Not many people are aware that the ex driver part way in, Lance Macklin, lived in NZ for a while and his kid went to our local school. Apparently the most pleasant, and charming, man you'd ever meet. At least all the women said so.
cabrio1,
Sep 8, 5:27pm
Did he drive at Ardmore? I've heard he did. Any pics of the old Ardmore track? Would be interested to see that, I work there.
socram,
Sep 8, 6:22pm
Suggest you have a look at "The Roaring Season" website. You'll find loads of threads of interest and heaps of photographs, as it is a Kiwi website, aimed mainly at Classic & Historic cars and race meetings. I think Lance Macklin was the Austin Healey driver who was involved in the lead up to the 1955 Le Mans disaster.
reb53,
Sep 8, 6:51pm
Yep, his Austin Healey was the car that the Merc launched off before hitting the crowd and killing upwards of 80 people. Macklin actually ran a fish and chip in Otaki for a while. His father, Sir Noel, founded Invicta Cars.
newtec1,
Sep 8, 7:21pm
It is still there,but as you know is now the runways.I was there in the early 50s sitting on my old mans shoulders watching them race around with nothing but hay bails on each side of the track. I can't remember the configuration they used,but it was the runways as you see them today.
tamarillo,
Sep 8, 8:09pm
You are completely right. Unsure whether it was brain fade or typo, probably former. But, let's not forget the Sir!
marmar1,
Jul 18, 4:07am
My brother and I meet him at the F1 in Melbourne a few years ago and he was a nice guy and very approachable.
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