The Roaring Season

In the 1950’s there were many F3 race cars imported into NZ. There were probably many more homebuilt’s as well running 500cc Norton, JAP, BSA, Matchless and Triumph engines etc.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW!
It would be great to see these cars all in one place, perhaps even having a run as a F3 class.
I have seen a list of imported cars which included: 20 Coopers, 2 Kieft’s, 5 JBS, 1 each RGR, Arnott and Staride during the 1950/60 period.
I know where the five JBS vehicles are: one we are currently restoring imported by my father in 1957, Max Rutherford’s restored car, Gary Simkin (Australia) with his original car, and two in the South Island, one owned by Mr McLennan the other is in the Yaldhurst Museum.
There are a few coopers I know of that have had runs last year at Hamptons Downs so would like to hear of any cars around and there current status.

This is Max Rutherford's restored JBS prior to it's first outing at Taupo in December 2011.

Most of them have gone back to the UK!

Or Australia, or North America, or Japan...

Ron Mitchell in Dunedin, about 62 - 64 raced a Anzai 500. Also Bill Ingle raced a Cullen 500. Went to Ron's house and watched Ron work on his car. Ron shifted and car was never seen again.

Good link http://www.hsrca.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/loose-fillings-39.pdf

Photos of Graeme Brayshaw and Ian Garmey cars taken at Chelsea Hillclimb and Roycroft Meets.

Does anyone recall someone called Thompson from Wanganui who raced a 500 around 1963 , 64?

I have a GN Thompson listed as owning my JBS in 1965. Raced at Levin in March and November and also at the Paritutu Circuit in New Plymouth, October 1965. Would be keen to find out more about this man.

Laurie Callender wrote:I have a GN Thompson listed as owning my JBS in 1965. Raced at Levin in March and November and also at the Paritutu Circuit in New Plymouth, October 1965. Would be keen to find out more about this man.

..well.. he lived across the road from me in Smithfield Road, Gonville.,Wanganui ..I used to watch and help him load the car up on the trailer..Heady stuff for a 10year old. The only thing I remember him saying was "don't ever buy a racing car son, it will keep you poor!".

he would sometimes start the car up in Smithfield road..the kids would come running ( barefoot) from all directions..I left Wanganui at Christmas time 1965, so the dates you provided fit well..I am pretty sure it had a J.A.P motor because i remember thinking as a kid it was Japanese haha ...sorry i can't offer more details..

Paritutu 1965 meeting footage
http://www.ecasttv.co.nz/program_detail.php?program_id=797&channel_id=112&group_id=

bry3500 wrote:...sorry i can't offer more details..

Not even his first name?

David McKinney wrote:Not even his first name?

David..believe me , I am wracking my brains..Graeme possibly, I'll do some digging

Geoff? George? Gerry? Gary? Gavin?

Ok...done some digging..The G N Thompson was in fact Noel Thompson..I believe he called himself Noel from his middle name.

Thanks Bry

Cheers David..It only took 7 phone calls to NZ and about 4 hours of my time ..btw , his wife's name is Denise if that helps in anyone trying to track him down

The plot thickens.. Just found out that Noels father was named Gordon and he may have lived at the same address..so perhaps he owned the car and Noel drove it