The Roaring Season

Steve has suggested I start a thread for this series, running two grids, as speed groups. AES (Auckland Engineering Supplies) for the slower group and Arrow Wheels. All points races are handicaps.

Without going into the full history or eligibility, this is in effect our 27th year, having started in 1986 by Donn White as the BMC Series for 4 cylinder cars. For a variety of reasons (much of it by popular demand!) since I was shoved into the hot seat by Derek Prior (MGCC) in 1996, it has grown to encompass pre 1977 European cars and for this season, a class for post 1977, but still 25 year old cars. We also accept a limited number of cars with appropriate Euro engine transplants (shock! horror!) such as Gordon Burr's V8 Escort and the ex-Trevor Crowe Skoda V8, but they are subject to certain limitations.

Although road registered is not essential (why bother if you are using a trailer?), the series is effectively for road cars running on Dot rated road tyres and with much of the interior trim.

Although we have only just finished last season, we already have a healthy number (below) who have paid up for the new season which kicks off at Icebreaker at Hampton Downs 15/16th September. We have rounds at Hampton Downs, Pukekohe and one at Taupo. We do the HRC events and although initially under the auspices of the MGCC, we are now under HRC, so are not a club as such, just a race series. We work closely with Alfa Trofeo and have always allowed their newer (post 1977) cars to run with us.

Six or seven rounds (still awaiting date confirmations from TACCOC) with the best 5 weekends to count and the last round (our own meeting, April 21st) is double points.

If anyone is interested, the website is http://www.tops.co.nz/car/erc/erc_index.htm

We would like to run 100% to T & C, but as mentioned elsewhere, there are several areas of T & C that don't really address some issues we have and also impose limitations that we deem unnecessary, so although we support most aspects of T & C, we choose to have cars on the track rather than sidelined.

You are more than welcome to keep this thread going and I will update the entry list now and again. Unfortunately, Angus Fogg/Gerald Fogg and the mighty Mini won't be running with us this season. Gerald was the first ever winner of the BMC Trophy.


14 Adrian Hayman AES MG BGT
21 Bryce Platt AES PORSCHE 924 S
42 Des Redgwell AES VOLVO 242GT
49 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
70 Ray Green AES MARCOS VOLVO 3L
122 Dave Metford AES FORD ESCORT MK 1
200 Ross McAlpine AES FORD SIERRA XR8
213 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT
229 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
233 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
240 Earl Cruickshank AES DATSUN 240Z
274 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
281 Paul Chisholm AES VW Golf GTI
317 Colin Craig AES FORD ESCORT MK II
321 Steve Sutherland AES FORD MKII CORTINA
339 Tony Sturm AES MG B SPORTS
755 Peter Bromley AES BMW 2002
867 Steve Sutherland AES FORD ESCORT Mk1
2 Mike Davidson ARROW FORD SIERRA
3 John Dennehy ARROW FORD ESCORT Mk1
6 Mal Clark ARROW ROVER P6 3500
8 Mark Parsons ARROW TRIUMPH TR7 V8
10 Neil Fraser ARROW LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE
28 Michael Sexton ARROW FORD Escort Mk 1 RS2000
51 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD ESCORT
57 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD CAPRI
88 Bruce Manon ARROW FORD ESCORT
93 Ivan Selak ARROW FORD ESCORT
115 Chris Barendregt ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
117 John Sampson ARROW FORD CAPRI RS2600
120 John Munro ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
139 Tony Stansfield ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
181 Ron Findlay ARROW FORD PERANA
246 Tony Olissoff ARROW ALFA SUD Ti
260 Ron Findlay ARROW DATSUN 260Z
279 Barry Hare ARROW ROVER VITESSE
280 Ken Williams ARROW MERCEDES 280CE
331 John Hudson ARROW BMW 320
739 Grant Kern ARROW MG B V8 SPORTS
944 Paul Madeley ARROW PORSCHE 944T

This is an invitation series and we also include one or two cars that fall outside the core, such as Tony Roberts Corvette, Neil Tolich's Mustang and we are considering allowing in 6 cylinder Australian Cars, so that Toranas and others that don't comfortably fit in in other classes, have somewhere to race. Prior to the establishment of the Japanese Classic series, there was nowhere for a Datsun 240Z & 260Z to run, so we allowed them in too, but will not accept any more as we don't need to now!

But, the most important aspect is that drivers behave and enjoy themselves. Unlike HMC, we are a specific series with points and trophies, but as the points are never published until after the end of the season, who cares?

Just an update - and a bump. Add the following to the above list. It is always good to see new cars and/or drivers joining the fray and particularly cars not previously represented. Most just haven't yet got around to paying up but as the season doesn't start until Ice Breaker (September 15th/16th) that is no surprise, but it is a very healthy start.

What is encouraging though, is the number of drivers who have been with us for many years - some from the old BMC Series days.

20 Geoff Sparkes AES TRIUMPH Dolomite Sprint
92 Brian Yates AES PORSCHE 924S
98 Don Bradley AES PORSCHE 944
142 Bruce Kirk AES VOLVO 142
169 Neville Thompson AES MG BGT
179 Glen Thompson AES FORD Escort RS2000
198 John Tomlin AES TRIUMPH 2500PI
431 Phil Josephs AES ROVER 220T
80 Derek Atkinson ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
82 Derek Moore ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
83 John Honore ARROW FERRARI 308GTB

TACCOC have been told that their October 6th Pukekohe date is safe - thank goodness!

I count 51 cars! Impressive!

Wait a while Steve, as we usually have 100+ by the end of the season!!! We hit an all time high 2009/2010 of 134. Since then of course, BMW have probably had an effect on local classic numbers but they still seem to stand up well each year, so it is looking good overall for classic racing and that makes me very happy indeed in these tough economic times, especially as our average driver age is now about 54, having risen from 52.

The latest update to the list before I head off overseas first thing tomorrow. All in this list are fully paid up for the new season and ready to go! We know that there are many more who have yet to register and several new to the series who have confirmed their intention to join.

I have a full set of points for the 26 years to date that includes the 10 years of Donn White's leadership and the most staggering thing of all is the number who have stayed in the series for many years. (AMCO72 was the first ever BMC series winner... Come back to this board Gerald.... WE like your posts!)

As before, if anyone is interested to learn more, or to register, the website is http://www.tops.co.nz/car/erc/erc_index.htm


14 Adrian Hayman AES MG BGT
20 Geoff Sparkes AES TRIUMPH Dolomite Sprint
21 Bryce Platt AES PORSCHE 924 S
42 Des Redgwell AES VOLVO 242GT
49 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
70 Ray Green AES MARCOS VOLVO 3L
92 Brian Yates AES PORSCHE 924S
98 Don Bradley AES PORSCHE 944
114 Russell Sykes AES MG BGT
122 Dave Metford AES FORD ESCORT MK 1
135 Don Roy AES MG BGT V8
142 Bruce Kirk AES VOLVO 142
169 Neville Thompson AES MG BGT
179 Glen Thompson AES FORD Escort RS2000
185 John Nuthall AES ALFA GTV 105
198 John Tomlin AES TRIUMPH 2500PI
200 Ross McAlpine AES FORD SIERRA XR8
213 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT
229 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
233 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
240 Earl Cruickshank AES DATSUN 240Z
274 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
281 Paul Chisholm AES VW Golf GTI
317 Colin Craig AES FORD ESCORT MK II
321 Steve Sutherland AES FORD MKII CORTINA
339 Tony Sturm AES MG B SPORTS
431 Phil Josephs AES ROVER 220T
755 Peter Bromley AES BMW 2002
867 Steve Sutherland AES FORD ESCORT Mk1
888 Peter Hannaford AES FIAT 130 TC
2 Mike Davidson ARROW FORD SIERRA
3 John Dennehy ARROW FORD ESCORT Mk1
6 Mal Clark ARROW ROVER P6 3500
8 Mark Parsons ARROW TRIUMPH TR7 V8
10 Neil Fraser ARROW LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE
28 Michael Sexton ARROW FORD Escort Mk 1 RS2000
31 Eddie York ARROW JAGUAR XJ40
44 Andrew Turpin ARROW JAGUAR XJS
51 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD ESCORT
57 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD CAPRI
80 Derek Atkinson ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
82 Derek Moore ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
83 John Honore ARROW FERRARI 308GTB
88 Bruce Manon ARROW FORD ESCORT
93 Ivan Selak ARROW FORD ESCORT
115 Chris Barendregt ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
117 John Sampson ARROW FORD CAPRI RS2600
120 John Munro ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
139 Tony Stansfield ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
181 Ron Findlay ARROW FORD PERANA
212 Peter Robinson ARROW BMW M3 ALPINA R
246 Tony Olissoff ARROW ALFA SUD Ti
260 Ron Findlay ARROW DATSUN 260Z
279 Barry Hare ARROW ROVER VITESSE
280 Ken Williams ARROW MERCEDES 280CE
331 John Hudson ARROW BMW 320
333 Rogan Hampson ARROW COBRA OHLSEN
739 Grant Kern ARROW MG B V8 SPORTS
944 Paul Madeley ARROW PORSCHE 944T

See you at Ice Breaker - though not until the Sunday for me, unfortunately.

I'll try and pop into this MB now and again to see what is going on.

Now back in NZ (though my luggage isn't...) so will be updating the registrations over the next few days.

On the way down to Icebreaker today after a 13 hour flight, the weather was atrocious, but it seemed to clear up again just after I left.

An entry of 250 cars shows that the North Island classic scene is now very solid and strong and we are pleased to be part of it.

Thanks for the update.

14 Adrian Hayman AES MG BGT
20 Geoff Sparkes AES TRIUMPH Dolomite Sprint
21 Bryce Platt AES PORSCHE 924 S
25 Rex Bentham AES MG B SPORTS
42 Des Redgwell AES VOLVO 242GT
49 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
70 Ray Green AES MARCOS VOLVO 3L
89 John Ure AES JAGUAR MARK 2
92 Brian Yates AES PORSCHE 924S
98 Don Bradley AES PORSCHE 944
99 Stewart Martel AES CITROEN BX16V
114 Russell Sykes AES MG BGT
122 Dave Metford AES FORD ESCORT MK 1
128 Andrew Lines AES FIAT 128SL COUPE
135 Don Roy AES MG BGT V8
137 John Palmer AES MG B GT
138 Ross Hannah AES MG MIDGET
142 Bruce Kirk AES VOLVO 142
169 Neville Thompson AES MG BGT
173 David Herrick AES BMW 2002
179 Glen Thompson AES FORD Escort RS2000
185 John Nuthall AES ALFA GTV 105
198 John Tomlin AES TRIUMPH 2500PI
200 Ross McAlpine AES FORD SIERRA XR8
213 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT
229 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
233 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
240 Earl Cruickshank AES DATSUN 240Z
274 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
281 Paul Chisholm AES VW Golf GTI
295 Mal Chamberlain AES FORD ESCORT
317 Colin Craig AES FORD ESCORT MK II
321 Steve Sutherland AES FORD MKII CORTINA
339 Tony Sturm AES MG B SPORTS
404 Andy Wallace AES BMW 2002Tii
431 Phil Josephs AES ROVER 220T
755 Peter Bromley AES BMW 2002
833 Rob Hunkin AES ALFA 33
867 Steve Sutherland AES FORD ESCORT Mk1
888 Peter Hannaford AES FIAT 130 TC
891 Chris Hunkin AES ALFA 33
910 Simon Mills AES ALFA SUD
833b Edward Hunkin AES ALFA 33

2 Mike Davidson ARROW FORD SIERRA
3 John Dennehy ARROW FORD ESCORT Mk1
4 Colin Campbell ARROW FORD MK1 ESCORT
6 Mal Clark ARROW ROVER P6 3500
8 Mark Parsons ARROW TRIUMPH TR7 V8
9 Martin Day ARROW FORD ESCORT
10 Neil Fraser ARROW LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE
18 Ken Northin ARROW FORD ESCORT
19 Kerry Chadderton ARROW PORSCHE 911SC
28 Michael Sexton ARROW FORD Escort Mk 1 RS2000
31 Eddie York ARROW JAGUAR XJ40
40 Adrian Dobbe ARROW Viva HB
44 Andrew Turpin ARROW JAGUAR XJS
48 Ricky Cooper ARROW DATSUN 240Z
51 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD ESCORT
57 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD CAPRI
80 Derek Atkinson ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
82 Derek Moore ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
83 John Honore ARROW FERRARI 308GTB
88 Bruce Manon ARROW FORD ESCORT
93 Ivan Selak ARROW FORD ESCORT
102 Robbie Halliday ARROW CORTINA LOTUS
103 Rob Halliday ARROW CORTINA LOTUS
104 John Ward ARROW FORD ESCORT
115 Chris Barendregt ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
117 John Sampson ARROW FORD CAPRI RS2600
120 John Munro ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
139 Tony Stansfield ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
158 Tony Vujnovich ARROW Ford Capri
175 Andrew Lines ARROW FIAT COUPE 20VT
181 Ron Findlay ARROW FORD PERANA
199 Grant Harrington ARROW BMW 325i
212 Peter Robinson ARROW BMW M3 ALPINA R
246 Tony Olissoff ARROW ALFA SUD Ti
260 Ron Findlay ARROW DATSUN 260Z
279 Barry Hare ARROW ROVER VITESSE
280 Ken Williams ARROW MERCEDES 280CE
331 John Hudson ARROW BMW 320
333 Rogan Hampson ARROW COBRA OHLSEN
723 Peter Gunter ARROW SKODA
739 Grant Kern ARROW MG B V8 SPORTS
944 Paul Madeley ARROW PORSCHE 944T

Help!

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong here? When I paste the list, all columns are OK, even if I go back to edit, but the display on the published version doesn't adhere to the columns.

We now have 93 paid up and three or four who need to pay up promptly!

Next round (2) is TACCOC's Saturday Pukekohe meeting October 6th. Looking forward to that - and one competitor has already stated that he is running then, before they do anything to the track for the V8s.

Woohoo! Number 100 paid up today. Thanks guys for the continued support.

Sadly, Bernie Hines is selling the Broadspeed replica so won't be running with us this year. Shame as that is one of my all time favourite cars. Bernie was clocked at 129mph on radar at Pukekohe some years ago which basically confirms that the Broadspeed shape transformed the aerodynamics of the humble brick. I sincerely hope the buyer will run it with us.

crunch wrote:Can I ask what you mean by zero support from MSNZ?

Not once in all the newsletters, either in print or electronically, has the Series ever really been recognised, encouraged, promoted or acknowledged, despite the massive levies paid over the years. If I have overlooked something, I am happy to be proved wrong.

Never an offer to partially pay for our TV coverage of a few seasons back, so we had to fund it all ourselves, not even $1,000. Yet because we can get decent numbers to our own meeting, we paid MSNZ $2,300 for just one meeting last year. If I totted up the total we have paid MSNZ over the years, just on race levies alone, I am sure it would be substantial.

Only you Crunch, representing MSNZ, but in more in a personal capacity, has ever accepted that not only one grid, but two grids, have been viable and contributed to Classic grids over the last few years in the north island.

At several meetings and particularly, prior to the emergence of the BMW series', we have often provided at least 40% of the levies at those one day meetings, but have we ever been thanked for our considerable contribution to the MSNZ coffers? No, but we do see a lot of push for anyone toeing the T & C and CoD line and vast sums promoting 9 car grids!

Or let me turn it around, what has MSNZ done specifically for the series over the last 17 years? (Or 27 if you include the 10 years under Donn White?)

Maybe this should now move to the ERC thread?

Hi Ray

So I'm guessing from that you mean support as in the commercial sense such as PR and TV ec. As opposed to the support such as a manual of rules for competitors to race to, officials licensed and trained to do the many tasks, the liability insurance, an outline so the circuit is as safe as possible for you to use, the technical support for those who choose to run COD's...and so on.

There is no way MSNZ will pay for anyone's TV,(want to stay right away from that scenario) but if you wish to provide copy as an article for the Motorsport News and website I would gladly, and appreciate very much, to publish it in the H&C section. Other classes have done that in the past which is probably why they appeared in those publications.

crunch wrote:So I'm guessing from that you mean support as in the commercial sense such as PR and TV etc.

Correct

crunch wrote:There is no way MSNZ will pay for anyone's TV,(want to stay right away from that scenario) but if you wish to provide copy as an article for the Motorsport News and website I would gladly, and appreciate very much, to publish it in the H&C section. Other classes have done that in the past which is probably why they appeared in those publications.

I did once - but nothing was published or even acknowledged! Probably before your time in the hot seat though.

Maybe the issue is that we don't want MSNZ getting involved in our classes and series other than the safety/meeting running type rules and regulations that pertain to racing in general.
However, some of us get a bit cross when we see MSNZ deviating from their governance/administrative/regulatory roles and getting involved in the commercial aspects of the sport and particularly a specific class or series. The questionable $57,500.00 expenditure on the TLX Intellectual Property springs to mind. When these sort of things happen, other segments of the sport (such as H&C) say "what about us".
Perhaps the answer is that MSNZ sticks to their governance/administrative/regulatory roles and doesn't get involved in other matters and then no one can complain they are being unfairly treated from a commercial perspective.

Totally agree Roger. However it appears that MSNZ has always been happy to promote their Tier one events at every opportunity and in each newsletter, printed or electronic, but down at our level, we don't appear to exist. I never expected any cash from MSNZ (that was a bit tongue in cheek), but with reams of communications over the years, plus plugs for any CoD series whether viable or not, we seem to have been totally over-looked as we don't neatly fit into the total philosophy, yet we adhere to the spirit of the aims of classic motorsport - encouraging drivers to come out and have a go and enjoy it, probably better than any other group.

I don't play politics and we refuse to make the T & C adherence compulsory until I am 100% sure that drivers are not in anyway disadvantaged by choosing cars that are difficult to keep 100% original where T & C specifies it. Ditto CoD's. That is probably why we currently have 115 paid up for this season, 4 owing or due to pay, call it 5.

Analysing not only that 120 cars, but those taking a sabbatical for a year and also those with more than one legal car, this is how the figures stack up as at today:

Total cars - 182

Schedule K cars: 8 4.4%
Older CoDs : 18 9.9% - includes IC and the very earliest issued, where it was just a number.
Current CoDs : 36 19.8%
CR CoDs : 2 1.1%
TBA : 7 3.8%

Just a 40% buy in to the CoD system and I am not going to even try to explain why they haven't!

The fact that the majority would comply is irrelevant as is the fact that the majority also conform pretty well to T & C.

You can draw your own conclusions, but there is no overwhelming evidence to force us to adopt T & C or the CoD system as it currently stands. A fair number including myself I might add, only got CoD's as we were effectively threatened that we would not be allowed to run without them - confirmed and ratified at one MSNZ conference, but later overturned.

To the best of my knowledge, only one person has pulled out from competing due to our rules and that was only in relation to moving to two speed groups (small faster open sports car vs big cars = scary) and he still pays a membership fee!

Obviously, with just a third taking it up, why force all the additional costs and aggravation (not to mention work for the commission) just to say they have a CoD?

ERC wrote:Totally agree Roger. However it appears that MSNZ has always been happy to promote their Tier one events at every opportunity and in each newsletter, printed or electronic, but down at our level, we don't appear to exist. .....

This may having something to do with none of the top hierarchy at MSNZ having a background in H&C - I suppose it is only normal that people would concentrate on areas of the sport in which they have an inherent affinity.
The structure of MSNZ and the Commissions that sit below the Executive is that a Commission Chairman has to be an Executive member irrespective of whether he or she has any interest, background or affinity in that segment of the sport. The H&C Commission is a prime example where Crunch was appointed from the Executive as the H&C Commission Chairman and while he has made genuine efforts to understand the H&C ethos, I'm sure he would admit that his background and first love is rally. This is no criticism of Crunch - just a criticism of the system.

I believe Crunch has gone out of his way to try and understand the ethos, but he would be the first to admit that the commission is often divided on several issues - which is no bad thing, other than a split vote means that votes on issues that are important to a sizeable proportion of the membership, can go against them as well as for them. He would be the first to admit that several battles have been extremely hard fought!

The areas where T & C is indeed unworkable, I believe Crunch now understands all too well, but my guess is that others on the commission may be either unwilling or unable to accept that the very reason T & C exists at all, is that there is a variation from Schedule K, but it has to be 100% workable without straying too far away from the basics.

Our next round is at HD for the Legends meeting, but it is a pity that a fair few of the regulars will be galloping up Mr Millen's driveway, March 23/24th. I believe Crunch is coming to HD and will front up at the Saturday evening function. As I am unable to race (still awaiting another spinal fusion...) I'll make the effort to attend.

Latest list of registered cars, with an extra influx of Porsches and Alfas...

13 Paul Kendrick AES FIAT 131 R
14 Adrian Hayman AES MG BGT V8
20 Geoff Sparkes AES TRIUMPH Dolomite Sprint
21 Bryce Platt AES PORSCHE 924 S
25 Rex Bentham AES MG B SPORTS
30 Rod Hemmings AES TVR 3000M
33 Nick Wilcox AES MG F
34 Graeme Park AES PORSCHE 944S2
42 Des Redgwell AES VOLVO 242GT
49 Chris Browne AES ALFA ALFASUD
54 Ken Haycock AES MINI CLUBMAN GT
58 Leonard Bakkens AES VOLVO 122 S
64 John Palmer AES MG BGT
65 Stewart Martel AES CITROEN BX16V
68 Renton Murray AES MG B SPORTS
70 Ray Green AES MARCOS VOLVO 3L
71 Adam Jones AES FORD ESCORT GT
76 Craig Sawyer AES VAUXHALL CHEVETTE
89 John Ure AES JAGUAR MARK 2
92 Brian Yates AES PORSCHE 924S
100 Mike John AES VAUXHALL Viva GT
108 Mike Fenwick AES BMW 325
114 Russell Sykes AES MG BGT
122 Dave Metford AES FORD ESCORT MK 1
128 Andrew Lines AES FIAT 128SL COUPE
135 Don Roy AES MG BGT V8
137 John Palmer AES MG B GT
138 Ross Hannah AES MG MIDGET
139 Tony Stansfield AES PORSCHE 944S2
142 Bruce Kirk AES VOLVO 142
150 Allan Brook AES MG BGT
169 Neville Thompson AES MG BGT
173 David Herrick AES BMW 2002
177 Tony Roberts AES HOLDEN TORANA
179 Glen Thompson AES FORD Escort RS2000
185 John Nuthall AES ALFA GTV 105
189 John Ure AES JAGUAR MARK 7
198 John Tomlin AES TRIUMPH 2500PI
200 Ross McAlpine AES FORD SIERRA XR8
213 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT
220 Gordon Burr AES ALFA GT AM
222 Bruce Jones AES FORD CAPRI
229 Chris Browne AES ALFAROMEO ALFASUD TI
231 John Hudson AES BMW 2002
233 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
240 Earl Cruickshank AES DATSUN 240Z
274 Max van Maanen AES ALFA 33
280 Ken Williams AES MERCEDES 280CE
281 Paul Chisholm AES VW Golf GTI
295 Mal Chamberlain AES FORD ESCORT
317 Colin Craig AES FORD ESCORT MK II
321 Steve Sutherland AES FORD MKII CORTINA
339 Tony Sturm AES MG B SPORTS
400 David Frith AES Alfa Alfa 33 1.7
404 Andy Wallace AES BMW 2002Tii
431 Phil Josephs AES ROVER 220T
461 Andy Durber AES FIAT 128 RALLY
483 Denis Hamill AES FORD ESCORT
616 Dave Mallin AES MG BGT V8
755 Peter Bromley AES BMW 2002
833 Rob Hunkin AES ALFA 33
867 Steve Sutherland AES FORD ESCORT Mk1
888 Peter Hannaford AES FIAT 130 TC
891 Chris Hunkin AES ALFA 33
910 Simon Mills AES ALFA SUD
100J Mike John AES JAGUAR MK2
833b Edward Hunkin AES ALFA 33
2 Mike Davidson ARROW FORD SIERRA
3 John Dennehy ARROW FORD ESCORT Mk1
4 Colin Campbell ARROW FORD MK1 ESCORT
6 Mal Clark ARROW ROVER P6 3500
7 Tony Roberts ARROW CHEVROLET CORVETTE
8 Mark Parsons ARROW TRIUMPH TR7 V8
9 Martin Day ARROW FORD ESCORT
10 Neil Fraser ARROW LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE
15 Phil Laird ARROW BMW 318IS
18 Ken Northin ARROW FORD ESCORT
19 Kerry Chadderton ARROW PORSCHE 911SC
22 Neil Tolich ARROW FORD MUSTANG
23 Rob Moston ARROW JAGUAR XJ 6
26 Steve Newenham ARROW DATSUN 260 Z
28 Michael Sexton ARROW FORD Escort Mk 1 RS2000
31 Eddie York ARROW JAGUAR XJ40
38 Mike Connolly ARROW FORD ESCORT MK2
40 Adrian Dobbe ARROW VAUXHALL VIVA HB
44 Andrew Turpin ARROW JAGUAR XJS
48 Ricky Cooper ARROW DATSUN 240Z
51 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD ESCORT
57 Rob Berggren ARROW FORD CAPRI
60 Chris Fraser ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
63 Kevin Etches ARROW PORSCHE 944
66 Todd Forsyth ARROW MG BV8
80 Derek Atkinson ARROW MORGAN PLUS 8
81 Simon Gilbertson ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
82 Derek Moore ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
83 John Honore ARROW FERRARI 308GTB
84 Gerry Hodges ARROW BMW 635CSI
88 Bruce Manon ARROW FORD ESCORT
93 Ivan Selak ARROW FORD ESCORT
98 Don Bradley ARROW PORSCHE 944
102 Robbie Halliday ARROW CORTINA LOTUS
103 Rob Halliday ARROW CORTINA LOTUS
104 John Ward ARROW FORD ESCORT
105 Arthur Vowles ARROW ALFA GUILIA SUPER
107 Grant Clegg ARROW BMW 2002 ti Alpina
115 Chris Barendregt ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
117 John Sampson ARROW FORD CAPRI RS2600
119 Wayne Tinker ARROW PORSCHE
120 John Munro ARROW JAGUAR XJ6
121 Craig Howser ARROW FORD RS2000
141 Jason Nicholl ARROW PORSCHE 944S2
152 Arthur Vowles ARROW ALFA 1600GT JUNIOR
158 Tony Vujnovich ARROW FORD PERANA
159 Glen Thompson ARROW MG B SPORTS
175 Andrew Lines ARROW FIAT COUPE 20VT
181 Ron Findlay ARROW FORD PERANA
181 Peter Bainbridge ARROW MGB SPORTS
193 Brent Stratton ARROW ALFA 33 16V
199 Grant Harrington ARROW BMW 325i
222 Peter Robinson ARROW BMW M3 ALPINA R
246 Tony Olissoff ARROW ALFA SUD Ti
260 Ron Findlay ARROW DATSUN 260Z
279 Barry Hare ARROW ROVER VITESSE
331 John Hudson ARROW BMW 320
333 Rogan Hampson ARROW COBRA OHLSEN
410 Gordon Burr ARROW FERRARI 308GT4LM
456 Neil Tolich ARROW FORD PERANA
502 Steve Cowie ARROW ALFA GT
567 Gordon Burr ARROW FORD ESCORT
739 Grant Kern ARROW MG B V8 SPORTS
778 Rex Ferrall ARROW TRIUMPH TR8
783 Peter Gunter ARROW SKODA
944 Paul Madeley ARROW PORSCHE 944T
16B Kevin Cantwell ARROW PORSCHE 964
8B Arthur Vowles ARROW ALFA DUETTO

Not sure how many are at the Legends this weekend, but there were 24 as at last week. Note that several drivers have registered more than one car and at least two cars have been sold but the owners are building other cars for the series. In one case, negotiations for purchase are still on-going.

Numbers with a "B"suffix denote cars that need to change their chosen race numbers or who are sharing a car.

Well, that is the racing over for this season with a combined grid of 34 cars, on a damp then wet Pukekohe last Saturday. No panel damage, despite the number of cars with a very high speed differential; two handicap races, where all bar three finishers were across the line within 25 seconds in the wet. Congratulations to all drivers for showing it can be done and done well.

They made me proud to be involved, as the driving standards were so much higher than we have witnessed at other meetings this season, even at those high profile events where there was not even a chocolate fish to aim for, yet a fair bit of panel damage.

However, whilst our registrations are still very high (121) as with most other series this season, overall grid numbers have been lower than for several seasons. We have no idea why, but as any competent statistician will tell you, one blip of low grid numbers does not constitute a trend, so maybe we shouldn't panic or change anything, but equally, I think that we have to be on our toes to see how things pan out.

After many discussions with many people including the Historic Commission members, we now believe our series rules are robust enough to be independent of both the T & C rules and also the need for an (expensive - soon to be more expensive) CoD.

This does leave us somewhat out in the cold as the MSNZ Race Commission are unlikely to totally understand our philosophy and the H & C Commission understand it, but don't totally support it!

However, we will continue to support the H & C Commission, as we are more closely aligned to them and their ideals.

The fact that only about 15% of our drivers now have a CoD, supports our stance that the CoD system is basically aimed at the genuine historic cars with a provenance that needs preservation, be they old NZ single seaters or the Historic Muscle Cars running to a very tight set of rules - and with some possibility of International competition.

Maybe it is now time for a cheap, one page, declaration of a "Classic" car, that may or may not be 100% standard, but specifying the basics - bodyshell age; engine age, type, source and capacity; gearbox type and source; a brief declaration on wheels, tyres, brakes and suspension etc. It doesn't require a $240 outlay and reams of wasteful paper to state that an E30 BMW is an E30 BMW, or an MGB GT is an MGB GT.

Anyway, overall a mainly successful 27th season for us, with just the fun awards dinner to go now (June 22nd - free to paid up members... Paying guests welcome!)

For next season, we'll still support all HRC meetings at HD, Taupo and Pukekohe and we still have to decide on whether or not we'll run our own meeting, given the small grid sizes of all other groups we normally invite. It is an issue that needs debating, as it is too expensive to run a meeting with grids only a quarter full. Grids have to be combined and each tiny group can no longer afford to have a sandpit to itself - unless of course, they are willing to pay what it really costs...

ERC wrote:Maybe it is now time for a cheap, one page, declaration of a "Classic" car, that may or may not be 100% standard, but specifying the basics - bodyshell age; engine age, type, source and capacity; gearbox type and source; a brief declaration on wheels, tyres, brakes and suspension etc. It doesn't require a $240 outlay and reams of wasteful paper to state that an E30 BMW is an E30 BMW, or an MGB GT is an MGB GT.

...

Great Series ERC, but T&C regulations are far from requiring 100% standard, in fact they are really quite a loose set of regulations that 95% of your series cars would comply with anyway. For the life of me I can't see why you would introduce another form, which would have administration costs and audit costs? A COD costs $97, so not sure where your $240 cost comes from?

What is your main sticking point with COD's. Some specifics would be good. The COD system is far from perfect, but it is still worth persevering with.