1949 model The K8 is Back on Track

The K8 is Back on Track

My New Zealand friend Peter Leversedge revived his 1949 K8 in time to participate in the 50th of the Christchurch Speedway Association Inc, which operates the Ruapuna Park Speedway.



This is a shot of Peter's friend Brenda and her dog Poppy sitting in the famous K8. It's just great to have the historic racer running again, after an 8 year lull. Peter had No.77 (the K8) on display on Saturday (Nov 15th) and then did some track time on Sunday. Bravo to you, Pete!

Peter has raced a great variety of cars, including a Lotus 18 FJ, a 260M Zephyr Special, and a "RAM" sprint car. He was New Zealand Beach Racing Champion for 1970, '72 and'73, racing No.77. Racing obviously runs through his blood.

Below is Peter racing No.77 in the day ... I love those drifts!

K8 Racer from New Zealand

Prismacolor pencils on gray archival stock
© Paul Chenard 2008
Peter Leversedge Collection

Peter Leversedge is a friend from Christchurch, New Zealand, who I met on the Atlas F1 Forum. Pete told me of his vintage “K8” racer No.77, and sent me a photo; I decided to do a sketch of him racing it.

Pete's vintage racer was built in New Zealand in 1949 by John Jacobson & Neil Stuart based on “K8” plans, originally US short dirt track cars that later evolved as sprint cars.

Here are some of it's technical details:
Power: Ford Flathead V8, 286 cubic inch
Transmission: 3-speed Ford
Front and rear end: '39 Ford
Springs: Front '39 Ford; Rear Model T
Brakes: '39 Ford
Frame: cut-down Essex
Steering box: Chrysler 70
Top speed (recorded): 115 MPH

Between 1949 and 1965, it was raced by John Jacobson & Neil Stuart at the Aranui Speedway and several road-type circuit races; Bill Harris Jr. used it in beach racing and Peter & Alec Rattray in road-races.

Pete has owned No.77 since 1965, racing it in road-type circuits, hill climbs, beach racing and later vintage racing events; he won the New Zealand Beach Racing Championship Race 3 times. While he owned the car, it was also raced by Bob (RW) Stewart, Neil Stuart, Brian Hepburn and John Armstrong on occasions. The car was well known as a ''Ford V8 Special'' in the South Island of New Zealand.

While looking into the “K8” racer, I actually found copies of some original plans.