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Library Notes
It has been a quiet time in and around the Library of late. Not many books coming in and only moderate lending of books to members. The effects of Covid are still with us and may continue for some time yet. One item of note is that March 21st 2021 was the 100 Hundredth Anniversary of the first organised motor racing on Muriwai Beach. This milestone was to have been celebrated by the Historic Racing Club (HRC) who, for some years now have been the holders of the NZ Motor Cup which was first competed for at that first event back in 1921. From then on and each year after that, racing continued at Muriwai until the onset of the Second World War. Later, in 1954, the cup was passed on to the NZ Grand Prix Inc. for the first GP at Ardmore and from then on, the cup has been presented annually to the winner of the NZ GP. Over the years it has been inscribed with the names of many world-famous racing drivers. The history of motor-racing in our country is well documented in several books on the subject, as well as in all manner of written material and photographs, much of which we hold in our Branch Library. Regarding those Muriwai days, one book in particular, holds a special place in our Library that book being ‘Flat to the Boards’. The book was the result of a long-held desire to compile the history by a founder member of our Branch, Dick Messenger. Dick had raced at Muriwai and over the years he had compiled a great deal of material in the way of programmes, race results, photographs and so on. In the event, however, Dick was unable to complete the considerable task and it was our Barry Robert who encouraged another early Branch member, Douglas Wood, to take up the task. The complete manuscript, original photographs and copy of the finished book are in the Library for the benefit of our members.
Chris Wood and the Library Team—Barry Birchall, Colin Bott, Owen Hayward, Barry Robert & John Stokes
