Introduce Yourself (Read 128,316 times)

[Phred]

It was an autumn or winter many years ago that Phred commenced his automotive apprenticeship at a facility in Palmerston Nth.

He was to discover lurking in the gloom at the rear of the building that there were a number of odd wheeled structures; various interesting and diverse people were often tending these peculiar devices.

Dave Evans was completing his first tank, Howard Lockwood, Peter Wakildene ran cars from here, Kerry Darwick, Brian Pukiloski, Peter Pitcher, Bruce Robertson, Warren McIntyre, Brian Andersen, Noel Foot, Bill Dorn, and many others were to seen and heard at this intriguing venue.

Although Phreds own motorsport battles were to be fought in a different arena he was (and still is) totally addicted to stockcars.
The best spectator motorsport in existence.

Highlights:
The sound of a good Ford howling – no mufflers in those days. (Chev exhaust note terrible due to firing order?)

Dave and Peter Wak having a big go, ended in the Pascal St bend with the tanks rump on the lower terrace and the cage on Waks car (#5?) flattened down almost to the engine cover.

Traveling throughout the North Island often at improbable speeds (blue/grey ranch wagons, various shakers and mussies spring to mind)

Driving the old wobbler (tank) chasing a motor miss on Friday afternoon (oops bent the beam mounting the wall). The fabulous sound of that unmuffled baby Ford made his ears ring.

To Ed Bambery, Tim Buys, JW, Bob and Graham Jamieson who along with their families provided a varied and interesting work environment.

To all of the above and others I owe a huge thank you.

Phred currently resides in Jafaland, He attends the Teams Nationals (hell he was crewing for one of the cars that won the first ever Teams Nats) and chooses to spend most summer Saturday evenings at oval venues in the upper North Island.

[steve38]

Hey, great thread!

My name is Steve Holmes, I'm 34, and own a motorsport apparel company, and write for several NZ and Australian magazines. Grew up in Palmerston North, and my father took me to the speedway there several times when I was young, even though he's never much enjoyed speedway.

My favourite class then were the saloons, when they were still steel bodied cars, which originated from road cars. Spent a few years living in England, before moving back to Wellington, where I helped promote Welly speedway, and wrote 'Where The Wildcats Are' in NZDTR each month.

Now I spend a lot of time going to circuit race meetings, and do all the promotion for the Central Muscle Cars race class www.centralmusclecars.co.nz

I live in the Wairarapa now, and am a regular visitor at Palmy speedway, so have gone full circle. I love Superstocks, so I'm in the right place. Also love Modifieds and Sprintcars, but I have huge respect for everyone who competes, or contributes to this sport.

I never cease to be amazed at how passionate speedway people are, and how knowledgable the fans are. This is a great sport, which everyone who plays a part in, be it competitors, owners, fans, supportes etc, can all claim to have contibuted to.

[Stevo]

Hi all, Steve here (Mick is just one of the nicknames I've picked up over the years), 40 somethingish, married, 2 young fellas with petrol in their veins already (especially 9 yr old Sam - When can I get a ministock Dad?). Dim recollections of family outings to a farm paddock between Picton and Blenheim to watch early stockcars - you know, Ford coupes etc with a set of bars. Since then, had various involvements - Super Saloon crew and engine builder in Wgtn, scrutineer in Palmy, a few years crewing a TQ in Stratford, back to Palmy scrutineering again, involved in installing, training and support for electronic lap scoring in the SI and spectating when not doing anything else. Recently moved back north from Chch, Taupo now home base so spending more time at Rotorua. Loyaltys really tested at Teams Champs having 3 of my past and current home tracks to cheer for. Am also a hotrodder, ford fan and don't mind the odd tipple or two (bourbon, tequila or beer). Have watched this site for quite a while, recently decided to come on board, look forward to a long and, hopefully, not too controversial association. Roll on the good times.

[Loosenut]

Hi my Name is Carey Harwood, currently race Superstock 17n. Have been racing speedway for the past six years, got started by doing a few derbys and by going and watching the teams champs in 2000, thought those guys were crazy. Spent the first three years racing productions and the last three in Superstocks. Have lived in Nelson most of my life. I work as a commercial diver and also work from home as a draftsman. Have started doing my teams website this season after getting sick of going to websites and there being no updates. Now finding out how hard it is to find the time to do updates and work on the car.
www.harwoodracingteam.com

[tiroto]

Hi all - I'm Tiaki Leathers 41 yrs old, male, married with two kids, born in Rotorua. Started as a spectator at Paradise Valley as a kid going with whanau watching the likes of Tony Baker, Adrian Kaye and co. One of my favourite memories was watching Big Bad Charlie Berstein land at PV in a helicopter, hop into his black machine and race! Great promotion!
Lost contact with stockcars for 12 + years while in Armed Services and only started going back to The Valley last 3 years and boy hasn't it changed! Well done!
Whole extended whanau follows stockies - my Uncle Bill Northe was the chairman of Gizzy Club at it's conception early 70's. He also drove 1 G same period. Had another Uncle Graham Smith who drove 39 R stockcar for awhile mid-70's.
Have a brother in law Murray Russ who is a committee member at Nelson. All his 3 boys drive.
We have a whanau member who wants to drive a stockcar - he lives in Papamoa but wants to race at Rotorua - starting from scratch - if anybody has a detailed budget they could e-mail me that would help to as a guide for costs etc. e-mail me at [e-mail]
Brought up on stories of the Rebels (Hickey, Hunter (s), Wood, Westbury etc) at Palmy but never got to get there for various reasons.
Went to Palmy first time this year - awesome! What a great facility! Bad luck Rebels - see you at Auckland! Still waiting to see first Rebel teams win in the flesh!
Love going into pits when I can - catch up with drivers etc
Followed the R's this year at Roto nearly all meetings, Huntly 3 times, Auckland Superstocks NZ's, Palmy Teams. Going to Auckland again for Superstock Teams & Stockcar Teams and Kihikihi for King Country Superstocks Champs as well as all remaining Roto meetings.
Proud spectator of the R's and well done Darcy 1 NZ - see you 4 Mar 06 House of Travel Superstocks!
Goals in future - help get a whanau member into stockcars, visit every track in country especially Sth Island, see Rebels win Teams in the flesh at both Palmy & Auckland & support Roto to grow as a club!

[Mav, back bein a pit biarch]

Hi I'm Mike McLeod...used to walk the cow track from Kaiapoi to woodfordglen every weekend back in the mid eighties. Loved the stockies, the likes of gearald Griffiths, Lindsay Robb and warren Galbraith etc. Also was the era of he who is Tony Cardwell.

Always wanted to go racing, just never thought I would. Ended up going to a queens Bday meet at Kaiakoura, to watch my Uncle in his saloon. urned to my mate next to me and said we gotta do this. He had access to a free cortina. so we grabbed it and it sat there for a while. I then took it over, started racing it about 2000ish. Had thta car for a year, then went to and escort, which I ran for a couple of years (also getting the odd run in my uncles space framed eskie(which was the first car I actually raced))

Decided at the end of last ear to hell with it going to race a stockie. Sold the escort and gave the guy a few extra dollars and took his stockie roller off his hands.

Now about 25% ready to race. August is the goal...a few meets at one of the local tracks then off to the glen next season...fingers crossed.

done and dusted...see some of you on the track.

[nzrscene]

Hi, I'm Lindsay Benbrook who first attended a meeting at Waikaraka Park in 1969. After 11 years as a regular spectator, I joined the ASSCC and was co-opted onto the Committee as the stockcar rep. For the next 4 years I was re-elected to the Committee, the last of those 4 years as Vice-President.

My family was also involved in both Official capacities as well as successful drivers at the Park. My ex-wife, Catherine, was the Modified Sportsman handicapper, my mother the Streetstock Handicapper, my sister Julie was the belt and helmet checker, my brother Russell raced Modified 25A, my brothers-in-law Bruce Harris, Noel Phipps and Allan Haigh raced stockcars and modifieds.

In 1988 I was elected President of the ASSCC and introduced the 'Stockcar Teams Nationals' to Waikaraka Park. During the same time, I leased the track to Brian Tracey of Circle Track Racing to allow disgruntled drivers, from Western Springs who had parked up their cars, a venue to race. These included Barry Butterworth, Ted Tracey to name a couple. Unfortunately the Speedway Control Board, who believed we were running CTR under our license, canceled our track license. I took out a High Court Injunction and our license was reinstated.

Around the same time, a monthly magazine NZ Dirt Track Racing appeared and I became a features writer for Lynda Kuriger for approximately the next three years.

From 1970 I began working for NZBC Television then TVNZ on major TV productions. I started my own video production business (MAJIK VIDEO SYSTEMS) in 1990 and began covering major speedway meetings around the country on video - the first professional venture covering such meetings.

Roger Bertram and I put together the format and contracted the drivers for the 'Modified Sportsman Superdirt Cup' that has once again been resurrected by Jamo this year.

My involvement in speedway these days is minimal but we are invited by tracks to cover their major meetings on video and DVD. For the past three years I have been contracted by TVNZ to work as Unit/location Manager for the V8 Supercars at Pukekohe.

[gismo]

hi all
Chris Pierce,I am a field service engineer (diesel Generators) from Christchurch and have been involed with speedway for 10yrs.
Crew for Peter Field 27c the glens longest serving stockie driver.
Been building a stockcar for the last 4-5 years, might stop garage racing one day and hit the dirt. Too many kids and no time (or money dam kids).
As for the nick name (GISMO) that will stay a secret till my car makes the track, then it will become apparent.
anyway better get back to work.
Chatch you at the track.

Gismo

[evie]

Emigrated to NZ in 1972, met the old fella Christmas that year and he started taking me to Templeton Speedway..that place is to blame for the next 30 plus years where Speedway has ruled our lives.
Gavin and I are were on the starting committee for the Oxford track..he raced Fender Benders in a 100E ( but shhh we dont like to admit our early days were in a Ford..he did race prior to this at Ashburton in an Austin 8) At one point the race car and the road car shared the same engine..see told you it ruled our lives!
We moved north and were spectators for a few years then got back in to the scene by joining Waharoa..I was referee for a couple years and also raced the a little mazda in the ladies races..Gavin was the first person I black flagged..still gives me S*** about that.
Spent a few years on the committee at Rotorua as well...last 2 as Vice President.
Gav bought an old A9X Torana and started racing out the old Baypark..was given stick about the old girl so thought, right you guys...I'll teach you! Got Peter Kuriger to build him a sharp Corvette and Tony Marsh a top engine...enjoyed his time in that then went on holiday to Paihia...where his son (age 15) rang and said 'Hey dad..can I race the car at Rotorua this week..theres a few meetings on'...that was the end of Gav's racing career....sold that car and jointly bought another corvette...son was offered a drive in a stockcar and hasnt looked back since...we have been demoted to helpers and watchers now.

[mat14h]

hey I'm Mathew Phillips I'm 31 , been involved with speedway since the mid eighty's
my step father Robbie Dunn been involved since forest lake days , he then owned Ron butchers 29m and Frank millers 14hr.

i have got myself john mercers mid eighty's space frame and are on track for it to be at huntly before the seasons end ;D

[missy]

hi ya, well im may and im 15 16 in september
race in the youth grade. Started racing last year but been going for god knows how long. Got involed with racing though my brother mike and my uncle. want to go to stockies but everyone keeps laughing at me but i WILL get out there. so watch OUT. I go to woodford glen all the time havnt missed any meeting apart from the rain offs even then i turn up lol
well thats me

[rdcone86]

Hey, Im Shay Oliver, am 19yrs of age.
Born 'n' bred in Te Awamutu for almost 19yrs, Have recently moved to Papamoa.
Been watching racing ever since I can remember.
Worked for Mintie at Repco when I was 12 to save for my first Ministock, then all went from there... Started in Ministocks when was 13yrs old (45h, 45m), then to Std Stocks at 17yrs (145m), and now am in my first year of Sprintcars. (86m). Love speedway for the adrenelin, burning fuel and the social part in the club rooms after the meeting!

[Deleted]

Well, Ive put this off waiting for a few of the boys to place their hands on the keyboards, and glad mintie has done so.Learn something new about that kid every other weekend!

My name is Richard Baddiley, Im 23 until the 8th of March!

Im currently living in Auckland, and for those of you who are nightowls, you can hear me writing and stumbling through the news on Radio Live, Radio Pacific, and Radio Dunedin from midnight till 5am, then I take over all Radio Works National Networks for Breakfast News...muahahahaha.

Ive been around speedway all my life and fondly remember the smell of Oceanview clay and methanol mixed together as a toddler...so youve guessed I was born and bred in Wangavegas, and have been a keen spectator for many years! Go the Taylor! and Go the WARRIORS!

Recently I took up a challenge (or was it a cry of blatant desperation?) to join Mintie in the commentary booth @ Huntly for the Waikato "everything" Champs, where I was put through the paces that every other inductee of commentary wasnt, including a trip into the freakin ambulance!You might have been there and been giggling, or you might have seen the now infamous "Chiken Legs" thanks to Macgor!And allso hobbled around Kihikihi Speedway for the NZ Minisprint Championships the next day.Lots of fun Mintie, Ill be back!

Currently crewing for 97H Modified and Production Saloon driver Matt Hazelton and his brother Turtle 55H Stockcar, and been helping out for the last few seasons, hope to get behind one of the several beasts that inhabit the Hazelton garages someday soon(watch out mintie!)

A lot of comments on this board have gotten me into trouble before, but I call a spade as I see it, a spade, and have allways done so and will allways continue to do so....I guess a big mouth is needed for Radio, and have had too many years using it haha.

Enjoy this board to bits, I allso race Stockcars online (look for the sideways out of control one generally parked up a wall) I like long walks on the beach and the odd alcoholic beverage.

Where to in the future....maybe 1nz in Superstocks and getting Mintie on the infield in some form of lycra/tutu/ambulance uniform/nappy with his head under a Super Saloon while its starting up!

[Rossco]

Hi well I don't think I'm to different to everyone else.Other than I was late buying a car .Been mates with Geoff Fletcher for 30 years,but always seemed to have something else that needed our money. Then nearly 3 years ago we looked at an old Mustang from Auckland. I thought we would give it a miss ,but the wife said nah I think we will take it. It was a reliable beast and went a lot better than it looked. We won a few races got keen and are 1/2 way thru our 3rd season in our third chassis. I would like to think I'm reasonably approachable ,so don't be shy. I first met Mintie about 30 years ago as well. We are dairy farmers at Matamata and 77 is the number of my favourite cow but shes gettin on a bit now. Kihikihi is a great club and I'm proud to be part of it. Cheers 77k

[SonjaH]

Well probably because I don't hide who I am what is the point of responding, well a couple of things you might like to know.

Sonja Hickey, the other side of 40 (bugger) married to Stan of course. My first speedway meeting was Forrest Lake back in 1973, raced my first Ladies race in 1974, was hanging around with Trevor Peters and had a bit to do with Barry Featherstones crew at the time. Also raced ladies races at Tokoroa, (proves I am on the other side of 40).

Had nothing to do with Speedway from 76 to 86 when I met Stan through a chance meeting with Trevor Peters and the rest is history. Still enjoy the odd race but probably just about past my "use by date". Took up Promoting the track after we sold our business and until somebody pushes me off my perch, guess I will be there for a bit.

I have no desire to become a Director of SNZ as many have suggested I should, I much prefer spending my time further improving Paradise Valley Raceway.

Sonja H

[TonyT]

I'm torn by two points of view - how nicely everyone else has opened up to describe themselves and on the other hand my own belief that if you don’t know who I am then its probably better for both of us! ;D

OK, you guys win. My name is Tony Trewinnard, I am just on the wrong side of 40 years old, and I have been a speedway nut for about 15 years. I live in Amberley, North Canterbury, and could count on the fingers of one hand how many meetings I have missed at Woodford Glen over that time. Those I have missed have usually been to watch speedway somewhere else.

I write about speedway for NZDTR, local newspapers, and the Woodford Glen programme, and I am sometimes asked for my opinion about things by others in the sport. In order to be able to offer as informed an opinion as possible I try to watch plenty of racing away from Woodford Glen as well, so I usually turn up a few times a season at places like Nelson, Palmy, Auckland, just for a look. I try to get to national championships whenever I can, but the travelling does get expensive.

As well as speedway I closely follow F1, and have also enjoyed the A1GP series this season. I also enjoy learning about any kind of motorsport. My favourite Playstation game is Driven to Destruction (closest I have found to NZ style streetstocks).

I have been a contributor to Macgor's forum since it started, and before that was active on Ian Abraham's mailing list (anyone else remember that?, must have been 7 or 8 years ago). I even moderated a New Zealand Speedway mailing list for a few years till Macgors really took off. I read this board daily.

My favourite parts of speedway are close racing whatever the class, and watching drivers who rise to the occasion and really drive out of their comfort zone. There is a real thrill for the keen fan to see a special performance. My pet hates include people who hide behind nicknames on this board, and the overall lack of promotion of speedway in this country.

I'm always happy to debate my views with anyone, and enjoy learning more about this great sport we all love.

[DavidW]

My name is David Wills, aged 29 I live in Tokoroa.
I really got into speedway in Blenheim and then got involved in a streetstock pit crew of 52E Robbie Roach and did that for a few seasons!! Not only was hard work (If you were there you would understand) but fun. Since then moved back north and now live in Tokoroa Started going to meetings at Kihikihi towards the end of the 2003/04 season (KC Std Stocks meeting) and have been hooked on the racing there!!!
Have also been to meetings in Nelson, Meeanee, and Waikaraka Park and each track has its own distinct way of racing and have loved every minute of it. Talk about speedway at home and it annoys me mother cause she tells me to talk about something else he he!!
;D ;D
That's my story!!

[SprintCar Crazy]

hi
im gordon im 32 live in west auckland
been going to speedway for ever
i go to waikaraka park have crewed on 3 superstocks
and also springs speedway and baypark when i can
I even marched to save springs speedway as i am the 3rd generation of my family to be a springs speedway fan
i love stockcars sprintcars nascars and v8 supercars

[godboy]

hay mi names dave im 20 years old
ive been going to stockcars since i was young as my uncle chip humble (46h minisprint) crewed and sponsered a few stockcars back in the day.
i raced ministocks for 2 seasons out of huntly and semed to be in the deep end a bit to much for my "agressive racing" style so at 16 i decided to get a stockcar we bourt a really cheap car ex 10a agrade converted bak to a std but being new to it all and not having much knoladge in setup ect it only ever gave us problems fortunatly i hit the wall at wp and wrote the car off completley ;D.. no hard felings boys
3 years ago i bought a kevin free car built in the mid 90s raced it for 2 seasons 1 at huntly and 1 at 2ks.
last year i fully rebuilt it all my self and ended up going well over budget so its a verry late start to the season but thats ok less work next off season mite get some snowboarding in this year lol.
i got the name godboy from the dirttrack editor when i was racing ministocks as i had the name jeepers under my crew names and i still do i started going to church when i was 14 any way i figer if people want to know about that side of me they'll ask.

[nzf2stocks.]

Hi, I'm Paul Gregory and drive stockcar 92A (go figure) I first started racing mtotrbikes at Pukekohe at the tender age of 15, retired at 19, had a few flings with offroaders, mini powerboats, 4WD trials and rally cars before settleing into sports car racing with a moderate degree of success. I was introduced to speedway by my neighbour who ran a super saloon, but not very often as he had to pick up his crew from the pub and often never left. He offered the car to me to drive which I did for two seasons under an alias (not telling)
When I had got as far as my budget would allow in sports cars I sold the whole lot and bought an old standard stock to hoon around in. Was lucky enough to win the rookie title at WP but havnt really done much more since then, exept have a ball.
Partner Dallas, kids Pamela, Michael, and Douglas.