The Bruce Wells Collection - Warwick Farm - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

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Time for another update from the Bruce Wells Collection. This is the second part from Warwick Farm, and all the photos in this chapter are from Round 5 of the 1965 Tasman Series. This chapter includes pics of the Tasman cars, plus the various saloons and sports cars that were on the support bill.

The 1965 Tasman Series was won by Jim Clark, in his Lotus-Climax. Clark took four victories from the seven rounds, and was the only driver to win on more than one occasion, so his championship was pretty emphatic. He was also leading the opening round, at Pukekohe, when clunked into by Bruce McLaren, who was attempting a pass for the lead on lap 4. The damage to Clarks suspension and consequent retirement was his only dnf of the season.

This being a Tasman event, in New South Wales, meant all the bug stars from the touring car and sports car ranks also turned out to entertain the fans.

Again, as with all of Bruce's photos, these are stunning, and beautifully capture the drama of the event, and the cars competing in it.

[Steve Holmes]

Kicking things off here are Clark in the Lotus-Climax, and young New Zealand driver Kerry Grant, in his Brabham-Climax. Palmerston North driver Grant was teamed with Graham Hill in the Scuderia Veloce squad, and impressed many with his speed, and at Round 2 at Levin, from 4th on the grid, he outbraked both both Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren on the opening tour, to move to second spot, which he held until lap 10, when he put a wheel on the grass and spun out of contention.

Here at the Farm, he completed only 13 laps, after striking engine trouble.

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[Steve Holmes]

Some sports car and touring car action. Greg Cusack is first up, in the pretty Lotus 23, while the flying brick, is that of Peter Manton.

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[Steve Holmes]

This looks to be the pretty Mildren-Maserati. This would be the car in an earlier guise, later in 1965 it had the rear wheel openings radiused out to fit larger wheels. This car was driven by both Ralph Sach and Kevin Bartlett, and both drivers appear to have worn light coloured helmets at the time, so I'm not able to ID who is at the wheel here. Perhaps KB could help?

The engine shot I'm not sure about, I hope someone here can help with this.

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[Steve Holmes]

Norm Beechey, in the first Mustang to race in Australia. This car proved a sensation when it first made its race debut in January 1965. This is just a few weeks later, and Norm's is still the only Mustang racing in Aus.

Below is Clark again, in a simply stunning shot, at speed, with what looks like newspaper clinging to the front bodywork.

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[Kevin Bartlett]

The shot of the Mildren Maserati has Ralph Sach at the tiller. Car was later fitted with a Traco Olds, owned and driven by Ross Ambrose (Tassie)

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks KB, thats great info. Marcos Ambrose now enjoys a pretty high profile career in the US, but his father Ross did some pretty good things too, including founding Van Diemen with Ralph Firman.

[Dale Harvey]

The engine is of course a Coventry Climax and I would guess it is in a Lotus 15.
Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Dale, can you put names to these two?

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is Frank Matich in the Brabham BT7A, which finished 3rd at Warwick Farm.

Following is another shot of the Mildren-Maserati. Does this car still exist?

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[Steve Holmes]

Here she is, the magnificent Sir Gawaine Bailie '63 Galaxie. Bailie shared this car with Lex Davison in the Sandown 6-Hour race in 1964. It was later raced by John Raeburn in the 1965 ATCC at Sandown where it qualified 2nd and finished 5th after suffering from brake trouble. Note the licence plate. Surely this can't be coincidence? What was the history of this car? Was it built in Australia or imported from the UK? And where is it now?

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Any guesses on the Lotus?

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[Dale Harvey]

Dale, can you put names to these two?

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I am not sure of the drivers,(I could make some guesses, but I won't) the first is a Rennmax and the second is an Elfin Catalina. The Lotus Super Seven in the last shot looks like Bill March.
Dale.

[John Medley]

I am not sure of the drivers,(I could make some guesses, but I won't) the first is a Rennmax and the second is an Elfin Catalina. The Lotus Super Seven in the last shot looks like Bill March.
Dale.

#34 Rennmax Paul Bolton(later ran the Rorstan cars)
#27 Elfin Noel Potts (listed in programme as red/black...)

Front bar at six, Dale?

[Steve Holmes]

Brilliant. Thanks for that you guys.

[zombie289]

Here she is, the magnificent Sir Gawaine Bailie '63 Galaxie. Bailie shared this car with Lex Davison in the Sandown 6-Hour race in 1964. It was later raced by John Raeburn in the 1965 ATCC at Sandown where it qualified 2nd and finished 5th after suffering from brake trouble. Note the licence plate. Surely this can't be coincidence? What was the history of this car? Was it built in Australia or imported from the UK? And where is it now?


Im pretty sure it was one of the Ex Wilment racing Galaxies.... I think there were 3 raced in the UK in 1963 IIRC, didn't the Bailie car end up back in the UK and coverted to Gp5 Specs for the 66 season where Brian Muir wrote it off at Crystal palace??

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Pauly, I didn't know any of that! I went and found some old articles and you're 100% correct. Turns out Bailie raced this very car in the UK in 1963, with the same rego number. These Willment cars were pretty distinctive with their widened steel rims and hefty roll cages. The RAC were convinced the cages were some sort of cheat, so had the Willment team start cutting tubes out after a protest by one of the Jaguar teams.

[Steve Holmes]

Beechey and Anderson

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[Shoreboy57]

Thanks Pauly, I didn't know any of that! I went and found some old articles and you're 100% correct. Turns out Bailie raced this very car in the UK in 1963, with the same rego number. These Willment cars were pretty distinctive with their widened steel rims and hefty roll cages. The RAC were convinced the cages were some sort of cheat, so had the Willment team start cutting tubes out after a protest by one of the Jaguar teams.

Steve - you realise this post may create a whole lot more debate on the infamous Roll Cage thread.

[Steve Holmes]

Ha ha ha, anything is possible!

[Dale Harvey]

[
Front bar at six, Dale?[/QUOTE]

If you wait that long we shall be a few up on you.
Dale.

[Dale Harvey]

Beechey and Anderson

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The half of a 'Humpy" that is leading the Cusso would be Des West.
Dale.

[Shoreboy57]

Nice piece in Evo a few years back where Tom Chilton drove six different touring car legends including the Galaxie

http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/239734/tom_chilton_drives_fords_btcc_heroes.html

‘I can’t believe they used to let these things race! It feels like you’re only doing 10mph in the corners, but as soon as you squeeze the throttle that huge boot comes round. It’s like you’re floating on air – you don’t get any feel for what’s happening at track level. In my race car you feel every stone chip on the ground, but in this you could run over a boulder and not know about it. And it wanders about on the straight too.’

[Steve Holmes]

Hey, thats a great article, really enjoyable. I guess for Chilton, its all about what he is used to. For the guys who raced the Galaxie's and Falcons in the '60s, a modern Super Tourer would feel pretty bizarre.

[Steve Holmes]

The half of a 'Humpy" that is leading the Cusso would be Des West.
Dale.

Thanks Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Neptune Racing team mates, Norm Beechey and Jim McKeown.

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[Steve Holmes]

Beechey again. What a superb shot as he belts the Mustang through the Warwick Farm infield.

The second shot looks to be Pete Geoghegans Cortina GT. But is this Pete driving? His brother Leo also raced this car on occasion.

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[Dale Harvey]

No, that would be George Garth. The next owner and still the owner (after Geoghegans). Great shot.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Dale, thats great info. So did George buy Geoghegans Cortina GT, as opposed to his Lotus Cortina? I always just assumed he'd bought the Lotus Cortina.

[Steve Holmes]

Here is Peter Manton, giving the Cooper S and absolute flogging, as he tries to stay ahead of Beechey.

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[Steve Holmes]

This appears to be Rocky Tresise in the Cooper, but who are the drivers giving chase?

And can anyone ID the driver of the FX Holden?

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[Greg Mackie]

That could well be Sir Gawaine Baillie in the Galaxie.....or 'Davo', perhaps?

[Dale Harvey]

Thanks Dale, thats great info. So did George buy Geoghegans Cortina GT, as opposed to his Lotus Cortina? I always just assumed he'd bought the Lotus Cortina.

George bought the GT. He raced it for a fair while in that form and then cut a lot of weight out of it and installed a Twincam, bigger brakes and bigger wheels. Still painted black.
Dale.

[Ellis]

And can anyone ID the driver of the FX Holden?


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FJ ......and we think it is John Hall
Always well presented

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis, I'd actually just stopped looking at the grills for some reason, as they almost all seemed to be FX Holdens by the mid-60s. I should have taken more notice. Very nice looking car though.

[Steve Holmes]

George bought the GT. He raced it for a fair while in that form and then cut a lot of weight out of it and installed a Twincam, bigger brakes and bigger wheels. Still painted black.
Dale.

Thanks Dale, that clears up my confusion, as I'd seen later references to Garth racing a Lotus Cortina, so made the assumption it was the Geoghegan Lotus car, rather than the GT later fitted with Lotus motor.

[Steve Holmes]

In the touring car race, Beechey and Jane enjoyed a big duel. Beechey's new Mustang had only been racing for about a month, whereas Jane's Jag was extremely well sorted, but nearing the end of its time in front-line competition.

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[Steve Holmes]

Looks like the battle may have gone the way of the Jag?

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is Jim McKeown in the Lotus Cortina, leading Peter Manton and a hidden Cooper S, while George Garth gives chase.

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[Steve Holmes]

More Cortina action, check the nice controlled slide McKeown has going. Garth is just about climbing out the window!

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[Steve Holmes]

The fantastic little Peter Manton Cooper S. I believe this car has now been restored and is competing again in historic events?

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[Steve Holmes]

Some magic stuff here. First up is Jim McKeown in his Lotus Cortina, lifting a wheel in dramatic fashion. The next shot also features McKeown, but whose is the other Lotus Cortina? My first guess would be Bob Jane, but he was racing the Jag that weekend.

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[zombie289]

Thats Bobs car, maybe Spencer martin? But I dunno if he was driving for him that early, I think Spencer drove Bobs cortina when Bob had his first Mustang, sorry bout the memory loss! Also, I think thats Moffat running off the track in the background.... I seem to recall that car having black bumpers at some stage....Dunno whos in the GT corty though.

[launchpad]

The fantastic little Peter Manton Cooper S. I believe this car has now been restored and is competing again in historic events?

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Yes, This Peter Manton Mini has been restored and is racing in Australia again. More details on the Mini and Moke World au website.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/launchpad_2006/Miscellaneous%20Pics/DSC_0072_zpsf2b7abf3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/launchpad_2006/Miscellaneous%20Pics/DSC_0173_zps9fe8320a.jpg

[Ellis]

Quote....Thats Bobs car, maybe Spencer martin? But I dunno if he was driving for him that early,

Spencer drove for David McKays SV team including the 250LM Ferrari
After a disagreement with Mckays SV team in 1966 Spencer drove for Jane in the 67 and 68 seasons winning the Australian Gold Star Award in each of those seasons in Climax's. Spencer retired in 68.
He reunited with McKay 10 years later following a McKay accident to drive Historic high end Sports cars in Europe and America for a number of years.
40 years after his last drive in an open wheeler in 1968 he had an invited drive in a 2.5 Climax and was beaten by only 1/2 car length by a Lotus 49 (V8) so hadnt lost his touch.
He still gets invited drives at Historic meetings.
He wasnt too tardy in the Boomerang S/S Humpy in the early 60's winning 13 races in his last year in that self prepared car. He was consistently quicker than Weldon ,Geoghegan and importantly Beechey .Bo Seton took over this car.
Spencer assembled a new imported Climax for McKay in 1965 or 66 and was mechanic for Graham Hill in the Tasman series. Spencer drove the car in non Tasman series races.

[Dale Harvey]

[QUOTE=
40 years after his last drive in an open wheeler in 1968 he had an invited drive in a 2.5 Climax and was beaten by only 1/2 car length by a Lotus 49 (V8) so hadnt lost his touch.He still gets invited drives at Historic meetings.


Ellis, the car that Spencer drove in that race (Tasman Revival @ Eastern Creek)was the ex Mildren Brabham Alfa. A good race.
Dale.

[jim short]

He also drove aFerrari ,a Maserati 300s a Jaguar xj220,ect at Wigram owned by Kerry Mano?????,the last time in 1995??

[Ellis]

[QUOTE=Dale Harvey;25352][QUOTE=
40 years after his last drive in an open wheeler in 1968 he had an invited drive in a 2.5 Climax and was beaten by only 1/2 car length by a Lotus 49 (V8) so hadnt lost his touch.He still gets invited drives at Historic meetings.


Ellis, the car that Spencer drove in that race (Tasman Revival @ Eastern Creek)was the ex Mildren Brabham Alfa. A good race.


Thanks Dale...You are correct...again...Had Climax's on the brain

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, This Peter Manton Mini has been restored and is racing in Australia again. More details on the Mini and Moke World au website.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/launchpad_2006/Miscellaneous%20Pics/DSC_0072_zpsf2b7abf3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/launchpad_2006/Miscellaneous%20Pics/DSC_0173_zps9fe8320a.jpg

Beautiful! Thanks for posting. Its great to see such a significant race car looking so good and being enjoyed. I was sad to see it get attacked by a Mustang at the 2012 Muscle Car Masters though.

[Steve Holmes]

Quote....Thats Bobs car, maybe Spencer martin? But I dunno if he was driving for him that early,

Spencer drove for David McKays SV team including the 250LM Ferrari
After a disagreement with Mckays SV team in 1966 Spencer drove for Jane in the 67 and 68 seasons winning the Australian Gold Star Award in each of those seasons in Climax's. Spencer retired in 68.
He reunited with McKay 10 years later following a McKay accident to drive Historic high end Sports cars in Europe and America for a number of years.
40 years after his last drive in an open wheeler in 1968 he had an invited drive in a 2.5 Climax and was beaten by only 1/2 car length by a Lotus 49 (V8) so hadnt lost his touch.
He still gets invited drives at Historic meetings.
He wasnt too tardy in the Boomerang S/S Humpy in the early 60's winning 13 races in his last year in that self prepared car. He was consistently quicker than Weldon ,Geoghegan and importantly Beechey .Bo Seton took over this car.
Spencer assembled a new imported Climax for McKay in 1965 or 66 and was mechanic for Graham Hill in the Tasman series. Spencer drove the car in non Tasman series races.

Thanks Ellis, you're right, certainly a very talented driver who retired way too young.

[Steve Holmes]

Peter Manton demonstrates how to drive a Mini at speed! Check the smoke coming off the outside front tyre!

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[Steve Holmes]

From the sports car races at the Warwick Farm Tasman Series event in 1965. First up is the Max Brunninghausen Daimler SP250. Second pic is the Ron Thorpe Cobra.

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[Steve Holmes]

More WF sports car action. Here is the Peter Owen owned TVR Grantura, but I'm unsure if this is Owen or Kevin Bartlett at the controls? Also pictured is the Niel Allen E Type Jag. What a pretty car!

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[Steve Holmes]

Allen and Thorpe again.

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[Steve Holmes]

More sports car action.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Superb shot here of Hill, with goggles around his neck, either prior to, or following the race or practice.

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[Steve Holmes]

First and second place getters from the 1965 Warwick Farm Tasman series round, Jim Clark and Jack Brabham.

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[Steve Holmes]

Hill and an understeering Rocky Tresise.

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[Steve Holmes]

Winding down towards the finish of this thread, here is Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 32, on his way to 8th outright.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of Hill.

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[Steve Holmes]

And, lastly, Frank Matich.

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