The Roaring Season

Milan Fistonic wrote:Here's another Ford van in trouble.

Taken at the "Cross Roads" on one of the early Woodhill rallies.


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I think this could be Ken Fricker who was a co-driver for Possum for many year. If not him them it was Royce Broome. Loving all these old photos.

Some great shots, bringing back lots of memories

Escort GN9772 I think is Brian Watkins ex Rocky Cribb. Peter.

Steve Emson wrote:Fantastic photos! Makes me want to go rallying again........................................

Damn....me too Steve. Gotta be the Sliver Fern though......and only rear wheel drive. Great to see all these old faces... and you are right, the commeraidery was great back then...I used to get the same thing from the seemingly same people that always finished around your own time...I was owed so much beer from the likes of Ross Wilson/Bob Vardy in the old "cardboard car" Escort and Will and Heather Orr.....great days and I really miss that side of the sport.....regards, Tony Rutherford.

faminz wrote:I drew this pic 30 years ago or more... I would dearly love to get the original reference photo again.
Does anyone know where I can find the photo or maybe has a copy of it in an old magazine somewhere they can scan for me?
I think its Mike Marshall in an Escort MkII
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Looks like Blair Robson?? Fantastic artist... Cheers, Tony Rutherford.

Jizim wrote:Looks like Blair Robson?? Fantastic artist... Cheers, Tony Rutherford.

It is Mr Marshall

Rod Grimwood wrote:It is Mr Marshall

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Photos I shot for Auckland car Club who won the Teams Prize at the seasons end for 1977
Shoot was in Cornwall Park Auckland
Winners were Rod Millen and Mike Franchi, Blair Robson and Chris Porter, Jim Donald and Kevin Lancaster

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I'm really loving these Ross! Absolutely beautiful work.

Re " Here's another Ford van in trouble. Taken at the "Cross Roads" on one of the early Woodhill rallies" , names not sure but remember an Anglia van when " carless days " were on at NSCC / ACC Rallies with large fuel containers in the back, to be used on the Rally, after all Woodhill -NSCC territory, and Maramarua - ACC's patch, were not huge as far as size and distance, used the same roads more than once. thanks Milan, Raceman and BMCBOY

[quote="Roger Dowding"]Re " Here's another Ford van in trouble. Taken at the "Cross Roads" on one of the early Woodhill rallies"

The Crossroads was a great place to spectate and take photos. The corner was sited not far from the finish line for the last special stage and competitors would park their cars after finishing and walk back to view the action. Hence there were some amazing "acts" from fellow competitors for the lads, often ending in spins and ramming the banks which were accompanied by huge cheers from the crowd assembled. Sensible cornering competitors were usually booed!!

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This is a great shot (photographer unknown) of Kevin Lancaster and myself there which ended in a big spin.

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Not so much a rally story but all these photos of the Masport Team and Kevin Lancaster remind me of attending my first MANZ conference as my club's delegate and the associated awards dinner at which Blair Robson received his '78 NZRC title.
At the dinner I had the pleasure of being seated directly opposite Kevin at the table closest to, and in full view of, that occupied by the president and the invited dignitaries (CEO's of BP & Shell and their wives).
Kevin entertained us all night with his jokes and his ordering of more wine which he'd do standing on his chair hailing the waiter only whenever he was at the far side of the room.
But it stepped up a gear when the dessert arrived. A shallow stemmed bowl containing little more than a ball of ice cream.
Mr Lancaster decided instantly that there was far more fun to be had than by merely eating it and, after advising us to "watch this", tip toed up behind Reg Cook, seated 2 or 3 tables away, and inverted the bowl on his head with a sort of smearing action.
Chaos followed with balls of ice cream flying all around the room much to the horror of the most prim & proper dignitary wives.
The scene was set for a very entertaining night.

I would have liked to have seen that!

This shot was taken a few seconds before Peter Levet and Rob Nasey demolished their Mini on the infamous Maramarua Yumps.

It was extremely lucky that nobody was hurt as the spectators were lined up along both sides of the road where the Mini landed and rolled. Fortunately the car stayed in the centre of the track.


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Yumps were always good value. In the late 70's a photographers "Yump" was organised in the middle of a straight section of road in the Woodhill Forest Rally. Most competitors were pretty guarded going over it as it was well noted in the route book, but Bob Couch went over it "FLAT" with an impressive result.........


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As you say Milan, that was a big one. You could here the mini coming and it never backed off as it hit the yump and when it landed it did not stop end for ending and rolling for along way ending in a little ball. Amazing (more Luck) no one was hurt or killed. The next year people stood well back.

And as for Couchie, what did you expect, a hard case little bugger. Brother John had some exciting rides in navigator seat a few different times with Bob and other different people as well.

Jizim wrote:Damn....me too Steve. Gotta be the Sliver Fern though......and only rear wheel drive. Great to see all these old faces... and you are right, the commeraidery was great back then...I used to get the same thing from the seemingly same people that always finished around your own time...I was owed so much beer from the likes of Ross Wilson/Bob Vardy in the old "cardboard car" Escort and Will and Heather Orr.....great days and I really miss that side of the sport.....regards, Tony Rutherford.

Next Silver Fern November 2014 Tony, start working on your car now as there will ne an announcement coming out very shortly about the plans for the event.

Auckland Car Club organised the first Rally held at Maramarua not long after the 73 Heatway.
The roads were smooth, fast and wide and became a real favorite venue for many years.

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There were quite a few cars that we would now not suggest as being "typical" rally cars entered :

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