The Roaring Season

Nathan Wood wrote:Hey Guys, Just want to say its been great to run my XF Falcon (Fairmont) with the HSS Class, bit of a dream to be sharing a grid with the likes of the Addis Charger, Sidchrome Mustang, Algie monaro, alfetta, Custaxi.. ect...ect... Thanks to John for making me feel so welcome and doing a great job of co-ordinating the class... I hope I didn't scare anybody with the flame thrower at the NZFMR.... settled it down now, was much better at Legends, Cheers Nathan.[ATTACH=CONFIG]25148[/ATTACH]

Nathan, heard you are in charge of BBQ's next meeting. The main thing is, Nathan you enjoyed it and.

Nathan Wood wrote:Hey Guys, Just want to say its been great to run my XF Falcon (Fairmont) with the HSS Class, bit of a dream to be sharing a grid with the likes of the Addis Charger, Sidchrome Mustang, Algie monaro, alfetta, Custaxi.. ect...ect... Thanks to John for making me feel so welcome and doing a great job of co-ordinating the class... I hope I didn't scare anybody with the flame thrower at the NZFMR.... settled it down now, was much better at Legends, Cheers Nathan.[ATTACH=CONFIG]25148[/ATTACH]

Awesome photo Nathan. Love the flame thrower! Is you XF V8 or 6 cylinder powered?

Rod Grimwood wrote:Bryan, I wonder if it is a age thing as when young we have selective hearing (experiencing this with grandson) and as we reach the other end of scale we only listen to what really interests us as well.

My wife says something similar...

Rod Grimwood wrote:Bryan, I wonder if it is a age thing as when young we have selective hearing (experiencing this with grandson) and as we reach the other end of scale we only listen to what really interests us as well.

My wife says something similar...

John McKechnie wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]25114[/ATTACH]

Just noticed- no rear spoiler

REALLY????? Look in the background, think the yellow car might have enough rear spoiler for the whole field!

John McKechnie wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]25114[/ATTACH]
I have just received some very interesting pics from Jim Barclay of our favourites from the 80s.
This is an early one of Graemes Charger at Pukekohe 1979.
The background cars make for interesting examination also- cant see many rice burners.
Will post some more this afternoon.
Just noticed- no rear spoiler

Thats right John, no rear spoiler in its earlier guise. Made the car very hard to drive, and the lack of rear downforce made the back end break away too easily. These cars were real science projects.

its just a Mild 250 crossflow 6 Steve, actually still the motor the car came out the factory with.

Here she is Steve.. [ATTACH=CONFIG]25287[/ATTACH]

crunch wrote:REALLY????? Look in the background, think the yellow car might have enough rear spoiler for the whole field!

Seeing as that yellow car in the background is PDL2, that would date this as either the 77/8 or 78/9 season.

Yep, spot on Sean. It would be January 1979. That was the year Bay Park, Pukekohe, and Manfield hosted the three round Open Saloon Car series, with Jim Richards and John Briggs shipping their cars out to compete against the top NZ cars. Most of the local cars competing had been mothballed, as Motorsport NZ had introduced a maximum 2 litre engine limit for racing sedans following the 1977 ShellSport NZ Saloon Car Championship, due to dwindling numbers. So none of the V8s raced in the 1977/78 season, other than those racing in the South Island in OSCA, such as Inky Tulloch.

The PDL team dusted off PDL II, and added an extended front splitter at the base of the front bodywork to aid front downforce. To counter that, they also fitted that tall rear wing shown in that photo John posted, mounted on metal struts. The wing was actually off an unused McLaren F5000 they had sitting in their workshop. According to Leo Leonard, the additional rear downforce and grip from that wing was immense, allowing him to drive around the outside of Richards' Falcon sports sedan at turn one and right through the following right hand sweeper at Manfield.

Note that when the Stewart family completed the most recent restoration on this car in the mid-2000s, they fitted a tall rear wing to it, which it hadn't worn since that 1979 season. However, they decided the narrow McLaren F5000 wing didn't look too nice, so made up a new wider version instead.

crunch wrote:So you would like to commercialise Historic Racing Ray? I thought that was against the ethos of Historic motorsport?

Ok the cus2 may be at the back,but you have to say thats one cool photo,

Here is one for you Custaxie50. Thought you may appreciate this one from my brothers slide scans that I have just received.
At Puke not sure of year. 67 Maybe!


I have to run them through some better programs to try to restore the colours yet but have more to come from all around the 66 - 68 years and then a few that creep into the 70's.

TonyG wrote:Here is one for you Custaxie50. Thought you may appreciate this one from my brothers slide scans that I have just received.
At Puke not sure of year. 67 Maybe!


I have to run them through some better programs to try to restore the colours yet but have more to come from all around the 66 - 68 years and then a few that creep into the 70's.

Like night and day,cus1-cus2 today,but always good to see the new car out there.Anyone know when this car will be out next time.

CUSTAXIE50- I gave him our meeting schedule for this year,and our next racing is Icebreaker in September. Everyone who raced before is automatically invited. Anyone who has a suitable car that they would like to run with us should contact me. I am hoping Custaxie 2 will come out to race again

A reminder to everyone out there-
Historic Racing Club and Hampton Downs have been so good to give our class 4 meetings a year, so lets show our appreciation by being there, either racing or visibly supporting these surviving NZ authentic race cars from that period.

First one- Ice Breaker, September 13-14th 2014 at Hampton Downs

I will send out emails to drivers who have competed before.
Also if anyone has an OSCA, past NZ Sports Sedan, Shellsport or NZ historic car from that period that wants to run with us, please contact me - the class coordinator-and tell me what you have.
This is simply about getting these cars out for 4 times a year to have nostalgia and fun.
With all the wet and wild weather we have been having recently, we could have a dry run .
Pete- will the Skoda be ready for this?
Rod Grimwood from another thread-
"Yep, and he has his (old) car ready for a run as well, so he can pace her."
What is this car, will it fit in and does he want to run at this meeting?
As the class has Invited Allcomers to run with them ,as previously , I will be running my car as well and inviting Custaxie 2, Zephyr Corvette and some others to make up an interesting mix for some hot action on a cold day.

Thanks for the reminder John - a new season - that's something to look forward to on these cold days

Yep he is ready to run, and car has previous Sports Sedan and OSCA History, car info shortly.

Don't forget people, it's all about giving the cars a run and keeping our old shoulders and arms busy for the BBQ. No winners, just the motor sport public and enthusiasts to admire some history and a excuse to get together.

John That sounds great. Even if the cars aren't 100% authentic (Custaxie 2) I am sure the public will still love them.

I intend on being here, camera in hand! Can't wait!

Just an update on the Icebreaker-
Custaxie 2 wont be there as Robert will be overseas.
Dennis Running -RX8 -yes.
Cam Crawford-XA Coupe-yes.
Graeme Addis- Charger-yes.
Gordon Burr- yes.
John Telford- RX7 V8.- if the weathers ok, then yes(only has drys)
Ralf Mossman- Grimmie has details-yes.
Garry Haynes- RX7 V8 (chev 350,willwood 6pot front, 4 pot rear)-yes
Chis Parks-Marina V8- not ready yet, will run Porsche in other class.
Roy Bingley- Commodore-yes.
Barry Algie-Monaro-yes.
Many thanks to you guys for putting your hands up so quickly. more to follow.