Post by pallmall on Apr 15, 2006 21:07:36 GMT 12
Over the past 15 to 20 years we have been used to seeing drivers from England and other countries competing at the 240 world Champs and the newer 248 global challenge. Some have had success, it has really depended on the standard of machinery supplied.
Back in 1958 and 1959 Australian teams raced at the Epsom track with their own cars, as they also did a couple of times in the early seasons at Palmerston North, later Australian teams drove local cars.
For 1974 the switched on promotion at Waikaraka Park arranged for a team of top English drivers to race out here, originally they were bringing their own cars, but this proved impossible at the time and 6 local cars were hired for a couple of months and painted white, red and blue. Although success was not good for the poms in the teams races they certainly held their own in the individual events and apparently the NZ drivers learnt lots about car set up and handling, while the poms learnt about drinking NZ style!
All of the visitors, except one, were either past Brisca World Champions or would become a Brisca World Champion.
The team raced at Waikaraka Park, Forest Lake, Paradise Valley, Te Marua, and apparently Ocean View in Wanganui (I would love some info on this, please!)
These were the men and their cars.
1GB Chick Woodroffe, Team Manager and driver.
252GB Dave Chisholm current 1973 World Champion for the third consecutive year. Unfortunately Dave could not stay out in NZ and was replaced by Tony Allen.
393GB Stuart Smith 6 time World Champ, 13 times British Points Champion.
2GB Willie Harrison. World Champion 1982.
100GB Tony Neal. World Champion 1968.
343GB Tony Allen. F2 World Champion.
Such was the impression gained of NZ, its lifestyle, and maybe the stockcar racing two of the above were back in New Zealand with their families to live within 12 months of the January/February 1974 visit.
Tony Neal and Tony Allen went on to create their own bit of history in the NZ stockcar and speedway scene.
This first visit by an English team opened the doors for competition between the two countries, hopefully this coming season will see further development when Frankie Wainman Jnr brings out his English version of a NZ stockcar, if it goes as well a Tony Allen's did, watch out.
Back in 1958 and 1959 Australian teams raced at the Epsom track with their own cars, as they also did a couple of times in the early seasons at Palmerston North, later Australian teams drove local cars.
For 1974 the switched on promotion at Waikaraka Park arranged for a team of top English drivers to race out here, originally they were bringing their own cars, but this proved impossible at the time and 6 local cars were hired for a couple of months and painted white, red and blue. Although success was not good for the poms in the teams races they certainly held their own in the individual events and apparently the NZ drivers learnt lots about car set up and handling, while the poms learnt about drinking NZ style!
All of the visitors, except one, were either past Brisca World Champions or would become a Brisca World Champion.
The team raced at Waikaraka Park, Forest Lake, Paradise Valley, Te Marua, and apparently Ocean View in Wanganui (I would love some info on this, please!)
These were the men and their cars.
1GB Chick Woodroffe, Team Manager and driver.
252GB Dave Chisholm current 1973 World Champion for the third consecutive year. Unfortunately Dave could not stay out in NZ and was replaced by Tony Allen.
393GB Stuart Smith 6 time World Champ, 13 times British Points Champion.
2GB Willie Harrison. World Champion 1982.
100GB Tony Neal. World Champion 1968.
343GB Tony Allen. F2 World Champion.
Such was the impression gained of NZ, its lifestyle, and maybe the stockcar racing two of the above were back in New Zealand with their families to live within 12 months of the January/February 1974 visit.
Tony Neal and Tony Allen went on to create their own bit of history in the NZ stockcar and speedway scene.
This first visit by an English team opened the doors for competition between the two countries, hopefully this coming season will see further development when Frankie Wainman Jnr brings out his English version of a NZ stockcar, if it goes as well a Tony Allen's did, watch out.
