SEASON WARMS UP AT THE LEVELS
CMRC Brooklands Challenge Meeting Levels Raceway, Timaru
SOUTHERN CLASSIC SEASON RACING OPENER
Southerners got a taste of what’s to come as the Classic Motor Racing Club (CMRC) kicked off its 20222023 season with a great line-up at Levels Raceway, Timaru. The meeting introduced a number of new cars and, something you don’t see often, a solid turnout of racing motorcycles.
Added into the mix on the Saturday meeting was the quirky three teams Brooklands Challenge, which was won by the motorcycles. The return of some warm weather in early September made for an enjoyable day of motor racing. There was great close racing in all classes, not just for the win but right down the finishing order.
RALPH SMITH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
The 2022 CMRC Award Trophy for Outstanding Contribution was presented to Ralph Smith, a popular winner on the day.
CLASSIC ACTION MOTORCYCLE SPORT — CAMS
CAMS took to the track first up in what was a low-key invitational run to get members out on the blacktop. The racing was close and fast, and as a bonus, the team won the Brooklands Challenge trophy.
FORMULA LIBRA
As expected, Barry Leitch in his Ralt RT4 and Greg Scott in a Brabham BT21R provided some great racing – Barry taking out the first race. Greg managed to get the upper hand in the other two races. Back in the order it was close racing between Stephen Heffernan, who claimed two thirds, and James Dicey, fourth in the last race with Heffernan fifth. The pair were beaten to the line by CMRC coordinator Brian Dixon who got to grips with his newly rebuilt Van Dieman and slipped through for a deserved third in the final race.
HISTORIC & CLASSIC SALOONS PRE 78
What a result for this entertaining class in the opening race with Craig Pidgeon taking a win over Roger Cunningham’s Ford Mustang, just nudging the nose of
the Hillman Avenger across the line by a split second.
Built by Simon Henshall and Marc Mulholland at Llama Engineering in Wellington, Craig’s new race engine sounded great at full noise around the 8000rpm mark. It delivered too, with times in the 1min 17sec bracket. It was a great result for a very keen competitor and his well-prepared car — easily the upset of the day.
Roger scored a win in the second race with Craig close by, trying extra hard and putting in a 1min 16.821 to Roger’s 1min 16.548. How close was that! Steve Pauling was third in his Ford Escort RS2000.
Barry Dorking arrived with the ex-Geoff Sparkes Triumph Dolomite for its first classic outing in his hands. You couldn’t find a more dedicated pair than Matt Mcleary and fiancée Laura Arras who, with the help of friends, put together a very tidy Triumph 2.5 PI in just five weeks. The pair exhibited the Triumph the following day at the Dunedin Autospectacular. Laura said they are both keen to get more track time behind the wheel.
Paul Coghill in his Triumph Vitesse and Todd Read in his Ford Escort 1600GT were another pair who put on a great display of close racing. The Vitesse had a slight speed advantage on the straight and it was also fractionally better under brakes. After a quick clean-up Paul had the Triumph on display at the Dunedin Autospectacular as well.
Out for his first race following a major rebuild of his 1974 Ford Capri 3-litre V6 after a severe rear-end shunt at the SKOPE Classic a couple of years ago, youngster Monty Mchaffie showed that not only is he a top restorer with a beautifully prepared car but he can also drive too. He scored his first win in the final race. He also received the trophy for ‘Most Polished Performance’. Monty had spent a lot of time, effort, and money to bring the car back from the scrapheap.
Peter Scobie had a successful day keeping bigger engine cars at bay and dominating the 1201-1400cc class in all three races in his Morris Cooper S. Wellingtonian regular Mark Mcguiness was back with his Alfa GTV. The rear suspension was all back where it should be after a rebuild at Barry Leitch’s workshop and Mcguinness pronounced himself satisfied …
“It’s going very well and I’m very happy with the improvement in handling, which previously was all over the place.”
To underline his point he secured second place in the final race of the day.
SMALL & LARGE CLASSIC SALOONS
Both classes turned on the entertainment with John Hepburn charging hard in the big red Monaro for three wins from three starts with Mike Small in his Ford Mustang a constant threat with both occasionally swapping the lead. Bruce Tinnelly in one of the best-looking Monaros around came third in each race followed by Paul Carter in the Mitsubishi Starion keeping the large cars under pressure. It was just as hard fought down the order with David Hunter in his MGB GTV8 having a great tussle with Jason Froom’s Chrysler Valiant Charger.
VINTAGE & HISTORICS (VCC)
It just keeps getting better in this class that is well suited to the tight Levels circuit.
Royce Bayer in his Bello won first up against the Daimler Dart of Bryan Ashworth with Mark Barre in a Lotus 20 third and Tracy Barrett in a Lotus 20C replica fourth. Jim Bennett had the little Impulse close in fifth with Stephen Beattie now resident at nearby Geraldine in his new-build Beattie LT16. That was the first race. Tracey Barrett decided to do something about the placings and came through to win the next two races.