4WD vehicles at the NZ1000
When an event like the NZ1000 has been in existence for so long it is often interesting looking back at previous events and vehicles and seeing how things have evolved. Ashley Lucas explains.
For the 2017 event it was the history behind the Range Rover of Nick Warburton in Class 2 and his eventual placing of second in Class for 2017 and – believe it or not – there is a connection to a former winner of the Monte Carlo Rally. This particular Range Rover has been competing for over 20 years – originally in the hands of Nick’s Uncle, Bruce Warburton – and in Bruce’s hands in 1996 came first in Class and sixth overall. Bruce was also on hand as part of Nick’s crew for 2017 and was able to fill in some of the vehicle’s history. Bruce Warburton, coming from a family with a history of motor racing, originally competed in early 1000 events in a Suzuki but for 1996 entered what was then known as the CRC1000 in a specially prepared Range Rover which had been fitted with a 4.2 litre TVR engine. Even back then the fully road-legal Range Rover carried the race number 202.
Some engine
The Warburton Range Rover was eventually parked up after the 1996 win but the engine was sold and continues to compete today. It was originally sold to Darryn Bell who ran it in his Range Rover and in 2011 finished first in Class 6 and eighth overall. Darryn subsequently sold the engine yet again and it is now fitted into the Class 6 Land Rover-based Tomcat of Glen Raymond, which finished third in class for 2017. As for the Range Rover it was also sold off by Bruce and competed on and off for a few years before Nick Warburton purchased it. Apart from a change of colour scheme from white to red and now running a standard 3.9 Rover V8 engine, it is still much the same as 21 years ago although showing signs of age.
Monte Carlo connection
And the Monte Carlo Rally connection is Nick Warburton’s Grandfather, Guy Warburton, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1952 with Allan Allard. relegating a young Stirling Moss to second place. The overall winner in 1996 was father and son team of Mike and Phil Cameron in an American Chenowth and Phil Cameron is still a stalwart of off-road racing in NZ today and was part of the main organising team for 2017 event. Also competing in 1996 was Warren Arthur in his then new Chev-powered Ford F150 desert truck, finishing first in Class 8 and fourth overall. That same Ford was back competing again this year in the hands of current owner Mike Hughes although sliding off the track early on Saturday and getting stuck saw them placed well down this year.