Rayden’s first event was a hillclimb in a Singer special in 1962, followed by gymkhanas and grass track events. After establishing his farming career, Rayden participated in club motocross and trials then onto scrambles and enduros. In 1989, he realised a childhood ambition by racing a Ferrari 365 GT4 at the Ardmore Reunion. In 1990, Rayden purchased the ex Jim Richards Willment Escort Twin Cam and has competed in various events over the past 29 years.
Rayden Smith - 1968 Willment Ford Escort Twin Cam
Rayden’s first event was a hillclimb in a Singer special in 1962, followed by gymkhanas and grass track events. After establishing his farming career, Rayden participated in club motocross and trials then onto scrambles and enduros. In 1989, he realised a childhood ambition by racing a Ferrari 365 GT4 at the Ardmore Reunion. In 1990, Rayden purchased the ex Jim Richards Willment Escort Twin Cam and has competed in various events over the past 29 years.
1968 Willment Ford Escort Twin Cam:
2019 marks 50 years since Mike Crabtree won the 2 litre class of the 1969 British Saloon Car Championship with this car. Walter Hayes of Ford provided it to the John Willment Group who developed it to the Group 5 specs for Mike to compete alongside many well-known car/driver combinations including Roy Pierpont’s Falcon Sprint and Frank Gardiner in the Alan Mann Escort X00349F at many circuits including Brands Hatch, Chrystal Palace, Thruxton and also the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was imported into New Zealand by Jim Carney in December 1969 for Jim Richards to race under the livery of Carney Racing then Radio Hauraki and is still often referred to as the Richards Twin Cam. Jim put on many giant killing displays against larger and more powerful cars including winning every round of the 1971 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 competitively raced on the South Island tracks and in the OSCA series. Historically significant, this is one of the first Escort Twin Cams it has been a race car all its life and still retains its original body shell. Period Specs: Lotus Twin Cam 1720cc, Ford 4 speed gearbox with Quaiffe internals, LSD, disc front and drum rear brakes.