The Roaring Season

nigel watts wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]28200[/ATTACH]

It's only when you see pics like this that you realize how close the driver's bum is to the track. (Note the piece of black bodywork between the wheels, which is the seat base!)

Thanks Steve, for moving these over from my "Mix of Pics" thread. Great variety and full grids. This is what I like about any racing and particularly our series. Great pics Nigel.

I have announced to our members that at the end of next season, my 20th in the hot seat, I will be handing over the reins to someone else.

My stance throughout business and industry, either within or working as an external advisor/consultant, has always been to preach "Don't let anyone ever make themselves indispensable". So I must practice what I preach.

When I looked at what happens throughout a season, plus losing the occasional friend well before their time, I realised that I had accidentally made myself not exactly indispensable, but that no-one else really knows how the Series operates. Rather than be faced with a very successful Series lurching around for a while if our pilot decides to fly into a mountain, or our ship's captain decides to park the ship on its side, time to set things in place now to make sure that the Series is in good hands for the future.

I don't really believe the "Committee" model works that well. "A camel is a thoroughbred racehorse designed by a committee - Issigonis?" and thankfully, someone has stepped up to take over as from season 31, the 2016/2017 season. Some people may be co-opted to carry the workload, but I am hopeful that the current model has been proved to be successful. An announcement will be made in due course, but for anyone interested, we have booked the CT Club at Remuera to discuss the way forward for the ERC Series, but I extend an invitation to any other Classic racers and supporters to come along, as Classic racing is very healthy at the moment and we never get the chat to chat.

The MSNZ conference only caters for one or two from each club, so getting the drivers together makes some sort of sense.

The long awaited track extension/club circuit at HD may open up more opportunities for racers and club members, so having a platform to discuss things locally seemed a sensible idea.

The meal is $25 - April 20th - bookings essential before April 15th please, via "convenor @ ercrace.nz" (ignore the spaces of course, but this is an anti spam attempt!) but for those not wishing to eat, the meeting will start around 7:30, but doors open 6:30 and the meal at 6:45pm. Pay bar.

ERC members will get a $10 voucher towards their meal.

This is not our awards dinner, that is May 9th at the same venue, but that is not to say that an award will not be presented...

I am very pleased to announce that Chris Browne will take over the role of Convenor as from the end of next season.

Chris and I share the same philosophies and worked very well together when challenged by the Historic Commission, to rewrite the T & C regulations a few years ago.

Chris is a former leading light of the Alfa Trofeo series and the Alfa and ERC series will continue to work together, so that the dates are compatible for both sets of drivers, as there is a considerable overlap anyway.

I will of course assist Chris in any way I can.

Update: May 17th - Neck restraints will NOT now be made compulsory - just an advisory.

Year 29 done and dusted, a great awards night again with lots of laughs. Next year - June 11th to celebrate our 30th.

Congratulations to all trophy winners. Although slightly more substantial than chocolate fish, (and less fattening), no driver knew who had won what award until the presentation.

Top award - the convenor's trophy went to Jaguar driver, John Munro. Grant Kern took out the Arrow Wheels trophy and Brian Yates, the AES award.

For a list of trophy winners and points scored, go to the website and they are under the 'Home' page tab.

http://www.ercrace.nz

The drivers who have already clocked 15 years or more over the last 19 years gained free registrations for the new season as a thanks for their support. There were 16 of them!

New season's registrations paid up so far (including the 'freebies'):

14 Adrian Hayman ARROW MG BGT V8
15 Phil Laird ARROW BMW 318IS
20 Geoff Sparkes AES TRIUMPH Dolomite Sprint
23 Rob Moston ARROW JAGUAR XJ 6
29 Mike Lucas AES DATSUN 260Z
30 Rod Hemmings AES TVR 3000M
31 Eddie York ARROW JAGUAR XJ40
39 Grant Kern AES MG TD
42 Des Redgwell AES VOLVO 242GT
47 Gary Baildon AES BMW E30 318is
49 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
56 Ray Green AES MG MAGN8
60 Chris Fraser ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
64 John Palmer AES MG BGT
70 Ray Green AES MARCOS VOLVO 3L
88 Bruce Manon ARROW FORD ESCORT
89 John Ure AES JAGUAR MARK 2
89 John Ure AES JAGUAR MARK 7
89 John Ure AES JAGUAR XJ12
92 Brian Yates AES PORSCHE 924S
113 Grant Kern AES MG SPECIAL
120 John Munro ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
142 Bruce Kirk AES VOLVO 142
159 Glen Thompson AES MG B SPORTS
169 Neville Thompson AES MG BGT
198 John Tomlin AES TRIUMPH 2500PI
203 Andy Mygind ARROW DATSUN 240Z
213 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT
229 Chris Browne AES ALFAROMEO ALFASUD TI
246 Tony Olissoff ARROW ALFA SUD Ti
280 Ken Williams AES MERCEDES 280CE
431 Phil Josephs AES ROVER 220T
616 Dave Mallin ARROW MG BGT V8
739 Grant Kern ARROW MG B V8 SPORTS
833 Rob Hunkin AES ALFA 33
833 Edward Hunkin AES ALFA 33
891 Chris Hunkin AES ALFA 33
944 Paul Madeley AES PORSCHE 944S2
944 Paul Madeley ARROW PORSCHE 944T

This time next week I'll be away, so don't think that I have keeled over if I haven't posted for a while...

Returning to the fold... Purchased by a confirmed Jaguar enthusiast

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Also expected to make a return - with the same owner/driver.


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It has been a long time since I visited this site. ERC you need to change my car from a Datsun 260z to a Morris Cooper S replica given the caged zed is now in Nelson with a new owner.

Will do Mike - when I get home and also when I have a pic and full details of the 'new' car!

Should be home next Thursday - still with about 200 emails to wade through, so don't expect speedy miracles!

A month before the new season kicks off and we are already up to 41 cars paid up/registered.

14 Adrian Hayman MG BGT V8
15 Phil Laird BMW 318IS
16 Kevin Cantwell PORSCHE 964
20 Geoff Sparkes TRIUMPH Sprint
23 Rob Moston JAGUAR XJ 6
29 Mike Lucas MINI
30 Rod Hemmings TVR 3000M
31 Eddie York JAGUAR XJ40
39 Grant Kern MG TD
42 Des Redgwell VOLVO 242GT
47 Gary Baildon BMW E30 318is
49 Chris Browne ALFA ALFASUD
56 Ray Green MG MAGN8
60 Chris Fraser MORGAN PLUS 8
64 John Palmer MG BGT
70 Ray Green MARCOS VOLVO 3L
72 Karl Sentch DATSUN 240Z
77 Jeremy Thornton PEUGEOT 205 Gti
82 John Nuthall ALFA GT
88 Bruce Manon FORD ESCORT
89 John Ure JAGUAR MARK 2
89.1 John Ure JAGUAR MARK 7
89.2 John Ure JAGUAR XJ12
92 Brian Yates PORSCHE 924S
113 Grant Kern MG SPECIAL
120 John Munro JAGUAR XJ6
135 Don Roy MG BGT V8
137 Glenn Edley PEUGEOT 205 Gti
142 Bruce Kirk VOLVO 142
150 Allan Brook MG BGT
159 Glen Thompson MG B SPORTS
169 Neville Thompson MG BGT
198 John Tomlin TRIUMPH 2500PI
203 Andy Mygind DATSUN 240Z
213 Dave Mallin MG BGT
222 Bruce Jones FORD CAPRI
229 Chris Browne ALFAROMEO ALFASUD TI
246 Tony Olissoff ALFA SUD Ti
279 Barry Hare ROVER VITESSE
280 Ken Williams MERCEDES 280CE
431 Phil Josephs ROVER 220T
616 Dave Mallin MG BGT V8
739 Grant Kern MG B V8 SPORTS
833 Rob Hunkin ALFA 33
833.1 Edward Hunkin ALFA 33
866 Francois Cronje RENAULT R8 GORDINI
891 Chris Hunkin ALFA 33
891.1 Edward Hunkin ALFA 33
911 Steve Rasmussen PORSCHE 911
944 Paul Madeley PORSCHE 944S2
944.1 Paul Madeley PORSCHE 944

Add:

2 Bert Quin ARROW FORD PERANA
8 Mark Parsons ARROW TRIUMPH TR7 V8
21 Bryce Platt AES PORSCHE 924 S
26 Steve Newenham ARROW DATSUN 260 Z
28 Michael Sexton ARROW FORD Escort Mk 1 RS2000
34 Graeme Park ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
37 Darron Curphey ARROW FIAT 131R
48 Ricky Cooper ARROW DATSUN 240Z
66 Todd Forsyth ARROW MG BV8
72 Karl Sentch AES DATSUN 240Z
75 Craig Howser ARROW FORD ZAKSPEED
77 Jeremy Thornton AES PEUGEOT 205 Gti
79 Gary Langsford AES ALFA 75
93 Ivan Selak ARROW FORD ESCORT
115 Chris Barendregt ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
116 Phil Neely AES ALFA ALFETTA
119 Eddie Beresford ARROW Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti
135 Don Roy AES MG BGT V8
137 Glenn Edley AES PEUGEOT 205 Gti
150 Allan Brook AES MG BGT
158 Tony Vujnovich ARROW FORD PERANA
205 Richard McCarthy AES PEUGEOT 205 GTi
233 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
240 Earl Cruickshank ARROW DATSUN 240Z
279 Barry Hare ARROW ROVER VITESSE
281 Paul Chisholm AES VW Golf GTI
295 Mal Chamberlain AES FORD ESCORT
404 Andy Wallace AES BMW 2002Tii
623 Peter Gunter AES RENAULT FUEGO
783 Peter Gunter ARROW SKODA
866 Francois Cronje AES RENAULT R8 GORDINI
910 Simon Mills AES ALFA SUD

One lonely Mini........number 29....Mike Lucas........and not a single Anglia........times are changing. A great lineup never-the-less.

Sadly, you are right AMCO. I am making a start on writing the history of the series and even reading back to my own first newsletters and the low number of participants back then, we haven't had more than 3 Mini's on track at the same time in the last 20 years.

Had we stuck to the original 4 cylinder BMC series rules that I inherited, we would have fallen over within two years - and I doubt anyone would have even noticed.

We haven't seen a Riley 1.5 on track either, even though one was registered initially. Midgets have all given way to MGBs and several of those have now given way to MGB V8s. Guys seem keener on building a Perana Capri V8 - regardless of the expense - and yet no-one wants to run an Anglia and rarely a 4 cylinder Capri, so I am really pleased that Mike Lucas has opted to run a Mini.

We have also lost Triumph Spitfires (there were 3 of those at one stage), plus Triumph 1300's. These cars aren't outclassed either, as the handicap system negates any performance disadvantage anyway. I can only put it down to the scarcity of these cars and the ongoing scarcity of spares for some of them, particularly body and trim panels.

Changing some years ago to "Euro" rather than British, has ensured our survival, though it hasn't been without criticism. But there again right back to season 2, I copped flak for some of the decisions that were made, and in that respect, nothing much has changed!

A pragmatic approach as opposed to a purist approach may upset some people, but I am very happy that by the time I hand it over at the end of this season, the series will be alive and also very well, which it certainly wasn't at the end of year 10.

I hope AMCO that you can join our celebrations June 11th next year, as one of our guests of honour, to celebrate the last 30 years!

Well, ERC, I dont know about a 'Guest of Honour'.......that sounds a bit grand, but thank you for the invitation. Will certainly keep it in mind.

I am not sure that the reason for all the elderly BMC cars being parked up is scarcity of body and trim parts. Rather it is purely a performance, or lack of it, problem. Despite what my mate Dale, of HMC fame, says, drivers do not want to circulate at the rear of the field. I have done a bit of that myself and know the feeling. The HMC brigade is cranking more and more horsepower from these cars that started with about 500hp and are now up into the 800's........dare I say it, to stay in front, or at least be at the sharp end of the grid.......why else would they do it. In other words why spend a lot of dollars if all you are doing is 'having fun'. Podium finishes should not be on your agenda, but clearly they are. The cars are the stars.....yeh right !!!!!

We are lucky with the Mini in that there is a healthy supply of most body bits, but with your zero tolerance on contact in racing, this shouldnt be a problem........yes I know things sometimes get out of hand as the Amco Mini has found out !! I think it is just sheer lack of 'go' that stops these cars from being on the track. This also applies to machines like E type Jaguars for instance, so to save face and preserve the mystique they just dont appear anymore, and quite frankly they are pretty cumbersome to drive spiritedly.

I dont think there is an answer.....just go with the flow......its what the folk want, and the whole series stays alive, which as you have repeatedly said would not have happened if you had dug your toes in and stuck to the original formula.

So you will get a well earned rest at the end of the season, and if anyone has any doubts about whether you have done the right thing or not, they just need to look at the entry for confirmation.