1972 Heatway Rally of New Zealand

**Topics directly related to Marinas and Itals**

Moderators: ClaytonSpeed, balmy

User avatar
locost_bryan
Posts: 3086
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 2:43 am
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

1972 Heatway Rally of New Zealand

Post by locost_bryan » Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:13 am

This is a fascinating little sidebar to the Marina story.

When the Morris Marina was released in New Zealand in 1972, the local BL agents NZMC (the New Zealand Motor Corporation) decided to promote the new car by entering a team in the five day Heatway Rally of New Zealand. Special Tuning prepared two TC Coupes and two Mini 1275 GTs. Andrew Cowan was the lead driver, and was intended to drive one of the Coupes. However, after testing the cars, he opted for the Mini, and the Marinas were driven by local drivers Dauntsey Teagle and touring car legend Jim Richards. While the two Marinas were competitive, both being in the top 10 and Richards in the top 5, they both suffered front suspension problems, and eventually finished well back in the field. Cowan went on to win the event by a substantial margin.
Attachments
20170405_162048.jpg
20170405_161922.jpg
20170405_161907.jpg
20170405_161731.jpg
20170405_161636.jpg
20170405_161554.jpg
heatway2.jpg
20170405_154120[1].jpg
heatway.jpg
20170405_153734.jpg
Bryan
Auckland NZ

1972 Morris Marina 1750 TC Coupe "Ozzy"