Auckland Car Club
About Auckland Car Club

Roll of Honour - Honorary Members


HONORARY INDUCTEES 2018

Ron Frost (MBE) was a titan of New Zealand motorsport who, having emigrating from the UK after serving in the second world war, competed for several years at the wheel of a Cooper 500 then a Cooper Climax T41 in Grands Prix at Ardmore and other circuits around the country. He was also involved in the motor industry through his business in Levin called Frost Motors and became deeply involved in establishing and promoting the Levin motor racing circuit and then as General Manager of the New Zealand Grand Prix Association for over 20 years. Ron also served several years as President of the Motorsport Association of NZ and became the President d’Honneur on his retirement. Frosty was responsible for promoting and contracting international competitors for the Tasman Series and then the New Zealand International Championships after which he served several years as Vice-President and a Steward of the FIA. It was during this period when Ron was instrumental in helping secure World Championship status for the Rally of New Zealand for many years.

 

Morrie Chandler (ONZM) dedicated his life to motorsport in New Zealand while also managing a large successful electrical contracting business. Having contested rallies and trials throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, it was special stage rallying in which he was to prove himself to be a successful competitor and legendary administrator. Morrie served time as President of the Northern Sports Car Club and Motorsport Association of NZ, Chairman and Clerk of Course of the Rally of NZ, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, Chairman of the World Rally Commission and several other positions in world rallying. He was also inducted as an inaugural member of the NZ Rallying Heritage and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for services to rallying at the Halberg awards earlier this year.                 


HONORARY INDUCTEES 2019

Dick Bennetts is without doubt one of this country’s finest exports and motor racing businessmen. Having worked as an engineer in New Zealand for drivers including Dennis Marwood and David Oxton, he ventured to the UK in the early 1970s where he was to establish himself as one of the best engineers and team managers. After working various jobs including preparing a BMW M1 for Nikki Lauda, he moved to West Surrey Engineering running cars in the British Formula 3 Championship. He eventually took over the setup and renamed it West Surrey Racing which is now part of British motor racing folklore. Over the decades. Dick has run Formula 3, Formula 3000, A1GP and British Touring Cars for drivers such as Stefan Johansson, Ayrton Senna, Maricio Gugelmin, Rubens Barrichello, Mika Hakkinen, Eddie Irvine and Alan McNish. Dick’s team also fielded several successful touring cars and this year saw their drivers Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan finish first and second in the British Touring Car Championship for team BMW.

Jim Scott is a legend of New Zealand rallying. Having initially specialised in the early style car trials and rallies both as a driver, navigator and organiser, he soon became interested in the modern special stage rallying which was rapidly gaining in popularity. Scotty soon established himself as both a top co-driver and team manager by co-driving Scottish driver Andrew Cowan to two victories in the Heatway Rally of New Zealand in 1972 (Mini Clubman GT) and 1976 (Hillman Avenger GT). He was also co-driver for Finnish ace Ari Vatanen in the 1977 Rally of New Zealand where they finished 2nd overall together with co-driving duties for Angus Hislop, Tim Gibbes and Possum Bourne. Jim also served as a Team and Service Manager with top teams including the Masport Escort Team in Australia, Subaru NZ and Chris West’s international campaigns. He also served several years as a MANZ Steward, Chief Auckland Area Steward and as Chairman of the MANZ Rally Advisory Committee  while in the MANZ Executive Board.