Speedway History - Part 3

"AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY HISTORY CONTINUED"

The was no timing in or hot laps prior, so the track remained tacky all evening. "The Professor" Rob Worthington would send "rooster tails" of clay at least 15 meters skyward above the track lights. Visiting USA sprintcar stars Jimmy Sills, Larry Burton, Steve Kinser and Doug Wolfgang competed at PCR driving for Bob Trostle and went away with fond memories and nothing but accolades for PCR.

Liverpool Asphalt sedan racers began to appear at PCR, Brian Callaghan won the first time he competed at PCR driving the number 6 Bill Roberts Cortina. Next were Gordon Smee, Garry Schroder. USA Drivers such as Rodney Combs, Garry Scott, Donnie Graham, & a host of others including NASCAR racers Jeff Gordon & Dave Blaney also competed at PCR. The speedcar ranks also put on spectacular racing with the late, great George Tatnell winning on most occassions.

The Sydney Showground was still alive and well with speedcar, sidecar & solo racing being the staple diet, with the odd sprinkling of super modified racing.
American speedcar drivers Johnny Parsons, Ron "sleepy" Tripp, Indy 500 great Mel Kenyon & Johnny Anderson competed along side of Tatnell, Rush, Barry Pinchbeck & Ronald McKay were head lining the proceedings.

Across the country Alf Barbagello, Noel Bradford, Bob Currie, Bob Kelly were dominating the sprintcar scene with new fully imported sprintcars.
During the spring of 1973 the Sydney Opera House had been opened on one warm Saturday as I was at the Liverpool City raceway. Whilst the Opera House spectators saw the Queen cut the ribbon the Liverpool crowd witnessed Garry Rush win the super modified main event as Gordon Smee won the sedan main. Earlier that night Rush, Hopping and QLD ster Ron Wanless engaged in a spectacular modified heat race, during the race Hopping & Rush touched wheels sending Rush crashing and rolling the ex Anderson sprinter in turn one, nothing in you say, Rush climbed from the upturned car, Rush ran uptrack to grab Hopping who was seating in the CAE modified and get in a few punches. The crowd went wild as the two exchanged fisticuffs, as the officials pulled Rush away from the still seated Hopping. The heat race was taken out by Wanless who was in the powerfull WRM modified.

Sedan stars Chas Kelly, Neville Harper and Cecs Hendrix were cleaning up in Tassie. As Tony Noske & Ron Smith were the Portland (VIC) dominated the asphalt scene down south.
Speedcar drivers Stud Beazley, Barry Sherburn & Des Nash were cleaning up in the speedcars down south as tracks were converting from dirt to asphalt.

Many, many drivers did not adapt to the asphalt and ran on country tracks where dirt was prevalent. Flat wide open surfaces, large fields of cars were still attracting crowds. I would drive all around Australia to watch the top stars compete. Whether it was Sydney or Adelaide I would be there watching these daredevils compete wishing I was one of them.

The asphalt tracks saw the introduction of much lighter cars, radical designs. George Tatnell debuted the Winfield Wedge speedcar at LCR with great debate. Sedans became lower in height, large wide spun steel wheels, big thundering fuel injected V8 engines, were all the rage. Cars such as the Formula Mirage 450 chev powered, the Mowtown Motors Oldsmobile and the Galvanizing Services Corvette big block 454 ci, all thrilled at LCR. Sprintcars also became lighter, monstrous wings, slick tyres, pretty paint jobs were all the go. One of the most colourful cars belonged to Jeff Pickering and came from the USA bright orange in colour and driving by Garry Patterson sure was a sight.

The battles on the blacktop between Barry Graham & Brian Callaghan were similar to the PCR battles or Rush & Brazier. Week in week out these two would turn it on for the fans, such a fierce rivalry had been built and the pro-motors built upon this also.
The funny thing about this was that in the mid 80s these two drivers would combine in a team effort to compete no less than on eight occasions at Mount Panorama, Bathurst both in a Ford and a Holden. Finishing in the top ten on many occasions. Highest placing was sixth position. Not bad for the "speedway boys" as they we known as then.

Colourful characters emerged, "Hollywood" George Elliot, "Gorgous" George Tatnell, Brett "The jet' Loadsman, "Big" Ed Wilbur, Dick "The sideways King" Brition, "Cyclone" Sid Hopping, Rob "The Professor" Worthington & Walter "The mountain Man" Giles all thrilled crowds where they raced.

      RETURN TO HISTORY - PART ONE
      RETURN TO HISTORY - PART TWO

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