The Roaring Season

Sad to read in today's HRC Newsletter, that Charles Lloyd had died. Most may not have known Charles but I flagged with him many, many times, and he was the epitome of the dedicated and professional (but unpaid) flag marshal. A true enthusiast, out on a flag point, rain or shine, most weekends.

As mentioned in the HRC tribute, he had an encyclopaediac knowledge of several aspects of motorsport and was a true gentleman.

Most classic/historic drivers would never even know he had gone, but those who knew him, will certainly miss him. Just give the marshals a wave on your slowing down lap. It means a lot to them.

RiP my friend.

ERC wrote:Sad to read in today's HRC Newsletter, that Charles Lloyd had died. Most may not have known Charles but I flagged with him many, many times, and he was the epitome of the dedicated and professional (but unpaid) flag marshal. A true enthusiast, out on a flag point, rain or shine, most weekends.

As mentioned in the HRC tribute, he had an encyclopaediac knowledge of several aspects of motorsport and was a true gentleman.

Most classic/historic drivers would never even know he had gone, but those who knew him, will certainly miss him. Just give the marshals a wave on your slowing down lap. It means a lot to them.

RiP my friend.

I knew Charles professionally via the British New Zealand Business Council for ten years. I can't believe I didn't know about his motorsport interest. All those hours talking about UK/NZ business when we could have been talking about cars!

Not unusual it seems Paul. Mike Sexton's companies were my longest serving clients (from about 1989) and it was only when he appeared in a Classic Trial, before getting into circuit racing, that I found out he was into his classic cars (and classic motorbikes) - big time!

One of the reasons I wear the 'Chicane Motorsport' logo on my shirts, shorts and long trousers etc. is that it opens up conversations anywhere in the world whilst doing my bit to continue to promote the NZ brand, of which I'm still very proud to have had an involvement with since about 1998, albeit at a bit of a distance since 2010.

Spring weather at Hampton Downs - steady rain from when I arrived until I left - but it is fine back here in Auckland! Typical.
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The Neil Foster/Jonny Reid Audi R8.


Angus Fogg's car looks stunning


Bluey returns. The Ex Ivan Selak Escort has had a repaint.


A bit of damage in the GT practice. This little pile of bits probably cost more than my MGF...

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With just 4 groups running - GTs (down to about 12 cars), Sing Song Utes, Central Muscle Cars and the new Fast & Furious format, not exactly the most exciting of practice days.

The programme didn't even list the entrants in the Fast & Furious group...

Back to 2000...
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You'd think that after all these years, they'd be able to spell 'Bentley'...










interesting comparing the Brit version and a US version of a sporting car where the shape dates back to about 1964/65. Although the Marcos isn't quite as low as a Ford GT40, it isn't so far off at 43".

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More from the Laser 500 meeting, Saturday.
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Mercedes were the best sounding cars...











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ERC, Ray, do you know who was driving this day at Manfeild 1999 ?. Phil Mules owned the car in 1994 as seen at Hamilton the Telecom Motorfest. Full Face Helmets make it hard to recognise Drivers !!
Bernie Huynen [ who passed away recently ] had it later and recently had put it up for sale, now painted Black.

Definitely Philip Mules. Race 4, he finished 3rd with a lap time of 1:24.77, beaten by Richard McCarthy (Snr) Lotus 7, 1:24.94. Race won by Andrew Whittaker TVR Tuscan 1:19.15.

The meeting was rained off on the Sunday and as my car was damaged by the transporter company - who somehow or other also managed to flatten the battery, a very expensive weekend and the last time I raced at Manfeild! Cost as much overall for the weekend as for the rest of the season.

Many people love the Manfeild track, but I wasn't so keen - or maybe it just didn't suit my car? Photographic opportunities also very limited for the amateur.

Back to the TACCOC October 2017 meeting.
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The Marina V8 suffered from gear change issues.


You can never really guess which MG Grant Kern will bring to a race meeting, but whatever he brings, he drives well.


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From the scanner.
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A single stray colour slide, Prescott Hillclimb 1970. To the far right of the picture, clutching his cine camera, is Alec Rivers-Fletcher, long time PR man for the BRM organisation - and next door neighbour to comedian Norman Wisdom.


Found this strip of 4 negatives as an 'orphan' as I haven't found the rest of the film - yet. I originally thought it was 1984 December 16th Pukekohe, but the Marina has the orange tinted windows yet in my earlier pic, it didn't! So, date to be researched... Possibly February 2nd 1985.








2001 Domain Hillclimb Austin.

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A bit random I know but...When the 2 brms sat in the Symonds Street showroom 1965-66 ? as a young guy I was asked to pick up the aforementioned Alec Rivers-Fletcher, and take him to another branch...I asked him about Chris Amon and his reply was no way would he trust him an F1 car! way too young and inexperienced. Chrs

These pictures were taken by Bruce Blacklock,Auckland Car Club stalwart,buletin editor etc

Another mix...
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Dave Giddings - Capri #2. He very kindly lent me this car for a classic trial when mine was off the road. 2001 Domain Hillclimb.


Dave Giddings Capri #1 - his regular car. TACCOC Taupo October 2001.


Yates junior's Fiat ahead of Dad's Lancia. (Brian strolling away.) Geoff Sparkes' Dolomite Sprint to the left, currently for sale on Trade Me.


Rex Oddy's Lotus Excel. For a long time, Rex was a key member of the Classic Trial fraternity.



2017. On our recent Baltic's cruise, day 1 in Ghent, we bumped into these two! We enjoyed the best Belgian waffle ever, topped with warmed cherries and cream. Obviously, since selling the Ferrari, John had forgotten how to fasten his helmet so needed the assistance of Glenys, before his first run in the ex Ivan Selak Cortina GT.


Win Jacob is another driver in the ERC Series with quite a history. This is the 3.6 litre XJS, not to be confused with the 5.3 litre V12.

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October 13th 1985 I believe. No idea of the car makes!

PS: Just found the entry list as it was my first ever race meeting (Allegro Equipe...). car #1 - Ross Symon - Halliday DRH-1, car #2 Mel Taplin - Laser R/S


#23 David Hicks - Orama, #39 Mike Pool - Scorpion 812.


#7 Bruce Laurie - Comet MK 1


2017 - What a great name - Stuart Turner... Another new recruit to the ERC ranks.


At the same time as the TACCOC meeting, there was a Partmaster day on the adjacent short, club circuit. The Frasers were out in force.



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TACCOC's Formula Junior Single seaters. Always seen as scaled down F1 cars of the day over the transition between front engined to rear engined. A proliferation of makes and shapes still makes it a real favourite of mine.

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(Nigel) Hunter Russell's NZ built FMZ


Walter Findlay's ever popular smokin' 2 stroke Elva DKW.


The Autosud of Paul Halford. Love the less well known cars.


Long time FJ campaigner, John Holmes Lotus 18.


The equally well known Gemini of Jim Barclay.


Grant Clearwater was doing an early Jack Brabham on most laps.

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Noel Woodford, previously seen in a FJ Gemini (and very quick Lotus Elan), now in a FF Dulon.





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Chelsea Hillclimb today and even my wife takes an occasional pic...

New owner of the Morris 8 grinning from ear to ear. No idea of his name, but wearing a large 'Hyundai' logo on his overalls!

PS: Bumped into GeeBeeNZ today and apparently the new owner's name is Devon and he works for Hyundai. I missed the Bugatti recreation down in the paddock, as we didn't walk that far. If I'd been on my own, I might have done, but I can't afford for her to get over tired.
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Hopefully, this won't be the final 'Chelsea Walsh', but the Chelsea works are doing a development, with a reintroduction of the plant tours and a new café. At this stage, we are not sure if the café will be a 7 day a week enterprise or not.

Just a few from Chelsea.

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First time I have seen this particular car. I asked another competitor what it was called and he claimed it was a 'Badger Special' with obvious U2 origins. Can anyone confirm that? A confession here. I had to Photoshop Diane out of the background as the bright orange marshal vest was a distraction! Well I would have done, but I can't get to grips with Photoshop at all, so used Arcsoft, the software that came with the Canon Scanner.









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Back to TACCOC's October meeting
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David Thompson (Snr) - historic Ford Escort is the genuine article and if anyone has ever taken a good look inside, it has a fair bit of evidence of that history in the shell.











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Being a former Mallock owner I am very interested in the Badger special which has an uncanny resemblance to a Mk 6 Mallock.I recall a similar car in the NZ Sports Car club in the early years. Does anyone have any history on it.