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Post by brendanlucas on Aug 7, 2010 15:32:51 GMT 12
It is with great sadness I learned of Graeme Stretch's passing on 6th August.
Apart from being the first ever official NZ Stockcar champion, he was probably one of the most influential figures in the way our stockcars currently look by being a link in there evolutionary chain of looks. He took the standard of engineering to a new level, a marriage of stockcar/hotrod.
My first memories as a kid include playing around at Graeme Stretch Motors where there was always interesting stockcar stuff going on. Its where my dad built the Brew 22 stockcar.
Graeme was a true legend, not sure he would ever admit to that though.
Any pictures posted would be appreciated, a little before my time.
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Post by BarryB on Aug 7, 2010 17:21:10 GMT 12
Let me be the first to add my condolences to what will quickly become a long list - a tragedy as one of the truly great links to our past, has passed. There can only ever be one first, and Graeme was it. RIP Graeme.
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Post by pallmall on Aug 7, 2010 22:03:45 GMT 12
RIP Graeme, you will always be remembered as a great stockcar driver. The first ACU/SCB NZ Stockcar Champion, but not the first NZ Stockcar Champion. The man who developed the fabricated chassis concept. Graeme had a fairly short stockcar racing career, retiring after winning the championship, but coming back at the end of the following season to defend it in his old car borrowed back for the occasion, and a short tour to Stratford and Forest Lake to finish. Also built and drove a modified when Palmerston North reverted back to speedway for a short time.       Back around the second to fourth seasons of Palmerston North running stockcars we used to travel down from Auckland most Saturdays for the racing. If Graeme Stretch had not been racing I doubt we would have bothered, seeing those red Willys bodied cars flying around the track, around, over, and through the opposition was worth the long journey. RIP, and thanks for the memories. |
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Post by OldSchoolRacer on Aug 8, 2010 2:39:03 GMT 12
It is with great sadness that i see that Graeme has done his final Lap, He was my childhood Hero and one of the great influence's that got me wanting to be a Stockcar Driver,and i thank him for that. RIP Graeme.
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Post by kiwisnoopy on Aug 9, 2010 10:43:12 GMT 12
RIP Graham, I remember you from my First season in stockcars in 1969/70 when you and Dexter Dunlop restarted Stockars at PN folowing Bill Pringle and Stan Cotters attempt to revive old school speedway.
A true Gentleman and Legend of the sport who helped many get into it for the first time. Great memories of watching you race, and in latter years seeing your old No 3 as driven by Peter Madison looming up behind me.
Thank you Graham, you will never be forgotten.
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Post by Topcat on Aug 10, 2010 5:59:55 GMT 12
Condolences to Graham's family and friends. Another of our sport's true hero's who has passed on. Rex & Del Nield, Gisborne
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Post by cae76 on Aug 10, 2010 21:30:18 GMT 12
The first and only time i saw Graham Stretch race was at Templeton Speedway (Now Ruapuna Speedway) in the days of that track opening in the early 60's.He was matched raced against Harry Peirson in his stockrod a model A coupe powered by a side valve V8 kitted out with Edelbrock gear.Graham was given Don Camerons 36 Ford V8 Coupe/ute stockrod to compete against Harry but Harrys car was a lot quicker than Grahams. There was some drama about not being able to get Grahams car down here on time hence driving the D Cameron car.
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Post by wazzup on Aug 11, 2010 16:58:28 GMT 12
yeah R.I.P i herd he was a bad smoker and my grandad new him and my dad he was a good guy
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Post by platers on Aug 11, 2010 19:29:58 GMT 12
You got things way wrong wuzzup2010. Graeme has not smoked for the last 35 years that we know of so you got wrong info buddy.
An amazing man who will be sadly missed.
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maljap
Junior Member
Posts: 74 
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Post by maljap on Aug 15, 2010 20:56:14 GMT 12
I spent many an hour or so at his workshop in Church St Palmerston North watching a lot of stockcars being built and repaired. As his car is still sitting in Palmerston North I hope it motivates someone to get on with the restoration job
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Post by pallmall on Aug 16, 2010 20:07:04 GMT 12
As his car is still sitting in Palmerston North I hope it motivates someone to get on with the restoration job So do I, that car is awesome and needs to be out and about. I know it is not going to happen right away, but at least it is now safe and undercover. |
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Post by gmfred on Sept 7, 2010 11:36:09 GMT 12
On behalf of Graeme's family I wish to acknowledge all of the messages posted and for those that sent cards, flowers, or attended the service. THANK YOU. Regards Murray Attachments:
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