The Roaring Season

Sixty years ago, this number plate in the UK was on every schoolboy's radar, including mine as it just also happened to be the initials of my best pal. Still is on both counts.

Hampton Downs today

Non-identical twins - if you get my drift

Subtle Ray, it took me a minute or two

I knew someone might get it!

No saloons at Roycroft Trophy Old Fart. It hasn't really grown as much as you and I would have liked.

The UK's pre '57 series that ran in the early 1980's allowed limited modifications and was well supported. Jag 2.4 and Mk 7, Ford Zephyr, Rover P4, Standard Ensign, Morris Minor, Austin A35 etc. Maybe the NZ/Hooter's series needs a loosening of regs or at least an additional class?

Back to Lloyd Ellesmere.

Two more heading for the track? Grant Kern's two contributions. VCC won't let him run on those wheels. ERC Series more than happy. In my old "I-Spy" book, I could never get my head around a "Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica" - and never saw one back then either. (Still have the I-Spy book...)

" Grant Kern's two contributions. VCC won't let him run on those wheels. ERC Series more than happy. "

The Grant Kern MG TD " Cream Cracker " tribute I love it - perhaps needs two sets of wheels - to run in the other series / class [ VCC ]..
Cars feature in the Jan - Feb 2021 issue of NZ Classic Driver #93

Cheers ERC, thanks for the photo.

Roger ..

Tony Olissoff in the FWD Emeryson ahead of the previous owner, FJ stalwart, Nigel Russell in his FMZ FJ. Nice to see this 1275cc Terrapin out on track. A classic case of a sixties car that somehow now seems to be something of an orphan, as it isn't a Formula Junior (too new), isn't a Formula Ford (BMC engine and too small), isn't VCC eligible (too new again). Hopefully, we'll continue to see it out on track and apparently, there is another not too far from track ready. Padding out the Formula Junior grid seems to be the best fit but at least they found space for it on Sunday.

Possibly an early Vee out there too. Again too new for VCC rules, and as you say Ray, relaxing the rules which MSNZ imposed on VCC would be helpful.

Agree Rhys. MSNZ have in themselves, decimated many classes newer than the VCC cut off, which is contrary to their Mission Statement (sic). The problem facing promoters with ever rising costs ($33,000 for Taupo track hire alone over the previous weekend says it all).

Costs have to be recovered to break even let alone make a profit.

That is exactly why those small groups refusing to combine classes, will very soon find themselves out in the cold. There are several large classes I won't even bother photographing, but without them, there will be no race meetings.

I took about 300 pics on Sunday, but only about 30 were other than the VCC Hooters/Formula Juniors.

Interesting comments Ray and Rhys and the sort of thing we are grappling with Formula Juniors. Wearing my TACCOC hat, the cost of meetings are getting to the prohibitive level for most club based event organisers and the need to have large grid is becoming a necessity. With FJ we have trouble getting FJ only grids on our calendar and only TACCOC will provide this because that is where their background is (and a number of the committee members are FJ owners!). That is why we have been promoting joining in with VCC and we have been chasing down the likes of the Terrapin and early Formula Vee to join us as they are cars with similar performance. I think this will be the new normal and groups that don't combine will be left with nowhere to race and cars that accordingly become less valuable.

Thanks Roger. The FJ grid has always been a favourite of mine and any additions of cars with a similar performance - or lesser, are to be welcomed.

I copped plenty of flak for opening up the ERC Series, and not making a CoD compulsory, but even though now back to one grid, from two it is at least still viable and especially so when linking with the Alfa series, as our aims and objectives are aligned.

Noticeably absent, or a lower profile now, are one or two groups with overly restrictive rules. I can't see them surviving long term. I discussed this with JT and Chris Watson briefly on Sunday, and both are also pragmatic realists, rather than purists. One person, who shall not be named, seems to think that others should continue to subsidise his small grids...

Enough waffle.

Ford 10 Special Cole Baker Special Jappic recreation BSA Special

I'm sure this G15 number plate used to be on a blue Ginetta G15, owned by a NZ Sports Car Club stalwart, or is it the same car resprayed? Thinking about it, it could of course just be a display plate (see following post #3919). Vauxhall Opel

You may be right Ray on the G15. According to carjam it is blue

Richard Gray had the Ginetta, founder of the SCCNZ.

Roll over bar fitted since I last saw the Arnolt Roll over bar does nothing for the looks - and seems to be lacking back stays.

Paul Halford was going very well in the FJ Autosud