Osborne back with a new Capri

Press, 28 September 1984, Page 28

Osborne back with a new Capri

By

JOHN HAWKINS

When the Capri Chev owned by Christchurch racing driver, John Osborne, was destroyed by fire during a test at Ruapuna last December, it dealt a blow not only to Osborne, but to motor-racing enthusiasts throughout New Zealand. - It seemed that Osborne’s spectacular, crowd-pleading style of driving could be lost forever.

Osborne, who suffered minor bums and abrasions caused by having to bail out of the burning car while it was still moving, said at the time “that’s 11 years of wheeling and dealing gone up in smoke, you might not see me on the track again.” Canterbury motor sport enthusiasts, however, were keen that he should return,

and unbeknown to Osborne took up a collection to contribute, at least in a small way, to his return to the track.

Osborne was so moved when presented with the proceeds that he felt he could not let his supporters down and so he set in motion a plan to build a new challenger for the 198485 Arbuckles O.S.C.A. series. Only the bottom half of his Chevrolet engine was salvaged from the fire, but this at least provided a basis from which to start.

After giving the matter considerable thought, Osborne decided that the slippery shape and light weight of the Mazda RX7 would make an ideal car in which to install his repaired V 8

engine. A Mazda RX7 body shell was ordered from the United States in March, but considerable shipping delays meant that the shell did not arrive in New Zealand until mid September, by then far too late to prepare for the O.S.C.A. series which starts at Ruapuna on October 7. Meanwhile, Osborne had attracted a sponsor for the project in the form of the Christchurch firm, Versatile Garages, and with the season, fast approaching he had the backing but no car. At about this time, Osborne was contacted by the

very successful Mataura driver, Inky Tulloch, who had heard of Osborne’s predicament Tulloch, who is the Mayor of Mataura, had found that his Mayoral and business commitments precluded him from taking part in any racing this season, and he decided to offer his old adversary of the track the chance to purchase his Capri rolling chassis. The Capri, which is similar to Osborne’s original car, has been fitted with the repaired motor from the original. The engine was severely damaged by fire and water and its perform-

ance will be an unknown factor until the car is tested prior to the O.S.C.A. season. Osborne faces a busy season, as he will be building up the Mazda, as originally planned, between races with the Capri. Osborne is at pains to emphasise that the Capri was purchased from Tulloch minus Tulloch’s own very potent Chevrolet power plant, which was so much a part of this car’s successful track record. However, whatever the performance of the new car/engine/driver combination, with the aggressive Osborne back on the track, that extra bit of excitement which was missing from last season’s racing should return.