The Roaring Season

I just have to echo what has already been said. I wasn't planning on going, but friends who were already there were calling and told me I had to come. So I went on Sunday, and was quite blown away by it all. One of the most amazing and best organised Motorsport events I have ever attended. The venue was amazing, the food was amazing, the cars were amazing, the people were amazing (everyone was SO friendly, including security and staff!) Not just for the blokes, plenty of woman there who looked like they were enjoying the event. (I am told the Saturday night ball was incredible)


Another little thing I noticed, there was no rubbish on the ground anywhere! (and I mean none!) Not a whole lot of rubbish bins to be seen, most were positioned by the food stalls. But I think it is fair to say everyone present was mindful and respected of what Rod had laid on,and this was really nice to see. For a fairly large event, this sort of immaculate crowd behaviour is pretty much unheard of these days. Says a lot about the type of people attending too I think.

Rod and his small team have done an amazing job, and must be congratulated. I will definitely go again next year for the whole event and can recommend to anyone.

Conrad Timms

Now, I have been reading all this guff on here about this event; how EVERYTHING was lovely...the people, the cars, the entertainment, the venue etc etc etc. It almost sounds as though there is something missing here.....like the heavy hand of officialdom!! Because the event was invite only, and conducted on private land, IS that how it was.....ie no need for officialdom? I don't know, it just sounds like the old days when we all had FUN. But of course the VCC folk are a bit like that....more relaxed, more willing to show and talk about their motors. Some of them are a bit 'funny' but they are real enthusiasts. Of course once the word gets out everyone will want to be part of the action. Fortunately, that wont happen. I am looking forward to the Roycroft event at HD in a couple of weeks; was a blast last year and should be even better this. Now, how can I trick the VCC into accepting my old MG1100 into being able to compete.

Amco - the only real officialdom was the marshals who I found firm but pretty friendly. Of course there's always someone who wants to stand in the danger zone and get annoyed when asked to leave. Oh and the two women policing the entry to the VIP food tent were pretty scary too - just ask me how I know.

The general layout of the "driveway" meant the best spectating areas were out of harms way and there were plenty of good spots to watch the action.

I have a request for any other photographers - Russell who owns the Suzuki RN 400 motocross bike is after some photos of it running - if anyone has one can they post them up here (Russell is going to have a look on here as well) - it's a seriously rare and historic machine and was fired up for the first time on Friday after a painstaking restoration.

This is the bike in the display area.

WOW what an event with an awesome atmosphere, excellent venue etc. I met up with Tony Thacker of the Wally Parks NHRA Museum on the Thursday and headed down. On the Saturday he offered me a drive up the hill in the El Caballo 1927 Ford roadster that was built by Ak Miller. In 1953 it was in the Pan America race and was driven from California to Mexico and came 8th in a large sports car class. Neat thing considering my job at NZHRM is the fact that this car was the US Hot Rod Magazine Special!

This car is usually on display at the museum but the opportunity to drive this legendary car is something to remember for a long time. Powered by an Olds Rocket engine - it certainly hauls! It was a bunch of fun! I spun it out and gathered it up, kept the shoe in and skittered my way up the hill. Other drivers included Tony, Silky and Ron Hope from the Rat Trap Racing fuel altered team. It was a fantastic weekend all round and is a must do for next year.

Greg Stokes
NZHRM

I can't rave about this event enough, it was spectacular! I am sure it will only grow.I competed
and left my wife in charge of the camera. Would anyone have any photos on my Escort?
White MK1 Zakspeed style(Castrol stripes)

Greg Stokes wrote:
This car is usually on display at the museum but the opportunity to drive this legendary car is something to remember for a long time. Powered by an Olds Rocket engine - it certainly hauls! It was a bunch of fun! I spun it out and gathered it up, kept the shoe in and skittered my way up the hill.
NZHRM

So that was you - that thing looked extremely hairy, plenty of power and not a lot of traction, suspension or steering. Congratulations on your run on Saturday - a most entertaining effort.

Greg Stokes wrote:..........
It was a bunch of fun! I spun it out and gathered it up, kept the shoe in and skittered my way up the hill......

Greg Stokes
NZHRM

It certainly looked like a lot of fun from the otherside of the tape.

Go hard, son !
I feel the urge to paint eyes on the headlights, though....maybe too many cartoons as a kid...

Hey Greg, that must have been a real blast! Love the pics Martin, thanks for posting. Greg, where did you get the period race suit and helmet? Was the car on cross-plies or radials? Kind of look like radials to me.

4dnut wrote:I can't rave about this event enough, it was spectacular! I am sure it will only grow.I competed
and left my wife in charge of the camera. Would anyone have any photos on my Escort?
White MK1 Zakspeed style(Castrol stripes)

I love your car! Did your wife get any shots of you?

Steve Holmes wrote:I love your car! Did your wife get any shots of you?

That's the problem, I left her with the camera, which means I have no photos,does anyone have any?
Please help!!

That is one mint looking & sounding car you have, these are from the afternoon run on saturday.

Random collection of Open wheelers............

Rally cars this time......including Murphy's coming together with a tree.

Finally some saloon cars......

PhotoSmith wrote:That is one mint looking & sounding car you have, these are from the afternoon run on saturday.

Hi Martin,
Can I purchase photos from yourself? Do you have any others? It would be nice to have some photos from this event as I reckon is was quite special. I was really happy how the car went up the hill considering it wasn't really suited for this type of event. A couple people said to me it sounded quite good but it is hard to know in the car with a helmut on. I keep raving to people how cool this event was, I would love to do it again next year but if I don't i will be back as a spectator.

4dnut wrote:Hi Martin,
Can I purchase photos from yourself? Do you have any others? It would be nice to have some photos from this event as I reckon is was quite special.

Yes, Yes, and I've sent you a PM with my details, Cheers MS.

RogerH wrote:The A40 Special and the Lola Mk2 (that unfortunately retired after two runs with clutch problems) plus the GeeCeeEss which Donald Suckling drove.

Any photos would be appreciated.

only 1 of your A40, none of the Lola - did this only run on Friday?, and a sequence of the GeeCeeEss
at the 2nd hairpin.

Cheers
MS

PhotoSmith wrote:only 1 of your A40, none of the Lola - did this only run on Friday?, and a sequence of the GeeCeeEss
at the 2nd hairpin.

Cheers
MS

Thanks - nice photos. The Lola only ran on the Friday and had clutch problems - it didn't like being slammed into 1st gear to get up the hill.

Here is a photo of the Lola (somehow I've ended up with two photos??)

GD66 wrote:Go hard, son !
I feel the urge to paint eyes on the headlights, though....maybe too many cartoons as a kid...

Yeah its got funky looks hasnt it?

Steve Holmes wrote:Hey Greg, that must have been a real blast! Love the pics Martin, thanks for posting. Greg, where did you get the period race suit and helmet? Was the car on cross-plies or radials? Kind of look like radials to me.

Yes it was a real blast Steve! The period suit and helmet was what Tony Thacker brought over with the car. Yep - radials.

PhotoSmith wrote:It certainly looked like a lot of fun from the otherside of the tape.

Thanks it sure was.