Kiwi earns special place in history by John Hawkins A man who will always be remembered as one of the true pioneers of motor racing in New Zealand, Maurice Stanton, died recently in Perth, His achievements at the wheel of the legendary rear-engined Stanton Special in the 1950s and 1960s earned him a special place in motor sport history. It took courage lo drive the mighty Stanton Special, and Matrice Stanton was never found wanting in this departinent. The "Cropduster," as the special was known, was powered by a huge Gypsy Major aireraft engine, similar to those used in Tiger Moth aeroplanes. The power of the engine was enormous, by motor racing standards of the time, and this was reflected in a whole series of i New Zealand and Australasian speed records. The car, which has appeared s appeared in various forms over the years, still races in historic racing meetlugs in New Zealand and never fails to altract a great deal of attention. It was, however, only one of'a variety of specials which Stanton and his equally innovative brother, Charles, built in Christchurch. Maurice Stanton, who spent most of his life in Christchurch, moved to Perth only six months ago with his wife, Vivien, for health reasons. Stanton began his motor sport career with a BSA threewheel car, which was later converted to four wheels. After the war, with the surplus of aircraft: engines available, Maurice and Charles set out to build an aero-engined racing car: which would also be suitable to compete in the numerous hill climbs and sprints which were a feature of the sport at the time. A 21 litre Rolls Royce V12 was originally considered, but a Gypsy Major engine, as used in the Tiger Moth biplane, was eventually chosen as the basis of the chain-driven car which was to become known as the "Cropduster." The car was completed in time for Maurice to race in the first New Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore in January, 1954, but its | handling was not strongest point and it proved more successful in recordbreaking attempts. In 1958, Stanton set an outright New Zealand land speed record of 173.8mph on the Tram Road. The record was to stand for 11 years. The speed achieved was no mean feat when the car's relative lack of braking power and narrow tyres are taken into account. The speed also stood as an Australasian record for Maurice (left) and Charles Stanton at work on their aero-engined Stanton Special in 1957 Maurice Stanton guiding his special some time. Maurice Stanton went on to win the Gold Star hill climb championship in the 1958-59 season. to a national standing quarter-mile rec Hazeldean Road. After an illfated attempt with a frontengined car powered by a Chevrolet Corvette engine was Maurice Stanton's name still appears in Motorsport New Zealand's record books in the section detailing historic speed records. aborted, they built a rearengined single-seater with which Maurice achieved considerable success. Later, the Stantons contested the • He is recorded 5000cc-8000cc standing quarter-mile record with the "Сторduster" and the 3000 10 as holding the national sport It took courage to drive the mighty Stanton Special. s car championship with the Corvette rebuilt in twoseater form, firstly with Maurice driving and later, after 5000cc standing quartermile record with the Stanton Corvette which he and Charles built later. For many years the Stanton brothers operated a garage at the corner of Selwyn Street and Maurice had crashed heavily at the Waimate street cireuit, with speedway ace Geoff Mardon at the wheel. Mardon says that in many ways the Stanton brothers were innovators and ahead of their ord on Prestons Road in 1958 time with their car building They experimented by using an inverted wing to increase downforce long before wings became commonplace in motor racing, and used sticky slick drag racing tyres before slick racing tyres for circuit racing became generally available. After the team's retirement from racing, Maurice Stanton continued to take an interest in motorsport, cotpeting in Vintage Car Club events with another BSA three-wheeler and building a Daytona Cobra replica with his son, Andrew. When this car was rejected for Classic Motor Racing Club events, he founded the Sports and Specials Club and served as president until he left for Australia.