A-G | R-Z

 

Paul Halford – 2003 Maserati Trofeo

Paul raced Targa events for over 10 years. He also raced in Europe at such tracks as Monza, Spa, Dijon, Donington, Imola. Paul competed in Tour Auto, Tour De Espana and Moderna Cento Ore, Australia at Eastern Creek and in the USA in Colorado Grand and California Mille. He has done extensive racing throughout all tracks in NZ. Paul has a collection of Italian Classics covering 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and race cars.

2003 Maserati Trofeo – 2003 factory works car produced for one make race series in Europe and South America. The first 2 cars were air freighted to Melbourne for the 2003 Australian Grand Prix “Nations Cup” support race. This was one of those two and these two cars were the first to race anywhere in the world. The car was set up for smooth European Race tracks and was modified in the set up here in NZ to handle the riggers of tarseal rallies. The car was also given a road going compliance in New Zealand – the only one in the world licenced for road use. The car can be converted back to a track set-up in a matter of hours. The car has raced in many Targa’s and track races since the car came to NZ in 2006

Paul Hanes – 1938 Indian Sports Scout

Paul has been eiding Indian’s since he was 12 years old. He raced on this bike at Daytona in 99.

1938 Indian Sports Scout – The bike was a dirt track bike in the USA, he brought it in 1990 and built the bike to race on the tarmac here.

Peter Hansen – 1970 BSA Scrambler MX

Peter has over 30 years racing experience with the NZ Classic Motorcycle Racing Register and Classic Scramble Club. He is the owner and collector of numerous classic motorcycles.

1970 BSA Scrambler MX – Built 1970 this was a production version of the 1965 world championship winning machine

Andrew Hawkeswood – 1985 Audi Quattro S1

One of New Zealand’s best rally drivers, Hawkeswood, who is based alternately in Alexandra and Auckland depending on where his gold mining work takes him.

1985 Audi Quattro S1 – This car is a replica, but with its convincing body kit, factory livery and genuine German five-cylinder, 20-valve Quattro engine, it certainly sounds like a 1980s supercar.

Roger Herrick – 1947 Herrick A40 Special

Roger started racing karts in the 1970’s. Twelve years ago he took a break racing yachts and started competing in historic car racing . While predominantly involved racing historic single seaters in New Zealand and Australia on occasions also raced historic sports cars and classic saloon cars. Actively involved with historic racing clubs and also a trustee of the Bruce McLaren Trust.

1947 Herrick A40 Special – While originally built in 1947 by Des Herrick and campaigned by him as a successful speedway and hill climb car, the car’s main claim to fame was with two future New Zealand Formula One stars – Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. It was converted to a circuit race car in 1950 and subsequently had a bad accident in 1956 after which it was rebuilt by 18 year old Bruce McLaren (along with his mates Phil Kerr and Colin Beanland). A few years later in 1959 the A40 Special became Chris Amon’s first race car and with his eye on the future he painted it red. Chris soon moved onto greater things and the A40 had a string of well known and not so well known owners and drivers. It was modified over the years and finally abandoned in Northland in the late 1970’s where it was recovered in poor condition and rebuilt in Masterton in the early 1980’s. It disappeared into a warehouse in Wellington for 20 years and was eventually tracked down by Roger Herrick who returned it to family ownership after 56 years.

Gerry Hodges – 1984 BMW 635csi

Gerry started competition at the age of 16 in the usual NZ fashion – joining the Thames Valley Car Club doing grass gymkhanas and hill climbs in his Mini Cooper S. This soon progressed to running a Mini 7 at Pukekohe and Bay Park. He met some very good people through the Mini 7s, one in particular was Neal Lowe, who was the current Mini 7 champion. Neal asked him to join him in a Benson & Hedges 1000 Saloon Car project, running the first year in a Mitsubishi Lancer & the following year in a Ford Cortina Mk 4, which was a class winner. From there we progressed to a Holden Commodore SS. Neal joined forces with Kent Baigent for the Grp A era. Gerry tagged along as well and they ran the very successful Grp A Tellus BMW 635 csi – winning the B&H 1000 in 1984 and the 1984 and 1985 Saloon Car Championship plus a 5th placing at Bathurst in 1985.  Gerry worked on the Shell Ford Sierras from ’87-’90, winning Bathurst 1000 in ’89. He was then asked by Frank Gardiner to work on the Benson & Hedges M3s with Alan Jones, Tony Longhurst & Denny Hulme. This was a great period for Gerry. They won the Wellington Street Race in ’92 at the same time racing a self built BMW 2002 Ti in Classic Racing. In 1993 he joined forces with Arkel Autosport and they ran a Porsche 911 Cup Car for Nigel Arkel & Ross Heffernan, finishing 2nd in the Wellington Street Race. He was then asked by Bill Farmer to work in his “Le Kiwi Comeback” team (“Le Kiwi Comeback” was formed by Bill to celebrate Chris Amon & Bruce McLaren winning Le Mans 30 years earlier) for 1996 Daytona 24 Hours & 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours. They ran a Porsche 911 GT2 with great success, finishing 2nd in class at Le Mans – probably the highest achievement he has been involved with in motorsport. 2nd in Class with #1 car and 4th in Class with #2 car. He soon discovered working with Targa NZ, that tarmac rallying was something he really wanted to do. Because of his love of the BMW 635, from his earlier Touring Car days, he decided this was the car for him. He tracked down his current ex works BMW 635csi and restored it. They have since competed in 10 Targa NZ, 4 Targa Rotorua pllus another 4 Targa Bambina for a 100% finishing record. His love of all things BMW, which started with Grp A 635 in 1984, has seen hiim as President of the BMW Car Club New Zealand for the last 8 years. He was also instrumental in starting the incredibly successful BMW Race Series.

1984 BMW 635CSi – This is an ex Works Factory built Group N race car, using a Grp A body shell. Chassis number RA2-46 out of 49 factory built Grp A body shells. They were built by BMW Motorsport from lightweight shells and were sent down the production line on a weekend…away from prying eyes! It was prepared and run by Frank Sytner’s Works Team in England, originally as a Grp A car, then converted to Grp N Production specs and was campaigned by Barry “Wizzo” Williams in the British Racing Drivers Club Grp N Production Car Championship, winning 6 races from 6 starts. In the words of Sytner’s car preparer, Ted Grace “the car was untouchable”. The car was then shipped to NZ to be campaigned in NZ Saloon Car Racing, but it never was. It has had various owners since being in NZ, but had little use as a race car, until purchased by Gerry Hodges in 2002. The car was then rebuilt and has competed in Targa New Zealand 10 times for a 100% finishing record. This car won the Ross Jensen Memorial trophy for Best Presented Competing Car, Targa 2005 and then again in 2008. The only car ever to have won this award twice. Other Targa results are: 2009 – 3rd in category, 2011 – 2nd in category, Targa Rotorua 2010 – 2nd in category. The car creates a lot of interest and is the only Grp N 635 campaigned as a factory car. The other 48 Works cars were built to Grp A specs.

Garth Hogan – 2006 Ford GT

Garth has been involved in motorsport from an early age and became a competitor in 1975. From 1975 through 1993 he ran a series of Nitromethane burning Dragsters and Funny Cars and held the outright NZ record, at various levels, for most of that time. The “final” record of 5.52 seconds at 263mph (set 1989/1990) stood for 18 years. He also held records at 2 Australian tracks during that period. He has also been a Track Owner (Thunderpark Dragstrip, Hastings) and an administrator (On NZHRA and the NDRC/NZDRA, as well as being Motorsport New Zealands delegate on the FIA Drag Racing Commision for 5 years). He is still part owner of a “Nostalgia” Front Engine Nitro Dragster, owner of a 1934 Ford Roadster powered by a much modified 1946 Ford Flathead V8 that currently holds the World Records in 2 classes at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the fastest run being 193mph, and have a restored V860 powered Speedway Car built by his father in 1954 that runs occasionally at Vintage Speedway meetings. Through his business interests over the years he has been involved in many other areas of motorsport, primarily as a sponsor and this included sponsoring people such as Barry Butterworth (Speedway ..cars), Greg Joint (Speedway…Bikes), Paul Radisich (Formula Pacific), Warwick Jones (GP Hydroplanes) and Rodger Freeth (Circuit racing).

2006 Ford GT – In the 1960’s Ford USA produced the Ford GT40 with the aim of beating Ferrari at LeMans. This they did successfully over a 4 year period. 40 years later, In 2005/2006 Ford recreated the GT40 using more modern engine and drivetrain and this is known as the Ford GT. The original LeMans winner had a 427 CI engine producing 485HP and a 4 speed gearbox. The “new” version has a supercharged 5.4 litre DOHC all alloy V8 producing 550HP and a 6 speed gearbox.

John Holmes – 1960 Lotus 18 Formula Junior

John is a dental surgeon, practising in Auckland. He restored this car in the early 1980s and has been competing in Historic racing in New Zealand and occasionally Australia ever since. In November 2011, he and a number of others took their cars across to Perth to compete in the 50th Anniversary meeting of the 1962 Australian Grand Prix. The 1962 race was run on the Caversham circuit and was won by Bruce McLaren. Two weeks later the cars ran at the Tasman Revival meeting at Eastern Creek before returning to New Zealand.

1960 Lotus 18 Formula Junior – The car was originally built by Lotus in 1960, one of about 125 Lotus 18s made specifically for International Formula Junior racing. It was brought into New Zealand by Bill Gardner in about 1962/3. It was sold to Clive Bush who raced it at Levin and did a few hillclimbs before stripping off the body and adding extensions onto the frame to run as a sports-racing car with a new full-width body. It ended up in the South Island. John traced it to Christchurch where he bought the remains of the original car in 1982. The entire original bodyshell was found in the rafters of a garage in Wellington, the transaxle and alloy bell-housing in a farmer’s shed in Hastings, and he restored the original single-seater in time to run in the Historic support race at the Wellington Street races in 1987. He has been racing this car ever since.

Leigh Hopper – 1995 Subaru Impreza

Leigh entered into the Targa New Zealand race from 2007 – 2012.

1995 Subaru Impreza – This car is a two door coupe implanted with 2003 WRX STI running gear. Modified 2.0 L eng, dry sump, output approx. 300 kw. It was designed in Targa spec and NZ’s typical rural tarmac roads.

Barry Howard – 1947 Stanford Special

Barry’s first racing experience was 1975 in a vintage invitation race, pre grand prix, at Pukekohe, racing his 1932 Sunbeam Saloon. He has extensive hill climbing experience with different sports cars and competed at club level and Chelsea Hill Climbs for the past 25 years. He raced in the Roycroft Trophy Meeting at Hampton Downs, April 2011.

1947 Stanford Special – Built as the Stanford Special in 1947 by Mr Bob Crisp, he hilled climbed it extensively throughout NZ winning the South Island Championship in 1950/51. This was the 3 mile hill, Dunedin, organised by the Otago Sports Car Club. March 15th 1952, NZ Championship Hill climb, Northern Sports Car Club, competitor R Crisp, 1st plce time 71.5 Seconds. R Crisp sold the car to Bruce McLaren in september 1955. Bruce brought the car without an engine, and fitted the 1172cc Ford engine. Bruce raced it without mudguards and windscreen and won the sports car race at western Springs in May 1956. He also won an autocross race in Kumeu the same year. He also raced the car at Muriwai beach. It was then owned by Edmund Sharrock. Bought in 1990 by Barry Howard in poor condition. Restored, restoration completed in 2010. Vehicle Identity Card, R status, HRV585PWV, Historic Racing Vehicle. Stanford 1937 flying 8 chassis, Ford 100E Running Gear, 1172CC, supercharged, Hand built alloy body. Front suspension independent as per 1937(factory).

Noel Howe – 1970 Harley Davidson XRTT

Noel started collecting motorcycles at age 17, and he now has 36. He started racing in 2000 with a modified Harley Davidson road bike, no.266 in photo, and has consistantly finished 2nd and 3rd in the Pre’63 Open class championship of the NZ Classic Racing Register. Noel also raced in the 250 class on a Ducati, 2nd equal 2011, and the 350 class on a Norton, championship winner 2009. He has raced at two Philip Island meetings, once on the Harley and once on a Triumph.

1970 Harley Davidson XRTT – Harley Davidson XLCH modified road bike, no. 266 in photo. The bike was purchased in 2000, it had been in a Christchurch motorcycle shop for several years unsold until offered as the prize in a radio station promotion. It then passed through several hands before Noel purchased it with the intention of racing. It has been riden every year since, regularly finishing 2nd and 3rd in the Championship. Harley XRTT, factory race bike, no.27 in photo. Purchased in 2006 from Holland. One of 200 built in 1970 only. Many remained unsold in 1972 so over 100 were scrapped as a tax write off. Used now for show and parades only.

Max Irwin – 1968 Ford Escort & 1990 Kodiak Chevy Lumina

Max started dirt track racing hillclimbs, rally’s, and rallycross. In later years Max competed in rally sprints from 1974 – 1985. He started racing a Ford Anglia with Possum Bourne as his co driver. He eventually built a V8 powered Ford Escort with Mike Taylor and Rodney Atchinson as his co drivers. They won many competitions this car. Max holds two Rallycross championships in addition to many hillclimb and rallysprint records from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

1968 Ford Escort – Built in 1974 with an Oldsmobile aluminum V8 Munsee gearbox with a Wolsey diff. Max sold the Escort in 1985 and it was turned into a circuit car. He bought it back in 2010 for Rods 60th birthday hillclimb.

One of the best things he ever did, It was a lot of fun!

1990 Kodiak Chevy Lumina – This car was run by Ken Schrader in the 1992 -93 sprint cup series under sponsorship of Kodiak Chewing Tobacco, this car is now owned by Max and Denise Irwin . Last year it was driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson a well know race legion. This year Max is driving.

Grant Kern – 1965 MG B V8 Roadster “Queen Bee”

Grant has been racing MG’s for over 30 years. Own 3 MG’s; 1952 MG TD,  a MG Special which looks similar to a 1933 K3, and the MGB V8. Have done all types of adrenalin type sports including parachuting and Jousting on horse back with real Armour and a lance like in the movie” A Knights Tale.”  He won the Flying 50 pursuit street race held around the streets in Manukau City Managed to win 1x Race the 2012 Festival of Motor Sport. He also won the Arrow Wheels Series twice.

1965 MG B V8 Roadster – This car has been raced for about 12 years. It was entered the Drive NZ Challenge in 2010. It covered all the race tracks in NZ from Pukekohe to Invercargil with special stages between each Track.The car used to be a 4 cylinder GT model. Then it was cut down to a B Roadster model and fitted with a Fuel Injected 3.9 Rover V8 engine. It has about 230 BHP at the rear wheels.

Lindsay Kyle – 1950 Vincent Grey Flash Replica

Lindsay has owned & raced Classic British Bikes for the past 10 years. He won the AHRMA 2011 Class C World Championship on the Vincent Grey Flash Replica.

1950 Vincent Grey Flash Replica – This bike was built in the 1990’s by the staff at McIntosh Racing. Raced in 2010 at Phillip Island, won the 2011 AHRMA Pre 1951 World Championship at Barber & Daytona, USA and also won the 2011 NZCMRR Championship.

Glenn Leach – 1965 Cortina GT

In the late 1960s, Glenn raced the last two years of group two saloons in a 1963 Lotus Cortina. Around the same time, he contested hill climbs and grass track racing around North Island in a 1964 Cortina GT. He was also a member of both Auckland and Thames Valley car clubs.

1965 Cortina GT – Original stock standard.

Philip Macey – 1984 Ford XE

 

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Philip is 44 years old and has been in motorsport since 2005. He competed in 5 Targa events not including 2012 Targa.

1984 Ford XE – Current build based on DJR Falcon correct wheels and flare kit by Wayne Draper. It is the correct colour and decals from DJR racing, interior modern for safety reasons, 351 cleveland and tremac gerbox, 500 horse power, road legal targa car, completion date to be prior to Leadfoot Fesitval and the Festival will be its first event. Exterior to be exact replica of DJR car.

Neil MacFarquhar – 1988 Ford Texaco Sierra

Competed previously for 10 years or so in Rallying here in NZ, Targa, Hill Climbs etc, recently switched over to Group A racecars, and the NZFMR.

1988 Ford Texaco Sierra – One of just 3 examples of the very famous Ford Works-Texaco Sierra Cosworth RS500’s known to remain in the world today. Built, prepared, and run by Ruedi Eggenberger & his very successful team at Eggenberger Motorsport, Switzerland. This is a genuine Ford factory works-Eggenberger team car, right down to its original LHD race shell, running gear, race fittings and Bosch electronics. Driven and raced by all of the famous European drivers that Ford had on its payroll at the time, with an impeccable race and championship winning history. It is presented here in near ready-to-race trim in its striking red and black Texaco livery from 1988.

Bruce Manon – 1975 Ford Escort MK2 RS2000

Bruce started racing in 1970 as an17 year old following in the footsteps of his father “Shack” Manon. His first car was a Morris Oxford fitted with a 4 cyl Austin Healey motor. He then raced a Holden GTR XU1. His move to Ford Escorts followed in the early 1980’s with a Turbo charged RS2000…he was awarded “Rookie” of the year in his first year in the National Championship and then went on in the mid 1980’s to win the National Championship and then defend it the following year. In 1990 he acquired his current race car also a Ford Escort Mk 2 RS2000 (but not turbo charged) which he has developed over the past 23 years. The engine was originally a SOHC 2 litre Pinto engine but this has now been discarded in favour of a Holbay.

1975 Ford Escort MK2 RS2000 – Ford Escort Mk 2 RS2000 acquired in 1990 and developed over the past 23 years. Originally a SOHC 2 litre Pinto engine but this has now been discarded in favour of a Holbay. The Holbay still uses the Pinto block and bottom end but has a DOHC 16 valve aluminum head. This car has all the heavy original steel body panels, boot and bonnet, all the interior trim, carpets and seats (apart from the drivers seat). The car still runs leaf springs in the rear although the handling has been developed, with the help of Bruce’s business partner John Butler, to a very high level. The engine is the jewel and Bruce as a well respected race car engine builder has continually developed and experimented with his engine such that today it readily runs into the high 9000 rpms and does so with absolute reliability. The sound when on full song never fails to delight.

Richard Mason – 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Richard Mason has had an interest and involvement with Motorsport from a young age. His parents Tom and Alison raced in rallies in the 80’s when Richard was a child. Richard’s first competitive interest in Motorsport started with racing in local Car Club events before moving into Go-Kart’s, where he had a season of racing Karts while he completed building his first Rally car, a Mark 1 Ford Escort. Richard showed considerable talent from early on – immediately achieving good results. From the Ford Escort, he moved up to a new class by competing in a Toyota Celica GT4 which was his introduction to a 4-wheel drive, turbo car. He spent a year competing in this car with continued success. This invaluable experience made Richard realise that to advance his rally career he needed a more competitive car – a full group A spec. car and so he bought a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 3, which had won the New Zealand North Island Scholarship in 1999. This was a great leap and Richard rose to the challenge. His talent really came to the fore in the 2001 season when he won the Propecia New Zealand North Island Rally Scholarship. On the way to doing this he was able to secure two outright victories. He really turned heads at the Parker- Enzed Rally of Rotorua when he started in 20th position and ended the first day in 6th place, a leg which included the notorious Motu stages, near Opotiki. However, the highlight for the 2001 season would have to be the fantastic result at Propecia Rally New Zealand that was labeled the Drive of the Rally. The team was able to get the most out of “the aged” Evo3 (The 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 Richard and Hamish drove was the oldest car in the top 40 that finished, and quite possibly the oldest car in the rally) and ended as 4th New Zealander’s home and a great 22nd overall, especially considering all 14 International Works Teams entries finished the Rally. The 2002 rally season surpassed all expectations by seeing a win in the Parker-Enzed Junior National Championship and an impressive 2nd overall in the Parker- Enzed National Championship at the teams first full National Championship campaign. After the first round of the Parker-Enzed New Zealand Rally Championship in Otago, the media commented “Herbert Wins, But Mason Stars.” This was acheived in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5 that Richard had built up himself – a really versatile competitor! Three top six finishes in New Zealand Rally Championship Rounds are required to be awarded a Motorsport New Zealand ‘B’ Seed and as Richard had only ever competed in four New Zealand Rally Championship rallies, he has achieved this goal faster than any other driver in the New Zealand Rally history. Only two events later, Richard was able to secure an ‘A’ seed. The season ended with a high note with Richard winning the Wairarapa Sports Personality of the Year.

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi – Left hand drive vehicle built in group N trim by Prodrive in the UK. Used for 3 seasons of the New Zealand Rally Championship.

Phil Mauger – 2006 SLR Mercedes McLaren

Phil has been racing F5000 since 1992. The most memorable moment of his career was in Anderstorp (Sweden) in 2008 where Denny Hulme won the 1973 Swedish Grand Prix in the McLaren M23. In 2013 he hopes to win the F1 section of the MSC Tasman Revival series for the 5th year in a row!

2006 SLR Mercedes McLaren – The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is grand tourer car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England.

SLR stands for “Sport, Leicht, Rennsport” (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz stated that they would build 3,500 SLRs over seven years, with an annual production of 500 cars. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe & Racecar of 1955, which was a modified Mercedes-Benz W196 F1 race car. It was introduced on 17 November 2003. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced that they would cease production of the SLR.

Joe McAndrew – 2002 Jeti 1000

Joe was the NZ Rally Champion in 1993, ’94 and 96. He was the London-Sydney overall winner in 2004, the Marthon Rally winner Sweden – Jordan 2002 and the Targa NZ winner 06,+ 07, 2nd overall 05 and 08.

2002 Jeti 1000 – This single seater car was bought as a partial kit from its UK makers, Jedi Racing Cars, in 2001. Much of the manufacture and completion work was carried out by Don O’Connor in New Plymouth. Further development was done by Graeme Sutton also of New Plymouth, who has raced it successfully in many hill climb events throughout the North Island. Using a tubular steel space frame, this car is powered by a Yamaha R1 998cc motorcycle engine developing 165hp. With a dry weight of 295kg the Jedi has an excellent power to weight ratio. O-100kph in 3 secs, standing ¼ in 10.8 secs and a top speed in excess of 260kph.

Tony McCall – 2012 BSL Terror

Tony McCall started racing off roaders in 1980, 5 years racing of sprint cars, won numerous titles. 10x New Zealand Off road racing Championship, 8x New Zealand short course championships 5x Woodhill 100’s 2x Taupo 1000 races.

2012 BSL Terror – Built in 2011 by BSL racing. Its a single seater mid mounted chev engine, with a sequencial trans-axle.

Paul McCarthy – 1974 Ford Escort RS 1600

Paul has been involved with motor racing since his early teens. He has owned several Mini Coopers and RS Escorts. He has also driven various race cars including March 722, Lotus 7 Lotus 47GT and several RS1600 BDG Escorts.

1974 Ford Escort RS 1600 – Rebuilt similar to 1974 DRM RS1600 as raced by Zakspeed. It has many correct features such as bodywork, mechanical Lucas fuel injected BDG engine and Magnesium BBS wheels (given to Paul by Stig Blomqvist). It has raced quite successfully at several Nerw Zealand Festival of Motor Racing events.

James McIntosh – 1961 Norton Manx

James was the 2009 & 2010 New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing 350 cc Factory Champion. 2011 place 3rd in the AHRMA World Championship 350cc Grand Prix.

1961 Norton Manx – 1961 350cc “Manx” Norton was purchased directly from the Norton factory by NZ Grand Prix rider Peter Pawson of Matamata who raced professionally in the World Championships from the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s. The bike was prepared from new, along with a matching 500cc Manx, by the legendary British tuner Ray Petty and incorporated a number of his modifications to make it competitive at the top level. It was used by Peter Pawson in all the World Championship races in the 1961 season plus the many International meetings which paid better start and prize money than the GP’s. Pawson returned to NZ with both bikes and competed for another season with success. He then sold the bike to Max Cleverly of Hamilton.

Ken McIntosh – 1927 Brough-Superior SS100

Ken has been racing motorcycles since 1974. He is the owner and founder of McIntosh Racing.

1927 Brough-Superior SS100 – Brough-Superior was the most prestigious and expensive British motorcycle made before WW2, and was advertised as “The Rolls Royce of Motorcycles” The SS100 came with a guarantee of having achieved over 100 mph, even when first introduced in 1924. At that time most cars struggled to do 60 mph. Brough-Superior held the outright motorcycle World Speed Record three times including the 1937 record of 169.79 MPH, and the all time Brooklands lap record at 124.51 MPH. Brough-Superior was also made famous by the patronage of “Lawrence of Arabia” who owned five successive new SS100’s until his death while riding one in 1935. This bike was imported from UK and completely rebuilt in Auckland by McIntosh Racing in 2008. It has been regularly raced at the Pukekohe Classic Festival, winning many Vintage Class races. The bike is in basic SS100 road trim, (less lights), and has easily topped 110mph on the Pukekohe back straight, easily exceeding the makers 100MPH guarantee.

Bruce McKenzie – 1978 Ford Escort RS1800

Bruce began his motorsport career in Go-Karts in 1967 and progressed to car club events in 1972 winning the club over 3.0 litre championship in a Falcon GT. Bruce progressed to rallying in 1974, with success in a Datsun 240Z before changing to a variety of Ford Escorts. He had class wins and good overall placings, regularly in national and regional events in an Escort Mexico MKII. Bruce and Malcolm Stewart ran the two car London Wool Brokers Rally Team running consistently for several seasons before converting the cars into GP2 RS1800s and competing in two rounds of the British Rally Championship and the Lombard RAC rally in 1981. 1983 saw Bruce build a very potent Toyota Starlet in which he had many class wins and won the central region rally championship, with a 100% points score, and also finishing well in the International Rally. 1984 was the year of the introduction of Group A, Bruce built a new Toyota AE86 Corolla to contest this new group, winning the National Group A Rally Championship in 1984 and 1985 against the factory supported efforts of Paul Adams and Possum Bourne.

1978 Ford Escort RS1800 – Bruce and Mick Crowe built the car to group 4 tarmac specifications from an Australian heavy duty body shell in 2010 and 2011, using parts from UK. The car is finished in the livery of Ari Vatenans, David Sutton, 1981 Lombard RAC car.

Keith McLeod – 1928 AJS K6

Keith has been racing girder fork bikes for many years. He has raced mostly on tracks and street races in the South Island including the Burt Munro.

1928 AJS K6 – Picture was taken at Wyndham street race (part of the Burt Munro Festival #114)

Robert McNair – 1931 Riley Special

Robert McNair is an aircraft engineer, vintage car restorer and vintage aviator. His driving experience includes vintage club racing, hill climbs and rallies with vintage cars. While his passions are flying vintage aircraft, aerobatics, and exciting motor cars from all periods.  Roberts current work is  the restoration of a 365 Ferrari Daytona and a vintage Type 59 GP Bugatti.

1931 Riley Special – A true New Zealand built Special based on Riley 9 components fitted with an engine from a  De Havilland Tiger Moth.  It was inspired by the Brooklands Riley, the Type 59 GP Bugatti and the GP Delage from 1927.  Robert is an air craft engineer by trade and had just restored a Tiger Moth for himself and with the Riley project starting and the remaining engine parts left over from the Tiger it was an obvious solution for his special.  Robert McNair incorporated aircraft style riveting on the body and aero instruments of the period to give the car an aero nautical feel.  The result is a car with performance similar to proper Grand Prix cars of the period and intriguing  details.  Aero engined cars were famous for record breaking and high speed touring in the early days due to their  effortless performance with the big engines.  This shows up true with his Riley.  The Riley has only been going for 18 months, with Leadfoot 2012 being its  first major public outing. It has since been run at Hampton Downs successfully for the Roycroft Trophy.

Rhys Millen – 1985 Group B RX7

Rhys is one of the America’s top competitors in drifting and the current overall world champion at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado USA.

Prior to that he was a top rally driver in the US, and became the first works backed driver from a car manufacturer with GM in 2004 after narrowly losing to Ken Nomura in the US D1 Grand Prix exhibition event in 2003. In 2011 Millen raced a 500bhp AWD Hyundai Veloster in the US Rallycross championship, in 2012 he will compete in the US-based so-called Global Rallycross Championship. In 2012, Rhys finished 3rd place in the Formula Drift Championship as well as 3rd place in the Global Rallycross Championship.

1985 Groub B RX7 – This is one of eight still existing Factory Mazda Rally Team Europe Group B RX7’s. Rod drove for the team in the 1985 RAC rally finishing 9th overall and 2nd 2WD. while the original shell of the car he drove in 85 was destroyed in the 90’s all the parts are from the 001 car he drove have been installed in shell number 011 that Rhys purchased from Belgium last year.

Rod Millen

To learn more about your host and the cars he has on the Leadfoot Ranch, click here!

Gordon Molesworth – 2005 Harley Davidson Buell XBRR

Gordon raced in harley davidson series from 1992- till cancellation of series .approx 1999. In 1996 rode harley support class at phillip island and also in 1996 rode same series eastern creek support class moto gp. He raced sporster 1200 suzuki series NZ gisborne, wanganui and paeroa street races. Gordon raced sporster and buells bears meeting ,pukekohe,manfield,ruapuna to date. In 2010 he tried for the pushrod land speed record in Bonneville. His top speed was 168mph.

2005 Harley Davidson Buell XBRR – This is a factory built Buell XBRR. Only 50 were produced for AMA racing. It is 150bhp with 100 lbs of torque at redline of 8500 rpm. Only sold to private racers upon application to Harley. This was so they would be used and not collected. This one was the only one at the time in australasia.

Peter Morelli – 1949 Vincent Black Lightning

Peter has been an enthusiastic motorcyclist for most of his life. He was a founding member of the Cape Town Classic Motorcycle Racing Club. In New Zealand he has campaigned the Vincent Black Lightning at the Pukekohe Classic Festival for a number of years.

1949 Vincent Black Lightning – Originally owned and ridden by Springbok Motorcyclist Vic Proctor. Proctor used the machine to make three attempts on the Motorcycle Land Speed Record. The first of these was at Verneukpan (a dry lake bed) in the Northern Cape, about 450 miles from Cape Town. Verneukpan was used several years earlier by Sir Malcolm Campbell and the renowned Bluebird. Although the surface was unsatisfactory Proctor succeeded in setting a new South African mark for the flying mile of 136.26 mph. His next attempt at Kaalfontein, with a streamlined shell, nearly cost him his life when the machine took command at 170 mph. In 1952 – on his birthday and minus the streamlining – he pushed the South African record up to 148.89 mph on the national road near Beaufort West in the Cape Province. Proctor was awarded his Springbok colours for Motorcycling. The Vincent Black Lightning has a famous New Zealand connection, being the model used by Russell Wright to set the World Land Speed Record for motorcycles at over 185 mph. Incredibly this was done on a rural road outside of Christchurch.

Steve Murphy – 1985 Mitsubishi Cordia

Steve built and raced 500cc Dirt Go Kart and a V8 Monaro at Pukekohe. He built and raced a V8 HA Viva at RallyCross, Mystery Creek and Hamilton. He won the New Zealand Rallycross Champship twice and the North Island title twice. Steve raced Hickmans V8 Avenger 4-wheel drive and also helped to build and race his V8 Starion. He built up his V8 Cordia and with his son Clint has won various local sprints and the South Island Ashley Forest Rally sprint 3 times.

1985 Mitsubishi Cordia – In 2000, Steve completed a six year build of the Mitsubishi Cordia. Specs: Engine 377 Chev 600HP, Engine & gearbox turned 180°, Clutch 9″ twin plate, Gearbox close ratio Super T10 Dogbox, Front transfer case using 2 gears from a Kenworth gearbox with a 5″ treble clutch adapted to the rear of transfer case which disengages the rear drive when handbrake is applied. Rear Transfer case is a Pagero unit cut in half and adapted to fit the rear diff. Diffs are Mitsubishi GTO fitted with modified Pagero LSD units.

Rhys Nolan – 1934 Austin 7 Special

Rhys has been messing about motorsport since the mid 1960s, always on the fringes, and never made the steps to compete at any serious level until the last 3 years. Previously in the 70s he had a Buckler, Hillman Husky with the obigatory bigger engine, earlier model than the famed Millen Cob, rallied one of the ex Heatway Skodas, and then stumblled across the sheer fun of Vintage racing.

1934 Austin 7 Special – This car was inspired by the McLaren Austin 7 with a touch of Bugatti T35 and created to be welll finished and useable car for vintage events. The creator was Steve Sharp of Greenhithe who has given an artists perspective to it. It has taken part in many of the VCC events in the North Island, with Chelsea Walsh Hillclimb, Pebblebrook, Ngawhini, Roycroft Trophy and Taupo meetings under its’ wheels. It is huge fun, well mannered and performs well for its’ 17Kw at the wheels.

Tim O’Connor – 2012 Ferrari 458 Challenge

First motorsport competition was entrant in the last Golden Shell Rally. Heatway Rally marshall and then 6 times Targa New Zealand entrant. 3 times in my 1973 BMW CSL, 2 times in Ferrari F355 Challenge and 1 x Ferrari F430 Challenge. 2 x seasons in north and South Island Endurance Series. Won the 2012 Pukekohe 6 hour endurance “Dan Peoples Memorial Trophy” race.

2012 Ferrari 458 Challenge – New Ferrari 458 Challenge, purchased ex UK and currently in a container being shipped to NZ. ETA late September. Fist competition in 2012 will be the SIERDC South Island Endurance Series.

Lindsay O’Donnell – 1973 Begg FM 5

Lindsay has competed in many forms of classic & endurance racing here in New Zealand and overseas and enjoys the participation at interesting events in interesting cars which he says excuses him from not being so focussed on achieving podium finishes.

1973 Begg FM 5 – Designed by well known New Zealand engineer George Begg and Fred McLean. Constructed in the PDL workshops and sponsored by PDL in 1973, hence its unusual racing colour – nick named ‘Possum Scrotum Pink’! Competed successfully in the Tasman Serries by owner drivers Alan McCully and then Graham Baker before being sold to various Australian drivers. Purchased in 2003 by Lindsay O’Donnell who had it restored to its former glory and has competed in it in various Tasman Revival F5000 meetings in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Monocoque tub, McLaren suspension, Chev 5 litre V8 engine running 4 weber 48mm IDA carbs and Hewland DG300 gearbox. 13×11 inch front and 15×13 rear tyres.

Scott O’Donnell – 1971 Dodge Daytona

Scott is a classic racer turned endurance racer. He competed at Nurburgring 24 hr, Bathurst 24hr and 12hr plus Silverstone 24hr. He finished 5th overall and 2nd in class at Bathurst 12hr 2012 in Porsche GT3 cup car.

1971 Dodge Daytona – Built from bare shell in 2012. It has a 358 cu in MOPAR NASCAR Engine.

Dave O’Leary – 1976 Holden Torana SLR5000

Dave started racing Motocross at 14 and still compete at the occasional MX event. He raced Jetskis from the late 80’s to 2000’s and have been racing in the Muscle car series from 2004 onwards.

1976 Holden Torana SLR 5000 – The SLR5000 was purchaced in 2002 as a daily driver. It is a genuine SLR, but needed alot of love! After the daily driving chores were over Dave decided to rebuild it into a race car, completing the build in 2 years. He has raced it alot over the last 9 years, and it has been a teriffic, reliable fun car, and as a bonus it has been competitive too!

Tony Olissoff – 1953 Maserati A6GCS Barchetta

Tom is a late starter to racing, only getting involved with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club racing series when he was 45. Now racing an Alfa Sud in that and the Arrows series, he holds the lap record for any Alfa Romeo at Pukekohe raceway (1:08.3) but also run a BMC engined Formula Junior in Historic racing. While late out of the blocks, he has always been enthusiastic about racing. Enough to walk from Timaru to Levels raceway and back as a youngster, sneaking in through the hedge to watch Ernie Sprague, Red Dawson, Dennis Marwood, Rod Coppins and the like battle it out in hot Humber 80s, then hand grenade Anglias, Cortinas and such. Glory days, with spectators 3 deep along all the fences.

1953 Maserati A6GCS Barchetta – The Maserati A6 series cars derived from the A6 F1 cars of the early 50’s, with outrigger chassis rails to support sports car and touring bodies, with inline 6 cylinder DOHC motors starting at 1.5 then extending to 2 litres. Culminating in the 53 A6GCS Barchetta at 2 litres and 170bhp, this model, most widely bodied in this Fantuzzi coachwork, dominated the under 2 litre sports car category for several years, with overall 3rd and 5th place finishes in the ’53 and ’54 Mille Miglia. Constructed in NZ by ’53 Barchetta Ltd, this was the prototype for a series of design and dimensionally accurate cars manufactured and exported to the US, UK and Australia. ‘EGY145’ is indeed an ‘edgy’ wee beastie with a 2.8l Bi-turbo V6 running 650 x 16 inch tyres on wire wheels, but an evocation of the bare knuckle days enjoyed by Fangio and Moss in road legal race cars.

Mark Parsons – 1978 Triumph TR7 V8

Mark has been competing in motorsport for 43 years. Top Half Rally Champion Driver 1983 / Co-driver Champion 1999. Many years of gravel rallying in Holden Monaro’s, Mazda Rotary’s and Escort BDA’s. He as been a Targa competitor since the beginning in Holden Torana GTR XU1’s and the Triumph TR7 V8. He also competed in Classic Circuit racing in most of these cars.

1978 Triumph TR7 V8 – Factory Works spec Triumph TR7 V8 Rally Car, 1997 Targa Tasmania 3rd Outright, 1999 Woolf Mufflers Rallysprint Series Winner, 1999 Liesuretime Classic Race Series Winner, 2000 Targa Bambina Outright Winner and plenty of Targa Class and Category Victories and Outright top ten finishes.

Kerry Piggott – 1920 Harley Davidson J

Kerry has been riding motorbikes since he was 14 years old. He owes his love and addiction of old bikes of any make to his late brother Bernie. Bernie rode Triumphs until the day he turned up on a WLA Harley. That was it, Kerry has been hooked on old Harleys ever since. He has been a member of the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register for 20 years. He has also been racing this bike competitively in the Vintage Class since 1999. He won the Perrone trophy and Championship firsts, and has also received awards for best performance on a hand change machine. He has achieved a top speed of 98mph so far.

1920 Harley Davidson J – This motorcycle started its life as a road going machine. It has been built up as a racer to represent the many road motorcycles that were modified for the various types of racing that existed in the late 1910s and 1920s in New Zealand.

The specialist type “Factory Race Motorcycles” (in this case the Harley Davidson 8 Valve Racer) were expensive at $1500 US in 1918, and not in abundance in early New Zealand, hence many road going machines were modified for racing. Machines competed with success on “cinder tracks”, in local A&P Showgrounds and on beach circuits, road racing did not appear until the early 1930s. The infancy of the sport always guaranteed large crowds would gather to witness the “Dare Devils of 2 Wheels”. This bike is a 1000cc inlet over exhaust V Twin with total loss oiling system. It has a 3 speed hand change transmission with a foot operated clutch. It is push start. Front and rear brakes have been fitted for safety, as the original competition bikes had none.

Clark Proctor – 1973 March 73A & 1973 Ford Escort

From the age of 15 Clark has been involved in the dynamics of wheels, speed and racing. He started with motorcycles, road racing and motocross. At age 17 he became more interested in 4 wheels and started racing stock cars. He quickly moved through the grades in the first season from C to A grade. Over the following 20 years six new cars were built and raced by Clark. All engineering works on the cars including engine rebuilds were undertaken by Clark in his own workshop. Clark is the owner/Managing Director of Metalman N.Z. Limited a well established scrap metal exporting business with its Head Office in Auckland. He brings the same passion and will to succeed to his driving as he has used to create this highly successful business.

1973 March 73A – F5000 vehicle.

1973 Ford Escort – Raced in Targa as well as GTRNZ.