DAWSON'S CAMARO

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32802, 30 December 1971, Page 7

DAWSON'S CAMARO

The newest car in the open saloon-car racing on New Zealand circuits this season is a 1971 s.9litre driven by the Auckland driver I. W. (“Red”) Dawson. The car has not been raced previously, but was developed along Trans-Am car lines by the American millionaire owner and

driver, J. Marshall-Robbins, and by Butler Racing. The engine was built up by the Bartz concern of California, the developers of the successful Chevrolet engines for the McLaren CamAm racing effort. In New Zealand, the car has been prepared and modified by Dawson’s own team at Otahuhu, comprising Messrs B. Newall, D. Hamill, and A. Holdroyd. Dawson will say little about the car’s finer points, save that it has “good potential.” The Dawson team will this season be associated with a new-comer to motor-racing sponsorship, Kensington Carpets (N.Z.), Ltd, of Auckland. Dawson started motorracing with stock cars in

the 19505, and later campaigned a V 8 coupe in hillclimbs and club circuit racing. He then graduated to a Lola sports-car in which he gained many good placingst His next car was a Cooper Climax formerly raced by the Australian champion, F. Matich, and Dawson secured placings in Tasman series events in this machine. In 1965 he bought his Ford Mustang for saloon racing, and in 1969-70 he was joint New Zealand saloon car champion. This car has now been sold to a South Island driver. Dawson has always been a fast and spectacular driver with outstanding competitive spirit, and his chances with the new Camaro seem bright. ,