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Help with Connaught or Vanwall in New Zealand?

Started by David Kipling , Jul 23 2008 22:39

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7 replies to this topic

#1 David Kipling

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Joined: January 08

Posted 23 July 2008 - 22:39

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I would like to know more about a Connaught F1 team or a Vanwall F1 team that went out to New Zealand for a NZ championship. This would have been EITHER in 1957 or in 1959. Would such an NZ championship have been a short season or a single race meet? Who would have driven?

My narrow interest, not part of my question here, is in one of the Connaught and Vanwall mechanics, who built and raced other cars in England and later in NZ. However, any info on those two teams and the relevant "championship" would be very gratefully received.

:confused:

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#2 Vitesse2

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Posted 23 July 2008 - 22:47

Well, definitely not Vanwall.

And not 1957 or 1959 either.

However, in 1958 ....

http://www.sergent.com.au/1958.html

cue Mr McKinney ..... :wave:

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#3 David Kipling

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Joined: January 08

Posted 23 July 2008 - 22:54

Thank you so much, "Vitesse2". Unbelievable, the speed and depth of postings in this group.
1958 makes sense to me. I am reading a report of the event, written by 'my' mechanic, and printed in a 1959 programme.

Your link has been duly noted, and I shall make some time to follow this bit of NZ history in its own right.

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#4 David McKinney

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Posted 24 July 2008 - 06:32

Originally posted by Vitesse2
cue Mr McKinney .....

Nothing to add really.
The cars were taken to NZ primarily for resale, but returned to England

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#5 Dutchy

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Posted 24 July 2008 - 12:26

An interesting website though I noticed a few inaccuracies concerning the cars; for example the Connaught B Types were powered by Alta engines not Lea Francis.

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#6 vandem

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Joined: February 03

Posted 25 July 2008 - 02:53

Bruce Sergent's website is excellent, it's the best I know for Tasman series history.

Note that the two "Eccleston" B-series cars weren't the only Connaughts in New Zealand in 1958, a local had brought out Lea-Francis engined A5 which has recently been restored, see this article: http://www.classicca...ught-connection?

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#7 Allan Lupton

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Posted 25 July 2008 - 07:49

Originally posted by Dutchy
An interesting website though I noticed a few inaccuracies concerning the cars; for example the Connaught B Types were powered by Alta engines not Lea Francis.

He didn't read his own website, as in the race result Alta gets the credit!
As always, read internet items with care and never, ever believe them uncritically!

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#8 peter grey

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Posted 10 August 2008 - 12:41

There was also the Lesley Marr B-type streamliner (with D-Type Jaguar motor) in NZ for the 1956 season. He finished 4th in the '56 NZGP, 3rd in the Lady Wigram Trophy and crashed on the first lap at Ryall Bush (where I, as a six year-old saw my first international race) http://www.sergent.com.au/1956.html