Post by planeimages on Dec 11, 2006 14:19:32 GMT 12
A bit off the aviation subject by I justify it by saying that most aviation enthusiasts have a foot in the higher levels of motor sport.
Two images of Phil Mauger’s Denny Hulme McLaren M.23 from NZ at the Historic Sports and Racing Car Association’s “Tasman revival” meeting at Eastern Creek near Sydney recently.
Phil drove the car in a 3-lap demonstration parade with the Dawson-Damer family’s Formula One Lotus 49 and 79, John Dimmer’s Tyrrell 004 from the USA, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’ Ferrari 156/85 (Michele Alboreto) and an array of cars evocative of the 1960s Tasman Series.
planeimages Peter Finlay
"Let's show these bastards the real X-1". Chuck Yeager when he lit the main rocket motor switch at 300 ft feet in front of the Muroc tower.
Post by planeimages on Dec 11, 2006 22:28:18 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the invitation to submit some more pix from Eastern Creek. It was a fantastic meeting and a great attempt to re-create the atmosphere of Warwick Farm, Sandown and Lakeside here and, I guess, effectively Pukekhoe and Ardmore. (Although I think the 60s tended to be more at the former venue).
Frank Gardner was Matron of Honour, Leo Geoghegan, Spencer Martin and Frank Matich were present.
Gurney Eagle Indy car inlets
Ferrari 156/85. Michele Alboreto. Guido Belgiorno Nettis at the wheel.
Lotus 79 Mario Andretti, John Smith driving.
Kenny Smith NZ. Driving McLaren M4A.
Peter Giddings at speed in the former Barry Collerson Lago Talbot.
McLaren M4A. Driven by Kenny Smith, Formerly Jo Schlesser owned by Lindsay O’Donnell.
Ol Yeller 2. Owned and driven exuberantly by Ernie Nagamatsu. Formerly driven by Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby. It used to beat the fancy Europeans in California.
Ferrari replica built by Sam Johnson.
Brian Caldersmith’s Lotus Elite driven with great verve by Sir John Whitmore.
The Tyrrell from above.
planeimages Peter Finlay
"Let's show these bastards the real X-1". Chuck Yeager when he lit the main rocket motor switch at 300 ft feet in front of the Muroc tower.
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 11, 2006 22:46:52 GMT 12
Wow, very nice Peter. I love those Ferraris and the old McLarens.
That McLaren M4A looks a lot like the ones my Dad saw, when he met Bruce McLaren and also Timmy Mayer. Timmy let him sit in his McLaren. I'll have to dig the photos out and compare.
Post by planeimages on Dec 12, 2006 9:11:40 GMT 12
No joy on the link, Alex. The driver of the Marlborough car is a "head-leaner" and looks a bit big for the car. Great shots, too.
Dave, Thank for the kind comments. The M4a s were, and are, lovely little cars. The Schlesser car was one of a pair run by Guy Ligier.
This is swiped from a site:
Lot 222: 1968 McLaren-Cosworth Type M4A Formula 2 Racing Single-Seater Collectors' Motor Cars, Bonhams (30th July 2005) (View all lots in this auction) Overview The sensation of the 1967 racing season was the newly introduced 1.6-litre Formula 2, for which Bruce McLaren’s chief designer Robin Herd completed the McLaren Type M4A. The car was a simple aluminium-skinned ‘bathtub’ monocoque design and in typical McLaren style was exquisitely well made. While the Colnbrook factory built the prototypes, production of customer cars was entrusted to Trojan Limited in Purley, Surrey. In 1968, French stars Guy Ligier and Jo Schlesser ran a pair of customer M4As under their Ecurie InterSport banner during the first half of that season, and contemporary chassis numbering notes indicate that serial number ‘18F’ was in fact applied to the Jo Schlesser car. Popular, hard-driving Schlesser drove his McLaren M4A to 4th place in the important Monza Lottery GP, 5th at Crystal Palace, 6th place at Hockenheim, 8th at Jarama and 12th at Hockenheim. He was then entrusted with Honda’s brand-new air-cooled V8 for the Formula 1 French Grand Prix at Rouen-les-Essarts in which, tragically, he lost his life. This particular McLaren M4A was purchased (minus engine) by the current owner at Bonhams & Brooks’ Silverstone Sale in September 2001 (Lot 529). The car was restored in 2004 and its Cosworth FVA power unit totally rebuilt by Competition Engines that same year. The engine has not been used competitively since completion, but is run-in and accompanied by dynamometer test sheets, while the fuel cell bag tank, new seat belts and new fire extinguisher system are all reported as currently valid. Described by the private vendor as ‘ready to race’ and in excellent condition throughout, this now rare and fine example of Bruce McLaren’s first customer Formula car design is offered complete with full history file, restoration invoices, FIA papers and four spare wheels.
planeimages Peter Finlay
"Let's show these bastards the real X-1". Chuck Yeager when he lit the main rocket motor switch at 300 ft feet in front of the Muroc tower.
Great footage and images, guys; although I have to admit that I think that cars should be banned - they're burning up precious oil reserves that could be used in aeroplanes instead! ;D
