IDENTIFICATION
In Allan Dick’s Burning a Grey Pipe column
( NZ Classic Driver #102, July/August 2022) he included a photo (#3 on page 88) that he stated was taken at “Ardmore, probably 1962.”
Allan has previously posted that photo on his Facebook page and both I and others have pointed out that it was in fact taken by Alan Boyle at the March 30, 1963, meeting at Pukekohe.
The Morris Minor is Ron Brown’s car identified by Ron as “My Morrie complete with louvered bonnet and three stripes on boot lid. Later replaced with a supercharged two-door.”
Alan Boyle has identified the people around the Minor as George Johnson on the jack, Ron’s father on front tyre and Ron’s fingers on the bonnet edge.
The Vanguard towing the trailer is the Lawrence family’s outfit. The Lola sports car on the trailer was shared by Doug and Graeme that day. Brother Tony was also there to race the family Peugeot.
Brian Lawrence commented about that car and trailer: “We built that trailer in the background – the Vanguard would have been the best option of cars off Dougies’ yard that was tough, was registered and had a WoF.”
The black A90 (#67) at the top of the shot is John Bernard’s car.
The single-seater driving in at top left of the shot is probably Ivan Cranch in the Maserati-Jaguar. The Austin-Healey (#108) was driven by R. Cullen.
On the original photo Alan was able to see a number on the white sports car up near the top left. He thought it was 85 or 83. Keith Yeats’ Orchid was number 83 and 85 was C Judd’s Buckler.
Alan Boyle also took the attached photo that shows Ron Brown in the Minor and Don Hadfield’s Austin A90 approaching the Elbow. Don was the winner of that event, the first race of a wet and tragic day.
In the feature race, Rod Coppins crashed on the back straight. He was thrown from the Tec Mec and the car then hit two officials, both being fatally injured.
As the race finished Jim Boyd crossed the line with the Cooper-Holden on fire. Jim steered the car off the track and then bailed out. The car crashed through a fence while Boyd suffered burnt hands.
The meeting was abandoned at that stage. Milan Fistonic, via email
[Many thanks for identifying the cars in that photo, Milan. Much appreciated. AGW]