The name Colin Giltrap is synonymous with car dealerships, but Giltrap also has a good eye for spotting and supporting young driver talent.
He also has a useful pedigree behind the wheel. In the early 1960s, he partnered Jimmy Palmer in a Volvo in the 1963 Wills Six-Hour endurance race at Pukekohe.
They were at the front of the field and on for a podium finish when the car ran out of brakes, ending any chance of a good finish. Giltrap then went to Australia and ran the same car in the Sandown 500 with Ivan Segedin, beating Palmer and Jackie Stewart when their engine expired. Saying you beat the great Jackie Stewart makes for good dinner party conversation.
As the business grew, Giltrap had less time to race. After hanging up his helmet, he became involved with driver Jim Richards. They helped put together the Falcon in which Richards won his Australian Touring Car championship.
Other drivers who have sat in a Giltrap car include Larry Perkins, Danny Sullivan, Sterling Moss, Denny Hulme and Peter Brock. On the rally front, he's had Rod Millen drive an RX3 in the Heatwave rally and he helped Possum Bourne in the early days.
