Rennmax BN3
In 1968, Denny Hulme entered the ex-Winkelmann/Rindt F2 Brabham BT23 [5] in the 1968 Tasman series. At the very first race, Pukekohe's NZ GP, he crashed the car heavily and the wreck was acquired by Feo Stanton and Ian Rorison of Rorstan Racing. They sent it to Bob Britton but, instead of repairing it, Britton built a jig and sent a new frame back to Rorstan. This car was built up with a 2.5-litre Climax V8 as the Rorstan Mk 1.
The old wrecked BT23 frame went on the roof, but that's another story.
Including the Rorstan and a car built for Alec Mildren's team and always known as the Mildren, at least six cars were built between late 1968 and September 1970.
Thanks to Ray Bell and Bryan Miller for their help constructing these histories. All and any help would be gratefully received. Please e-mail Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com if you can add anything.
| Car | History | Current owner |
|---|---|---|
| Rorstan Mk 1 | Rorstan Racing: fitted with 2.5-litre Climax V8 and raced in the NZ rounds of the 1969 Tasman series by Jim Palmer (two DNS) and Dennis Marwood (two early retirements). For Bryan Faloon in the 1969/70, 1970/71 and 1971/72 NZ seasons. Fitted with a 2-litre Porsche flat-8 engine for the 1971 Tasman races and renamed as the Stanton-Porsche for the 1972 series. Crashed at the 1972 New Zealand GP and Faloon was killed. | Wrecked |
| Mildren | Alec Mildren: fitted with 1.6-litre four-valve Alfa engine and driven by Max Stewart Tasman 1969. Then Stewart in 1969 Gold Star with 1600cc Waggott FVA; Stewart Australian Tasman races 1970 with Waggott; Australian Gold Star 1970; Australian Tasman races 1971, Singapore GP 12 Apr 1971 (Alfa GTaM), Australian Gold Star 1971 (entered by Waggott or Stewart by end of GS)); for Tony Stewart (1972 Australian Tasman rounds); for Max Stewart again at the 1972 Japanese GP; driven by Alan Grice Australian Gold Star 1972 - Max Stewart (4th in the Singapore GP on 22 Apr 1973 as a "Rennmax" with England twin-cam engine) ... Joe Farmer ... Subsequent history unknown but reported in 2008 to be with Max Pearson (Queensland, Australia). | Max Pearson (Aus) 2008 |
| Rennmax 'the Goodwin car' "BN3/169" |
Ken Goodwin: (first recorded outing Warwick Farm 13 Jul 1969; initially 997cc Ford, then next time with a 1600cc twin cam); Australian Gold Star 1970 (raced at Oran Park 28 Jun 1970 with a Cosworth FVA (?) and at the Sam Hordern Trophy at Warwick Farm on 6 Sep 1970 with a 1500cc Ford); Singapore GP 12 Apr 1971 (twin-cam 1600cc). Then entered by Goodwin for Bob Muir Gold Star 1971 with a 2-litre Waggott engine. For Goodwin at the Sam Hordern Trophy at Warwick Farm 5 Sep 1971 (Waggott 1.6). Inactive for some time until bought by Terry Hook 1973 for the new Van Heusen ANF2 series. The number '169' may have been invented by Barry Lake around this time to identify the car. Subsequent history unknown. | Unknown |
| Rennmax "BN2" 'the Muir car' |
Bobby Muir: Australian Gold Star 1969 (first recorded outing 7 Sep 1969; initially 2.5-litre Climax and always referred to as a BN2); Australian Gold Star 1970 (Climax 2.5 and then a 2-litre Waggott at the Sam Hordern Trophy at Warwick Farm on 6 Sep 1970 and at Sandown Park a week later. To Peter Larner for 1971. Subsequent history unknown. | Unknown |
| Rennmax "BN2" 'the Anderson car' |
Geoff Anderson (Queensland): Australian Gold Star 1970 (first recorded outing Warwick Farm 3 May 1970; initially 1498cc Ford twin-cam and Yellow). Also raced at Lakeside 7 Jun 1970 (then said to be a 1600cc twin-cam). Subsequent history unknown but possibly Heasman's car the following year. | Unknown |
| Rennmax BN3 'the Heasman car' |
Doug Heasman: Australian F2 1971 (first recorded outing 14 Feb 1971 - support race to Warwick Farm Tasman race; initially 1598cc Ford twin-cam and Red/Gold). Note this car and at least one other were known then and now as Rennmax/Palliser, as they used Palliser wheels and uprights. First owner K.and D. Heasman (Doug's parents) 10 Sep 1970 - Doug Heasman 18 May 1971 (borrowed by Kevin Bartlett for the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur GPs in April 1972) - Chris Farrell 18 Oct 1972 - Brian Morrow 27 Jul 1973 - Burwood Auto Electrics [Brian Morrow] 8 Aug 1975 - John O'Callaghan 17 Apr 1979 - Bob Holden Motors 23 Dec 1981 - Trevor Scheumack 12 Jan 1983 - John Allison and Alan Tucker 15 Mar 1986. John Allison was tragically killed (in this car?) at a Historic Amaroo race meeting. Car in damaged state went to Laurie Knight of Wagga who rebuilt it with Gary Neilsen. Later sold to Neilsen (Victoria) and retained 2008. | Gary Neilsen (Aus) 2008 |
Another car is now owned by Chad Wheeler (Ipswich, Queensland). He told TNF in January 2001 that it was a 1968 Rennmax F2 with Palliser running gear. This car is believed to have come from John Allison, as did 'the Heasman car' immediately above.