Seeking Sandy Long

[RGoodall]

Hi everyone.
I am looking for anyone who knew Ian (Sandy) Long who owned and operated the Northern Oaks Autodrome in Dunedin. He passed away a while ago now, but I am his granddaughter and am just trying to find out some info about his life. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Swoop]

Hello. Welcome to KB and I hope you have some success in finding the info you are after.
Damn nice bike you have as well!:rockon:


Edit: I wonder if you got infringed when this thread was moved?

[JimO]

hi i knew of him but didnt know him but i am shure that there are lots of people on here from Dunedin that can help you

[98tls]

I met him.........many moons ago...........if i remember correctly he had a mate by the name of David Shand.........shandy,sorry i cant be of more help......

[JimO]

contact the Dunedin bike shops there is bound to be staff members there who knew him

[tri boy]

Welcome aboard. Good luck with the search.:yes:

[RGoodall]

Thanks so much for the info - great idea about contacting the bike shops - don't know why it didn't occur to me earlier!!!

[Blackbird]

Hi everyone.
I am looking for anyone who knew Ian (Sandy) Long who owned and operated the Northern Oaks Autodrome in Dunedin. He passed away a while ago now, but I am his granddaughter and am just trying to find out some info about his life. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

As well as looking for tales about his life from friends and acquiaintances, do you have info on his birth and marriage dates, close relatives etc from other members of the family? This info quite often throws up all sorts of interesting things and other contacts. My wife is a keen family historian and there's a heap of on-line data available, as well as stuff from past censuses.

[JimO]

i have found somebody who used to work for him just before he died so i will pm you with his details

[pete376403]

I met Sandy when I was in Dunedin 1985-87. Among other things I did down there was to get involved with the Speedway (Ocean Beach?) with a bit of a wreck TQ midget car that was loaned to me. I had an engine for it and needed to use some workshop gear to make an exhaust pipe. I was taken to the workshop by one of the other TQ guys. Sandy very generously gave me full run of the shop and I ended up with a very nice pipe on an otherwise POS TQ.
We were at the shop on a Friday night and it seemed to be a bit of a motor head hangout, the place where guys who were into cars would go for a chat - an old style garage with a bit of real dirt on the floor.
Not knowing too much about Sandy I offered him a bottle of scotch by way of payment and there was a bit of an awkward moment before he graciously declined. I was so embarrassed afterward when told why.
All I can remember of the guy who introduced us - his name was "Jim" and he also ran a TQ and worked at Dennistons engineering supplies.
However if you were to enquire with the local speedway club, that might get you some pointers.

[JimO]

beachlands speedway...the garage is being converted into a bakery now

[JimO]

Sandys bike collection was sold at Turners on saturday it think it raised around $85000

[Phurrball]

Sandys bike collection was sold at Turners on saturday it think it raised around $85000

Wow! I never got to see much of that collection.

I worked for Sandy for a couple of years just before I moved to Auckland.

What a legend that man was. The most amazing boss you could wish for - old school customer service, happy employees, always willing to go the extra mile for anyone, and enough tales and yarns for two lifetimes.

I got to see a good many fascinating cars and bikes in my time there.

I loved working at that little garage - it was like a family.

PM sent.

Ross.

[flicketyflick]

Hi there,
Yes I know Sandy, he's my Grandfather we shared a very special bond and I have many fond memories of him.

[NighthawkNZ]

I met him.........many moons ago...........if i remember correctly he had a mate by the name of David Shand.........shandy,sorry i cant be of more help......

Is that the same david shand or shandy at Honda Otago? :scratch: