The Roaring Season

Les is editor of the Alfa News in NZ and lives in Wellington. I see him a couple of times a year. Was also involved in the Group A Alfetta that came to race at the Wellington Street Race. Very nice guy. These photos a really great John and thank Barry for sharing them with us. Cheers Bruce

No not them John, the 'Escort' guy was a little more serious looking, these roosters look like they have a sense of humour and are enjoying themselves.

Top photo, some interesting cars in pits and on bank, recognize one of them, gren mk3 Cortina over near caravan, was a good car back then
This Friday unofficial practice, first of 2 clutch's for weekend for me.

Awesome photos!
I have always loved the sports sedans, and the design and engineering behind them.
There must be a heap of these cars still around sitting in a garage somewhere.
It would be awesome if an Historic Sports Sedan type class was formed for these. Maybe incorporating the older Shell Sport cars as well.
Mind you…it would be a lot of work to organise, and costs have increased somewhat (And the drivers are older!).
It would be great to see however…

Growler- there is an Historic Sports Sedan class running, and will be at Hampton Downs this Saturday and Sunday- Legends of Speed - come along and mingle.
Shell Sport cars- we are looking at them also as they are basically Sports Sedans- like OSCAs

Shell Sport cars ran in later years with Sports Sedans so they could get a run, after they were cast aside by Wellington, (and those with the pulling power to have 'their' cars run in 'their class) and sad but most class's would follow suit.

There are a reasonable number of them (Shell Sport) still sitting around and think most can not be bothered with going through dramas (as in spending $s to prove history or apply for 'new' cod) after having been dealt up years ago.

Rod Grimwood wrote:Shell Sport cars ran in later years with Sports Sedans so they could get a run, after they were cast aside by Wellington, (and those with the pulling power to have 'their' cars run in 'their class) and sad but most class's would follow suit.

There are a reasonable number of them (Shell Sport) still sitting around and think most can not be bothered with going through dramas (as in spending $s to prove history or apply for 'new' cod) after having been dealt up years ago.

C'mon Rod; are you sure that's the real reason...or just an excuse?
Actually "most" of them have got together and want to start again along the lines of what Historic Muscle Cars and Historic Sports Sedans are doing.
Some positive news!

OK guys, Rod has opened the door here.
Is anyone out there, apart from Rod who has one of these Shell Sports from that era and wants to run?
Throw me some pms and see what we can do.

That worked John.

And yep Crunch I am still bit not sure on it. Don't want hassles on authenticity (cage etc), not me sorry. (been there done that)
If car stays as it is yep maybe, but problem is log book lost (or misplaced) during shifts and that a hassle.
If it works, good be out for a play, but will wait and watch developments.

Rod Grimwood wrote:Shell Sport cars ran in later years with Sports Sedans so they could get a run, after they were cast aside by Wellington, (and those with the pulling power to have 'their' cars run in 'their class) and sad but most class's would follow suit.

There are a reasonable number of them (Shell Sport) still sitting around and think most can not be bothered with going through dramas (as in spending $s to prove history or apply for 'new' cod) after having been dealt up years ago.

Thats right Rod, ShellSport cars were regular starters in Sports Sedan fields, as were cars from other classes, such as production etc. Often the Sports Sedans were outnumbered by the ring-ins. There are several ShellSport cars currently competing in historic racing, the big difference being, many wear DOT tyres now, whereas the ShellSport car in period wore slicks.

John McKechnie wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]24328[/ATTACH]

Thia shot would be 1981/2 GP meet December 81. Note the Pacifics in the background. The giveaway is Graham Watsons Ralt to the right of the Ken Smith March. therefore this practise, so why no wing on the back?

No spoiler on the front either Sean. Looks like the car had only recently been painted here?

No year on this, but safe to say it was the last variation on body changes.
Subject to correction, I think this is Baypark and another well attended meeting with the cars the fans wanted to see.
Top pic- John Learmont in sunnies maybe, a bike guy with Sunday News on his back.
Anyone got IDs on other cars and drivers.
Is that Starlet V8- in the middle picture? If it is , it will be racing this weekend.
Capri is Cullane.
Only one more set of 3 to be posted tomorrow.

John McKechnie wrote:No year on this, but safe to say it was the last variation on body changes.
Subject to correction, I think this is Baypark and another well attended meeting with the cars the fans wanted to see.
Top pic- John Learmont in sunnies, maybe a bike guy with Sunday News on his back.
Anyone got IDs on other cars and drivers.
Is that Starlet V8- in the middle picture? If it is , it will be racing this weekend.
Capri is Cullane.
Only one more set of 3 to be posted tomorrow.

Harold Wootten in sunnies, John Learmonth the bearded bloke.

Noel Cullen, Alfa expert, on right, ball cap and stache?

Pukekohe - October 1984.
As we fondly remember it, complete with cabbage trees and the ditch.
Not a concrete wall or sound meter in sight.

Baypark 1984.
Addis and Algie- 2 good men together.
Looking at the people in the background, possibly testing

And thats all folks, next lot of pics will be from after this weekends Legend of Speed.

John McKechnie wrote:No year on this, but safe to say it was the last variation on body changes.
Subject to correction, I think this is Baypark and another well attended meeting with the cars the fans wanted to see.
Anyone got IDs on other cars and drivers.
Is that Starlet V8- in the middle picture? If it is , it will be racing this weekend.
Capri is Cullane.

First Crowe Starlet, but in a different livery to the New Year 1983 meeting. Ditto for Cullinane Capri.

Bryan wrote:First Crowe Starlet, but in a different livery to the New Year 1983 meeting. Ditto for Cullinane Capri.

I think you might find it is the Wayne Huxford Capri