The Roaring Season

Back in the day, when cigarette advertising and sponsorship were considered ok, there were some impressive sponsored teams put out under the Winfield, Cambridge and Lexington banners. Were there others? At the time they looked a million dollars in an essentially amateur sport.

The first two are probably better known, Lexington maybe less so. I think Spinner Black ran his Camaro in the white with maroon and gold trim but who else ran under that banner? I recall an Escort and maybe a Mini? Any single-seaters?

Grateful for anyone who can fill me in on the Lexington team and any anecdotes about these teams generally

David Oxton and Bert Hawthorne in single-seaters, and Jim Boyd in the Stanton. Dave Simpson in the Escort. Barry Phillips in the mini. The Lexington colours featured more of a blood red than a maroon, and looked very snappy indeed. They also gave away thousands of circular Lexington stickers with Oxton's Brabham featured that would turn up just about everywhere.

[quote="Shoreboy57"]Back in the day, when cigarette advertising and sponsorship were considered ok, there were some impressive sponsored teams put out under the Winfield, Cambridge and Lexington banners. Were there others? At the time they looked a million dollars in an essentially amateur sport.

Shoreboy, if you ring Warren Black - Spinners brother - at Active 4x4 in Onehunga he can tell you the thought behind it. What basically took place was on Spinners behalf, Warren organised some sponsorship to lift the profile of the sport by spreading the name association through the different classes. You`re right, they did look a million dollars and look how many people remember the various cars today through the cigarette association. As promoters of Waikaraka Park, Warren, Spinner and Peter Cowan - known as Cowan and Black Promotions - did the same deal with what was the `Pall Mall Stockcar Team', which many people remember also. If you look at any form of business or promotion these guys have been in or still are involved in, it`s always the same..... professionally presented.

GD66 wrote:David Oxton and Bert Hawthorne in single-seaters, and Jim Boyd in the Stanton. Dave Simpson in the Escort. Barry Phillips in the mini. The Lexington colours featured more of a blood red than a maroon, and looked very snappy indeed. They also gave away thousands of circular Lexington stickers with Oxton's Brabham featured that would turn up just about everywhere.

When you think about it that was a quality line-up, cars and drivers. Thanks GD66

Here are the ones I have photos of.

They certainly looked the business. I had forgotten Dave Simpson ran an Escort

Perhaps not quite as well presented as the circuit cars but they were an impressive outfit at the time.

Shoreboy57 wrote:They certainly looked the business. I had forgotten Dave Simpson ran an Escort

And I had forgotten Roly wore Lexington colours, if only briefly. Pretty sure Simpson received the very first twin-cam Escort into NZ.

Shoreboy57 wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]18684[/ATTACH]

Perhaps not quite as well presented as the circuit cars but they were an impressive outfit at the time.

Sam Ferabend, Graham Mitchell, next two someone else.

Shoreboy57 wrote:[ATTACH=CONFIG]18684[/ATTACH]

Perhaps not quite as well presented as the circuit cars but they were an impressive outfit at the time.

At least someone found a good use for 1100 shells!

Yes, but theres only 3. Is the other Hillman or Stranded 10

John McKechnie wrote:Sam Ferabend, Graham Mitchell, next two someone else.

John, I`m not sure which glasses you had on when you looked at this photo - maybe some sandblasted ones. #91 is Vic Cook, #28 Laurie Hines, #26 Colin Brockliss, and #92 Graham Baker ( who these days runs Auckland Commercial Spares )
The original Pall Mall team was #3 Dave Greer, #6 Joel Wright, #10 Graham Mitchell, #16 Sam Ferabend.

Never said which team was from this picture. It is easy to see Vic Cooks name on his car.
Just testing peoples memory of original team .
Now they were real heavy hitters.

John McKechnie wrote:Yes, but theres only 3. Is the other Hillman or Stranded 10

looks more like a Goliath John....

John McKechnie wrote:Sam Ferabend, Graham Mitchell, next two someone else.

Really John?

Oldfart wrote:At least someone found a good use for 1100 shells!

Is it? or is it an Austin A30?

Yes seaqnmac27, it`s a cut down Austin A30 body on #91. Are you coming to either QR or Lakeside to watch us kiwis run our HMC cars over there?

GD66 wrote:Pretty sure Simpson received the very first twin-cam Escort into NZ.

You might be right. My memory is that Jim Carney's (subsequently raced by Jim Richards) was out first

David McKinney wrote:You might be right. My memory is that Jim Carney's (subsequently raced by Jim Richards) was out first

Diplomat!

fullnoise68 wrote:Yes seaqnmac27, it`s a cut down Austin A30 body on #91. Are you coming to either QR or Lakeside to watch us kiwis run our HMC cars over there?

I am hoping to get to Lakeside, as its just down the road. So I look forward to meeting you guys.