Former New Zealand speedway and car racer passed away yesterday aged 85
Merv Neil
Started by
Peter Leversedge
, Aug 10 2012 23:19
4 replies to this topic
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#2
David McKinney
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Posted 11 August 2012 - 05:55
Sad news
He had a long and very varied career, and was always approachable, if perhaps somewhat shy with strangers
He started on speedway bikes in 1946 and was five times Auckland champion, and runner-up in the 1954 and 1962 national titles, raced in England, and also dabbled in stock-car racing back home. He took to the circuits first with a Cooper 500, then a bob-tailed sportscar, then T43 and T45 Cooper-Climaxes, both of which he raced in Australia and the UK in 1958 as well as in NZ. His ability on four wheels was unquestionable, but he soon returned to dirt bikes
He made a return to circuit racing with a Holden Torana in production event in the 1970s, but was involved in an early-season accident and, I believe, went back to the speedways once more
His successes, particularly in speedway racing, were rewarded with an MBE
He had a long and very varied career, and was always approachable, if perhaps somewhat shy with strangers
He started on speedway bikes in 1946 and was five times Auckland champion, and runner-up in the 1954 and 1962 national titles, raced in England, and also dabbled in stock-car racing back home. He took to the circuits first with a Cooper 500, then a bob-tailed sportscar, then T43 and T45 Cooper-Climaxes, both of which he raced in Australia and the UK in 1958 as well as in NZ. His ability on four wheels was unquestionable, but he soon returned to dirt bikes
He made a return to circuit racing with a Holden Torana in production event in the 1970s, but was involved in an early-season accident and, I believe, went back to the speedways once more
His successes, particularly in speedway racing, were rewarded with an MBE
#3
Peter Leversedge
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Posted 12 August 2012 - 09:48
David did he also race a midget as well for a few seasons?
#4
David McKinney
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Posted 12 August 2012 - 10:53
Yes he did, Peter, 1963-66
And during his road-racing period, he was a very successful hillclimber
And during his road-racing period, he was a very successful hillclimber
#5
Patrick Fletcher
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Posted 12 August 2012 - 11:40
Winner of the first Formula Libre main race at Teretonga 30/11/57 in the bobtailed Cooper from Ernie Sprague, Maserati 4CLT
