Get together for Murray Charles

21 October, 2025

Motorsport enthusiast, Murray Charles (84) passed away earlier this year. Murray’s friend, Danny Robins, contacted New Zealand Classic Car magazine to advise that a memorial get-together has been arranged in Martinborough for 28 November.
“Andrew Shackelton was a close friend and neighbour of Murray. Andrew has arranged an informal memorial for any old chums or colleagues who might wish to get together and reminisce about the days of New Zealand racing,” Danny said. Murray did drive and was, by all accounts, a competent racer himself.
“He is probably better known for his engineering and mechanical expertise, particularly his contribution as a car mechanic to the golden years of Graham McRae’s Tasman successes.”
Murray provided a photograph of a copy of an Australian motor racing magazine from 1971 showing Murray alongside Graham’s famous car, as well as an informal snap of a younger, pensive Murray with Kerry Grant at Levin.
The get together will be on the 278 th of November, 1600hrs (4pm) onwards at 28 Daniel Street, Martinborough.”

One lady owner

Well, at first glimpse, as soon as the lady opened the garage doors, I knew I was going to buy it. Dark metallic blue with two-tone blue vinyl trim, with a cream American-style steering wheel — I just could not believe my eyes! The Falcon was in as new condition as you could expect from a 30-year-old car. The owner was Mrs Iama Dzenis, aged in her late 60s, at a guess. Mrs Dzenis had bought the car new in September of 1965 from the Ford agents of North Canterbury, Palmer and Doak. Their headquarters were in Rangiora, with branches in Kaiapoi and Amberley.

Double duties for Brendon Leitch in fifth Lamborghini World Finals

Brendon Leitch will have six shots at victory at Misano when the Lamborghini Super Trofeo season comes to a close.
Leitch will finish his Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia season with China’s JJ Song and Leipert Motorsport in the Pro-Am class.
The New Zealander has also been drafted in for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe final with Australia’s Nicolas Stati in another Pro-Am entry by Leipert Motorsport.
The final rounds of the Asia and Europe series take place across November 6-7 before the Lamborghini World Finals on November 8-9.
The three regional series – Europe, Asia, and North America – finish their respective championships before combining grids for the World Finals.