RELIVING THE DREAM
Anyone who has been involved in the motor racing scene at any stage during the past six or so decades will no doubt be familiar with the name Colin Waite. The nonagenarian has dedicated his life to the sport of motor racing since the age of 16, when the apprentice panel beater got involved in midget speedway racing at Western Springs in Auckland. Colin helped Laurie Evans build three speedway cars using Jeep and Ford Model A motors, before going on to pit crew for Roly Crowther, who, at the time, was driving the ex–Frank Brewer V8-60 midget. After a few years, Colin went on to crew for New Zealand champion Ian Holden, who had taken over the Frank Brewer car.
“I [started] going to Western Springs in 1937 as a seven-year-old and still attend today,” Colin says.
More involved
After Colin’s pit-crewing days, he decided to get more involved in the action. He and Laurie Evans competed in Auckland Car Club trials, as well as the Gold Star Trials and Castrol trials throughout New Zealand, in their MkII Zephyr. With Laurie behind the wheel and Colin as navigator, they tried to win the Gold Star on a few occasions, only to come second to
