We returned to New Zealand to race our 1964 Shelby Cobra and 1959 Old Yeller II Buick Special at the 2nd New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing, at Hampton Downs Raceway near Auckland. We were met by our local NZ friends- John and Sandy that will help and be our support and crew for the upcoming two weekends of very tough racing. The cars were taken care of by John and the Shelby Cobra was having major suspension set up changes… as the Cobra needed suspension modifications at the well known Duncan Fox Race Shop. The Cobra was near impossible to race on the track in Sydney at the Tasman Revival Meeting Races at Eastern Creek in November. The two cars were shipped in containers from Sydney to Auckland for the races as arrived here in mid December.
Duncan’s race shop is in Papakura and the work they completed was major fabrication and machine work to make the Cobra race ready. Stewart is helping Duncan and they also installed our new race crate motor that was built in USA…which was shipped to Sydney as we knew that the Cobra motor could break …and it did at Eastern Creek Australia.
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Thursday was the Official Press and Media Day for the big event as we were asked to attend with our Old Yeller II to be one of the 4 cars for Press Day. Again, it was so unexpected, as our OYII was the only non “Chris Amon race car”at the Press Day Display as there was the ultra rare 1974 Amon AF101 F1 car produced by Chris (it came off the wall of the Donnington Museum in U.K. and had not been restored since last raced by Chris), the 250 S Maserati, and the beautiful 1968 Ferrari 246T 2.4 litre that Chris drove to win the 1968 Grand Prix of Australia 1968. There was TV, magazine and Newspaper (Waikato News and Herald Tribune) reporters and the legendary Kiwi racing legend Chris Amon was present patiently answering questions and providing photo opportunities. Chris was such a kind man and easy to talk to as we talked about the USA racers that he fondly remembered such as Carroll Shelby, Can Gurney and Bob Bondurant (he was room- mates with Bob while racing for Enzo Ferrari).
What a thrill as we had Chris sit in our Old Yeller II and he noted the decals at his left in the cockpit with the names of the drivers he knew- Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby, Bill Krause, Bobby Drake, Bob Bondurant, Paul O’Shea and Max Balchowsky. We all did interviews and watched the photographers in action as the three other cars were absolutely priceless and worth millions. They allowed me to test the newly corrected Cobra for a few laps on the track and what a change and the handling was now finally manageable for the first time… and the new race motor is potent, The very special interest in the Shelby Cobra is overwhelming as it is the very first “real Cobra” that is racing on a race track …as the NZ journalists say… with the New Zealand January 2011 Classic Car Magazine with a five page story with photos of the OYII and the Cobra… the January NZ Classic Driver magazine with two photos and a story along with the NZ Historic Racing Magazine with the Old Yelller II featured and a Hot Rod magazines as well… amazing interest that overwhelms us endlessly.
The weather forecast is not looking good as two weather fronts are going to collide and can create a “Weather Bomb” as they say in NZ and “buckets” are coming big time they say. The cars were carefully delivered to the Race Track and prepared by John with Sandy (niece of Bruce McLaren and Paul (nephew of Bruce McLaren). At noon Elaine and I were invited to a special luncheon of 8 people and with Chris Amon which was thrilling.
Friday- AM practice- PM Qualifying Race
The Old Yeller II is the best ever with the correcting of the “bound up” front end. Cobra was “popping” and not pulling cleanly … and some electrical gremlins doing their thing. During the Qualifying races the Old Yeller II coming into the difficult “hair pin” turn had the throttle get stuck full on at the linkage and no pedal control to back it off …and the speed pulled the car partly into the gravel pit and sweeper turn… and pulled in for repairs. The Cobra was moving well but floated like a boat at the corners in the rain (no wipers)… and impossible to turn the Cobra so we had enough laps to qualify but will be in the back of the pack as the smaller cars forged on in the rain.
Saturday - Race 1 and 2
…Raining off and on with weather getting worse. Difficult to race with the OYII and Cobra. The OYII handling is a “handful” at best, but will finally get a good look with “race shop eyes” between the weekends. The Cobra had a new camera mounted into the grille opening and we went out. All races are a “Standing Start” with 5 red traffic lights horizontal and when the 5 lights go off… all hell breaks loose as all of the very hard charging racers dive into the tough turn 1 right hander… as the bunched up cars was just completing the big “sweeper” turn to the left and entrance to the front straight… the aluminum “replica”” Cobra went off the track to the left and the driver had a major brain fade as he tried to keep up with the pack and had his foot in the throttle… weaving out of control in the dirt and when the throttled up right rear tire hit the edge of the track pavement… wham and like the fastest slingshot motion I have seen in racing…the Cobra shot across to the right and across the bunch of cars (I focused on where he was coming from to plan a move away from any spin) and clipped a Lotus driving it hard into the right concrete wall violently… and totally demolished the Cobra hitting the concrete wall to the right and all on our camera that the investigators used later to evaluate the horrible accident un called for. The Cobra was still missing slightly and popping so we pulled in and the “clean up” took a long time and Lotus driver went to the Hospital… lucky to miss the spinning Cobra but I have seen those types of spins… and always go to the car location first. The clouds opened up and as they say in NZ… “big buckets”… and racing was terminated for most. We had our Team Meeting/ Dinner with special Awards at the Herb Garden with catered in Thai food as Elaine got to meet several ladies at a fast food place in Te Kawhata… that were willing to bring food to the Herb Garden. The new Thai friends catered in Pad Thai, chicken Satay, fried rice, vegetables, beef curry, egg rolls, tiger bread, and Thai- Cambodian noodles. We gave out special period racing trophies and awards for our great team…with everyone speaking of their experience being on the “team”… there were some emotional comments and attending was John, Sandy, Paul, Kerrie, Rex, Linda, Stewart, Elaine and I. It was raining buckets by late evening.
Sunday- “Weather Bomb”- Heavy rains and the Event Committee decided that the entire race schedule was off for Sunday.
In the morning we had a chance to share goodies with the huddled volunteer marshals/ flagger (“flaggies” in NZ)… and thank them as on Saturday we gave them our special gifts at the AM “Flaggies” (marshals) Meeting as we try to remember to do for volunteer marshals. We had legendary Chris Amon autograph a historic racing uniform and he signed our “Journal” that we have for every race.
Monday
It was catch up and laundry day… and off to Hamilton nearby … and then drove small town of Raglan, which is a beach community… and a long drive back through the back roads with endless farms and green colors everywhere. More eye-catching Kiwi idioms and objects such as Lamington cake, Humming bird cake, 100-1000 biscuit, Mercer cheese, Melting Moment cake, traffic – ‘Give Way’ and One Lane Bridges, Birdseed Cake, Sticky Date Pudding, coconut ice candy, miniature hot cakes (tiny pancakes in a bag), spanners- wrench, seeing bare feet, Legendary “All Blacks” rugby team with the famous Silver Fern logos, “black balls” (chocolates), Jandals (sandals), Lion Red beer,‘cheese slab’ (grilled cheese without crust) and learning the ‘native way” with Kia Ora (greetings), and the fish hook like symbol of the Maoris meaning determination, strength, peace, prosperity, and a safe journey across the waters (and symbol is to be given as a gift). Tuesday morning we went to check the OYII at the shop and more major work to make the car finally more “race friendly” and correct.
We went to Te Atatu to stay with John and Sandy for one night and it is across the bay from Auckland …and to have a traditional “Barbie” with lamb steaks and fritters etc. We were taken to Muriwai Beach at sunset to see the nesting Gannets and it was the beach that Bruce McLaren and his father raced on in the past. We wanted to visit the Bruce Mclaren historical sites and so on Wednesday morning Sandy first took us to the Cemetery where Bruce was laid to rest. There was a short drive down Bruce McLaren Ave. to the school named after Bruce. We met and talked with the new Principal – Roy Lilley of the Bruce McLaren Intermediate School and he was excited that Sandy was with us. The school has had academic achievement problems and the Principal is so excited to use the Bruce McLaren inspiration as a great Kiwi legend. The McLaren principles are integrated into the goals of the school which is mainly ‘Pacific Islanders.” The principles are Motivation- Commitment- Leadership- Achievement- Reliability- Enthusiasm- Never give up. He gave us gifts and included a laminated big poster (he took it off the high wall at the school) of the McLaren logo and the words…”Achievement.” After seeing all of the family residences as we ended the memorable journey at the Bruce McLaren Trust which is located at the very same garage that Bruce’s father had owned. The historic garage was the center for the beginnings of Bruce’s incredible racing history and legacy. Paul joined us (nephew of Bruce) and Jan McLaren (sister of Bruce) showed us all of the rare historical items and opened up locked cases and was allowed to handle such rare magnificent Grand Prix racing trophies and many of the racing items… and the handling of Bruce’s personal racing uniforms (had a string with a chamois for wet weather) and the holding of the original Bruce racing steering wheel was spiritual and moving. They allowed me to look through the huge scrapbooks of original newspaper clippings, marshals arm bands, his harmonica, wood racing large tool chest, log book of entries for race cars… and his personal letters “to family” as busy as he was racing constantly… he always wrote very long letters to his family and gave his father racing updates with mechanical details. At the bottom shelf of the locked glass cabinets was a neatly folded Old Yeller II team shirt with Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby OYII cards and a pin… embarrassing for us to say the least and it must have been the work of our crew- John, Sandy and Paul with their connection with the Trust. Bruce McLaren died while testing a new McLaren Can Am race car at Goodwood- U.K. on June 2, 1970 at the age of 32 years old. The quote by Bruce resonates today…”Life is measured in achievements… not in years alone.”
We then returned to the race shop to check the progress and the “corrections”/ “punch list” list was very long, but will be completed with 3 incredible “Kiwi” race guys on the OYII.
We are learning more about the Maori culture via the TV programs and the farm stay proprietor’s grandson Jordon…who is part Maori so he is teaching us the “Haka” moves and dance with the making of fierce dilated eyes with the sticking out of the tongue. There was a chance for a day trip to Hamilton and Raglan which is a beachfront area. We are learning more about Wiakato Draught Bitter Beer, “V’-Guarana drink, steak and Guinnes meat pies, ‘rock cake’, Marmite, Tui Beer, ‘Spider” (1 scoop of vanilla ice cream and Pepsi or 7 up), green Spirulina health drink (not bad), ‘cello’ tape, pineapple lumps , Beaugard Kumara potatoes (small yam like), ”rocket salads”, more ‘flat white’, Demon Energy Drink (advertising line on can- “not for soft little boys”…we had home- made ‘Yo Yo’ cookies by crew…and learning to say “Good on You”… and “Well Done.” We were both given the jade like Maori “fish hook” carving by John and Sandy and it is a great good luck symbol that we will cherish… as it has to be a gift.
Friday was a Qualifying session, and we were facing the Cyclone Wilma as the rains started and continued throughout the day. We did not want to bother the B&B owners in the early mornings on race days so we shared one can of Wattie’s Baked Beans and made a cheese sandwich for breakfast every day…sometimes fresh new season NZ corn (to die for sweetness and flavor)… low budget racers for sure. The Old Yeller II did well until it rotated 360 degrees plus in the wet just missing an Armaco barrier and lucky for that …as the car would just float away (‘hydroplaning”) on the track without much control at times. The Cobra was even more impossible so we brought in the cars. Saturday the crew continued to try to make the new Cobra motor run smoother as there was a problem with the fuel pump, leaking fuel manifold and erratic fuel pressure. The Saturday races went well except the Cobra experiencing two flat tires due to the very sharp stones in the gravel areas. There were “Parade Laps” for those cars related to Chris Amon so our Cobra was selected and Sandy drove our Cobra in the Parade Laps with Elaine as the passenger waving a small American Flag. The ‘Kiwis’ are sometimes without fear as two replica Cobra drivers smashed their Cobras in the Parade Laps and had a good “tank slapper” as they say Down Under. After the races, the New Zealand Herald Tribune Newspaper wanted a special photo shoot so the Cobra followed an open truck with photographers strapped in the back. There was a sold out Tribute to Chris Amon Dinner Saturday night as they reviewed the incredible racing history of Chris racing over 80 different cars including the Ferrari Factory Team Cars. We had brought a period racing helmet signed by Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant and specific salutations to Chris as they called me up to present it to Chris and said a few words. Artist Mike Saijo of Los Angeles did a 10 foot banner painting of Chris racing at Riverside in a rare GTX Ford Prototype which we donated to the Bruce McLaren Trust Auction that evening. In the early part of the dinner, we gave out our personal “Team” trophies and awards to our great extended crew. Elaine was everywhere helping with details and greeting the many returning race fans. .John and Sandy were priceless in support as well as Paul- Kerrie- Rex- Dennis- Heather- Duncan- Stewart- Mike among others.
Sunday morning at 7:30 AM at the “Flaggers” morning briefing, we gave out gifts and presented them with 7 official marshals flags that are used in racing… each flag autographed by as many driver’s signatures we could fit on the flags and along with the autograph of Chris Amon. We also presented the “Flaggies” with three OYII team shirts. The races were seemingly more aggressive on the last day and in the Cobra/ GT race …and just ahead was a 308 Ferrari which the engine bay in the rear imploded with big tall flames which then instantly engulfed the entire drivers compartment… and he had pulled off and he rolled out of the car safely on to the grass. There was a yellow Lotus that would badger our Cobra constantly to the right and left, but on the long straights the Cobra had more “legs” so it was great dual for the fans as the Lotus would catch me in the corners. The Old Yeller II added the two middle ‘carbies’ (had been disconnected to get more smoothness) and it flew fast again like the first weekend, but must have broke a couple of push rods as it lost power and was showing tall vapors out of the front right ‘carbie.”
Sunday Afternoon was “Prize Giving” and our team packed up all of our display in the tent and put the cars on trailers to attend the last event in the big hospitality tent. Paul Hunter brought the historic “racing car toys” that Bruce had brought from America long ago and shared some great stories of his favorite “Uncle Bruce.” At the Awards Ceremony, we were amazed once again as the Shelby Cobra won the NZ Festival of Motor Racing Race Class Award for the GTs. What a perfect ending for our team proudly wearing our Shelby American Team Shirts… yes, it was an incredible two weeks in New Zealand. Still dreaming of hand cut Pukekohe chips with aoli and sea salt… Hokey Pokey Gelato…and the great NZ fresh sweet corn.
Ernest Nagamatsu
1959 Balchowsky Buick Special 
