Far North Focus
July 2020
Start of the Molloy Trophy Rally Saturday 27th June
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Far North Focus Who’s Who for 2020/21 Chairman
Winston Matthews
win@matthewsvintage .com
09 4060203
Vice Chairman
Dave Duirs
dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
09 4061288
Secretary
Gloria Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 4077255
Treasurer
Robyn Mackay
wmackay116@gmail .com
09 406 1955
Club Captain
Warren Mackay
wmackay116@gmail.com
09 4061955
Editor
Peg Hills
comstockdowns@gmail.com
09 406 1077
Communications Officer
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 4060 392
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Dave Duirs
dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
09 406 1288
Area Rep North
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 406 0392
Area Rep South
Warwick Woollams
w.woollams@gmail.com
09 407 7494
Committee
Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Winston Matthews, Graeme Moore, Vince Mason, Mike Pooley, Gloria Cormack, Warwick Woollams, Warren Mackay, Dave Duirs, Keith Lyndsell
Building Officer
Warren Mackay
09 406 1955
A full list of elected officers is circulated with the minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting
Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Aurere Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
CLUB CLEANING ROSTER 2019-2020 During the month, and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over, as in: Clean the toilets and hand basins, check kitchen, window ledges etc, and sweep the floors. Window cleaning, washing walls etc will be done at working bees.
Note any required maintenance and pass on to the Building Officer– Warren Mackay, ph 09 4061955 If your date doesn’t suit you, please swap with someone else. For any other enquiries please contact the Club Captain.
July
C. Brownlie
July
C Brownlie
January
D & P Hills
August
D & D Duirs
February
Graeme & Margaret
September
Graeme Moore
March
N & V Mason
October
Everyone– working bee
April
R & W Mackay
November
R & W Mackay
May
M & T Deverell
December
Graeme & Margaret
June
P O’Dell
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Calendar of Events 2020 / 2021 July 18th
Annual Prize Giving Luncheon
Everyone
September 6th
Father’s Day Run/Lunch
Winston
October 17th
Club Working Bee
Everyone
November 7th
Far North Tour
Northland Branch
November 28th
Dunny Run
Dave & Dorothy
December 12th
Christmas Event
TBA
January 16th
Summer Picnic
TBA
February 20th
Run/Event North
TBA
March
Mangonui Waterfront Festival
Club Captain/ Vice
April 17th
Brian Parker Rally
Murray & Gloria
May 9th
Mother’s Day Run/Lunch
Terry & Sue
May 11th
Club AGM
Everyone
June 26th
Molloy Trophy Run
Rex& Sandra & Team
Monthly 3rd Sunday
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
Ramada Resort, Taipa Monthly 2nd Tuesday
Club Meeting Aurere Clubrooms 7.30pm.
Just a reminder to all members that the Club’s Bank, Kiwibank has gone cheque free. We no longer have a cheque book and are unable to accept cheques so all payments must be done on line. We are still able to accept cash.
The Far North Branch of the VCC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected.
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
From the Chair……. Great to come out of Covid Lockdown and have a good attendance the A.G.M. Many thanks to all those members who have put their hands up for Club office positions.
We look forward to getting back into our Northern Nog n Natters, with a start time of 5.30 onwards, so we are not too late finishing in these winter evenings. Perhaps we should look at having a Saturday To Murray, our retiring President, a huge Thank You. lunch instead, with the Spare Parts open etc. What are He has put a tremendous effort into the Club in the past your thoughts? two years. Far more than normally expected and much appreciated. Next on the agenda is the Annual Dinner on the 18 th July at the Mangonui Yacht Club -- see you there! Sorry to hear of those with health issues, we hope it’s not too long before we see you back on the road. It was Put the heaters on, keep warm, (Jacinda is paying !) the pleasing to see good turn-outs at the Kerikeri Pot days are getting longer from here! Luck Lunch and The Molloy Trophy run, and luncheon, at Matauri Bay. Thanks to Warwick and Warren for or- That’s all for now, ganising these events. Win.
sponsible for new member liaison, I accept a good level of responsibility for this lack of growth.
Chairman’s Report Annual General Meeting 9 June 2020 th
Greetings More of the same or ‘black swan’ events: I guess we have experienced both in the last twelve months. Within our club we have members’ vehicles that span virtually the entire development of significant internal combustion engined automobiles. We also have an incredible depth of knowledge, history and achievements of Northland. Our monthly rallies and informal social occasions have demonstrated these attributes. An enormous thanks to all members who have organised these outings and shared their knowledge and contacts. We also have continued our involvement with other Northland car clubs and supported their events.
Finance: We recorded a loss of $3660 for the year in the audited financial accounts. Please note that this includes allowance for a non-cash expense of $1600 for depreciation, and a one-off expense of $2400 for power-pole replacement for the clubrooms. The club still enjoys solid bank term deposits in its financial reserves.
Recent international Covid-19 happenings tend to overshadow much of the last year’s events. As we get back to normality we have the unknown factor of change to our future personal lives and club activities. The great thing about change is that it brings opportunities. Hopefully we can accept these opportunities in terms of renewed interest in our own country and its assets through the use of vintage vehicles. Hopefully national meetings can use ‘virtual’ meetings and other People: Although we individually drive our vehicles it is our internet technology for management communications. This collective members who drive our club. Many of these people voluntarily contribute large amounts of time to make sure might also lead to a growing group of active/passive members who we do not see on our traditional events. it ‘works.’ A big thanks to all of you. It was with great sadness we recorded the loss of Sylvia Garrett and Murray Baird during the year. We hope to continue to see Adrian and June at future club events. Branch membership numbers have remained largely static at just over 100. I am well aware of the increased number of people in our region, and certainly the increased number of club eligible vehicles in the Far North. As Chairman, and re-
Enjoy your membership and sincere thanks for your participation. With your incoming Chairman and management team your club is in good hands. Thank you for your time. Murray Cormack Chairman
We were all new members once-
Please extend the hand of friendship to all who come along after you.
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Club Captain’s Report….. After a year or part thereof (with Covid 19 restrictions in place ) as Vice Captain I have accepted the role of Club Captain with Graeme Moore becoming Vice Captain merely name changes. Graeme and I, going forward will continue to work closely in organising events and help other members set runs etc.
Graeme is keen to organise some mid week runs/events in and around the Doubtless Bay area. Likewise Warwick Woollams is keen to organise/ coordinate mid week activities in the Kerikeri area.
Robyn and I were pleased with the turnout for the Molloy last Saturday considering a patchy weather forecast. We had Any members out there who know of interesting places to 34 people enjoy a good lunch and social time at Matauri Bay visit or great places to go for a lunch or afternoon tea, we Café and Bar and such good value. want to hear from you. As Club members we can make this a social club and enjoy the company of others whilst getting We look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Luncheon and Prizegiving on Saturday 18 July. our vehicles out there to be seen by others. th
Going forward we would like to see non competitive/ Regards, leisurely events. In the Calendar of Events we have tried to avoid the word Rally. We are trying to get away from that competitive element to our runs.
Warren
Club Captain’s Annual Report Welcome to all our members who I trust are now making the most of the release from the “lock-down” that we have been through. We can only trust that the measures that are, and must be put in place, will capture and control the inevitable number of cases of Coronavirus that will enter the country brought in by returning residents, and those returning will abide by the requirements that they will be met with.
With the restrictions of “lock-down” being lifted, we hopefully will be able to get back into the planned programme for the year. It has started off very well with the “Molloy Trophy” Rally with a good turnout of both “Club Eligible” and modern vehicles. The day was very sociable and relaxed for the 32 members and friends who attended.
As some members know, I have with sincere regret, had to make a decision to stand down from my position of Club Captain. For me, it has been a short term position with the Covis-19 “lock-down” imposed on NZ. The Club was only able to conduct 3 trophy rallies this year. However we were able to enjoy a few non-trophy events which I trust you all enjoyed, especially the Hokianga Harbour Cruise arranged by Keith and the Far North Rally put together by Margaret and Claude.
In closing, thank you all for your support. I have offered my support to Warren and Robyn and I will contribute to the “Focus” with articles that I trust you find interesting and informative. Speaking with Warwick on Saturday, we discussed the possibility of putting together some mid-week runs, morning or afternoon coffees, lunch get togethers and look-ins. Any suggestions out there would be welcome. Please keep a watch out for notices regarding these impromptu outings. Don’t forget the “Caffeine and Classics” in the morning at the Ramada Resort on the 3 Sunday each month. Margaret and I look forward to catching up with as many as possible at the Prize Giving Lunch at the Mangonui Cruising Club, Saturday 18 July. Watch out for the notice in this Focus and e-mail notice and reminder.
At this point, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all members who arranged and planned events during the year including Rex and Sandra’s preparation for the “Brian Parker” Rally which the North Island Club Captain was planning to attend. I believe that the Club will use this Rally this year. I also wish to say thank you to all Club Members for supporting the events that were arranged. It is from your sup- Regards and wishing you all many days of happy motoring. port that those members setting the event get the acknowlGraeme and Margaret. edgement of the effort put into organising the day for you to enjoy. Thank you. rd
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Remember the Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics 3rd Sunday every month 10 to 12.30 Next date Sunday 19th July. 5
ANNUAL LUNCHEON & PRIZE GIVING SATURDAY 18TH JULY MANGONUI CRUISING CLUB SILVER EGG ROAD, MILL BAY, MANGONUI Meet 12-12.30, lunch to be served at 1pm. Cost is $30 per person. Booking essential. Please deposit your payment to Club’s account 38-9001-0577961-00 and confirm numbers to Robyn before 14th July Email: robynmackay4@gmail.com Landline: 09 406 1955 Mobile: 021 106 2275
POST LOCK DOWN "CELEBRATION!" Having been officially let off the C-19 leash the Southern Area invited members to share a pot luck lunch. Dot and Steve Wynne very kindly welcomed us to their warm, country home which, fortunately, was able to seat thirty two folk. The overcast, drizzly day didn’t dampen our spirits as we caught up with many people we hadn’t seen for a long time. It was good to see that most of us had good experiences during lockdown but there was energy in the room wanting to get back on the road. Our hosts created a relaxed atmosphere, the huge variety of main dishes no doubt tested the waist lines and the rich desserts would have broken a few calorie rules. We had plenty of time to chat and sort out the whole world now that after weeks being confined to lockdown, we have become "experts" in most things, particularly topics of political bent. Many thanks for a great day out. Dave DUIRS 21 06 20
If you see this book in your library, pick it up and take it home. A wide selection of short stories from all over the country, including some from the very early days in the Far North. Easy and enjoyable reading.
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS AGM 9th JUNE 2020 Position
Name
Moved / Seconded
Passed
Chairman:
Winston Matthews
Murray/Rosco
Passed
Club Captain:
Warren Mackay
Graeme/Dorothy
Passed
Vice Chairman:
Dave Duirs
Winston/Vince
Passed
Vice Club Captain:
Graeme Moore
Winston/Vince
Passed
Secretary:
Gloria Cormack
Murray/Rosco
Passed
Treasurer:
Robyn Mackay
Murray/Rosco
Passed
Committee : Winston Matthews, Dave Duirs, Murray Cormack, Gloria Cormack, Warren Mackay, Robyn Mackay, Mike Pooley, Warwick Woollams, Graeme Moore, Vince Mason, Keith Lyndsell . Rosco/ Margaret Passed. Delegates:
Winston Matthews & Dave Duirs Murray/Robyn Passed
Auditor:
Bob Francis
Murray/Mike
Passed
Editor:
Peg Hills
Murray/Winston
Passed
Assistant Editor:
Margaret Cornwall
Naomi/Robyn
Passed
Beaded Wheels Scribe: Dave Duirs
Murray/Rosco
Passed
Librarian:
Peter Mason
Winston/Mike
Passed
Health & Safety:
Graeme Moore
Murray/Winston
Passed
Area Representatives: Ruth Reid (N) Murray/Winston Warwick Woollams (S)
Passed
Communications: Ruth Reid
Passed
Winston/Murray
VIC Committee : Winston Matthews, Vince Mason, George Vuletich, Graeme Moore. Murray/Rosco Passed Building Officer: Warren Mackay
Winston/Margaret
Passed
Hospitality:
Rosco/Graeme
Passed
Warren Mackay
Spare Parts Committee: Graeme Moore, Winston Matthews, Peter O’Dell, Peter Mason. Warren/Peg Passed
Note: The position of New Member Liaison was disbanded after discussion, as it was assumed to be a responsibility for all members of our club.
CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE: Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, or email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size. Cost is $30-$35 dollars, depending on size.
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MY MEMORIES OF THE ARDMORE GRAND PRIX’S 1954—1962 AND STIRLING MOSS IN NEW ZEALAND (With acknowledgement to reports found online in refreshing my memory) Continued from June Focus……..
The NZ Grand Prix regularly attracted the world’s top Formula 1 drivers, and the 1959 race at Ardmore was no exception. An estimated 80,000 fans, (probably a record for any sporting event in NZ), turned out to watch two of the greatest of formula 1 racers, Stirling Moss and the defending champion Jack Brabham, compete with Ron Flockhart of Scotland, Harry Schell and Carroll Shelby of the US., Joakim Bonnier of Sweden, Bib Stilwell and Arnold Glass of Australia and our top NZ drivers, Ross and Syd Jensen, Bob Gibbons, Merv Neil, Tom Clark and Pat Hoare all driving very competitive cars. Sadly missing from the line up were Stuart LewisEvans, Archie Scott-Brown and Peter Whitehead who had all died in race accidents during 1958. Moss starting from the back of the grid managed to weave his way through the field to be in 6th position in the field of 21 cars when they reached the 1 corner at the end of Pit Straight. With a display of his superb driving skills, Moss had passed 3 of the world’s best drivers in ½ a mile, and roared into Pit Straight in the lead at the end of the first lap. The total race had the record crowd enthralled and amazed at the driving skill exhibited by all the top drivers. Moss won in record time with Brabham in 2 place on the same lap, but the hero of the day was 22 year old Bruce McLaren finishing 3 1 lap down. This race had the crowd on the edges of their seats watching the dicing and swapping of positions among the top drivers. (Bruce later that year went on to become the youngest GP winner when he won the United States GP in Florida). Bob Gibbons brought the Lycoming Special home in 8 place. What an amazing car and driver to finish so well amongst the top race cars and drivers from around the world. st
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The 24 car field for the 1960 GP saw the return of Brabham, Moss and McLaren, along with Bib Stillwell, Stan Jones, Arnold Glass and new comer Len Lukey of Australia. Also on the starting grid was David Piper of the UK and Denny Hulme of NZ. The line-up of cars this year were dominated by 11Coopers, there being only 4 Ferrari’s, 3 Maserati’s, 3 Lotus and a Largo-Talbot. As in previous years, the starting grid positions were decided on finishing positions in the heats. The first heat saw an interesting battle between McLaren and Moss. Moss took the lead on the final lap and won by 1 ½ seconds. The second lap saw some fantastic driving by Denny Hulme in the little Cooper to keep up with the bigger engine cars of Burgess and Stillwell, only Brabham been
ahead. Unfortunately Hulme suffered a gearbox jam-up in the final laps and Brabham coasted to a stop on the back straight with an engine fire. Following the heats, Moss started the GP from pole position followed by McLaren, Piper in a very quick Lotus, Burgess and Stillwell now driving Coopers and the remaining cars in order. Because of their problems in the heats, Brabham and Hulme were to start at the back of the grid. Bruce McLaren with an excellent start led the field into the first corner. By the time the cars were at the corner, Brabham was up into 4 place having driven around the outside of the cars on the edge of the track getting in behind McLaren, Moss and Piper.(Denny Hulme managed to start when the cars were on the 5 lap). At the end of the first lap, placings were McLaren, Moss and Brabham. Moss managed to take the lead on the 3 lap. Following through was Brabham and the 2 of them raced down the Pit Straight side by side at 120mph. Moss and Brabham diced and swapped positions for the next 16 laps. Moss suffered a broken Clutch Shaft on lap 27 allowing Brabham to take over the lead. With the few retirements, McLaren found he was running in 2 place and with some excellent driving reduced an 11 second deficit down to 0 in 6 laps and began swapping the lead with Brabham over the final laps of the race. Team orders saw McLaren make way for Brabham to win by 0.6 sec. Another outstanding drive saw Denny Hulme finish in 10 position althoThe 1961 Ardmore Grand Prix was run in “Ardmore” weather and conditions. A blazing hot day with an official attendance of 65,000 fans. Assembled on the day was almost the complete “Grand Prix Circus” of the time. Ferrari was the only car missing as a Championship car. Nearly all the top drivers were there. World Champion Jack Brabham and runner up Bruce McLaren had works Coopers. Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Roy Salvadori, were driving Lotus from the works and private ownership. Also in the line-up was Joakim Bonnier and Ron Flockhart in Coopers and Dan Gurney and Graham Hill were there with BRM’s. There were 38 entries for the GP which included 14 international drivers plus 2 overseas New Zealanders. The starting grid was reduced to a maximum of 24 starters. The spectators on the day were treated to an amazing display of drivers and machinery. The heat of the day caused some problems for the drivers and the GP saw 10 retirements including Moss, Salvadori, Gurney, Surtees, Ireland and Bonnier all suffering from mechanical failures. Concluding some interesting racing, Jack Brabham won the race; Bruce McLaren was 2 1.7 seconds behind followed by Graham Hill, Ron Flockhart and Denny Hulme. The amazing Lycoming Special driven by NZer Malcolm Gill was 9 again out-performing many top rated cars and drivers. th
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The final GP at Ardmore on January 6 1962 was headed by “the eternal triangle” of Moss, Brabham and McLaren. All overseas entrants were now running InterContinental Formula Cars with a maximum engine capacity of 3 litres compared with the Formula 1 cars of 1.5litres. The race will always be remembered for the rain that fell on the day. Moss arrived with 2 cars, a Lotus and a Cooper. Jack Brabham had his own Cooper and McLaren was driving a specially modified Cooper owned by Tommy Atkins. The only new comer to Ardmore was an Italian driver Lorenzo Bandini with a Cooper- Maserati. Returning drivers included John Surtees, Roy Salvadori, Lex Davidson, Bob Stillwell, Arnold Glass, and Ron Flockhart. New NZ starters included Chris Amon with a Maserati, and Forest Cardon with the Lycoming. Practice for the main race on Thursday was held in pouring rain and times were in consequence very slow. Moss and Brabham were not expected to be at the practice as their planes were snow bound in Britain. However Brabham did manage to arrive in time and was second fastest behind McLaren. An unofficial practice in the dry on Friday, the results not qualifying for grid positions, saw Brabham return a fantastic time of 1:16.3 (94mph). Moss having arrived decided to drive the Lotus and was not much slower at 1:17.1. Denny Hulme did not return to NZ for this race. On the Saturday, there was a New Zealander’s race run on a dry track. Angus Hyslop won with Pat Hoare second and Johnny Mansel was 3 . The starting grid placings were taken from the Thursdays practice times plus the faster qualifiers from the national race. McLaren started on pole with Brabham, Surtees, Hyslop, Salvadori, and Davidson making up the first 2 rows of the grid. Moss having missed Thursday’s qualifying completely, had to start from the rear of the grid. With the flag fall for the start of the race, the heavy rain happened simultaneously. Hyslop was away fastest from the start but within a couple of seconds, McLaren and Brabham were in front. Then it was Surtees. Surtees led th
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McLaren and Brabham out of the first corner. Moss must have almost been driving blind in the spray down the outside of the field from the back of the grid and managed to pop into 7 place. As the cars started the 2 lap Surtees was still in front leading McLaren and Brabham. By the end of the second lap, Moss had taken the lead and was opening up a gap back to the following cars. Aquaplaning around the circuit with uncanny anticipation and skill, Moss shot through to an astounding win in a downpour which caused the majority of the field to snake and spin their way around the circuit. The driving display of Moss kept most of the rain drenched crowd of 45,000 glued to their vantage points until the race was completed, being shortened to 75 laps. In the circumstances, Moss’s win at an average of 72mph was almost exactly the same as Stan Jones of Australia’s winning speed at the first Ardmore GP in the dry. The only driver to stay with Moss was Surtees. Although lapped by Moss, Surtees did manage to get past when Moss slowed at the shortening of the race to finish on the same lap. Bruce McLaren finished 3 , 2 laps back and Salvadori was 4 3 laps behind. There were 21 starters and 5 retirements. The last car to finish was 11 laps down. At the prize giving, by which time the rain had stopped, Surtees summed up Moss’s drive by saying “ He’s just not normal”. th
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The Ardmore Race Circuit was the starting point for many of New Zealand’s young drivers. The most notable being Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon. It attracted some of the greatest International and Australian drivers of those years to come back each year and give the amazing crowds a race to talk about for the following year. I was privileged to have been part of the vast following of GP enthusiasts able to mingle with and observe those great drivers and cars of the “Grand Prix Circus” of the late 50’s and early 60’s.
Graeme Moore.
Internationals at Ardmore– Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, and John Cooper of Cooper Cars
McLaren & Brabham dicing late in the race.
Moss pushes the car over the line in the 2nd heat– 1959 Appalling conditions in 1962
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