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Post by stu392 on Nov 23, 2015 5:06:44 GMT 12
Hi All
Way back in the winter of 1973/74 four UK drivers came over to NZ namely Stu Smith, Willie Harrison, Dave Chisolm, Tony Allen, Tony Neal and Chick Woodroffe.
I am currently in the process of writing a book about Stu Smith and have limited information about the trip and so am appealing to you good folks to see if anybody can remember anything about the trip, any amusing stories.
The general thinking in the Uk was that Stuart left the UK for the trip essentially tea total he never drunk much but came back from New Zealand very different and was always a great sense of amusement to Stuart who would always tell people that he went over to New Zealand drink free and came back a drunkard !!
Any help would be great and there is a remote chance I may be in New Zealand in early December visiting friends if anybody would like to meet up and tell their stories and recollections.
Stu
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Post by brendanlucas on Nov 23, 2015 6:09:42 GMT 12
The Englishmen involved in that tour made quite a name for themselves. I remember particularly the Wanganui & Wellington legs, we had a couple of them staying with us. It was forty years ago, but I do remember the racing quite well. The Poms were given cars that weren't quite as good as what the Kiwi team had, & they got knocked around a fair bit, but the Englishmen worked hard to keep there cars going & never complained, which was something we weren't used to from the Poms at the time. I remember my dad (who was part of the NZ team) telling me this & how his opinion on Englishmen had been changed for the better after this group came through. I also remember the subsequent visits of Stu who could hop in a local borrowed car that never really went that good, & very nearly take out the world 240 title in it with no practice whatsoever. They were all good drivers in that group, & Stu Smith was one of those very rare drivers that could make anything go fast, kind of like Andretti. Kevin Free would be a good person to talk to, Roy or Graham Eaton, Graham Mitchell, perhaps Joel Wright, would all be good to speak with, plus I think Tony Allen & Tony Neal are now resident here in NZ, & I'm sure Vic Neal would be a world of info on this for you also.
BL
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Post by midway on Nov 23, 2015 20:36:58 GMT 12
The Englishmen involved in that tour made quite a name for themselves. I remember particularly the Wanganui & Wellington legs, we had a couple of them staying with us. It was forty years ago, but I do remember the racing quite well. BL Being a historian,has its advantages ,with age and thought ,we will enjoy the historical interests you have in the sport amongst other interests,you participate with like top honours in speech writing ..Oprey will welcome you with open arms   |
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Post by brendanlucas on Nov 24, 2015 3:36:42 GMT 12
The Englishmen involved in that tour made quite a name for themselves. I remember particularly the Wanganui & Wellington legs, we had a couple of them staying with us. It was forty years ago, but I do remember the racing quite well. BL Being a historian,has its advantages ,with age and thought ,we will enjoy the historical interests you have in the sport amongst other interests,you participate with like top honours in speech writing ..Oprey will welcome you with open arms Thanks Bro, you like my england skills huh. |
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Post by stu392 on Nov 25, 2015 9:04:43 GMT 12
cheers for input. Wondering if anyone out there may have contact details for the Neals?
Also if they stayed with you have you got anything that you remember about Stuart?
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Post by stu392 on Dec 3, 2015 13:00:54 GMT 12
Hello again
I have further information that the Neals live in Waiuku just South of Auckland would appreciate a phone number but if not think I will just drop in and see them sure they wont mind.
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