The Bruce Wells Collection - Catalina Park - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

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I've been really looking forward to posting the series of photos taken by Bruce Wells at Catalina Park, Katoomba, from 1965. Its quite amazing how much the motorsport landscape changed in Australia between 1964, and 1965. Touring car racing saw the arrival of the first Mustangs to race in Australia, while in Sportscar racing, such exotics as the Scuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM and the Ron Thorpe Cobra were both exciting new additions to the local scene.

The ever present 'Humpy' Holdens still battled on, while Norm Beechey claimed his first Australian Touring Car Championship aboard his new Mustang, and the last of the Jaguar MkIIs had now disappeared off the scene in front-line competition, with Bob Jane stepping out of his example, and jumping aboard his own newly acquired Mustang.

I'll post captions where I can, but please feel free to jump in and help ID any cars and/or drivers you recognise.

Anyway, here we have Part 2 of the Bruce Wells Collection, from Catalina Park. Enjoy!

[Steve Holmes]

So kicking off, and straight away I'm scratching my head over the Cortina thats obviously spent a bit of time on its lid. Bruce has dated this photo as being February 1965, but hasn't given any info on the photos. My first thought was that it is Pete Geoghegan. Did he ever roll his Cortina? Any help with the Cortina #4 would be appreciated. Note the aggressive exhaust on this car. Two Neptune Racing Team cars follow, those of Norm Beechey and Peter Manton in his left-hooker Mini. Can anyone tell me why the Mini was lhd? Was it because the 1965 ATCC race was held at the anti-clockwise Sandown track? Seems a bit excessive to go to such lengths though.

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[Steve Holmes]

More shots of the Tridents Racing Team. Here is Jim McKeown in his Lotus Cortina, plus another shot of the Beechey Mustang. Note the Mustang still wears its early solid steel wheels before changing to 5-spokes. The stunning engine bay shot, with all those beautiful downdraught Webers, is again the Beechey Mustang. Can anyone ID the E Type? I'm guessing Niel Allen?

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[Steve Holmes]

I love this first shot. Who is Norm Beechey shaking hands with? He is wearing a Tridents shirt, so is obviously a part of the team. Can anyone help?

I can't get enough of the Humpy Holden shots. These cars have so much character and look fantastic on the swooping Catalina Park circuit. This is the Francel FX diving inside another car thats given something/someone enough of a whack its popped the hood open. Whose is car #25? Could this be Harold Thynne? #46, in the last shot, I believe is the John Hall car. Can anyone help with the others?

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, I'll take a punt and say the EH Holden is that of Brian Muir. Can someone help with the FJs?

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[Grant Ellwood]

Elementary Holmes, slack seat belt on a right hand corner and he's slipped across to the left hand side.......

Can anyone tell me why the Mini was lhd? Was it because the 1965 ATCC race was held at the anti-clockwise Sandown track? Seems a bit excessive to go to such lengths though.



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[Steve Holmes]

Looks like he took the steering wheel with him!

[Jac Mac]

Ian Geoghegan in the #5 Mk1 Cortina that rolled, Peter Manton in the #2 LHD Mini, incidently the cortina tripped & rolled right in front of the Manton Mini-... at Catalina Park. no contact...source ( Ford, the racing history..)

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Jac. Any clues as to why the Mini was lhd? Last three from this particular event, including George Murrays Austin 7 special.

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, next batch. These are from another 1965 meeting, held, I believe, in May. Kicking off here, and I'm at a loss identifying the drivers in this first post, other than the Rowe MG. Any help would be appreciated.

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[Steve Holmes]

There appears to have been a race held at this meeting just for Minis, which included some sort of Le Mans start. Its hard to tell if those are the drivers running across to the tracks (without helmets), or if the people running across the track just tag the cars when they get there, at which point, each car, with driver already inside, charges off.

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[Steve Holmes]

Oh, the Elan and Sprite in the previous post are those of Peter Meyer and Doug MacArthur.

[Steve Holmes]

The Studebaker appears to be the same car raced by Warren Weldon/Bruce Slattery at Bathurst in 1965.

I'm trying to ID who the driver of the inverted FX Holden could be. Perhaps Bruce Stewart?

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[Steve Holmes]

Here we have Pete Geoghegans new Mustang, which raised the bar from the time it arrived in Aus, winning the ATCC at Bathurst in 1966. Here Geoghegan battles with Beechey. Actually, I started this batch of photos stating I thought they were from a May 1965 meeting, but I don't think that can be correct, as the Geoghegan Mustang apparently didn't make its race debut until August 1965.

The 250LM is the beautiful Scuderia Veloce machine, driven here, most likely, by Spencer Martin.

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[Steve Holmes]

That second shot showing Geoghegan swinging past the Olympic sign is just stunning, and really highlights that this track could bite at any moment if you get your lines a little wrong.

[Steve Holmes]

Actually, I'm wondering if the #22 Valiant in post #10 might be the same car raced at Bathurst that year by Alton Boddenberg/Digby Cooke.

[Steve Holmes]

Just a few more, will keep posting tomorrow.

Here we have, again, Geoghegan, doing what he does best, sliding the Mustang, along with Beechey, and Martin in the Ferrari. Note Beechey now has 5-spoke wheels fitted to his Mustang. Is this the same meeting where Bob Jane destroyed his Mustang?

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[Steve Holmes]

Is this the same Ferrari that spent some time in New Zealand with Andy Buchanan?

[pallmall]

Is this the same Ferrari that spent some time in New Zealand with Andy Buchanan?

Yes, also driven here the season before by Spencer Martin at the International meets.

[Ellis]

Is this the same Ferrari that spent some time in New Zealand with Andy Buchanan?

If my memory is not playing tricks I seem to recall it had to move from Aust for a period to avoid import duty.

Again ...What great quality period shots....Thanks

Ellis

[Steve Holmes]

OK, finally, here are the last three photos from this meeting. Here we have the superb Ron Thorpe Cobra, with hardtop roof, while the #44 Lotus Elan is driven by a young Fred Gibson. But can anyone ID the pretty little sports car Fred is chasing?

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[Steve Holmes]

Re the hard-top on Ron Thorpes Cobra, there were apparently only three Le Mans hard-top lids made by the AC factory, and I spoke with Ernie Nagamatsu (who owns one of the three) about the lid on the Thorpe Cobra, his best guess was that it was made in Australia, which is most likely the case. But I'll find out what the story is with this top. Unless someone on here already knows the answer?

[AMCO72]

I think it is a Turner.

[Oldfart]

I think it is a Turner.
Agree

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks guys.

[pallmall]

Re the hard-top on Ron Thorpes Cobra, there were apparently only three Le Mans hard-top lids made by the AC factory, and I spoke with Ernie Nagamatsu (who owns one of the three) about the lid on the Thorpe Cobra, his best guess was that it was made in Australia, which is most likely the case. But I'll find out what the story is with this top. Unless someone on here already knows the answer?

There were other hardtops than the LeMans versions made for Cobras, one at least available from Shelby. I would love to see a side on or rear shot of Thorpe Cobra to id the top on it. Front view suggests it is a bit different from the others I have reference for, so could be made in Aussie.
Regarding the Le Mans version, I think these days it is a case of three being made and all ten still survive!

[bry3500]

i. Can anyone tell me why the Mini was lhd? Was it because the 1965 ATCC race was held at the anti-clockwise Sandown track? Seems a bit excessive to go to such lengths though.

Yes , apparently Manton changed the steering from race to race . depending on which way the track went.. eg Warwick Farm RHD, Sandown,Catalina LHD etc

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Bry, thats great info.

[Steve Holmes]

There were other hardtops than the LeMans versions made for Cobras, one at least available from Shelby. I would love to see a side on or rear shot of Thorpe Cobra to id the top on it. Front view suggests it is a bit different from the others I have reference for, so could be made in Aussie.
Regarding the Le Mans version, I think these days it is a case of three being made and all ten still survive!

Thanks Gavin, I found this link from Autopics which show the hardtop to be a factory top, not a Le Mans top. This is the first side profile shot I've seen of the car: http://www.autopics.com.au/cache/item-4383public.html?cache=no

[pallmall]

Great, I could never find a side on photo. Yes that is the Shelby top, even they are pretty rare, they were used on the drag racing Cobras as well.

[aussiemonza]

I love this first shot. Who is Norm Beechey shaking hands with? He is wearing a Tridents shirt, so is obviously a part of the team. Can anyone help?

I can't get enough of the Humpy Holden shots. These cars have so much character and look fantastic on the swooping Catalina Park circuit. This is the Francel FX diving inside another car thats given something/someone enough of a whack its popped the hood open. Whose is car #25? Could this be Harold Thynne? #46, in the last shot, I believe is the John Hall car. Can anyone help with the others?

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Re the Beechey shot, L to R, Max Stahl (Racing Car News Publisher), Norm and Claude Morton, Claude was Norm's chief spanner for many years.

[Catalina Park]

Thanks aussiemonza I'm amazed at the information people can recall from so long ago.

These shots are just superb, and give a great sense of the atmosphere at the circuit. I took a walk around it on Saturday and while substantially still intact it is slowly being reclaimed by the bush. There are works of some kind taking place also with holes cut into the track surface in various places ready for concrete to be poured, not sure what the purpose of them is though.

Craig

[thunder427]

.....Bob Jane raced a Dark Red E-Type around this time,so I'm guessing !!!!!!! Bob Jane,will ask the question tomorrow!!...regards thunder427/MJ

[Steve Holmes]

Re the Beechey shot, L to R, Max Stahl (Racing Car News Publisher), Norm and Claude Morton, Claude was Norm's chief spanner for many years.

Thanks Rowan, another member on here, Ellis, pm'd me saying he thought Claude Morton might have been the guy Beechey is shaking hands with, but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for clarifying that. Bruce Wells photographed for several magazines at the time, mostly Motor Racing News, but likely also photographed for Racing Car News, hence the pic with these three guys in it. Thanks for the info Rowan.

[Steve Holmes]

.....Bob Jane raced a Dark Red E-Type around this time,so I'm guessing !!!!!!! Bob Jane,will ask the question tomorrow!!...regards thunder427/MJ

Thanks Myles, yep thats right, Bob did race an E Type, it appears in part 1 of the Bruce Wells Collection from Catalina Park. This is it in 1963 pictured below. I know Niel Allen raced a grey E Type during 1964/65, and his had black wheels, so am just taking a punt this could be him. Can anyone confirm either way?

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, time for some more additions to this thread. Bruce has marked this folder as "KA 7-65", which to me means July 1965. If anyone ifs able to confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Several cars in this first post as seen previously in this thread, including Fred Gibson in the Lotus Elan, the Ron Thorpe Cobra, and George Murrays Austin 7 Special, but note also Pete Geoghegan in the Lotus 23B, and you also catch a glimpse of the nose on Leo Geoghegans Lotus Elan, chasing the Turner.

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[Steve Holmes]

Can anyone ID the Lotus 7 pictured here? Rear view of the Lotus is the Geoghegan car again.

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[Steve Holmes]

More Humpys, more Lotus 7's, plus Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 32. Any help to ID the Lotus 7 and Humpy drivers?

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, last posting for Catalina Park here folks. This includes Pete Geoghegans Lotus Cortina, plus several Humpy Holdens, including a fairly rare shot of an earlier FJ, which by 1965 were far less commonly seen than the FX. Thanks again to Bruce Wells for sharing this amazing collection. The next chapter for the Bruce Wells Collection will be from Lakeside. Stay tuned.

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[Steve Holmes]

Just a wee taster for the Lakeside chapter, including visitor Ken Miles, in his Cobra.

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[Ellis]

Geeeees Steve........

Havnt finnished "studying" the last lot of Humpies and others yet and now there are more.

Work on the Humpy will have to wait.....lol

Thanks for posting them.

[nick_tassie]

Just a wee taster for the Lakeside chapter, including visitor Ken Miles, in his Cobra.

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I only recently read a story about Ken Miles running this Cobra at Lakeside and giving a motoring journalist the ride of his life, I'll see if I can find it to post. I wonder which CSX No.car this was and if it still exists, Ken's normal car used 98 so I presume it is another Shelby American Competition Cobra. Looks like a 427 Full Competition car by the screen, quick jacks and the "special" rubber tie down cord used to keep the boot closed.

[pallmall]

CSX3002.
(I think this may have been the Ken Miles 390ci engined special, flip front car.)

Edit: No it wasn't the Miles 390 special, CSX3002 was the only 427 racer that the Shelby works produced, came a little after the special which had been 289, pre coil sprung chassis based.

[nick_tassie]

Here is the section I mentioned about Ken Miles running the Cobra at Lakeside, it is out of the book by Wallace A. Wyss "SHELBY The Man. The Cars. The Legend"

In 1966, Ken Miles suckered an Australian reporter clad in a dress shirt, slacks and tie, into taking a ride around the Lakeside circuit "down under" in a Comp 427 equipped with a low cut racing windscreen for the driver only. The reporter enjoyed the ride but by the time they returned to the pits, the reporter noted his shirt had been ripped to shreds by them going 140 mph in the open car!

The article when I reread it tonight confirms my thoughts and Pallmall's recent post that it was indeed a Comp 427. I've checked my Shelby Cars in Detail book and it does mention CSX3002.

Only one 427, CSX3002, was raced as a Shelby American team car, and even then only a few times

It doesn't mention if CSX3002 still survives?

[nick_tassie]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;10820]6484

Can anyone tell me a little about the Ron Thorpe AC Cobra.

Was it an early 260ci or later 289ci, and does anyone know what number car it was? It would be interesting to find out if it also survives.

Interesting to note that the car ran with and without a bonnet scoop and front grill

[Ellis]

Think its in Qld...Bowden

He got it from the John Blanden Estate auction form memory

[nick_tassie]

Think its in Qld...Bowden

He got it from the John Blanden Estate auction form memory

Cheers Ellis, I'm attending a function with the Bowden's this Friday night coincidentally, they are in Tassie for the Longford Revival. I'll have to have a chat to them about it.

[pallmall]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;10820]6484

Can anyone tell me a little about the Ron Thorpe AC Cobra.

Was it an early 260ci or later 289ci, and does anyone know what number car it was? It would be interesting to find out if it also survives.

Interesting to note that the car ran with and without a bonnet scoop and front grill

Will have to dig a little deeper, but I assume it would be a car from AC being RH drive. The only car I can see as being exported direct from AC to Australia was COB6114, but this was in 1967, too late to be the Thorpe car. I assume the car was purchased in the UK second hand or from a dealer, chassis number would be a COX prefix, or COB 600 series.

[Steve Holmes]

Pretty sure its a 289, not 260. Dan Bowden told me he thought the hard top was supplied new with the car. They still have it.

[pallmall]

Thorp car is COB6033 and a 289. So, an AC not a Shelby not that there is any real difference. I see the engine now has Shelby Cobra alloy rocker covers, probably just Ford steel ones back in the day.


I notice while I was researching COB6033 that the correct spelling is Thorp, not Thorpe.

The car was supplied from AC Cars Ltd on the 10.12.1964 in Vineyard green with black trim.

[Catalina Park]

So kicking off, and straight away I'm scratching my head over the Cortina thats obviously spent a bit of time on its lid. Bruce has dated this photo as being February 1965, but hasn't given any info on the photos. My first thought was that it is Pete Geoghegan. Did he ever roll his Cortina? Any help with the Cortina #4 would be appreciated. Note the aggressive exhaust on this car. Two Neptune Racing Team cars follow, those of Norm Beechey and Peter Manton in his left-hooker Mini. Can anyone tell me why the Mini was lhd? Was it because the 1965 ATCC race was held at the anti-clockwise Sandown track? Seems a bit excessive to go to such lengths though.

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Found this interesting information on the LHD Manton Mini http://bmcexperience.com.au/bmc-issue-1/manton.html

Craig

[markec]

There was an Aussie Mini racer that used to change his car from right steer to left steer depending on the direction of the track.

[lisian_1275]

Yes, that would be the Manton Mini. Neville Watts converted a steering rack to be both left and right so it could be changed easily to suit the different directions of tracks.
Don't know how often it was changed though?
Might be able to see with all the great pics thoughout the years that are coming up on this great site.
Thanks

Ian

[Steve Holmes]

Found this interesting information on the LHD Manton Mini http://bmcexperience.com.au/bmc-issue-1/manton.html

Craig

Oh brilliant article Craig, many thanks for posting that. The whole gear changing thing was something I'd wondered about with this car. I've spoken to various people who race a lhd race car, but own a rhd road car, (eg, they might own a '69 Mustang race car, but drive a new Falcon road car) and wondered if they had trouble adjusting to suddenly changing gear with their right hand in the race car. But because the surroundings inside the cars are different, they adapt almost immediately. But with Manton, he wouldn't have had that luxury, as the surroundings inside the car would be the same, its just sometimes he sat on the left, other times on the right. Must have been difficult.

[Dale Harvey]

OK, last posting for Catalina Park here folks. This includes Pete Geoghegans Lotus Cortina, plus several Humpy Holdens, including a fairly rare shot of an earlier FJ, which by 1965 were far less commonly seen than the FX. Thanks again to Bruce Wells for sharing this amazing collection. The next chapter for the Bruce Wells Collection will be from Lakeside. Stay tuned.

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The Cortina #9 in this set of photos is the ex Geoghegan Cortina GT being driven here by George Garth. George still owns this car, I believe. Also the sports car being chased by Fred Gibson in some other shots would be Wal Donelly in the Turner. Great photos in this thread.
Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info Dale. So re the Geoghegan Cortina, is that the same car posted earlier where it had been inverted? And if so, was it Geoghegan or Garth who had inverted it?

[Dale Harvey]

There were two Cortinas raced by the Geoghehans. The first was a two door GT and then a Lotus. The car that was rolled at Catalina was the Lotus and driven by Pete. The GT was bought by George Garth and raced extensively with plenty of success. The last I heard it was still in his posession.
Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info Dale.

[TonyG]

Just found this on Catalina. Not the same era as these photos but it does show the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHJUtOJjOKM&feature=related

[dennis tobin]

Peter Manton did change the Mini to left or right hand drive depending on the circuit

Dennis

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Dennis.

[Terry S]

There were two Cortinas raced by the Geoghehans. The first was a two door GT and then a Lotus. The car that was rolled at Catalina was the Lotus and driven by Pete. The GT was bought by George Garth and raced extensively with plenty of success. The last I heard it was still in his posession.
Dale.

Dale, just going back through Bruce Wells incredibly great photos and noticed your comment on the Geoghegans Cortinas.
May I beg to differ, but there were actually THREE Cortinas raced by them, and not two.
The third was a four door Cortina GT raced late 1963, early 1964 and mainly driven by Leo.
I don't know what happened to it, it just seemed to disappear. Any clues?

[Greg Mackie]

Terry, the 'four door' would have probably been to comply with Appendix J rules [which ended in Dec., 1963]. Any car over 1300cc must have four doors.

[Terry S]

Terry, the 'four door' would have probably been to comply with Appendix J rules [which ended in Dec., 1963]. Any car over 1300cc must have four doors.

Greg I think you will find that the 4 door regulation applied to cars over 1600cc.
For example Jim McKeown was racing his Lotus Cortina before the end of 1963.

[Dale Harvey]

I won't argue about the four door car. My memory is not perfect. I think I do remember seeing a photo of it, maybe at Bathurst. I will have a look when I get back home in a week or so.
Dale.

[Terry S]

I won't argue about the four door car. My memory is not perfect. I think I do remember seeing a photo of it, maybe at Bathurst. I will have a look when I get back home in a week or so.
Dale.

Dale, for interest I have found a photo of the four door car on the Bruce Wells Collection - Oran Park - Part 1, which is on page 19.
Go to post #10.

[Steve Holmes]

Great to see this thread bumped back to the top. The Catalina images were some of my favourite chapters from Bruce's collection. I really need to go through and resize the photos so they're larger, for better viewing.

[Greg Mackie]

Greg I think you will find that the 4 door regulation applied to cars over 1600cc.
For example Jim McKeown was racing his Lotus Cortina before the end of 1963.
Geez Terry, now you've got me doubting my memory [usually pretty good].

Having driven an under 1300cc, 2 door Appendix J car in 1963, I thought that over 1300cc had to be 4 doors....or you raced in GT.

[Greg Mackie]

There appears to have been a race held at this meeting just for Minis, which included some sort of Le Mans start. Its hard to tell if those are the drivers running across to the tracks (without helmets), or if the people running across the track just tag the cars when they get there, at which point, each car, with driver already inside, charges off.

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Steve, that looks similar to the Le Mans start of my 1963 race there. The 'mechanic' would run across the track with the ign. key. He would hand the key to the driver, who was in the car, with the seat belt fastened.

[Dale Harvey]

Dale, for interest I have found a photo of the four door car on the Bruce Wells Collection - Oran Park - Part 1, which is on page 19.
Go to post #10.
Yes, definitely a four door. Looks like big Pete driving.
Dale.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
.....Can anyone ID the E Type? I'm guessing Niel Allen?

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You're right, Niel Allen (despite other opinions having been posted)...

The lean out the window is a giveaway without checking numbers. But it is him, refer RCN February '65 page 23.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
.....I can't get enough of the Humpy Holden shots. These cars have so much character and look fantastic on the swooping Catalina Park circuit. This is the Francel 48/215 diving inside another car thats given something/someone enough of a whack its popped the hood open. Whose is car #25? Could this be Harold Thynne? #46, in the last shot, I believe is the John Hall car. Can anyone help with the others?

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Gary Bergman has the bonnet up... 30 is Bruce Stewart, and yes, 46 is John Hall. Brian Donovan is in the striped car following Stewart, I don't know 81.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
OK, I'll take a punt and say the EH Holden is that of Brian Muir. Can someone help with the FJs?

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By 'FJs' I guess you mean Formula Juniors?

Yes, Brian Muir in the first pic...

Phil West is in the Brabham ANF2 (1100cc) car, this is the car prepared by Kevin Carrad which proved unbeatable and got him the Scuderia Veloce 2.5 Brabham drive a couple of years later.

Glyn Scott in the Lotus 27, which I'm sure was always a 1500 car, perhaps Ian Fergusson in the Elfin (same number as his Bathurst entry and he qualified just ahead of Glyn for this meeting).

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
Thanks Jac. Any clues as to why the Mini was lhd? Last ... from this particular event.....

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The irrepressible Barry Sharp in the Wolseley 6/90...

Tom Anderson in the green '55 Customline he campaigned for so long, Denis Cooke in the red 203 is here pressing him after being caught out by Anderson's great start.

Regarding the LHD/RHD Manton Mini, I don't know how many times he changed it but it certainly wasn't many! It was a simple job for the steering part of the job, I think it was a RHD Sprite rack that switched over to a LHD mini rack.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
OK, next batch. These are from another 1965 meeting, held, I believe, in May. Kicking off here, and I'm at a loss identifying the drivers in this first post, other than the Rowe MG. Any help would be appreciated.

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Des Leonard in the R-Series Valiant...

Probably Barry Thiele in the Major, that was a mid-blue car. 52 could be, but I wouldn't bet on it, Alan Barrow.

The Nota outside of the Kenny Rowe MG, I'm not sure, but 'Lawson' is mentioned.

The Zephyr is Bruce Taylor.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
There appears to have been a race held at this meeting just for Minis, which included some sort of Le Mans start. Its hard to tell if those are the drivers running across to the tracks (without helmets), or if the people running across the track just tag the cars when they get there, at which point, each car, with driver already inside, charges off.

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The Minis-only race wasn't in '65, but I can verify that it's the mechanics running and the cars were shut down until the keys were handed through the window.

The Holden is Warren Weldon, 119 was his usual number.

And it's Paul Meyer, not Peter. Father of Michael Meyer, who went into FFords in the early seventies, Paul had a tuning shop in Woolloomooloo (maybe not enough ls in there). He wasn't real quick, but Doug Macarthur certainly showed speed and thus he's challenging a car which should have been faster than his. Mind you, Meyer's car was a road-going Elan, not a lightweight.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
The Studebaker appears to be the same car raced by Warren Weldon/Bruce Slattery at Bathurst in 1965.

I'm trying to ID who the driver of the inverted FX Holden could be. Perhaps Bruce Stewart?

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Whether or not it's the same Studebaker I don't know, but it is Warren Weldon. In one shot he is holding an early lead over eventual winner Max Volkers in a Cortina GT (Series Production race) while in the other he's falling back into the clutches of David Frazer's Renault Gordini.

And it is Bruce Stewart's car inverted in the Tunnel after blowing a rear tyre.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
Here we have Pete Geoghegan's new Mustang, which raised the bar from the time it arrived in Australia, winning the ATCC at Bathurst in 1966. Here Geoghegan battles with Beechey. Actually, I started this batch of photos stating I thought they were from a May 1965 meeting, but I don't think that can be correct, as the Geoghegan Mustang apparently didn't make its race debut until August 1965.

The 250LM is the beautiful Scuderia Veloce machine, driven here, most likely, by Spencer Martin.

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You're right, these pics are from the November 7 meeting, 1965... the meeting Jane wrote off his Mustang.

Spencer's Ferrari has all that ugly protective foam and tape over the front because it had been to Lowood a few weeks earlier to win the Queensland TT from KB in the Mildren Maserati.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
OK, time for some more additions to this thread. Bruce has marked this folder as "KA 7-65", which to me means July 1965. If anyone ifs able to confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Several cars in this first post as seen previously in this thread, including Fred Gibson in the Lotus Elan, the Ron Thorpe Cobra, and George Murrays Austin 7 Special, but note also Pete Geoghegan in the Lotus 23B, and you also catch a glimpse of the nose on Leo Geoghegans Lotus Elan, chasing the Turner.

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22nd August, 1965... not July, Thorp wasn't there, Jane interfered with the Elans that time too...

Neither time was it Leo in the Elan, though. Remember how Leo only put the car together to show it off because Fred was going too slow and he had been trying to sell the second one for a long time? He sold it after only three meetings.

So it's Niel Allen poking around behind Wal Donnelly (note the spelling) in the Turner.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
Can anyone ID the Lotus 7 pictured here? Rear view of the Lotus is the Geoghegan car again.

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The Elan is Niel Allen...

The Super Seven is driven by Arnold Ahrenfeld. Here he is again, leading Bob Beasley, Jim Quinn and Ian Brown:

http://s26.postimg.cc/dfet6grp5/0315catalinaahrenfeld.jpg

This was taken at the August '65 meeting as they came through Bosch Corner.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
.....Any help to ID the Lotus 7 and Humpy drivers?

6842

6843

Ian Brown in the Super Seven, I'd forgotten him altogether until I needed to identify who was in the fourth car in the pic I posted previously!

Driving the Elfin Clubman is Ray Cary, brother of the late Bruce Cary.

[Kenz]

P
Dale, just going back through Bruce Wells incredibly great photos and noticed your comment on the Geoghegans Cortinas.
May I beg to differ, but there were actually THREE Cortinas raced by them, and not two.
The third was a four door Cortina GT raced late 1963, early 1964 and mainly driven by Leo.
I don't know what happened to it, it just seemed to disappear. Any clues?
Terry,
The original black 4 door Geoghegan Cortina was written off at Oran Park in testing prior to the Lakeside ATCC. All the bits apparently migrated rather hurriedly into the 2 door ATCC winner.
Re their Lotus Cortina, this car seemed to make a habit of inverting. After George Garth's custody, the car passed to Queenslander Frank Melit, who inverted it twice, firstly over the back at Lowood, then at Lakeside; the latter crash nearly killed him and I don't recall his ever racing again. He's still alive and I have a link to him through his nephew, who's an employee of mine.
Ken.

[Kenz]

Whether or not it's the same Studebaker I don't know, but it is Warren Weldon. In one shot he is holding an early lead over eventual winner Max Volkers in a Cortina GT (Series Production race) while in the other he's falling back into the clutches of David Frazer's Renault Gordini.

And it is Bruce Stewart's car inverted in the Tunnel after blowing a rear tyre.
Ray,
I'll grant it's Max in #13 (the driver's Body English confirms that) but I have doubts that it's a Series Prod GT. Check the Lotus bumperettes and if you blow it up a bit, it looks like a dark colourd infill side flash visible through the Stude's glass.
More likely it's his imp Prod (or J) Lotus that followed on from his white 4 door J GT. Your verdict, please?
Ken.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Kenz
Terry,
The original black 4 door Geoghegan Cortina was written off at Oran Park in testing prior to the Lakeside ATCC. All the bits apparently migrated rather hurriedly into the 2 door ATCC winner.
Re their Lotus Cortina, this car seemed to make a habit of inverting. After George Garth's custody, the car passed to Queenslander Frank Melit, who inverted it twice, firstly over the back at Lowood, then at Lakeside; the latter crash nearly killed him and I don't recall his ever racing again. He's still alive and I have a link to him through his nephew, who's an employee of mine.
Ken.

George bought the GT when the Lotus came on the scene, Frank Melit bought the Lotus Cortina direct from the Geoghegans.

And you're right about it inverting itself, its one notable characteristic!

[Ray Bell]

Kenz, you are so right about that Volkers Lotus Cortina...




.

[Dale Harvey]

To the best of my knowledge George still has the Cortina GT.
Dale.

[Kenz]

Ian Brown in the Super Seven, I'd forgotten him altogether until I needed to identify who was in the fourth car in the pic I posted previously!

Driving the Elfin Clubman is Ray Cary, brother of the late Bruce Cary.
Ray,
The Elfin, from the tape around the nose cone, looks like the ex-Bill Gates (& Frank Matich) car?

[Ray Bell]

To be honest, Kenz, I wasn't close enough to that kind of car at that time to know that much about them...