NZ Castrol GTX Racing in the 70's

[Steve Emson]

This is possibly 1974-75. The Castrol GTX series was in 3 classes. I was in the small class which was Fiat 128's and a couple of 127's, The middle class was Fiat 124 coupes and the big class was mainly V8's. we had good fields in those days and very good crowd attendance. This photo was taken at Wigram when I took this car down to race the local gun, which was one of the Sprague boys.

This is my Dad, Ralph Emson in the Fiat 124 coupe

This will be 1975-76. I was again in the small class with Dennis Marwood and Bob Homewood. this is the GP meeting at Puke, top of Rothmans for the young chickens that never saw the infamous chicanes.

This photo, possibly 1973. My first race car and I was still at school. I think this was still called Castrol GTX racing, however I can't remember....................must be old of something.

[Steve Emson]

I thought this might also be of interest to some people because it has the master himself, 'JR' in it. GT Falcon, Emson 128 and Smirthwaite/ Willis Fiat 128.

[Steve Emson]

Another pic of Dad's 124 coupe, this time at Baypark

[Bruce Blacklock]

Steve, great pics of you and Ralph. I recall driving the Fiat 124 back to Auckland after a Bay Park meeting in my capacity as a Tech Officer for post event scrutineering. Nice car and good to see these production car pics.

[Rod Grimwood]

This guy raced with you guys back then, Robin Irving. Those 124s were pretty quick little cars and at one stage there was a big field of them. Remember most would go from 2 wheel right, 2 wheel left to 2 wheel right at the chicane on top of hill (Rothmans in those days) think photos some where.

[Steve Holmes]

Great pics guys. This series was really a big success, and went through several incarnations with quite major rule changes, but it provided some incredible racing, and was really no-holds barred. It only actually ran for about 7 years.

[Grant Sprague]

Steve , Thanks for pics etc , this might have been sent as reply once or twice , trying to find my way around in here [roaring season] beaut pics ???? all looks very familiar can smell the trye smoke & brakes from here , I will dig out some pics , & copy not sure how to send the pics at this point , if it was trade me not a prob.... lol. meant to ask you are you living back in NZ ?? or are you over the ditch .... Thanks

[Habu]

Not sure if this shot is relevant - I dont know anything about it, apart from who the driver was. I know its a Fiat 125, did these ever run in any of the Castrol GTX series in the early 70s? Am enjoying the 3 wheeling pictures Steve, keep them coming.

[John McKechnie]

Be interesting to see what the price of petrol was then.
1969-Sprague/Cottle?

[Habu]

Be interesting to see what the price of petrol was then.
1969-Sprague/Cottle?

Cheap I'll bet! Photo was taken outside the garage sponsoring the Fiat - Manukau Rd in Pukekohe. My parents owned this service station at the time, and also owned the "Europa" one on the other side of town coming in from Paerata.

[Grant Sprague]

Got some 3 wheeling 128 pics coming to morrow think i know where they are , as for the Sprague / Cottle 125 Im sure Barry & Gary had a light cream colour car I will did it up &add to pics later .......this is stiring the juices could spell danger

[Steve Emson]

Dad raced a Fiat 125 in a GTX series against Paul Curin and co in escort GT's. I think Bob Homewood drove this car also??.
Does anyone remember the competitors in these photo's?
These were great times to race in, lots and lots of laughs and good times!

[Grant Sprague]

Steve , this looks like Bay Park , & the NI boys in 128's . I came up once in our SI car I really only remember you & a guy that had blond hair I think his fiat was white, I have a pic of bay park i will drag out & a few more &post here within a day or two , the only other NI circut we did was levin only to go home on a tow rope I think we manged about half a race with a continuing over heating problem that shold never of happened , Aso remember you & Johnny Wolf & I meeting one night in timaru & drinking lots of beer , strange nothing has changed in that department during the racing seasons ha ha

[Milan Fistonic]

This is the entry list for the Grand Final of the 1975-76 GTX Championship held at Manfeild on 22 February 1976.

Tulloch won the race from Coppins, Neilson, Drummond, Marwood, Hiscock and Baker. Steve Emson went out with a blown head gasket on lap 11.

Neilson won the Championship from Marwood and Emson while the class winners were McKee, Neilson and Marwood.

This was the meeting that Rob Lester decided to run half the races in a clockwise direction and the other half anti-clockwise.

[GeebeeNZ]

Those Fiats were great cars in their day. I owned a 124 coupe , 125, 2 128 sedans, a 128 wagon, club raced a 128 coupe. Sadly the rust bug has destroyed most of them and good ones are now very rare.

[Grant Sprague]

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Be interesting to see what the price of petrol was then.
1969-Sprague/Cottle?

Gary at Levin in 125 [the cottle owned car , merv owned it & Gary & Barry drove it B&H ]

[Steve Holmes]

Wow! Thats one hell of a power-slide!

[Grant Sprague]

LOL , you should have been with him after the event down the main street of Levin . I think Gary was about 21 there , him & fat jack [Johnny Mac's dad ] use to really play up , as we all did I guess could tell you a few stories , when the time is right . Must dig up our other fiat 128 pics for Steve to see , time seems to flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy byyyyyyyyye Cheers Grant

[SPman]

That was Gary's normal cornering line. wasn't it?

[Steve Emson]

Great shot! I loved that track, it was my favorite. Dads friends were also my crew when we went away. Many great stories of those times. That particular shot of Gary reminds me of that corner. It was one of the only corners on any of the tracks, in my opinion that you could flick the car sideways and have it all crossed up and NOT affect the lap time.

I was reminded recently while at the Waimate 50 that the flag marshalls always got ready to run away on that corner when certain drivers arrived at it!