Hampton Downs, Gemini work on gearbox Taupo, car on fire Ruapuna in Christchurch, working with David at home in Christchurch, multi cars racing at Levels in Timaru, class win and lap record at Teretonga in Invercargill, Bruce McLaren trophy presented by Howden Ganley at Teretonga.
Jim Blockley UK, Tony Pearson UK, Neil McCrudden WA, Lance Carwardine WA, Graham Barron UK.
Nigel Russell, Alan Cattle, Paul Halford, Michael Sexton, Phil Foulkes. NZ'ers.
More people: Peter Anstiss and David Innes UK, Robin and Sue Longdon UK, JR Mitchell USA, Doug Elcomb Canada, Tony Olissoff NZ.
People: FJ Patron Howden Ganley, visionary Duncan and wife Mair Rabagliati UK, Marty Bullock WA, Mimi and John Delane USA, Jac Nellemann Denmark.
Special mention must be made of Martin Bullock from Western Australia with whom Noel had some wonderful competition.
He told me he admired Noel and said as much when he received his trophy. He is a fun, good hearted person and a real sportsman. I'm sure we will meet again either here or in Perth.
Noel won First in Class and was relieved and happy that he had made it to the end.
What he didn't expect, was a special trophy awarded by Howden Ganley; the Bruce McLaren trophy for the effort he made after each problem, some quite major, to get the car fixed and back on the track again. In true McLaren fashion to never give up. It was a great honour for him and many thanks to Howden for recognising the huge effort he puts into the Gemini.
The rush is on to get all the cars back into the containers, tied down securely for their journey along with the spare tires, gearboxes, engines, broken parts and all.
We all gathered under the big marquee with Duncan, Howden Ganley and Nigel Russell and a table full of trophies.
Lots of happy faces and some popular winners.
Noel is back on the grid in number two spot. He got a great start and pulled away from Marty. They ebbed and flowed for several laps but finally Marty caught him and sped ahead.
Noel took the checkered flag in second place with Phil and Grant Clearwater behind.
Noel started at the back as here grid position is determined by place in last race, not the usual best time.
He flew through the start immediately passing five cars. He was up behind Robin who took up the space he wanted to pass and ended up momentarily on the grass. He continued eating up the field, ending up in second place. It was very exciting to watch.
Unfortunately, right at the finish line, David Innes 's car lost gears and stopped with Robin in full flight for the finish line behind him. There was nowhere for Robin to go and he plowed into David. Both cars are badly damaged but both men walked away, shaken but not injured.
Patron for FJ , I first met him at the beginning of the NZ Tour although Noel already knew him.
We bought his book, "Road to Monaco" and I have almost finished reading it. About his life as a mechanic and driver covering so many different kinds of cars and manufactures but including Gemini Mk4 , Formula 5000, F1 and McLaren.
It is so interesting and well written and of course there is an ever present NZ connection.
A very nice man.
Hosted by Teretonga. Food music and some entertaining speeches.
Formula Junior were featured. Marty and Jac interviewed by Michael Clark finishing with a talk from Duncan and Howden Ganley who both received a standing ovation from the FJ people.
Duncan is amazing in his vision for FJ but also his knowledge of every car. He goes to every race and races and is constantly using his influence to get events for us. In his seventies, I don't know how he does it! (Well, yes, Mair is her name!)
Everyone flocked to see what had gone wrong. Once again, one of the FJ family was able to help.
Not for the first time, Richard Bishop-Miller (who also helped Noel at Monza), came up with the solution and together, the problem was quickly fixed. Don't know about the body, but racing again tomorrow!
