The Roaring Season

Steve Holmes wrote:I've just realised something. The pic of Francevic in the Sierra, must be the ex-Rouse BTCC winning car that sat on pole at the '86 Wellington Street Race. Interesting, as this is the car Francevic drove at Bathurst in 1986 after parting with the Volvo Dealer Team. A lot of people have been trying to find this car, with the trail going cold following Bathurst, and people weren't even sure it had returned to NZ. But this photo proves that it did. I wonder where it is then?

Steve, have a look at post # 184. Rouse's car is RHD whereas post # 169 seems to be LHD so dont think it's the same car. I drove the transporter with the ex Rouse car from Bathurst to Port of Melbourne after the '86 race and although memory has faded a bit I am sure it was RHD. Will check my videos (yes I still have some of those) of Bathurst '86

Yeah I had to do a double-take there Dave, as it really looks like the car is lhd. But if you look at Robbies right shoulder and the sunlight on it and the edge of the seat, I think it could be rhd.

I just found this image, which appears to be at Pukekohe? Its probably from the same event. The car is definitely rhd here.

Steve Holmes wrote:Yeah I had to do a double-take there Dave, as it really looks like the car is lhd. But if you look at Robbies right shoulder and the sunlight on it and the edge of the seat, I think it could be rhd.

I just found this image, which appears to be at Pukekohe? Its probably from the same event. The car is definitely rhd here.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]25291[/ATTACH]

Yep, on closer inspection I believe you are right. Post # 169 is deceptive, it just appeared Robbie was looking down at some of the switches on the drive line tunnel. Must be an age thing!!!!!!!1

Steve Holmes wrote:Wow, these photos are fantastic! Rod, I didn't know Brett Willis had raced a Camaro in the US. Is this the same green car he raced in NZ that you've posted above?

No, Brett bought car in states and left it there. His dad built the green car (now in South Island think)

Bought engine back and reckons if they took their car to States it would have been more competitive.

Rod Grimwood wrote:No, Brett bought car in states and left it there. His dad built the green car (now in South Island think)

Bought engine back and reckons if they took their car to States it would have been more competitive.

Steve, Just had chat with Ralph, and he is going to fill in some gaps here about cars and trip which I may do on new thread, as it will be a great read.
The car in States had history, and the trip I think made history. (making history being something you discover/hear about at a later date)

Steve maybe PM me

This was actually Bretts Willis (bottom photo) original Commodore that was slighty changed (Jenny Mossman). More info as we get it. The running gear from this car is a story on its own.

Car in both configurations.

Time for a few more Benson and Hedges photos from 1977 that have been passing through the scanner recently.

Great photos. I thought I went to all the B&Vs but must have missed that one as I don't remember the Jag anyone know the drivers and how it did in the race?

It was Robbie Lester and Robert Orr. They lasted longer than expected but still retired.

seaqnmac27 wrote:It was Robbie Lester and Robert Orr. They lasted longer than expected but still retired.

I remember that the Jag was very competitive until the inboard disc brakes fried the oil seals in the diff and forced its retirement - my second photo in earlier post shows the 'cooking' oil smoke coming from the rear of the car.

Fabulous photos thanks for sharing but has anyone got an entry list?

Much to my surprise I do have the programme. I will scan it tomorrow and put it up.

Stu

So I'm assuming one of the Chargers won?

Programme page with entry and graffiti - hope you can read it looks a bit ropey!



Winners were Leo Leonard/Gary Sprague Charger. I must have disposed of most of magazines from late 70's in a house shift so this is all I can find so far. Damn!

I see I had noted positions at various distances, and Pedersen/Oxton Leyland P76 was leading at lap 157. I wonder what happened after that. Oh, turned page and there's more. At lap 174 Wilkinson/Harrington, Phillips/McLean, then Leonard/Sprague. Then at lap 267 it was Leonard-Sprague/Phillips-McLean/Pederson-Oxton. That may have been the final positions as programme showed 9 hours duration, not an exact number of laps and 267 laps is about 960 kms - close enough??

Stu Buchanan

Dauntsey Teagles P76 comes out to race at Historics periodically, was that raced at this meeting?

stubuchanan wrote:Much to my surprise I do have the programme. I will scan it tomorrow and put it up.

Stu

Thanks very much Stu

stubuchanan wrote:Programme page with entry and graffiti - hope you can read it looks a bit ropey!



Winners were Leo Leonard/Gary Sprague Charger. I must have disposed of most of magazines from late 70's in a house shift so this is all I can find so far. Damn!

I see I had noted positions at various distances, and Pedersen/Oxton Leyland P76 was leading at lap 157. I wonder what happened after that. Oh, turned page and there's more. At lap 174 Wilkinson/Harrington, Phillips/McLean, then Leonard/Sprague. Then at lap 267 it was Leonard-Sprague/Phillips-McLean/Pederson-Oxton. That may have been the final positions as programme showed 9 hours duration, not an exact number of laps and 267 laps is about 960 kms - close enough??

Stu Buchanan

2 Entries did not start, the second P76 - Hogg/Marriott and Bryan Bate/Bob Donaldson Cortina. The winner covered 270 laps. The Oxton/Pedersn P76 probably would have won, but at 5.30 a front brake caliper had worn through and welded itself to the shoe. The stop to replace the whole caliper unit cost 8 minutes. That is according to the report in MotorAction