Product Review

1971 Joe Chamberlain raced his '69 Trans-Am Camaro then sold the car to Kiwi Ian Rorison for Dennis Marwood to drive throughout the remainder of the series. Ian Rorison was the man responsible for the Camaro's arrival in NZ in late 1970. The driver was Joe Chamberlain, his privately run '69 Trans Am Camaro, car and driver combination had run in the West Coast Trans Am races during 1969 and 1970. Chamberlain competed with the Camaro at the Bay Park International New Year Meeting, New Zealand in late December 1970 then at the NZ Grand Prix meeting a week later at Pukekohe, before Rorison made a successful offer for the orange Camaro. Seasoned racing driver Dennis ‘Marbles' Marwood took the hot seat and was a front-runner for two seasons (1970-'72). Marwood leased the car from Rorison for a second season (1971-'72) finishing third in the title chase. Marwood's swansong with the Camaro came with a great run at Warwick Farm at the second round of the Australia versus NZ big saloon test match in August 1972 with a fine second place. The Camaro then appeared in the 1973-'74 season, now in the hands of crowd favorite, Johnny Riley. During the cars restoration, Tony sanded down the old panels and the previous racing numbers were revealed — John Riley #50, Dennis Marwood #25 and 24 and Joe Chamberlain #2.