Jim Palmer – Porsche 911S
In 1970, Jim Palmer of Hamilton, New Zealand’s single-seater Gold Star Champion in 1964, ‘65, ’66 and ’68, purchased a Porsche 911S 2.2 litre car from Australian, Brian Foley. Foley had driven this car to 5th place in the 1970 Australian Touring Car Championship. Jim raced the red-colored 911S throughout 1970/71 season in the 1001 – 4200cc class of the 1971 NZ Saloon Car Championship and in 0-5500cc Open class of the 1971 BNSW series for Saloon Cars. However, Jim faced much controversy over the car. At issue was whether the car was a sports car, or a saloon car – and although he scored a numbers of wins and many good placings, the eligibility of the car was still being argued about well after the two series finished. Jim was so disillusioned he sold the car “for a big loss” and soon afterwards he ‘hung up his helmet’.
In 1974 the ex-Foley/Palmer Porsche 911S, by then owned by Reg Moore of Australia, was entered in the Bay Park meeting held on 29 December 1974. By then the car had 2.8 litre engine, was painted yellow, and carried ‘Grace Bros’ sponsorship; it was driven by Ian “Big Pete’ Geoghegan.
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