The Roaring Season

Steve H- correct ,Trans-Am did have 5 litre limit, I remember from when Joe Chamberlain was here.

[color="#0000FF"]IIRC the Mercurys were used to get the GW heads homologated as Ford did not want a bar of them at the time.

John McK, found an old Autonews in the loft @ weekend, has Mercury 1000 grid pic as centerspread with Monaro on outside of front row, plus other pics, you got that issue?[/color]

Gidday boy- isnt amazing what is tucked away in the loft. Well found and maintained after all these years.
Now would this be the one with Grady on pole with Coppins behind-both in Team Camrbidge colours. Has our mate Coz , Fahey in the middle with Red Dawson on the outside.-Ruapuna .
The other centre fold had Uncle Jack, then Grady-bronze with centre GTS stripes- then Paul Fahey and inside is Rod Coppins
I have them both, they both make a huge statement as to the Mercury series.
Keep it as a momento for you and AB- he admired Grady.
I am always on the look out for pix I may not have.

They had some top quality fields at those Mercury $1000 events. A great combination of North island sedans and South Island Allcomers.

The TV3 coverage of Denny Hulme was meagre 23 minutes but HMC lit up the screen for the last segment. It would have been great to have seen some of the action behind with the fast HMC cars coming through but when you have a commercial half to cover a whole meeting.....

I know Dale's desire is to make clean racing with the emphasis on great authentic 60s/70s cars but it worked for TV. I am frequently amazed how "putting on a show" isn't recognised as such by the crowd and the commentators either play along or didn't get it. Either way I'm sure the fans will be thirsting for more HMC. I am.

And I know having an enthusiastically driven smaller car in the mix can cause some, errrr consternation in the ranks, but the smaller car(s) added to the excitement and reflected how it sometimes was. It shows how "parity" usually leads to boring, follow the leader processions, like one well known class of racing.

John McKechnie wrote:Steve H- correct ,Trans-Am did have 5 litre limit, I remember from when Joe Chamberlain was here.

John, that`s why my `68 Camaro runs a 302 Chev as the car was built as a race car in the US in 1974. In the last week, through my friend Greg in Oklahoma - who put me on to my car - he has put me in touch with a guy with a `67 Camaro Vintage Trans Am A Sedan, like mine, which also runs a 302 Chev, that was built as a race car in 1971. I am considering buying it, both because of what it is, and also it would be a good `overseas visitor driver' car for the likes of the Festival ,etc for HMC.

Hey thats awesome Steve! Got any pics? If its got Trans-Am history up to 1972, you can also run it with the Historic Trans-Am group: http://www.historictransam.com

Yes Steve, it`s quite a valuable car. Yes I`ve got some photos of it, which Dale has seen, but I`ll post them later, rather than sooner, as the guy who owns it isn`t quite ready to sell it, he has given me first option on it, and it`s a good car.

Awesome! You might have to email them to me Steve.

Our recent Legends of Speed meeting March 23/24th at Hampton was an excellent but low key event. As I’d mentioned in the past, there was just too much on that weekend so this didn’t help numbers. Still, 6 HMC legal cars took part along with similar numbers of small Historic saloons and the racing was fantastic.

HRC event organisers did a great job in the last handicap race, so smiles around after that one!! Here is some in-car footage from Ricky Cooper’s fantastic performing Datsun 240Z, a very quick car and Ricky drives it very well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAg7fAyoibU&feature=youtu.be

You will notice that although Ricky had the opportunity, he didn’t do the “inside dive bomb” on turns 2 and 4 when he could have, he waited and made his move when appropriate. I know a couple of pro drivers that could learn from this video, but more importantly Ricky is guy you can safely race door handle to door handle with!! So he didn’t WIN, he got second? “Whoop dee do” and "so what", this is Historic car racing and the finishing position doesn’t matter as it’s about clean driving and no incidents. Everyone finished happy, so for those planning to or intending to race in HMC take please note.

Our 15” tyre rule is now law and will be enforced, for those that don’t, can’t, or whatever excuse sorry that is the way it is. We in HMC mean to carry on as we have set out right from day one with strict adherence to the rules. The 15” tyre it is now considered the standard for HMC and the visual difference makes the cars look far better and "Historic". You’ve all had at least 18 month’s notice and I’ve constantly made it known that our DH Festival this year was the last HMC event for bigger wheels (though these can still be used as wets).

We’ve also limited the larger sizes tyres in both the Hoosier and Goodyear’s, so if you check the rules there is now a maximum large size for both “front” and “rears”. The objective is to keep a cost fairness and tyre consumption to a minimum and this will result in correct fender flaring for that “Historic Saloon” look. The most anyone can race on is the largest sizes per the rules. Enough of us have been racing on both the Hoosier HOT’s and Goodyear Blue Streaks to understand the performance characteristics, myself and Gimblett’s Camaro have done back to back testing and racing with no noticeable difference in performance, but the Hoosiers sure are cheaper. I’m getting what looks to be 4 meetings out of the Hoosier’s before a noticeable performance drop off, slower cars probably about 6 so based on that you could almost get a season out of a set, that’s pretty damn good. Tony Cardwell, Cardwells Racing supplies is the Hoosier importer and will stock our HMC size tyres, due to shipping delays and timing it pays get onto him early. Contact is mailto:?subject=&body= or 0800-227-393.


COD’s for HMC Vehicles: HMC has been working alongside Crunch and the MSNZ Historic and Classic commission team about having all HMC vehicles with their own specific Certificate of Description, I’d like you all to print out and fill-out the required forms http://www.motorsport.org.nz/content/certificate-description-cod (Form T009) as attached and send these in for your HMC/COD for compliance, even vehicles that have a current COD and have been bought up to HMC spec are asked to resubmit an application (Form T010) so the COD paperwork can be bought up to HMC/COD standard.

We are lucky enough to have acquired the services of Pukekohe based Keith Hargraves as our independent HMC/COD Auditor. Keith is a registered MSNZ Technical Officer with a Rally NZ background so has the ability to tech any HMC race car. Myself, Steve and Tony worked hard to obtain Keith’s services as he has no common ties to anyone racing in HMC and doesn’t race himself. Although he can handle safety, his main job is “Eligibility only”. There will be a small fee for his services.

He will be helped by David Graham from Hamilton. David has a huge motorsport background both here and overseas, his resume is impressive and he loves the concept of HMC. You can contact Keith Hargraves at mailto:?subject=&body= or 021-253-2399 or 09-238-8990 home and David Graham at mailto:?subject=&body= Ph 07 560 2773 Home, Mob 027 560 8000


Next summer’s race dates: We are currently working on these and will keep you posted over winter. I can tell you that our first event will be the HRC Ice Breaker 14/15th September at Hampton so pencil that in(correct Chris). I’m also working with TACCOC to have one just before Christmas probably at Pukekohe but yet to be confirmed. Then it’s the Festival 2014 the last two weekends in January back at Hampton, for HMC this is our premier event. All HMC events will be run at meetings with a Historic theme; we are not about main stream modern racing.

HMC Australia Trip: The dust has settled and for those that have decided to go, deposits are paid, air fares organised, paperwork done, and it’s pretty much on our door step now. By the end of this month all eight vehicles will be loaded and off to Brisbane. So the confirmed HMC entries are Murray Brown 70 Z28 Camaro, Dale Mathers 69 Mustang, Steve Elliott 68 Camaro, Pete Stevenson 65 Mustang FB, Nigel MacDonald 67 Mustang FB, Dean Cameron 65 Mustang FB, Kevin Gimblett 67 Camaro and Craig Stacy 71 Javelin. For those that are interested to go as spectators the event dates are as follows, the Shannon 2 Days of Thunder, June 21/23 at QR and the 2nd is The Lakeside Classic, July 19/20 at Lakeside, both tracks are in the Brisbane area. It should be noted that these two events are very high profile Historic meetings for “correctly configured” classic race cars so you will see some very cool machinery in correct guise. It is our alignment with the Australian Trans Am’s that allows HMC to race at these two events and being on 15” wheels is a necessary requirement, also remember we are representing our own Auckland based Historic Racing Club(HRC) while over there (especially you Steve E).

There is a test session for the 8 HMC cars going to Aussie between 12.00 midday and 4.30pm on Friday 17th May. Other HMC cars and caged, log booked supporters cars are welcome at $150 per car for the afternoon. As HMC has rented the track, it will be a closed practice in 20 minute sessions

Many have asked, why the pre 12/78 cut off date, to what rules did a class like HMC race to back in the late 60’s and 70’s? Is this New Zealand only or for overseas countries? all great questions.
Firstly the December 1977 cut off date is what the FIA consider a worldwide change in technology across the motorsport time line. There are certain periods of time in which nothing seems to change for years and no one has a technical advantage over another and then all of a sudden in a short period technology leaps ahead. An example of this is that not many production type vehicles had "electronic" fuel injection(pre 12/77), most were mechanical or carburettored, fitting computers to a vehicle was a new idea and very limited. So when you look at this 12/77 date in time it’s easy to figure out why the FIA choose this date.

Also when the MSNZ Historic and Classic rules were penciled out some 30 years ago they wisely used this date. To race historic saloons together when one has a significant advantage due to technology improvements in Historic and Classic motorsport does not result in a level playing field. A good example is a 65 Falcon Sprint has lesser technical ability than say an early 80's Commodore considering suspension technology and car weight. Post 78 a lot of saloons had better handling and were of a lighter construction.

HMC is based around the Australian Improved Production, American Trans Am and New Zealand Saloon Car Championship rules, but not totally. The official NZ Saloon car Championship was contested from 1960 to 1977 officially (then Shell Sport took over from 78). These rules changed quite significantly during this time with the All-Comers pretty much having no rules up until 1967. In 1966 MSNZ introduced the FIA Group 2 rules as used in the British Saloon Car Championship for production based cars, this was when the first performance based Mustangs and Camaro's started coming into NZ.

Group 2 is also what the original SCCA American Trans Am rules were based on in 1966. In NZ Group 2 ran alongside the All-Comers class and both were phased out by 1967 when MSNZ adopted FIA Group 5 saloon car rules, which allowed more freedoms than group 2 did. The British Saloon car Championship had already switched over to group 5 in 1966 allowing cars up to 5 years old. Down here in NZ it was up to 10 years old and classes were based on engine capacity. These rules ran to about 1972/3ish when MSNZ started fiddling each year to adjust to the different vehicle technology coming along and the economic climate back then.

It is the 1967 to 1973ish era when the cars were still production based that we have chosen for HMC, many considered this the “heroic” era of saloon car racing when the “cars where the stars” and the driver “legends”. Also one of the main reasons is that the current T&C rules in the Historic and Classic Motorsport NZ manual represents this period the best. Also this was an era when most overseas countries raced saloon cars that still looked like a "standard series production" based saloons before the "Sports Sedan" era came along in NZ(and overseas) with the likes of the Nazer Victor and the Dekon Monza's.

Because we want to represent this 1967 to 1973ish NZ Saloon Car Championship period we needed a good set of core rules, so we adopted the MSNZ T&C regulations that allow "Standard Series Production" based Saloons from 1960 to 12/77, all very historic. But vehicles like the Hatchback Torana’s were basically Group A by the later 70's but one can still build this type of vehicle for HMC but must be to the HMC/T&C rules as set out. It can be quite confusing but I, Tony Roberts and Steve Holmes have quite a handle on this era and how the HMC's rules apply. All based around one theme, "Historic" racing. Of course the whole idea of this is that one can buy “today” a vehicle like say a 69 Monaro and build it as a Historic race car from this era without using modern technology by applying the “Historic Muscle Car” regulations and knowing that they will be on track racing against similar built vehicles. This is exactly what Historic and Classic Saloon car racing is about. Attached is a great Gary Simkin picture from the era, Dawson’s famous Mustang against the Escorts, Levin I believe. There are two vehicles in this picture racing in HMC today.

As with what i've written above I’m more than happy to talk to anyone about Historic and Classic racing and in particular the rules for HMC, most of the questions are usually about “modernising” your Classic racer rather than keeping it “Historic” but that’s OK. HMC is about keeping your classic race car as historic as possible and although we allow some newly made replacement parts like aftermarket engine blocks and heads they still must be of the same dimensions and material. Here is a great saying about classic cars: “If you make a 40 year old Classic into a modern one, they are no longer classic cars” HMC is about achieving the “Classic period of Motorsport”.

Whether one may agree or not, the object of any HMC rule is to have a level and fairer playing field that applies to everyone and at its best keep the cost to as minimum as possible while allowing replacement components that are readily available. Remember this isn’t “Modern” car racing, it’s about been Historic!!

When reading the rules and contemplating a replacement part think of the written item below (eg: Cheating/Philosophy), note the very strong wording "the spirit of sportsmanship" this is probably the 4 most important words to understand before you join and race with HMC.

CHEATING: Our rules are simple. They are not exact in many areas as “the spirit of sportsmanship” is the primary focus. The "Statement of Purpose" will take precedence in any rule dispute. If an entrant is found to have contravened the spirit of the rules he will risk disqualification from any further involvement with HMC. In other words, cheating is not something that will be taken lightly. READ THE RULES and ask questions.

Philosophy. Historic and Classic motorsport is that branch of the sport where vehicles from a past era are used in friendly rivalry to allow them to be exercised in a manner that the manufacturers intended. It is not a branch of the sport where series and trophies for winning races are held in higher regard than the sheer enjoyment of being involved.

Also check out the current Classic Car Magazine for articles and pictures about HMC and historic racing in general, Steve Holmes will have his monthly article and ramblings about HMC's goings on in these issues.

The latest British Classic and Sports Car magazine has a write up about Januarys Festival with a small mention about HMC, a cool picture of Mr Foggs mini leading an angry pack of V8’s. I also just heard that the American May/June Vintage Motorsport magazine has a major write up on the Festival and about HMC, we are truly a worldwide historic saloon group.

Articles like this help lift the profile of Historic Saloon car racing in New Zealand, it certainly attracts the type of person we want to see in HMC. Also in today’s high tech world it is a must to keep up with the play on the http://www.roaringseason.com with some fantastic Festival picture’s at http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?65-New-Zealand-Historic-Muscle-Cars-Under-HRC

Historic Muscle Car Tee Shirts are available for $20 each plus postage, E-mail me for size’s and colour.

That’s it from me again this month, any questions and queries don't hesitate to contact Tony or Steve, or myself. Remember if you are changing your car to suit HMC/MSNZ T&C Rules or building a new racer you will NOT be racing with other non compliant cars, it is a level playing field for all. Lets keep the "Classic and Historic" in Classic and Historic racing. And I know I don't need to remind you, but remember, "The Cars are the Stars" so that’s all from me for another month, feel free to contact me or anyone of the directors below.

To race and be apart of HMC you need to join HRC http://www.grandprix.org.nz/Contact_Us.wse their $50 membership deal is a bargain, and a requirement to race.

HMC WEBSITE: http://www.historicmusclecars.co.nz/

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to be removed from this E-mailout please let me know, if you wish to add someone please do the same.

Take care and enjoy your Historic Motor sport

Dale Mathers mailto:?subject=&body= ,
Tony Roberts mailto:?subject=&body= ,
Steve Holmes mailto:?subject=&body=
HRC Members/HMC Directors

Just to add to Dales newsletter above my contact details are:-

Ph 07 560 2773 Home
Mob 027 560 8000

Cheers Dave Graham

Frosty5 wrote:Just to add to Dales newsletter above my contact details are:-

Ph 07 560 2773 Home
Mob 027 560 8000

Cheers Dave Graham

Just added your details Dave. Dale M

This is the Gary Simkin Pic from Levin. Whos is the Escort hidden behind the Mustang?

Dale M

Jim Richards, Uncle Jack is just next to Nigel, I mean Red.
Richards adverting on the side is different to when it was racing with Terry Allen April at Baypark 1970.
Has Radio Hauraki on the side which means this is 1970-1971 season.
Not the Tasman Race January 2 1971 as Red blew a piston and never raced, and Jack was not there.
I am sure that this is April 3 1971 as Jim Palmer in Porsche came in 4th, then Red, then Jack and Jim..
This was the first heat BNSW with Fahey, Coppins then Marwood on the podium.
Also, looking at the advertising there-I can see Cambridge Racing Team banner in the background, so.
this is obviously between 69 and 71.
Anybody know what happened to that banner, would look good with the Monaro.
Its raining outside, nothing better to do .

For those interested in a bit of Trans Tasman racing history, in 1967 Rod Coppins bought Ian Geoghegans Mustang just prior to the Lakeside ATCC round, and raced it at that meeting. Both Dennis Marwood and Paul Fahey have also raced at Lakeside in their respective cars. As a tribute to these three kiwi `big banger' drivers, Dale and I have been working on a plan to get this trio some recognition when we race our HMC cars there in July. As Rod is no longer with us, Jim Richards will be at Lakeside on Rods behalf, Dennis is visiting his son Grant in Brisbane at the same time, so he`ll be there, we are just hoping that Paul Fahey will take up the offer. If it wasn`t for these guys and those others of that era, we`d be a bit short on photos, stories, etc, that we can all enjoy on here.

Steve, what's the chances of getting these 3 to the Ice Breaker in September. I know some if not all were at the Denny Hulme festival but it would certainly be great to see them do some skids.!!

Dave, it would be good, but we`ll get Queensland out of the way first and then see what happens.

I saw this posted on Facebook, and had to share it here. How cool is this!

Sorry Steve H, but the thread on which I was going to post this is closed so please move it to an more appropriate thread if you wish. Is this not very similar to what we are facing here with NZ motorsport. Almost a mirror image of our situation. Certainly makes a good read I thought. Cheers Dave Graham


Articles
courtesy of
Historic Motor
Racing News:
Administration
.& Subscriptions
London phone: 447582-706180
http://www.historicmotorracingnews.com
Editorial: Carol Spagg
Switzerland phone: 41444502370
mailto:?subject=&body=
European Historic Motor Racing Survey Motor Racing Legends, organiser of four top historic race series as well as the annual
Le Mans Legend support race to the 24 Hours, asked more than 100 drivers, owners and preparers of historic racing cars what they see for the future of the sport. In particular, asked Motor Racing Legends, what are the potential threats to historic motorsport in the next few years?
Keep it Fun: For a start, eight out of ten respondents said that poor or aggressive driving standards in historic racing will lead to owners withdrawing their cars from races over the course of the next few years. Many linked this aggression 'to the increasing use of hired professional drivers, in a sport that is essentially meant to be amateur and 'fun' in character. "There are too many hired drivers
for club racing," said one respondent. Another said, "The penalties for dangerous driving should be more severe."
Rising Value of Cars: Secondly, around a third (32.3%) feel it is likely that the rising value of historic cars will see owners become increasingly reluctant to race them. While most competitors still feel that historic motorsport will enjoy real racing cars with historic provenance out on track, there was nevertheless a significant minority (37.6%) who believe that - in 10 years' time - genuine period race cars will largely be kept as static exhibits, while owners race reproductions instead. But then, as one respondent asked, "Will historic race car values rise if they are not raced?"
Minimise Cost and Bureaucracy:The rising cost of entry fees to historic races was another common theme, with many competitors highlighting the need to attract younger, less wealthy drivers to the sport.
There was also a strong feeling of antipathy towards what one competitor described as "the intrusion of the FIA." (read MSNZ) Another summarised the opinions of many, with the comment: "Get the MSA and health and safety off our backs as much as possible, and make the whole process friendly and fun."
In conclusion, Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Motor Racing Legends, was interested in the changing views of competitors over the last
four or five years. "When we last conducted a survey, back in 2008, the main bone of contention was eligibility - how to ensure
that cars were running in the correct period specification. While this is certainly still of great concern, the main focus seems to have
shifted to the need to keep historic motorsport fun, affordable, and relatively, unbureaucratic.
Escalating costs and inappropriate intervention by the governing bodies of modern motorsport are also a major theme in the responses to oursurvey. We will be working with the circuits other race organisers and the governingbodies to try to give our competitors what they want."