2018 Inductees

AUCKLAND CAR CLUB

ROLL OF HONOUR 2018

 

Robbie Francevic is a legend in NZ motor racing having won multiple New Zealand and Australian saloon and touring car championships in a variety of cars. His career spans from the early allcomer racing days at the wheel of a Humber 80 then Anglia 105E and Custaxie through the long distance, production racing and Group A eras piloting Ford Zodiacs,  Falcon GTHOs, Torana XUIs, Mazda RX2s, Valiant Chargers, Commodores, Volvo 240s and Sierra Cosworths. Robbie was also a top contender in Formula A and Formula Pacific single seaters, a truck racing GP winner and highly competent rally driver.

Ivy Stephenson was for many years one of New Zealand motorsports most recognisable competitors throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Her speciality was in sports cars where she proved more than competitive in a Riley, Buckler DD1, Lola Climax and Lotus 23B. However, her abilities were not just limited to sports cars as she also featured prominently in long distance production car racing, trials and early Heatway rallies. Ivy is also a former winner of the Clubs’s top allround award – the Exide Trophy.

Gordon Southee has been a leading figure around Auckland Car Club circles for several decades firstly as a regular and successful rallies and trials competitor. However, he was also a long standing volunteer namely flag marshalling at Pukekohe and during the construction of the Clubrooms. It was often noted that most weekends, Gordon could be seen around the building with hammer and tools in hand eventually becoming the Clubrooms Custodian for over 20 years.

Terry Malloywas one of the unsung heroes of the Auckland Car Club as he served various roles most notably as the Competition Licence officer for many years. Terry was also a long standing member of the Executive Committee and also competed in many club events such as trialling and club circuit racing.

Steve Emsoncommenced his racing career as a schoolboy and quickly established himself as a star of the future in both racing and rallying. Initially an exponent of production car racing his promotion to a highly modified Datsun 1200 Coupe saw him a leading championship contender competing against more mature and experienced drivers. His seamless conversion to Formula Pacific racing was exceptional until a serious accident interrupted his progress. During the racing offseason Steve was a regular and top competitor in rallying at the wheel of a rapid Datsun 1600SSS.

Rob Wylliecame into motorsport as a regular trials competitor and service crew member in the early days of the Heatway Rallies. Moving into rallying his own car was a smart move as he featured prominently in results and established himself as a man to watch. However, Rob also joined the Club’s rally Committee and for many years became involved in plotting and organising club events culminating in several years as Assistant Clerk of Course for the Rally of New Zealand. Rob was also a member of the Club’s Executive Committee as well as a member Mike Marshall’s rally team during the 1970s and still contests historic rallies.

Reg Cookis another legend who as a driver and engineer fully justifies the term. Having entered the circuit racing scene driving Mini Coopers he quickly established himself as a man to beat, winning multiple touring car championships in a Mini Cooper, Escort RS1600, Datsun Cherry and Datsun Sunny. He was also a race winner in Formula A single seaters and a prominent works rally driver for Nissan which included several victories and a first New Zealander award for the Rally of New Zealand. Reg is still competing in motorsport holding world land speed records in cars of his own design.

Greg Hornewas one of several who entered motorsport as a sponsor and moved into competition themselves. As the Manager of Engine Rebuilders Limited who were primary sponsors of Tony Teesdale’s rallying campaigns, Greg began co-driving to replace Gary Smith who had retired and quickly established himself as more than competent in the job. The duo went on the win three New Zealand Rally Championships in three different makes of car until Tony retired. Greg then continued in motor sport as a sponsor of young drivers such as Nick Cassidy, Jason Richards and Tim Edgell together with rally drivers and the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship, all via his company BNT Automotive.

Grant Morrison came into motorsport via his job with Rothmans who were sponsoring the Formula Pacific International Series and the New Zealand Rally Championship during the 1970s and 80s. He soon became hooked on rallying and filled many roles in Auckland Car Club rallies including course plotter, Assistant Clerk of Course and Head Clerk of Course together with his speciality in media relations. However, Grant’s most significant contribution was as Chief Media Officer for the Rally of New Zealand for nearly 20 years.

Paul Adamswas a notable motorsport competitor for over 30 years. Having contested many club racing, hillclimbs and trials, he soon established himself as a driver to watch in rallying which culminated in his winning several events together with a New Zealand Rally Championship and victory in the Rally of New Zealand. Paul also enjoyed success in circuit racing particularly in long distance production car races. Over his career he drove a variety of cars including BMW  2002 Ti, Ford Escort RS1600 and 1800, Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 323.

Jim Waygoodis one of the legendary but unsung heroes of both motorsport and this Club. His job as head of the Auckland Weather Office was testament to his administration and organising abilities which he put to good use in the early days of Grands Prix at Ardmore and Pukekohe. His involvement goes back to the Muriwai beach races and progressed until Chairman of Motorsport Management Limited and as the Club’s representative on the Grand Prix Association Board of control for many years. During the 1950s, Jim also spent several years as Vice-President of the Club and was renowned for his knowledge of financial affairs of the organisations he worked with.

Rodger Anderson is a name synonymous with New Zealand saloon car racing history as an surprise overall winner of the 1967/68 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship at the wheel of a 999cc  Mini Cooper S together with a class win the following season driving the same car but with a 1298cc  power unit. Roger then progressed to the new format 0-4200cc Touring Car Championship importing a rapid BMW 2002 Ti with which he had considerable success after which he contested several production car series driving Chrysler Valiant Pacers and E49 Chargers.

George Smithis synonymous with the words racing driver and car constructor having utilised his Kiwi ingenuity to the fullest. Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, he constructed some of New Zealand motorsport’s legendary racing cars including the names, Roosevelt Special, Edelbrock Special and Gee Cee Ess. His successes included the 1951 New Zealand Grand Prix at Ohakea and six National beach Racing Championships. George is a former President of the Club and was also the regular race starter at Pukekohe for several years after he retired from driving.

Colin Waiteis a notable figure on the motor sport scene both as a competitor and administrator for six decades. Having been a successful competitor in trials and early special stage rallies, as a co-driver with Laurie Evans, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Woodhill Forest rallies and a long time Clerk of Course at Grand Prix and long distance production car meetings at Pukekohe. More recently, Colin was deeply involved in the restoration of and driving a Cooper 500 and Stangelini in historic racing. 

Arthur Dexter was one of the early motor racing and trialling stars who were  instrumental in the establishment of this Club. He featured regularly in beach sprints and races, hillclimbs, speedway and reliability trials winning several titles including the 1932 Prosperity Grand Prix in Auckland. Venues he competed at and was involved in the establishment of included Hennings Speedway, Geddes Basin, Seagrove Aerodrome, Western Springs and Gloucester Park. Arthur was also a two-term President of the Club. 

Phil Schubert epitomises everything club motor racing represents. Having been involved firstly with racing at Bay Park Raceway he joined this Club in the 1980s and became a regular competitor in the renowned Falcon XA nick named "Big Red.”  Over the following years he won the Rod Coppins Memorial Cup, the Bay Park Sports Sedan Series and the Auckland Car Club Modified Saloon Series Trophy over 16 times. 

Jamie Aislabieis another motor racing legend who was renowned for his ability to design and built his own racing cars. Originally from Auckland then residing in Rotorua, he contested racing events around the North Island during the 1960s until designing his own SID sports cars in which he contested and won nine New Zealand Sports car Championships.

Jim Murdochestablished himself as a top racing mechanic and engineer including lengthy periods in Formula 1 with Team Lotus and McLaren Racing. On his return to home, he took to driving and twice contested the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship with considerable success driving an imported Titan. He then returned to the United Kingdom and campaigned the British Formula Atlantic Series after which he returned to New Zealand and recommenced his Formula Ford career in a locally designed Begg JM1 which he built himself. This led to Jim moving up to Formula A at the wheel of the now legendary Begg 018 in which he achieved considerable success including a runner up position in the New Zealand Grand Prix. 

Mark Sheehan(more informally known as "Jandals”) has been one of the country’s top engineers and a constructor of both racing and rally cars for over four decades. During this period he worked for some of our top drivers and teams including international drivers who all held him in high regard. He has also involved himself in administration duties on the Executive Committee of the Club and as our Chief Scrutineer for many years. Mark has also granted the sport use of his many engineering skills as long term Motorsport new Zealand Technical Officer.

John Windelburn has been involved in both the motor industry and motorsport for several decades. He began racing an Austin A35 at Ardmore in the early 1950s and progressed to the ex-Jim Palmer Lotus 11 in which he enjoyed some success. After moving to Auckland and setting up North Shore Transmissions he began campaigning a B4 Roadster and with his mate George Bunce also contested long distance production races including many races in the well known Z28 Camaro and eventually a potent V8 sports sedan during the 1980s. John also held volunteers in high regard and donated the John Windleburn Trophy for outstanding volunteer contribution to the Club.