When the Hodgson Leyland Team was disbanded all the cars were sold and Car 43 moved into the ownership of Gerald Kay as part of his “Jagparts” Dolomite Team.
The car later passed into the hands of Martin Power who competed in the car in selected Group C touring car races, and like the 42 Car into the Group A Touring car era. Car 43 is believed to be the last Dolomite Sprint to compete in an FIA sanctioned event in the world when it competed at the Australian Grand Prix support race in 1985.
I purchase the Dolomite in 1990 in poor condition and undertook an extensive body and mechanical rebuild to Group C specifications. Car 43 then competed in a number of classes and before moving into Improved Production where alongside Car 42 both campaigned in the NSW State Championship. .A number of modifications and enhancements had been applied to make it more competitive alongside later specification cars, the most significant being a custom built Electronic Fuel Injection and Engine Management System. However all of these modifications have been applied so that the car could be returned to Group C specifications if so desired at a later date.
- Before Accident
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Car 43 regularly competed in this category until April 2008 when it was the innocent victim of another driver’s mistake during Round 1 of the State Championship at Wakefield Park and was for all intents and purposes destroyed. Fortunately for me without sustaining any serious personal injury. The body shell has been in storage, awaiting the resources to restore it once again to Group C specifications. Thankfully after a long wait, as of today the body shell was moved to a repair facility where the work has now started on its repair and restoration.
- After Accident
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The panel shop that as done several repairs on this car over the years was reluctant to take the repairs on due to the time (cost!) involved in squaring and repairing the shell. A former employee of this business now works as a teacher at a TAFE (Technical And Further Eduction) and although it has taken nearlyy 12 months to get it into the TAFE shop, the body shell was delivered there today to start the repair.
I will be supplying another body shell which they will cut up as necessary for parts to repair the race car.
The intention is to rebuild/restore the car to its Group "C" specification, which means it will be eligibly for Historic racing. Australian Group "C" Touring cars is a growing catergory in local Historic race meeting. You cannot construct a car for this catergory, it must be the original vehicle that competed at the time, ie, no replicas.
- Heading for Repairs
- Heading for repairsemail.jpg (234.96 KiB) Viewed 36774 times
How long before the car returns to the race track is anyone's guess, as time is tight (still racing the red #43), but hopefully it will be soon rather than later.
I will try and keep you all updated as time, and progress permits
Mark
Thanks Photobucket 
