17th February - Wanganui Drags

The Scott Miller Drag Racing Team Travelled up to Wanganui to do some demonstration runs for the Crowd. The car is powered by a Small Block ford of around 380cc. The Dragster has a lot of imput from Grant Rivers and the Team Appreciate all the work Grant puts into the Car.

The Dragster is not suited to a street track and a car with this much Horsepower requires a VHT prepared surface to operate at its best.


Fastest Cast Iron Block Ford in NZ

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the drags. I will upload these during the week

28th December - Jet Sprint & Speedway

A superb drive saw Wanganui's Peter Huijs triumph over New Zealand's, and some of the World's best Sprintcar drivers in an enthralling $80,000 International Sprintcar Series 30 lap feature race at the Robertson Holden International Speedway on Saturday. Carnage throughout the night meant some of the more fancied competition had to start the race further down the field after completing repairs.
The Grant Rivers Engine and driving skills of Peter Huijs were put to the test over the 30 laps and Peter did well to hold on for his biggest win in his Sprintcar Career.


Duncan Wilson took his big step up to the Superboat Class with an impressive second placing in the opening round of the Jetsprint Champs the Grant Rivers Race prepared 640ci Donavon Big Block had its first run and looks to be a fast package

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Jet Sprint Event

26th August - Taupo Winter Series Racing

Grant and Mike took Old Blue to Taupo to run in the engine before the GDM Central Muscle Cars Series starts in October

Sandra Eden in her Viva, Adrian Rivers in the Grant Rivers Viva and Grant and Mike Eden sharing spins in Old Blue and the recent addition an 1600cc Toyota purchased for some endurance racing events. They were all at Taupo on Sunday to have some fun and partake in the Winter Series Racing. Taupo was its usual self pretty nippy with the wind blowing. The cars are divided into groups firstly based on cars of competitive times and speed but when the grid is full the late comers will end up running with either a faster or slower group, but with handicap races on the cards this still means you get a good chance of racing completive.
Mike picked up a very good win in the Toyota in the last handicap event

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Mike Eden Passes Adrian in Qualifying	The Toyota lifts the wheel on the left hand Corners	Mike in Old Blue, The car was running in the engine on old tyre's and a very short Taupo Track
Grant leads a gaggle of cars in the Toyota	Sandra Eden held off Adrian in a couple of Races in her Viva	Sandra during Qualifying

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

7th July - 2007 Quality Hotel Plymouth Taranaki Tarmac Rally

Stage 5 and the Brakes were locking up badly causing the Grant to use the Gearbox for most of the Braking required. Mike Eden has his Head down busy with the Race Notes while Grant has time a plenty to Wave out.

Ian Williamson was supposed to be the Co-Driver for this event but with the Tornados causing Havoc with the Power Lines in the Region Ian was hard at work helping out restore the Power. Mike Eden stepped up to Co drive at the last minute.

The Rivers Speed & Spares Team were Seeded to Start 63rd and because there was no Classics Class were grouped in with all the modern Turbo Cars.
The Rally was held in the areas of Taranaki that suffered the most from the recent Tornados and the damage was still being cleaned up. The weather was very windy and incredibly cold
There was a fair bit of Carnage with a couple of cars having Big Crashes but everyone is ok.

The Rivers Speed & Spares Team eventually finished 33rd over all and 11th in Class not bad for a car with limited braking on the very tight and twisty roads of Taranaki.

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Stage 1 and there are some big Rocks that make Grip impossible on this Corner	Stage 3 the Team running well	Stage 7 Last of the Day
I'm not sure what's funnier here the Car hitting the Power Pole, or the Idiots who think its safe to stand behind a Power Pole. No one would rush to there aid if the Power lines came down and this Pole was damaged	Everybody and their Dog Races in Taranaki	This is one reason its so Cold as the race was all around the Mountain

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

10th June - 2007 Targa Rotorua

A Bad weekend for the Mustang a blown Gearbox on Stage 3 meant an early end to the targa Event for Grant Rivers and Co-driver Ross Francis
Still there's always next year eh?


The weekend wasn't any better for the Rivers Speed Sponsored Pantera of Peter Cullen who went out at the same time with Engine Dramas.

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Grant & Ross under Breaking on Stage 2	A view of the Pantera cockpit on Stage 2	Garth McGregor & Jenny Chisholm were left to fly the Wanganui Flag on Stage 3
The Mustang rounds the corner in Stage 2	The Pantera on Stage 2	The Gemini on Stage 5

Classic Results Top 3

1st Mike Vincent/Geoff Burrows - Hillman Avenger 1800


2nd Shane Walden/Mark Bell - Mazda RX7


3rd Tony Rees/Chris Dawson - Holden Monaro


Modern Results Top 3

1st Kevin Honiss/Kevin Deane - Subaru Impreza


2nd Peter Van Brugel/Peter Lloyd - Toyota Supra


3rd Richard Mehrtens/Jenny Mehrtens - Mercedes Benz

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

28th May - Recent Articles in Publications

There was a great Article on Grant Rivers in the Wanganui Chronicle on Saturday Morning.
The Article was written by Gaylene Holly
Click the Article to get a larger version
In the Classic Car Magazine was this write up along with the entry list for the Targa rally which starts in just 12 days time.

18th February - Wanganui Street Drags

Nicole Rivers In her first Race in the New Escort finished only on Friday Night


Adrian Rivers Couldn't run the Mustang but someone left there keys in this Mini so he was in like flynn


The Siblings had two runs against each other and both were Won by Adrian but only just. Of course to be fair Nicole was still running the engine in and wasn't pushing too hard.

There was a huge turn out of spectators and it was a really great day for the Racing with over 80 cars showing up but unlike most race meetings I have been to lately this Meeting started 5 minutes early and ran to schedule finishing when they said it would. For a Local Club run event which is only done once a year by a small club. Certainly the best value for money in Wanganui Motorsport.

Also from the Rivers Speed & Spares Stable

Dean in his Ute


VeeJay the worlds fastest Indian in his Ford

These guys are best Mates but when it came to there match race it wasn't much of a contest

No Contest as Dean leaves VeeJay behind

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11th February - Drag Nationals

It was spectator only for the boys for most of Sunday after Dean was Disqualified from his Class for Going to Fast.

The Ute was in a class that was restricted to 12 second Passes only on Saturday in Practice Dean broke that time with his first run and was given a warning so in his second run he backed off at half track and ran a 13 second pass. but on Sunday they decide to see how fast the Ute would go and set a 10.25 second pass at 125mph
So that was it for the day of course all this happened before I managed to get there but with the strict rules on photographers and press credentials i would not have been allowed at the rail anyway.

The Team did however get the chance to witness Willie White set the Fastest ever time in a Drag Car in his Nitro Funny Car. This car was so Quick i very nearly missed getting a good shot. The crowd gave the Team a standing Ovation when the car returned from the Run. He was also going to have another run later in the Day

Willy White the Fastest man in NZ at 5.47seconds and 246mph

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1st February - Sprintcar's

Peter Hujis Owner Driver of the Grant Rivers Sponsored Sprintcar didn't want to be left out of the Destruction and Carnage to Grant Rivers Machinery. Lucky For Grant he does not have to rebuild the car and the Engines in the Sprintcar have been performing well this year but the Wing is taking a pounding as seen in recent action at Bay Park Speedway




Pictures Kindly supplied by Jeremy Ward

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29th January - Downtown Regatta

Warwick Lupton gets it out of shape as a Plate tears of the bottom of the Hull

Warwick Lupton also destroyed his Big Block Engine when a Rod Broke. The Block has been Racing in the Annihilator Boat for 12 Years, The Heads survived the disaster so its not all Gloom and Doom for this Engine. Warwick though wasn't content to wreck one Engine he then went out and stretched the Valves in his Second Engine. When you have a bad weekend there is just no end to it some times. The Other two Annihilator Boats ran with out any problems at all save one Broken Blower Belt over Two days of racing

This week will be one of the busiest working weeks for Grant Rivers as some of Grants most important Customers set about destroying there Race Vehicles. Grant has two Big Block Blown Boat Motors to build by the Weekend and a driveline in Mike Eden's Falcon by Wednesday so Mike can catch the ferry to race in the South Island. On top of all that he still needs to Find Time to Finish Nicole's Car in time for the Wanganui Drags on the 18th of February.
Along with that there are also the ever important Customers who of course are every bit as important to the Rivers Speed & Spares Team.

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Grant works at dismantling the Broken Engine

Ken ran well kept the revs down so as not to stress the new gear to much

Warwick just about everything except the Lap record

David Cleaned up the more nimble F1 Tunnels

Check out our Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

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10th January - Taupo Muscle Cars Event

Sandra Eden leads a gaggle of cars in her first Classics Car Race

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes at Taupo with all three Muscle cars suffering from Breakdowns. Mike Eden's Blue Falcon had a broken bolt on the crank which kept breaking the Fan Belt. Ian Williamson in the Green Mustang has broken the gearbox. Ross Francis dropped a cylinder in the Gold Falcon and felt it best to rest his car.

Lucky for the boys Sandra Eden managed to produce a Highlight in her new Car having her first Race Start and improving her times every time she went out on track. So much so that she came home in Third Place in Race 3 on Sunday

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Grant works out why the Fan Belt kept Breaking	Sandra ahead on the track of Andrew Ivory	Sandra keeps a mini at bay	Ian leads Steve Hildred and Ross
Ross at turn one in Practice	Mike leads Ian in Practice	Sandra ahead of the bigger Camero	Mike gets a tow back to the pits after overheating with no Fan Belt

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

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8th January - For Sale

The Rowan Rivers Racing Team are selling the River Rat III Funny Car. It is available as a Rolling Chassis with everything except Engine (It was Destroyed) and Gearbox
The Rowan Rivers Racing Team have decided to put all there resources into finishing the New Funny Car so they are wanting to sell this Chassis which will help speed up the new Cars process.
For further Information please feel free to contact Grant Rivers at

Rivers Speed & Spares
26 Hatrick Street
Wanganui
Phone: 06 345 4402
Mobile: 027 444 1744

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2nd January - Taupo Drag Racing

Grant gets her sideways in the Burnout

The Rowan Rivers Race Team traveled to Taupo for a round of the Drag Championships. While the Team are not interested in the Points Race they were hoping for a successful test day in order to prepare for February's Nationals in Meremere.
Things seemed to start out well the weather was being kind and the rain that fell yesterday while setting up camp was staying at bay for race day. Qualifying round we went up against the Digga Dragster. During the Burnout Grant got somewhat out of shape and crossed the centerline. When both the cars got back to the line to set up the start there was a long delay when the timing went out so both cars were moved to the back of the group and allowed to cool down before restarting. The Timing guys eventually decided that the Photographers were at fault for standing on the Timing wire that runs up the outside of the Fence In hindsight some mention to the press to keep off it before the event started might have been wise.

In the other Lane was the Digga Dragster from down South.

When the run started Grant got away cleanly and powered down the track the Digga Dragster pulled away towards the end to take the Win

The Clock

Grant ran 7.335 seconds at 192.06mph very respectable considering the disaster the team discovered when they got to the end of the track and lifted the Body. The engine shut down right on the finish line the reason was one of the Brand New Pistons was now sticking out of a rather large Hole in the Block.
So its a new Block that is required and a few other bits depending on damage. Grant will decide what to do in a few days with the Nationals in February. Right now the next step is returning to Taupo on the weekend with the Muscle Cars.


Dallas Rowan continued to show improvement in the Junior Dragster and despite a setback in round two when he stalled at the start

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Dallas awaits his turn	With Adrian & Phil running late it was up to Dean and Nicole to help with the Tune up of the Engine	Dallas gets the green light on his first run	The Car sits under the Valvoline tent
Grant got away strongly on the green light	The tyre is under immense stress as it leaves the concrete and goes onto the asphalt	The Arrow points to the Piston sticking out of the block	Dean Checks the Data from the run to see what happened

Check out my Gallery Page Link below for more Pictures of the Event over the next few days

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17th December - Masterton Drag Racing

The Rowan Rivers Race Team traveled to Masterton to run the Junior Dragster with Young Dallas Rowan and the Top Alcohol Funny car with Grant Rivers.
This is the first season for young Dallas who has taken over the car that was last run by Nicole Rivers because of his age Dallas has to run with a petrol 125cc engine, but he is learning the ropes and should improve over the event the car had a few minor hiccups with the throttle and the Air Cleaner fell off on one run on Sunday.

Grant Rivers decided to take the Funny Car down after giving the Recently Rebuilt Engine a warm up on the Friday night at the Xmas Party. His plan was to get a tech inspection and simply to run the car with no interest in times or competition. The only drawback was the weather which started out with rain and despite clearing briefly during which the car was prepped the weather turned to light showers ironically while the Track staff were putting the VHT on the surface. Grant decided to put the car on the trailer along with a few other top Cars and we went off to watch the racing.
At this point the Sun had broken out and with just a few cars making a run Grant announced we were getting the Car out again and going racing. There was a mad rush as Crew were rounded up the car unloaded the parachutes repacked and we joined the queue to do a run. The first run was a little loose with the car struggling for grip but got down the other end with no dramas.
The second run the car fired up and as Grant set for the Burnout something let go possibly in the Transmission. The team will work on finding out what broke and get it fixed by January 2nd for the Taupo Event

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Dave Rowan lines up Dallas in the Dragster for his first run on Sunday	Grant & Phil Fold the chute while Dean puts on the Baby Powder to allow for a smooth release	They carefully pack one of the two chutes in the back	Phil & Dean fire up the Funny car on the Pad
Grant does the Burnout while Phil gets out of and in the way at the same time	Nicole guides Grant back to the start line	The First run was a bit loose, but the rain meant the track wasn't the best	The second run and Phil moves in as the car breaks something in the Transmission?

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16th November - General News

Nicole Rivers Ford Escort Engine being Built some what dwarfed by the 510cc Annihilator Race Engine in the background.

The Rivers Racing Fleet competed in Manfield over the Weekend all up there were 7 cars running including the recently completed Viva Project car of Sandra Eden.
The Team all produced good solid Results and the only hiccup on the weekend was a blown Clutch in Sandra's Viva.

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23rd October - Taupo Circuit Racing

Above Mike leads Ian in race 1

Grant was at Taupo over the weekend looking after 3 of his Customer Race Cars which were competing in the opening round of the GDM Central Muscle Cars event.

Mike Eden was running nicely in his Ford GTHO which had just had the Engine rebuilt by Grant the week before. Mike went on to take overall First Place in Group 1. 3rd overall in Group 1 was Ian Williamson who had trouble getting traction on the damp track but drove consistently in the big Ford Mustang.

Also in the Rivers Racing Stable was Ross Francis who managed to take home 2nd overall in Group 2


Ross leads a gaggle of cars including Mike in Race 3

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26th September - Taupo Circuit Racing

September 23rd - 24th and Adrian and Grant Rivers headed to Taupo for some Clubmans Racing with Adrian driving the Car on Saturday and Grant Driving on Sunday despite small fields the racing was close and the Car performed well

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15th June - Targa Rotorua

Click the Image for the Wanganui Chronicle Newspaper Report

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12th June - Targa Rotorua

Grant and Mike head off on the Last Stage after forfeiting the previous 3 Stages due the a Cracked Head on the Engine

Grant Rivers & Michael Eden were having a strong run in the Targa Rotorua ending Day 1 in first place in there Class and 30th overall out of 107 competitors.
The Day was not without dramas though as constant overheating threatened to end there Day so the Grant had to take it pretty easy to nurse the Car back to Service in Rotorua.
The Support team went to work to find the cure of the overheating and find where all the water was going on pulling the dipstick out it was pretty clear a lot of it was finding its way into the Oil. The decision was made to check the engine out give it a much needed oil transfusion and take each stage as it came on Sunday its a long way to come and lot of work spent preparing for a Targa so to not Finish would not be an ideal situation.

Day 2 and things were getting Hot already and it was a case of backing off on the longer stages and change the oil as often as possible in the Pit Stops. Stage 3 for the Day and the Camera Car chose to follow Grant so there should be a fair bit of Video footage of the Mustang on TV soon.
At the lunch break the plan was to change the oil at the next Pit break even though it was only a ten minute stop the Crew were capable of pulling it of. Unfortunately at this Pit Stop things looked much worse for the Engine and it was decided that the car would not cope with the long Touring stages and the team towed the Car directly to the Final Short Stage where they could cruise to the finish.
Missing the three stages the Team were given a official time that was based on average times plus a Minute(don't quote me on that its my interpretation).
The overall result the Team still managed a satisfactory 3rd in Class and 55th overall. Its not unjust to assume that they could have Won the class and finished in the top 30 if things had run well but Motorsport is a fickle Sport.

Click Here for full Results on the Targa Website.

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Stage 4 Saturday

Stage 10 Sunday at the Chicane to slow the Cars down

Stage 11 Sunday with the Camera Car Chasing

Stage 13 Sunday

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Older Archive News Page 1: 17th February 2008 - June 12th 2006
Older Archive News Page 2: May 2nd 2010 - June 2nd 2008