M

[ERC]

Re #401. Clark Proctor bought the Escort and John Honore the Cortina.

First time out on track for the Cortina at Icebreaker. Not surprisingly, John was finding his feet after his Ferrari, but there again, I seem to remember his graduation to the Ferrari from a Holden Commodore also took a bit of getting used to.
[CENTER]

[/CENTER]

[ERC]

2022 trophy winners

Congratulations to the trophy winners for Season 36 (2021-2022) who were revealed at the dinner last night!

Marque Awards

TOPS Jaguar Win Jacob (294)
Jason Nicholl Porsche Bryce Platt (302)
Sutherland BMW John Blewett (457)
TOPS MG Gordon Harkness (421)
Simon Mills Alfa Romeo Wendy Metcalfe (414)
John Tomlin Ford Tony Vujnovich (712) Ford

Country Awards

Mark Rantin German Phil Josephs (569) BMW
TOPS British George Adams (564) TVR
Italian Brett Hickman (442) Alfa

Major Awards

BMC 4 Cylinder Glen Thompson(595) MG
Top Saloon (Tracer) Des Redgwell (607) Volvo
Modern (Post 1990) Ian Burkhill (587) BMW
Stephen Harris (Grp 2) Peter Bromley (854) BMW
Arrow Wheels (Grp 1) Sheridan Broadbent (745) BMW
Most Sporting - Convenor's award Gerry Kessels Porsche

For next season, it will be the Arrow Wheels series as the AES sponsorship since the sad passing of Steve Harris has not been maintained. All races will be combined grids but maintaining the existing two speed groups philosophy.

Great to see trophies won by Wendy Metcalfe and Sheridan Broadbent - both against considerable opposition. No 'Fast Frog' trophy this year as no drivers ran French cars and the Triumph Trophy hasn't been awarded for a while.

There were times when we had TR3a, Spitfire, Toledo, Vitesse, TR6, TR7 V8, Dolomite Sprint, Triumph 2.5/2000, racing.