Historic Sport Sedans

[John McKechnie]

Yep, Dale, shes a proud addition to the Historic Sports Sedan grid.
Good timing considering Ford is leaving Aussie taxi series.
Conservatively 850 hp at the wheels.
Those who followed Targa in the days when they ran real cars will remember Ivan as a real hard charger in his genuine XY GT.
This aint a trailer queen!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ivan had a lot of fun on Saturday, says a real dream to drive..drive?/? Just point the nos e and floor it.
Its a father and son combo so Jason is one lucky son of a.......Coupe owner.

[ERC]

What pleases me more than ever with the emergence of this class is that now we have options for:

Period special (race) saloons;

COD compliant Muscle cars and U3L cars;

European road cars, standard and modified; (ERC, Alfa Trofeo, BMW E30 and open.)

Japanese classic cars;

Even U2K cup cars;

Classic Trial.

What it now means is that not only do drivers have a choice, but ironically, it means that Series such as ours, can tighten their rules.

We have been accused of allowing in hot rods and cars way outside the original intentions, but we remained pragmatic, as some of the cars we allowed in had nowhere else to run - even though they had a history in NZ. At the time, that included Datsun Z's, thinly disguised race cars, even a Corvette and a Mustang! Although we won't throw anyone out who has supported us in the past, it does mean that in the future, we can point people towards other, more appropriate series.

There are always those who prefer to race with their mates or prefer a different race structure and can exercise options, but I think this class was the last piece of the classic saloon jigsaw puzzle.

Go to it guys! It will always be a favourite with the crowds and a decent saloon car does not have to have a V8 under the bonnet (or in the boot!) to attract attention.

[John McKechnie]

Thats right Ray, rules should be tightened so that cars running at Historic meetings can be more as they were in the period. That aim should never be lost
Those with incorrect engines, gearboxes etc will either see Historics for what they are and represent and conform their cars or end up as CR , club cars.
Historic racing is about accepting and enjoying the technology of the time.
Just look at Ivans XB Coupe #585- last raced 21 years ago,nothing has changed, nothing wrong with the technology then. still great now

[John McKechnie]

An update with one month to go-

Richard Quinn- Starlet-Has finished the winter rebuild , started the engine and gave it a good run yesterday, he is on track for both weekends and is VERY keen. A great combination here for the tight parts of the track

Ivan Bevins- Has hard copied all necessary paperwork for XB Coupe to hace roll cage compliance, COD and logbook. These have been sent to motorsport NZ . This car looks all set to go. Hes not worried about the cornering of his car, just point 850 hp toward the next corner and floor it.

Gordon Burr- Definitely a special mention here. Our Gordy, well known for his stubborness ,overriding suggestions to replace the Alfa box, has located the necessary heavy duty gear set- and I do mean HEAVY DUTY- to fit inside the original casing , thus resolving the well known weak link in the car..These parts have been fitted and car should be rolling soon. Good on yer mate !!!! Alfa guys I were talking to want him to win every race, with Spagetti , Ray, and the 105 brigade cheering him on with their green/ white/red flags.

So Rogerd, -what do you rate his chances here................?

John Rush- has the necessary parts to rebuild the gearbox in his Escort- and is on track to be there 2nd weekend as planned. Hes heard about Hampton Downs and it should really be up the pointy end.

Every driver I have spoken to is so looking forward to this event, and the opportunity to really unleash their cars... I mean ....exercise their historic car with enthusiasm.

I decided a while do do a glossy A2 poster celebrating the continued existence of the Sports Sedans. This will feature pics of our cars doing what they do best, and will be giving these posters to the drivers . They definitely will look handsome in the mancave and workshop walls. Some very kind people are helping with the printing costs and there may also be A4 for general distribution.

[ERC]

Will do a trade John. Swap posters... Great news.

Just to add a note here in support of Gordon Burr. I'll be cheering for him too as not only was the Alfetta the car I admired the most when I first arrived in NZ, but Gordon has also been a tremendous supporter of the ERC series, even though racing with the Historic saloons at this event. A real gent and one of the nicest guys in the sport.

[Grant Sprague]

Like this.

Rod, I was going to be at Hampton Downs on 17th & 19th but have now our pickers coming in for avo harvest that weeend , will re book rangariri pub for the following weekend , I am phoning the chap that has Ernie,s rep mk 111 to see if he can bring it up........must let Dale know ....ok mate hope you all good have a good one granteeeeeee

[rogered]

An update with one month to go-

Richard Quinn- Starlet-Has finished the winter rebuild , started the engine and gave it a good run yesterday, he is on track for both weekends and is VERY keen. A great combination here for the tight parts of the track

Ivan Bevins- Has hard copied all necessary paperwork for XB Coupe to hace roll cage compliance, COD and logbook. These have been sent to motorsport NZ . This car looks all set to go. Hes not worried about the cornering of his car, just point 850 hp toward the next corner and floor it.

Gordon Burr- Definitely a special mention here. Our Gordy, well known for his stubborness ,overriding suggestions to replace the Alfa box, has located the necessary heavy duty gear set- and I do mean HEAVY DUTY- to fit inside the original casing , thus resolving the well known weak link in the car..These parts have been fitted and car should be rolling soon. Good on yer mate !!!! Alfa guys I were talking to want him to win every race, with Spagetti , Ray, and the 105 brigade cheering him on with their green/ white/red flags.

So Rodgerd, -what do you rate his chances here................?

John Rush- has the necessary parts to rebuild the gearbox in his Escort- and is on track to be there 2nd weekend as planned. Hes heard about Hampton Downs and it should really be up the pointy end.

Every driver I have spoken to is so looking forward to this event, and the opportunity to really unleash their cars... I mean ....exercise their historic car with enthusiasm.

I decided a while do do a glossy A2 poster celebrating the continued existence of the Sports Sedans. This will feature pics of our cars doing what they do best, and will be giving these posters to the drivers . They definitely will look handsome in the mancave and workshop walls. Some very kind people are helping with the printing costs and there may also be A4 for general distribution.

looking at Ivans falcon, quite honestly Im to scared too comment

[John McKechnie]

Roger- have sent you a pm. Also do you think Ivans Falcon could do 6 laps without refilling the tank?

[Spgeti]

I will bring the flags to wave Gordon on. I believe Phil Hehir with the Alfa Montreal is all set to make the first weekend.....not sure which group he is entered in but I know I am crewing for him. Will chat with him tonight. Sounds like really good fields guy's and looking forward to it. Cheers, Bruce D

[John McKechnie]

Bruce- be great to see some flag wavers there , the red and blue brigade couldnt compete with a worked up Italian frenzy.
Now that might take Rogers mind off Ivans Falcon.
BTW-As well as the Italian flags, any chance you also get bring along some of the grid girls that were at the recent Italian MotoGP ?
Phil is in the Sports, GT class I am pretty sure.

[Frosty5]

Rod, I was going to be at Hampton Downs on 17th & 19th but have now our pickers coming in for avo harvest that weeend , will re book rangariri pub for the following weekend , I am phoning the chap that has Ernie,s rep mk 111 to see if he can bring it up........must let Dale know ....ok mate hope you all good have a good one granteeeeeee

Don't think so unless they have had cancellations for the second weekend. Managed to get the first ok, they said the second weekend was chocka.

Dave Graham

[Rod Grimwood]

Yep it is all looking good, great to see all the Sports Sedans and the crews. Be neat to catch up with Ivan, been about 20 - 24 years, and all the others.

Good ol Gordy he is one out of the good bastards mould and has a real neat support team in his beautiful wife, they are gold.

Roger, harden up fella you are the improver and they gotta get you.

Well done John will contact you soon mate.

I will contact you later Grant, so looking forward to the weekends going to be awesome to catch up with all the boy's and gal's.

[rogered]

Yep it is all looking good, great to see all the Sports Sedans and the crews. Be neat to catch up with Ivan, been about 20 - 24 years, and all the others.

Good ol Gordy he is one out of the good bastards mould and has a real neat support team in his beautiful wife, they are gold.

Roger, harden up fella you are the improver and they gotta get you.

Well done John will contact you soon mate.

I will contact you later Grant, so looking forward to the weekends going to be awesome to catch up with all the boy's and gal's.

will you be bringing your armchair?

[Rod Grimwood]

I will have a chair to keep an eye on things and a big stick, for cheecky young buggers, as I am mobile as well fella. Looking forward to catching up.

[crunch]

I will bring the flags to wave Gordon on. I believe Phil Hehir with the Alfa Montreal is all set to make the first weekend.....not sure which group he is entered in but I know I am crewing for him. Will chat with him tonight. Sounds like really good fields guy's and looking forward to it. Cheers, Bruce D

Small world! I did my Teaching degree with Phil's sister Tammy in 2006? .She is married to Jamie Howe the ex-Black Cap. Strangely; she had no interest in cars!

[John McKechnie]

Happy new year, guys.
I would like to hand out in the new years list a huge thank you to Terry Carkeek and Crunch for the rapid attention to getting a COD, and new log book for Ivan Bevins XA Falcon Coupe. This means that the ex Craig Pullman car IS legal , can run and will be running both weekends in Jan -and subsequent meetings.
Credit where credits due- mighty, and another genuine car joins the grid to satisfy the fans.

[Rod Grimwood]

Be good to see this car again.

[rogered]

Be good to see this car again.

well the ass end of it, at least ,should be running

[Bailey]

Be good to see this car again.

If you look on the ERC 'mix of pics' page, SPman posted some pictures a day or two ago, and the same John
Windelburn is pictured, driving a model A roadster in about the same spot on the club circuit about 17 years
prior to your picture Rod Model A was powered by a 427 chev, built by he and one Peter Philpott

[John McKechnie]

Bailey- I remember John had the C & J Roadster with Caddy in it in early 70s, did he ever throw that around the track also?