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.
