Book Club 2

Stock Car Racing
25 Years at Palmerston North
Gavin Rosvall
Stylex Print

This book was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of stockcar racing at Palmerston North in 1988. It details the background of the first race on February 23, 1963 with fourteen brave drivers (the first chapter) up until the release date of the book. Gavin Rosvall had the unenviable task of compiling the history of one of the sports proudest clubs in times when records weren't meticulously kept. Every season has been covered with plenty of photos and even includes major statistics and listings of the registered drivers and officials. The 1982/83 season had a staggering 54 stockcars registered to the club.

There are profiles and recollections by drivers, promoters and supporters. The book finishes with the announcement of the anniversary year 'new look' Panthers team to take on the Hawkeyes, Evan Mooney (Capt), Dave Evans, Robin Briggs, Robin Wildbore and Norm Dempster as the reserve. They lost by the way.

Once again all the photos are in black and white, the overall quality of the book is pretty good and was purchased at the Palmy Fan Van for $10 which is excellent value for such a sizeable book (240 pages). My only gripe is that there hasn't been a follow-up but I suppose the logical step would be a '50 year anniversary book' in 2013... I hope Tim Savell has started writing!

7/10

Flashback 002

Malcolm Ngatai
29c
2002

Malcolm had just won the South Island title at Blenheim and made his first appearance at the NZ Stockcar Champs at Gisborne. Although he didn't qualify he was spectacular to watch and has proved his class since. This car is now in the hands of his brother Matthew racing as 55c.

Flashback 001

Blair Ireland
6w
2002

One of my favourites, orginally driven by Eddie Hawkins and now in the hands of 37g Ricky Kuru. This photo was taken at Huntly during the NZ Standard Stockcar Champs in 2002.







Now owned and driven by Stacey Macken from Whangarei and registered for the 2007/08 season to Waikaraka Park as 344a.

Book Club 1

Weekend Warriors
John Webster
1998
W & A Publications

The late John Webster compiled this book in 1998 and it revisits the stockcar story from the 1950's up until Craig Pierce's NZ Stockcar title in 1998. It covers alot of the early racing at Epsom Showgrounds, Gloucester Park and eventually Waikaraka Park and is definitely biased towards the Auckland scene as it should be with John's passionate involvement in Auckland speedway, also covers the early days in Palmerston, Waikato and Christchurch. There are plenty of pics but unfortunately only in black and white and some of the typesetting is a bit dodgy but the story is the definite winner here.

7/10

More pics

Here's another Auckland car, 53a Philip Marx.

A new camera

Just a test to see if it works....

Darryl Taylor 16v
Wanganui Warriors
at the Auckland Team Champs 2005

A new hope...

Not the star wars film but actually hopes that the new season at Waikaraka Park will have full fields of superstocks. It's the off season now and my mission is to get a digital camera and a new attitude! WP hosts the New Zealand stockcar champs on February 4th and 5th so we will see if stockcar numbers increase...