Rayden’s first event was a club hillclimb in a Singer special around 1962, followed by gymkhanas and grass track events, mainly with a Cortina GT. After establishing his farming career and when time allowed, he followed another passion with bikes from around 1975 and participated in club motocross and trials then went onto hare scrambles and enduros at national level.
In 1989 Rayden realised a childhood ambition by racing a Ferrari at that year’s Ardmore Reunion, rekindling his interest in the sport.
In 1990 he purchased the Willment Ford Twin Cam with its first competitive event the
1993 Telecom street race at Hamilton. Other tracks it has successfully competed at include the original Taupo circuit, Bay Park, Manfeild, Pukekohe, Whenuapai, the Whangarei street race, Hampton Downs and Leadfoot Festival.

Rayden Smith - 1968 Ford Lotus Escort Twin Cam

Rayden’s first event was a club hillclimb in a Singer special around 1962, followed by gymkhanas and grass track events, mainly with a Cortina GT. After establishing his farming career and when time allowed, he followed another passion with bikes from around 1975 and participated in club motocross and trials then went onto hare scrambles and enduros at national level.
In 1989 Rayden realised a childhood ambition by racing a Ferrari at that year’s Ardmore Reunion, rekindling his interest in the sport.
In 1990 he purchased the Willment Ford Twin Cam with its first competitive event the
1993 Telecom street race at Hamilton. Other tracks it has successfully competed at include the original Taupo circuit, Bay Park, Manfeild, Pukekohe, Whenuapai, the Whangarei street race, Hampton Downs and Leadfoot Festival.

1968 Ford Lotus Escort Twin Cam:

This is an early Escort Twin Cam provided from Ford’s Boreham plant to the John Willment Group and developed to Group 5 specs.
Imported into NZ by Jim Carney in December 1969 for Jim Richards and raced under the livery of ‘Carney Racing’ then ‘Radio Hauraki’, the car was often referred to as the ‘Richards’ Escort’. Jim put on many giant-killing displays against larger and more powerful cars – winning or placing highly on tracks around NZ. He also won every round of the 1971 BNSW 0 to 4200cc National Touring Car Championship.
The car was also used by Jim and Faye as their bridal car when they married in 1972.
It was purchased by Lin Neilson and raced competitively on all the South Island’s tracks and in the OSCA series.
Its specs are: Ford Lotus Twin Cam 1720cc, Ford 4-speed with Quaiffe internals, LSD, brakes disc front and drum rear.