HISTORIC MUSCLE CARS
Historic Saloon Cars (HSC) was initially introduced as a support group to Historic Muscle Cars (HMC) to aid its early growth. But, thanks to the guidance of director Bruce Dyer and the support of a growing number of historic racers, HSC has evolved into its own entity.
HSC caters to Schedule K, FIA Appendix K, Motorsport New Zealand (MSNZ) T&C, and Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) Group Nb and Nc historic racing regulations. Any car entering HSC must be one of the above but not a mix of two or more. Schedule K is for cars with actual period racing history that are now presented, both mechanically and aesthetically, as they raced in period. Of the period cars currently racing in HSC, the Red Dawson Mustang, Ivan Segedin Mustang, Halliday brothers Escort, Jim Richards Escort, Stone brothers / Roy Harrington Escort, Frank Radisich Escort, and Bob Hyslop Mazda RX-2 all come under the Schedule K banner for cars with period history.
As outlined in previous articles, there is also a growing number of cars built to FIA Appendix K historic regulations racing in, and coming to, HSC. Appendix K comprises the rules used in historic racing throughout Europe and the UK.
When New Zealand switched from the anything-goes Allcomers regulations in the 1967 season to FIA Group 5 regulations for the 1968 season, the diminutive Mini Cooper was a hot favourite among competitors, just as it had been during the two years that Group 2 was run alongside the Allcomers in 1966 and 1967. Indeed, throughout the Group 5 era, which lasted until the early 1970s, while the Mustangs and Camaros battled for outright race wins, and the Escorts, BMW 2002s, and Vivas battled for 4.2 class honours, the smaller classes, which included 0–1000cc and 1001– 1300cc, were dominated by Minis. Such was their popularity that, at most events, there were often more Minis on the grid than all other makes and models combined.
The 0–1000cc class was hotly contested and invariably provided the most entertaining racing of the various classes. But, while the Minis had strength in numbers, there was a handful of interlopers, including the very quick Hillman Imps of Roy Harrington and Brian Patrick. The Patrick Imp went on to gain Sidchrome sponsorship, and, in the capable hands of Jim Richards, really took the battle to the Minis.
As HSC was created to be a true representation of the late 1960s through early ’ 70s New Zealand Saloon Car Championship, so its ranks have become notable for a lack of Minis and Imps, the very cars that were the cornerstone of Group 5 racing, and Group 2 prior to that.
HSC now intends to put that right.
Thus, Bruce Dyer is appealing to owners of historic racing Minis and Imps, to see if they’d like to participate in HSC. If you own a Mini or Imp with period racing history that’s presented as it raced in period, Bruce would love to hear from you. That includes cars that raced in the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship under Group 2 rules during the 1966 and 1967 seasons, and those that raced under Group 5 rules from 1968 until the early 1970s. Cars that contested the New Zealand Championship under Schedule E regulations up until the mid 1970s will also be considered on a car-by-car basis. In addition, Minis and Riley Elfs that raced in the popular Mini Seven series during the 1970s and 1980s, both in its 850cc and 1000cc iterations, are also eligible, provided that they’re presented as they raced in period, both aesthetically and mechanically.
In addition, if you own a historic racing Mini, Elf, or Imp built to either FIA Appendix K, Schedule T&C, or CAMS Group Nb or Nc regulations, and would like to get involved with HSC and race among fellow enthusiasts in a low-pressure environment in which enjoyment and preservation of the cars themselves are all-important, please contact Bruce at bruced105@gmail.com.
More info on HMC/HSC can be found at the HMC website, historicmusclecars.co.nz, or through the HMC online discussion forum at The Roaring Season — theroaringseason.com.
2018/’19 HMC and HSC calendar
1. 6 October: TACCOC Classic One Day,
Pukekohe Park Raceway 2. 9–11 November: MG Classic,
Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon 3. 9 December: TACCOC Classic One Day,
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park 4. 19–20 January 2019: Taupo Historic Grand Prix, Bruce Mclaren Motorsport Park 5. 23–24 February: Tasman Revival,
Pukekohe Park Raceway (TBC) 6. 23–24 March: Legends of Speed,
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
While the Minis had strength in numbers, there was a handful of interlopers, including the very quick Hillman Imps of Roy Harrington and Brian Patrick