New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC

[nigel watts]

[kiwi285]

We also need to give a big vote of thanks to Dale for his thoughtfullness in arranging so many trophies that were awarded on the first Saturday afternoon whilst Jim Richards was still at the meeting. I thought that was a great idea and would have been really appreciated by the competitors and not just those who ended up at the front at flag time. A great gesture Dale.

[TonyG]

Love that shot of the Richards escort Nigel. The twist in that thing is amazing lol.
Sound like a fantastic event was had by all and I am glad the racing was close between both sides of the ditch.
I can't wait for the classic events at Lakeside this year as last years were a ball so if some of you can make it over it will be fantastic. I will have the camera ready to catch the action.
Regards
Tony

[nigel watts]

Gives 'lifting a wheel' a whole new meaning

[Steve Holmes]

Dales HMC February 2012 Newsletter, as below:

Greeting HMC Fans, Followers and Racers

WOW, what a month (or two) it’s been, and what about those Aussie Trans Am cars at the Hampton Festival of Motor Racing? It just goes to show that with limited equipment you can get them to go, max 350 CI engines, 98 pump gas, rear drum brakes, standard gearbox’s, no dry sumps, limited front brakes and most important of them all “15inch Wheels and Tyres” and didn’t they show the way, even in my boss racer with a lot better equipment and more HP I struggled to keep up with the front running guys, a lesson learnt for us all. Otherwise it was a fantastic display with just 2.9 seconds covering the top 12 cars, and with our HMC top 10 reverse grid format it provided a chance for most, with 4 different winners on the first weekend. Then in our last reverse grid race at the second weekend we had Angus Fogg in the mighty Mini on outside pole with 20 Muscle cars right behind him, imagine looking in his review mirror, just amazing. I personally want to thank all 14 of the HMC car owners that made the effort to correct their cars and enter and also the 6 Australian Trans Am cars, along with the 14 Under 3L Historic Saloons and GT’s and Robin & Karen Greenland for an excellent job as group coordinator’s, Thank You All.

Here’s some Youtube from the first weekend qualifying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UfhOWYRq2I

The general feed back has been excellent with lots of pit talk and banter and a possible few new racers on the horizon. What more could you have asked for than having the very first ever Mustang to race in New Zealand, the Neil Tolich owned Fleetwood Mustang racing with us at our first ever HMC event and with our own Paul Radisich at the wheel. I know briefly speaking with Paul that he really enjoyed himself and this really cements HMC as a true Historic Muscle Car Saloon class, thanks Neil and Paul. On the Saturday of the first weekend we had our own mini prize giving with Jim Richards, Paul Fahey and Dennis Marwood all giving out trophy’s in their own names, this was quite special to have these 3 great New Zealand Saloon racers on hand to support “Historic Muscle Cars” ending with a excellent speech from Jim Richards himself. Jim, Paul and Dennis we all thank you for your time and would really love to have you back for the Denny Hulme Festival in a years time.

I raced at the Skope Classic at Ruapuna last weekend, mainly to connect with some possible Historic racers in the South Island, the racing was great with 6 races along with practice and qualifying. But the classes are very spread out with myself and even Bernie Hines in his Broadspeed Mini racing with 900HP Porsche’s and other modern cars. Not quite “Classic” but still good fun indeed. I made contact with several Pre 78 Mustang, Camaro and Holden racers that are very keen to follow HMC’s rules and eventually come North and race with HMC. For some reason they have a better understanding of what we are trying to do and although 2 cars had Alloy cylinder heads both said they will remove them, that’s commitment if you ask me. HMC will support any South Island racer wanting to join our ranks.

Obviously with the 2 Festival events now over and with HMC set as a firm Historic Muscle car class where winning is not important, the inquiry via E-mail and phone has been constant.

It appears to be attracting the type of person that wants to race for FUN and not only respecting his own machinery but also those of other racers. I have one person looking to build a South African Viva Firenza Can Am, basically a Viva with a small block chev engine, and as they made a 101 Can Am's we welcome this type of vehicle built to HMC rules. Sure will be a whole lot of fun to drive. We have some minor regulatory issue's that myself, Steve and Tony are sorting through and as new members join and new cars appear we plan keep a stringent watch on the goings on, remember the rules must be for "everyone" NO exceptions.

I have been working with HRC about further HMC race dates, we did have some lined up before this summer is out, but it is now looking very unlikely. So with this in mind we have set out next summers dates as follows. These are all confirmed so note these dates down.

1 - Ice Breaker, 29/30th September 2012 at Hampton Downs
2 - Denny Hulme Festival, 18/20th January 2013 at Hampton Downs
3 - Denny Hulme Festival, 25/27th January 2013 at Hampton Downs
4 - Legends of Speed, 23/4th March 2013 at Hampton Downs

We may also have one further TACCOC event in November this year but is not yet established. Some may ask, why not Pukekohe but with their now strict noise limits its quite possible some V8 cars won't pass.

Also check out the current NZV8 for Steve Holmes monthly article about last months event, and further articles in up and coming Classic Car magazine.

Also in today’s high tech world it is a must to keep up with the play on the
http://www.theroaringseason.com/forumdisplay.php?2-General-Discussion
with some fantastic pictures at http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?65-New-Zealand-Historic-Muscle-Cars-Under-HRC


OK, that’s all from me this month, boy do I need a rest, any questions and queries don't hesitate to contact myself, Tony or Steve. Remember if you are changing your car back to suit HMC/MSNZ T&C Rules or building a new racer you will not be racing with other non conforming cars, its a level playing field for all.
I know I don't have to remind you, but remember, the "The Cars are the Stars" so that’s all from me for February 2012, feel free to contact me or anyone of the directors below.

To race and be a part of HMC you need to join HRC http://www.grandprix.org.nz/Contact_Us.wse their $50 membership deal is a bargain and is required to race.

Take care and enjoy your Historic Motor sport

[Murray Maunder]

Steve, just to correct that link (above in post #124) the Musclecar qualifying video is actually at

[video=youtube;UfhOWYRwq2I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhOWYRwq2I&list=UUssaSL2jwLUXT6u5E673cSg&index=3&feature=plcp[/video]

Great to see it's proving popular in NZ and Australia.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Murray, I just edited your post and embedded the video into it.

[Kiwiboss]

To keep you guys up to-date, i receive various E-mails from time to time about HMC, mainly about vehicle eligibility or some specific rule but today i received this one and thought i better share it with you all. So thanks very much Lindsay, i hope you don't mind me sharing your words here, because it depicts exactly the spirit and past memories of NZ historic saloon racing we here at HMC are trying attract. Thank You

Hi Dale
We haven’t met but as a spectator at the recent Festival of Motorsport can I say how much I loved the show the Historic Muscle Cars put on. What wonderful memories of Puke, Bay Park and Levin in the late 60s early 70s. Together with the F5000s, you made my weekend. Anyway, other than saying congratulations for a great start to the Historic Muscle Car class, the reason for the email is to ask if there are opportunities to get involved to support the class. I don’t have a car and I’m no mechanic, but I’d love to see the class grow. Is there some help you need with perhaps with admin or publicity? I’m Auckland (North Shore based).

Lindsay M****

[Steve Holmes]

Dale (Kiwiboss) sent me these to post here, as featured in Gasoline magazine, and sent to him by John English in Queensland after the 6 car Aussie invasion on HMC at this years NZFMR.

[SATIATOR]

Hello all

I just wanted to say what a great event Hampton Downs appears to have been, I coudnt make it to see in person but even so it has inspired me to get on with the Vettes preparation.

In light of that I am selling my 1977 Monza Mirage panels and parts which I have just listed on Trademe.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=460593447

Someone may be interested in them as they would allow the making of a truly unique race car for HMC.

Cheers all.

Kevin

[GD66]

Wow Dale, things appear to be going gangbusters for HRC ! You and the guys are to be congratulated, and it must be very rewarding to see all your hard work has not only been well directed, but appreciated by all involved. More power to your right arm, son !

Regards GD

[TonyG]

A Group Nc car that unfortunately will not make it over next year is Keith Boults Falcon GT after a slight mistake at Lakeside yesterday. I did not go but from the post on Facebook it happened coming under the bridge at a very fast part of the track and it rolled 6 times. Thankfully Keith walked away but the car is very sad.
The 2nd shot (of the damaged car) belongs to Mark Jones and is from his Facebook page.

[PaulieG]

Wow thats a lot of damage . Lets hope he knows a good panel beater . Those falcons go way too fast

[thunder427]

Hello all

I just wanted to say what a great event Hampton Downs appears to have been, I coudnt make it to see in person but even so it has inspired me to get on with the Vettes preparation.

In light of that I am selling my 1977 Monza Mirage panels and parts which I have just listed on Trademe.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=460593447

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6898[/ATTACH]

Someone may be interested in them as they would allow the making of a truly unique race car for HMC.

Cheers all.

Kevin

......check youre PM,.........thunder427/MJ

[TonyG]

A couple more posted by the Trans Am group on Facebook.

[Kiwiboss]

I keep telling the guys at HMC we need to go "Slower" in our old cars, not faster like everyone wants, this is just a shame when i see this!! to bring that Falcon back to life is a huge amount of work!!!

Dale Mathers

[AMCO72]

Dale.....I think I could confidently predict that that body is going nowhere but to the landfill. I dont think even a clever bugger like you could resurrect it. What the heck happened? I said somewhere else that we haven't had that here YET. But everyone is getting pretty keen, and it will. Buy the way, from the photos I've seen posted on here about the Philip Island event, I think we put on just as good a show at HD. We sure as hell didnt end up with damage that happened over that weekend. I think we are on the right track for such a little fart-arsed country at the bottom of the world.

[TonyG]

It is a real waste of a beautiful car. From what I have read elsewhere it happened somewhere here as in my Video.
It had been sprinkling with rain every now and then over the day so most likely a very greasy track.
They get a fair bit of attitude through the right hander then turn left under the bridge which is just out of sight at the top right of the video before dropping down to hungry corner.
[video=youtube;mu0xrtrcU4k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu0xrtrcU4k&list=UUUDs2N0n44MR5VucteMqwoA&index=1&feature=plcp[/video]

[Kiwiboss]

Dale.....I think I could confidently predict that that body is going nowhere but to the landfill. I dont think even a clever bugger like you could resurrect it. What the heck happened? I said somewhere else that we haven't had that here YET. But everyone is getting pretty keen, and it will. Buy the way, from the photos I've seen posted on here about the Philip Island event, I think we put on just as good a show at HD. We sure as hell didnt end up with damage that happened over that weekend. I think we are on the right track for such a little fart-arsed country at the bottom of the world.

Hell, if i was that clever Gerald i would'nt be in the auto industry!!LOL from the feed back and what i've seen from PI and now this weekend at Lakeside i think your rite, we here in little ol NZ probably do not to bad but like you i can see it coming!! im hoping im wrong though!!

TonyG, how did the TA boys go on the weekend? looked to be a reasonable meeting with the Bowden cars their!! and a good crowd too by the looks!!

Dale Mathers

[TonyG]

Unfortunately the Bowden cars missed this weekend. I just used the video to show where the GT crashed. The T/A boys had 9 cars there with the Falcon sprint pictured above the latest to join them.
They have many more almost finished but that could not make it this time.
The big one is in July where they should have a full field and the Bowdens amongst others will have their cars on show as well.
If I had known how to use the video fuction properly last year I would have gotten more footage than just my foot lol. What I posted was all I got of the cars unfortunately.

I an trying to get a couple of photographers to post their Trans Am shots here for us.