http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/3761155/Taupo-crash-injures-two »

The thread on GP Forums »

long story short, my mate Shaun spent four years and over $20,000 putting his V8 Skyline coupe together (it was one of the very first Nissan VH41DE conversions attempted worldwide, and the only KHR31) – he’s very meticulous when it comes to researching and building stuff. Yesterday was meant to be the GTS-8′s maiden voyage around Taupo racetrack, but instead not 20km from Taupo the tow van got its death sway on and ended up flipping multiple times, as well as the car trailer… with Shaun’s car strapped to it :shock:

This photo makes me a sad panda

Words cannot express how absolutely gutting this is, but fortunately no one was killed and no other vehicles were involved – Shaun’s dad and his friend Reuben were injured but are on track to making a full recovery.

however the power of the internets continues to amaze… as soon as news of the accident spread, GP Forums rallied together, money is being raised, and my contact in Japan (thanks Ewan) is currently looking for a new shell to import and transplant all the running gear into. Hopefully the GTS-8 will be back better and stronger than before.

I’m going to chip in myself where I can, it’s the least I can do for a good friend.

How ruined would you feel, seeing your pride and joy reduced to this?

I stopped in at Shaun’s dad’s on the way to Taupo on Sunday evening, the night before the accident. The guys were in the process of prepping the paintwork for the final time. I regret not taking any photos of my own in the dusk light, it looked simply stunning :(

The day before...

to finish, I was saving these shots for an upcoming random retro snap entry, but I guess they are as fitting now as they’ll ever be.

hr31 junkpile (by decypher the code)

HR31 lurking in the shadows

vh41 intake (by decypher the code)

VH41 intake

4 Comments

  • banpei says:

    Auch! Reading the Waikato Times made me realize not only the KHR31 had a fracture! :(
    Hope they all get well soon!

    BTW: Where can I chip in?

  • Thank God everyone is ok, which is the most important thing

  • 86life says:

    This is awful news. The car, taken away just before it was about to realise it’s potential. My heart goes out to the owner. Glad everyone is OK.

  • Phil says:

    That really really sucks to read that. However, it doesn’t suck to hear that people are getting behind him to help hi restart a project, that really is great.

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