I have been staring at page 16-17 of DN’s book on Sir Jack when the brain clicked into gear that we are looking at a 50th anniversary. Has this fact rated a mention anywhere?
Otherwise please console me by telling me where the start line for this race was, where did the track go, and how many cars took part? Did it happen only once & what brought about this event?
Andrew
Southport 1954 Australian Grand Prix
Started by
Andrew Fellowes
, Mar 31 2004 02:28
37 replies to this topic
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#2
Ray Bell
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 03:48
Hmmm...
I was talking to Bill Westerman this afternoon about a 50th anniversary for this event... "You'd have to at least have a parade around the streets?"
"Who's going to organise it? I'm not!"
The start/finish was in Ashmore Road near the showground (or horse track or whatever...) and they headed from there to Bundall Road, along that until they descended to the junction of Carnara Road, turned left, headed back to Ashmore Road via Benowna Road.
It's worth mentioning that none of it was the present day divided 4-lane and 6-lane road it is today... in fact, much of it was only about 12' wide bitumen, some was so narrow that there was a no-passing zone. Circuit length was about 5.6 miles.
It came about because it was Queensland's turn to host the AGP, there was a lot of movement in the Southport area as Surfers Paradise and the other tourist meccas were just coming into being and the Council was on-side.
28 cars ran in the event.
err... don't you have a copy of The Official 50 Race History of The Australian Grand Prix?
I was talking to Bill Westerman this afternoon about a 50th anniversary for this event... "You'd have to at least have a parade around the streets?"
"Who's going to organise it? I'm not!"
The start/finish was in Ashmore Road near the showground (or horse track or whatever...) and they headed from there to Bundall Road, along that until they descended to the junction of Carnara Road, turned left, headed back to Ashmore Road via Benowna Road.
It's worth mentioning that none of it was the present day divided 4-lane and 6-lane road it is today... in fact, much of it was only about 12' wide bitumen, some was so narrow that there was a no-passing zone. Circuit length was about 5.6 miles.
It came about because it was Queensland's turn to host the AGP, there was a lot of movement in the Southport area as Surfers Paradise and the other tourist meccas were just coming into being and the Council was on-side.
28 cars ran in the event.
err... don't you have a copy of The Official 50 Race History of The Australian Grand Prix?
#3
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 04:23
No, sadly I don't, my book collection is based on all things Maserati!
Looking N.W. from the GC Turf Club would explain the hill in the background, that was the bit I couldn't work out.
....should do something to commemorate, ummmm,
thanks Andrew
Looking N.W. from the GC Turf Club would explain the hill in the background, that was the bit I couldn't work out.
....should do something to commemorate, ummmm,
thanks Andrew
#4
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 04:42
Quote from John Medley,
Page 16 -17. This photo shows Jack Brabham and Dick Cobden in Cooper Bristol and Ferrari V12, but the third car is not Lex Davison's Ferrari -- because Brabham in" Redex Special" Cooper Bristol never raced against Davison's Ferrari. The third driver is Stan Jones, the car the ill fated Maybach 2, and the venue Southport 1954 Australian Grand Prix, where all three of these cars retired, the Maybach with a particularly big bang, so that Lex Davison won in his HWM Jaguar.
& some sections were 12' wide!! "CRIKEY"! as Steve would say
Page 16 -17. This photo shows Jack Brabham and Dick Cobden in Cooper Bristol and Ferrari V12, but the third car is not Lex Davison's Ferrari -- because Brabham in" Redex Special" Cooper Bristol never raced against Davison's Ferrari. The third driver is Stan Jones, the car the ill fated Maybach 2, and the venue Southport 1954 Australian Grand Prix, where all three of these cars retired, the Maybach with a particularly big bang, so that Lex Davison won in his HWM Jaguar.
& some sections were 12' wide!! "CRIKEY"! as Steve would say
#5
David McKinney
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 05:14
The 1954 AGP was originally planned for the Lowood circuit in June, then put back to Leyburn in September, and finally took place at Southport in November. Sounds like it was a bit of a last-minute arrangement.Originally posted by Andrew Fellowes
Did it happen only once & what brought about this event?
The course was used again 12 months later for a race called the Queensland Road Racing Championship, but not, AFAIK, after that
#6
Cal
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 05:39
Originally posted by Ray Bell
I was talking to Bill Westerman this afternoon about a 50th anniversary for this event
Didn't know you are mates with Bill. Suppose you are probably mates with a lot of those guys.
Cal.
#7
Ray Bell
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 08:17
Nahh... he just happens to be my dentist...
Right, David, it was only used twice.
.....Wish I could find the guy on Bribie Island who took slides at the 1955 meeting again.....
Right, David, it was only used twice.
.....Wish I could find the guy on Bribie Island who took slides at the 1955 meeting again.....
#8
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 21:50
The race must have been run in clockwise direction, the photo being taken from outside the S.E. corner of the track. Bill Thomas could confirm that I guess as he watched the race. Most of the track is now Bundall rather than Southport area, with the western end in Benowa. I imagine it was all Southport in the 50's. There might have been some long straights and, given that Ashmore Road was single lane tarmac with gravel hard shoulders 'till 20 years ago does this mean that most of it was on gravel roads?
A long track, mix of tarmac & gravel, long straights, thats hard going. Are there any contemporary reports?
A long track, mix of tarmac & gravel, long straights, thats hard going. Are there any contemporary reports?
#9
Ray Bell
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Posted 31 March 2004 - 22:10
Racing was anti-clockwise... and there was no section that wasn't bitumened. In fact, it was 1938 when the last AGP was conducted with gravel under tyre...
Here's a bit of the action:
Here's a bit of the action:
#10
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 00:29
Anti-clockwise, so that must be Ashmore Road looking West, Sorrento on the left. The hills in the background dont fit Benowa Rd.Originally posted by Ray Bell
[B]Racing was anti-clockwise... and there was no section that wasn't bitumened. In fact, it was 1938 when the last AGP was conducted with gravel under tyre...
Here's a bit of the action:
The photo on p.16-17 must be taken from inside the circuit looking out towards Cotlew St. Thats the only view that would match thoses hills in the near distance.
#11
Ray Bell
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 00:58
They headed east from the start, turned left (north) into Bundall Road... that's anti-clockwise, I'm fairly sure...
I would say that the pic of the countryside scene is in Benowna Road... the pic of Whiteford and Mountain is the Ashmore/Bundall corner I'm pretty sure.
As I asked, where is your AGP book?
I would say that the pic of the countryside scene is in Benowna Road... the pic of Whiteford and Mountain is the Ashmore/Bundall corner I'm pretty sure.
As I asked, where is your AGP book?
#12
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 03:13
Agreed, turning left into Bundall from Ashmore is anti-clockwise .
Benowna Road I assume you mean Benowa? & if so there are no flat spots to correspond with that view. There are only two l.h. corners going north, but both have higher ground on the left hand side. Benowa road for the most part runs SW-NE which would put the photographers line of site as slightly west of north. There are no hills in that direction. Its a bit difficult to see the shadows from any of the objects to get a real idea but the lighting would fit Ashmore Road mid day to early afternoon for November. That slight rise and bend would match the one near Benowa Gardens shopping centre putting the telegraph pole not far from the BP garage that now stands by the football field.
Ashmore/Bundall fits well for the other photo, flat & 90 degrees.
AGP book as I replied earlier is not in my collection, maybe it should be!
Benowna Road I assume you mean Benowa? & if so there are no flat spots to correspond with that view. There are only two l.h. corners going north, but both have higher ground on the left hand side. Benowa road for the most part runs SW-NE which would put the photographers line of site as slightly west of north. There are no hills in that direction. Its a bit difficult to see the shadows from any of the objects to get a real idea but the lighting would fit Ashmore Road mid day to early afternoon for November. That slight rise and bend would match the one near Benowa Gardens shopping centre putting the telegraph pole not far from the BP garage that now stands by the football field.
Ashmore/Bundall fits well for the other photo, flat & 90 degrees.
AGP book as I replied earlier is not in my collection, maybe it should be!
#13
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 03:32
One more thing that bothers me,
If the start was on Ashmore Road going East then the photographers view (p.16-17) would have to be facing south as the cars are going from right to left. True?
But, its as flat as a pancake in that direction for at least 60kms!!
So, either the start was elsewhere, or the course run clockwise, or the photograph is not of this GP. Or have I missed something?
If the start was on Ashmore Road going East then the photographers view (p.16-17) would have to be facing south as the cars are going from right to left. True?
But, its as flat as a pancake in that direction for at least 60kms!!
So, either the start was elsewhere, or the course run clockwise, or the photograph is not of this GP. Or have I missed something?
#14
Ray Bell
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 03:36
As I haven't seen the book to which you refer, I can't answer that...
But I have seen the AGP book and I have a spare copy that Fines keeps on refusing to buy from me. When and where do you want it delivered?
But I have seen the AGP book and I have a spare copy that Fines keeps on refusing to buy from me. When and where do you want it delivered?
#15
john medley
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 04:38
You could also refer to Terry Walker's " Fast Tracks" which shows in words and map all that Ray is saying ( page 150 - 151). That book says the circuit was used twice more after the 1954 AGP -- in Oct 1955 and for a motorcycle meeting the same year.
Perhaps I can relieve you of the burden of " no hills for 60 kms south of there". My mention of Jones not Davison helping Brabham and Cobden form the 1954 AGP front row was a guess on my part. It may well have been the only time the three formed a three abreast front row on a road circuit in the period. Maybe I'm wrong; maybe it was somewhere else -- if the background you see doesnt match that in the photo.
By the way I was about to introduce myself to you in the marshalling grid at Oran Park when you were called away to join the traffic jam behind M Henderson. I thought you and others in the traffic jam drove well.
Perhaps I can relieve you of the burden of " no hills for 60 kms south of there". My mention of Jones not Davison helping Brabham and Cobden form the 1954 AGP front row was a guess on my part. It may well have been the only time the three formed a three abreast front row on a road circuit in the period. Maybe I'm wrong; maybe it was somewhere else -- if the background you see doesnt match that in the photo.
By the way I was about to introduce myself to you in the marshalling grid at Oran Park when you were called away to join the traffic jam behind M Henderson. I thought you and others in the traffic jam drove well.
#16
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 04:53
John many thanks,
Sorry to miss you at Oran Park. one of the other drivers asked me afterward if M H was doing 3 warm up laps!!
& Ray, Yes Please. PM sent.
Sorry to miss you at Oran Park. one of the other drivers asked me afterward if M H was doing 3 warm up laps!!
& Ray, Yes Please. PM sent.
#17
john medley
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 05:56
Through the mists of time I've dragged back a memory of going to the old State Newsreel Theatre in Sydney and watching in tatty black and white film the Very Dusty start of the 1954 AGP, deep drainage ditches close to the road ,the cars incredibly close together on the narrow tar, and a quick shot of the Maserati-bodied Kleinig Hudson on the briefest of swansongs. While what I remember most is the dust and the overcrowding and the Hudson, the tattered remnants of memory do seem to include something like the same background as the Pp 15-16 photo in the Brabham book.
#18
Ray Bell
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 08:34
Replied to the PM... by phone of course... another AGP book looks like it will be going to a deserving home...
This is what it looks like, Andrew:
When I get a chance to look at the Brabham book (mine is autographed and awaiting me at Max's place, I believe...) I'll make comment on the photo.
In the interim, an old man gave me a few photos you might like to see... shot with a box Brownie, they might not be the ultimate, but they are at least here...
...all of which goes to show that the former picture was more likely in this same spot... somewhere near (just before?) the start/finish line.
This is what it looks like, Andrew:
When I get a chance to look at the Brabham book (mine is autographed and awaiting me at Max's place, I believe...) I'll make comment on the photo.
In the interim, an old man gave me a few photos you might like to see... shot with a box Brownie, they might not be the ultimate, but they are at least here...
...all of which goes to show that the former picture was more likely in this same spot... somewhere near (just before?) the start/finish line.
#19
Dick Willis
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 20:20
Methinks you are all off the track in referring to the picture in the Brabham book ( great book ! ) as being at the start of the Southport AGP.
Was not the start a two by two lineup due to the narrowness of the road, and didn't Coben's car wear his usual number 49 and Brabham's 6, not the 1 and 3 as shown in the photo referred to.
I'd love to do a parade lap around the circuit in some sort of a 50th anniversary commemoration in the car that came seventh, and actually ran third for a while---- the Whatmore Jaguar.
As far as doing it at racing speed, which you couldn't do anyway, this would be really scary. The car car still has the original brakes, suspension, chassis, steering etc. and it is certainly not a confidence inspiring car to drive fast, those guys were heroes, but then, they probably had never driven anything better so they thought their cars were OK.
In retrospect, imagine also Dick Cobden's Ferrari with its swing axle rear end, he also probably thought it was OK at the time but hasn't everyone who has driven it since, mainly while at the Donington collection, thought it was very tricky and twitchy, and he set fasteat lap in it at the Southport AGP.
I came across an old B&W photo of Dick in the Ferrari while at Phillip Island and gave it to him at the recent Oran Park meeting, I think it was taken when he had a brief reuniting drive of it at the Fangio meeting at Sandown in 1978 ?
Was not the start a two by two lineup due to the narrowness of the road, and didn't Coben's car wear his usual number 49 and Brabham's 6, not the 1 and 3 as shown in the photo referred to.
I'd love to do a parade lap around the circuit in some sort of a 50th anniversary commemoration in the car that came seventh, and actually ran third for a while---- the Whatmore Jaguar.
As far as doing it at racing speed, which you couldn't do anyway, this would be really scary. The car car still has the original brakes, suspension, chassis, steering etc. and it is certainly not a confidence inspiring car to drive fast, those guys were heroes, but then, they probably had never driven anything better so they thought their cars were OK.
In retrospect, imagine also Dick Cobden's Ferrari with its swing axle rear end, he also probably thought it was OK at the time but hasn't everyone who has driven it since, mainly while at the Donington collection, thought it was very tricky and twitchy, and he set fasteat lap in it at the Southport AGP.
I came across an old B&W photo of Dick in the Ferrari while at Phillip Island and gave it to him at the recent Oran Park meeting, I think it was taken when he had a brief reuniting drive of it at the Fangio meeting at Sandown in 1978 ?
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#20
Ray Bell
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 21:12
Dick... if you want to organise it, I'm sure it could be done...
I personally think it's the least anyone could do.
I personally think it's the least anyone could do.
#21
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 21:56
Here, Here!Originally posted by Ray Bell
I personally think it's the least anyone could do.
p.s. How many other cars are still around? 3? lap parade, BBQ lunch, etc etc
p.p.s. Spoke to Lord W last night & his lordship has a good collection of photo's of this event.
#22
john medley
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Posted 01 April 2004 - 23:46
Typical troublemaking, Dick. Who gave you the right to check original records and come up with the correct information just when all the rest of us are guessing and playing" what if".
Your contribution has probably forced us to
* painfully double check just where the Jones/Cobden/Brabham photo was taken
* find an appropriate car with which to attend Andrew's BBQ
* stand back and watch you scare yourself witless in the Whatmore Jaguar.
Andrew, I think you should persuade Lord Woftam to put some of his photos on this forum. I, for one have seen very few photos of that particular AGP.....
.... but that is as long as Lord W DOES NOT include the photo of his bum that drew world wide attention several years ago.
Your contribution has probably forced us to
* painfully double check just where the Jones/Cobden/Brabham photo was taken
* find an appropriate car with which to attend Andrew's BBQ
* stand back and watch you scare yourself witless in the Whatmore Jaguar.
Andrew, I think you should persuade Lord Woftam to put some of his photos on this forum. I, for one have seen very few photos of that particular AGP.....
.... but that is as long as Lord W DOES NOT include the photo of his bum that drew world wide attention several years ago.
#23
Dick Willis
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 02:10
No, I'm not the organiser, you need someone in the locality to do that, and besides I would have my hands full cleaning out my pants after driving THAT car.
And, John we will have to do some more soul searching to find where that photo was taken, I'll get into my archives as soon as I get a chance !
And, John we will have to do some more soul searching to find where that photo was taken, I'll get into my archives as soon as I get a chance !
#24
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 04:24
The ripple strip bum, Lord Woftam showed that to you too? and there I was feeling sorry such a nice quiet fellow. He has no shame does he. A bit unlucky to have disc failure in one of the matchbox man’s cars, all that wood & a bit of metal breaks, typical.
My BBQ??? Food poisoning, wouldn’t be worth the risk I assure you.
Dick the location of the photo will be interesting, I was beginning to get dizzy with my clockwise/anticlockwise confusion. Perhaps I will be able to start better armed with the facts in future. Ray many thanks!
My BBQ??? Food poisoning, wouldn’t be worth the risk I assure you.
Dick the location of the photo will be interesting, I was beginning to get dizzy with my clockwise/anticlockwise confusion. Perhaps I will be able to start better armed with the facts in future. Ray many thanks!
#25
Dick Willis
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 05:39
I'm not having much luck with that photo, come on you Medleys and Bells, help me !
It must have been between Easter 1954 and November 1954 because that is the only period the three cars appeared together. They were together at Bathurst 1954 Easter but the photo doesn't look like Bathurst, nor Fishermans Bend, Mt Druitt, Southport, Albert Park, maybe Orange but I don't know when these three cars could have been there in the period.
There is a clue in the Blanden book in the chapter on the ReDex Special where it shows part of the same photo and background, but no location.
It must have been between Easter 1954 and November 1954 because that is the only period the three cars appeared together. They were together at Bathurst 1954 Easter but the photo doesn't look like Bathurst, nor Fishermans Bend, Mt Druitt, Southport, Albert Park, maybe Orange but I don't know when these three cars could have been there in the period.
There is a clue in the Blanden book in the chapter on the ReDex Special where it shows part of the same photo and background, but no location.
#26
john medley
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 05:57
No NO, Andrew.... he didnt show it to me......
John Cummins, Roger Ealand, John Medley, Geoff Russell having a few cleansing neckoils after beer o'clock at the Astor Hotel Goulburn. In the half dark and thundering noise, Geoff says brightly " I saw your bare bum on a gay website the other day, Roger". Roger, with suspicious haste but great speed and rapid hand movements , explains that his attack of Oran Park ripple strip bum ( do you know that to allow head space in his Marcos the lowest part of the car is the trench dug out for his backside?) caused him not only great pain but a remarkable rainbow of large and small contusions --- which in a rash moment he photographed, and emailed to a friend who apparently was supposed to be impressed at the Lord's bravery and courage. In the way of these things, Roger explained, somehow the photograph went astray, and turned up in a remarkably short time on the aforementioned gay website ( all of whose customers apparently thought that Roger was very very brave).
It was at about this point that we all turned on Geoff Russell and in one voice said " What were YOU doing on a gay website?"
Graham Howard has just emailed me suggesting that the photo shows the start of the A Grade scratch race at Bathurst Easter 1954... and I'm off to check that Bathurst book to confirm..... oops!How's that for not checking one's facts!! But remarkably, the background still looks wrong.
John Cummins, Roger Ealand, John Medley, Geoff Russell having a few cleansing neckoils after beer o'clock at the Astor Hotel Goulburn. In the half dark and thundering noise, Geoff says brightly " I saw your bare bum on a gay website the other day, Roger". Roger, with suspicious haste but great speed and rapid hand movements , explains that his attack of Oran Park ripple strip bum ( do you know that to allow head space in his Marcos the lowest part of the car is the trench dug out for his backside?) caused him not only great pain but a remarkable rainbow of large and small contusions --- which in a rash moment he photographed, and emailed to a friend who apparently was supposed to be impressed at the Lord's bravery and courage. In the way of these things, Roger explained, somehow the photograph went astray, and turned up in a remarkably short time on the aforementioned gay website ( all of whose customers apparently thought that Roger was very very brave).
It was at about this point that we all turned on Geoff Russell and in one voice said " What were YOU doing on a gay website?"
Graham Howard has just emailed me suggesting that the photo shows the start of the A Grade scratch race at Bathurst Easter 1954... and I'm off to check that Bathurst book to confirm..... oops!How's that for not checking one's facts!! But remarkably, the background still looks wrong.
#27
Ray Bell
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 08:25
If there's backgound in the photo you should be able to identify it without resorting to numbers...
Why is Grime Awaird e.mailing you when this forum is at his beck and call?
Why is Grime Awaird e.mailing you when this forum is at his beck and call?
#28
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 02 April 2004 - 21:24
just off to Morgan Park, I'll ask Lord Woftam, alias Lord Porn about the photos. -CAR ONES!
thinks...., ummm see if I can get a Porn Star sticker for the Marcos.
thinks...., ummm see if I can get a Porn Star sticker for the Marcos.
#29
Ray Bell
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Posted 16 April 2004 - 22:26
Took possession of my copy of the book yesterday, first thing I did was turn to P16/17 for this photo puzzle...
My guess would be Mt Druitt, though it does seem a little odd with that hill in the background. Other possibility is Altona... anyone know of that's on the cards?
Again, the hill is the quandary.
My guess would be Mt Druitt, though it does seem a little odd with that hill in the background. Other possibility is Altona... anyone know of that's on the cards?
Again, the hill is the quandary.
#30
Ray Bell
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Posted 17 April 2004 - 13:23
Rethink time...
Looking at all things, considering Graham's comments et al... it's Bathurst. The number on the Ferrari is identical in appearance to the pic in the Bathurst book and it's really a matter of considering the angle of the picture and the background being that hill over which the access road comes in off the Blayney road.
I had not considered Bathurst earlier because of the lack of timber fence... but it's still a few years before the Speedways Act I guess. The bus also threw me... it almost looks like an official emplacement, but it's not occupied and could well be just another bus...
Looking at all things, considering Graham's comments et al... it's Bathurst. The number on the Ferrari is identical in appearance to the pic in the Bathurst book and it's really a matter of considering the angle of the picture and the background being that hill over which the access road comes in off the Blayney road.
I had not considered Bathurst earlier because of the lack of timber fence... but it's still a few years before the Speedways Act I guess. The bus also threw me... it almost looks like an official emplacement, but it's not occupied and could well be just another bus...
#31
Doug Nye
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Posted 17 April 2004 - 16:50
C'mon fellers gimme a break - I need at least an outside chance of correcting it properly if Jack gets to a reprint...so much to do...so......
DCN
DCN
#32
Ray Bell
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Posted 17 April 2004 - 21:18
Originally posted by Doug Nye
C'mon fellers gimme a break - I need at least an outside chance of correcting it properly if Jack gets to a reprint...so much to do...so......
We'll all help, Doug, and I sure hope it gets to a reprint... be a pity for such a book to be in limited supply...
You might make a note that Kim Bonython spells his name that way (last paragraph, P36). As for the pic of Geoffrey (is he really that old?) in the Cooper, we can eliminate Bathurst and Mt Druitt as the car only ran No 1 there (as far as I can tell...), and the background isn't very Blue Mountains at all...
It actually looks like it might be on display at a football ground or something... the signage is different to most pics as well, which could pinpoint possibilities. It's not Leyburn, not Southport '54 (where it did have that number, however)... Altona? Did Margaret let Geoffery travel at that age?
#33
Andrew Fellowes
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Posted 19 April 2004 - 02:41
Originally posted by Ray Bell
and I sure hope it gets to a reprint...
Seconded.
In the meantime for those that haven't read Graham Howard's book yet, Enjoy.
“Times improved by 20 seconds a lap after the rain stopped and the road dried, but even so only Stan in the Maybach and Cobden in the Ferrari got under 4 mins, Cobden the faster at almost 88 mph. The times were a pointer to Sunday’s performances, but had no bearing on grid positions, which had already been allocated by the organisers......
.......It was going to be a difficult race, and the start promised to be more than normally dangerous. The road was barely wide enough even for the 2-1-2-1 grid; but as well the organisers had allotted first and third positions on the grid to two relatively slow cars, Rex Taylor’s ex-Whiteford Lago Talbot and New Zealander Fred Zambucka’s pre-war 2.9 litre Maserati, this car so harshly sprung it was almost uncontrollable on the bumpy sections. These two cars did not affect the Maybach on the outside of the front row, but the Cobden Ferrari and the Davidson HWM were back on row three, and the Brabham Cooper Bristol was behind them.”
...and the sobering sight of the crashed Maybach on the back of a truck, 'sitting beside itself' as Dick Cobden described it.
And then this,
“Some of the Queensland drivers, dining later in the evening at The Bar-B-Q in Surfers Paradise, were astonished to see Lex and the HWM –with no lights, unmuffled, unregistered, and cheerfully unsober –pull up at the outside of the restaurant, Lex still wearing the race winner’s laurel garland.”
“Lex Davison, Larger Than Life” by Graham Howard. p83 to 86. –a very enjoyable read
-now, back to that interesting hill !!?
#34
Stefan Ornerdal
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Posted 10 September 2005 - 14:57
Anyone who has the full results of this Australian GP 1954?
Stefan
Stefan
#35
Andrew Fellowes
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- 753 posts
- Joined: November 03
Member
Posted 12 September 2005 - 04:31
1 Lex Davison, HWM Jaguar 1hr 50min 18s
2 Curley Brydon, MG TC Spl. 26 laps
3 Ken Richardson, Ford V8 Spl. 25 laps
4 Eldred Norman, Triumph TR2 a/c 24 laps
5 David Griffiths, Triumph TR2 24 laps
6 Frank Tobin, Riley Spl. 23laps
7 Charles Whatmore, Jaguar Spl. 23 laps
8 Stan Coffey, Cooper Bristol 23 laps
9 Owen Bailey, MG Holden Spl. 23 laps
10 Charles Swinbourne, Cooper Mk1V Norton 23 laps
11 Bill Pitt, Jaguar XK 120 Spl. 22laps
12 Fred Zambucka, Maserati 8CM 22 laps
Winners average speed 83.7 mph
Fastest lap Dick Cobden Ferrari 3.52s 88.45 mph
Retirements
Jack Brabham, Cooper Bristol, engine lap 1
Gordon Greig, Austin healey, valve lap 4
Bob Wilcox, Ford V8 spl. lap 3
Holt Brinnie MG TD Spl. lap 6
Rex Taylor, Lago Tabot, black flag, lap 6
Gerald Downing, Riley Imp Spl. overheating, lap 8
Jack Murray, Cadillac Allard, lap 8
Wal Anderson, Holden Spl. oil pump, lap 9
Dick Cobden, Ferrari, crashed, lap 10
Ian Mountain, Peugeot Spl. overheating, lap 11
John McKinney, MG Spl. fire, lap 11
Stan Jones, Maybach, crashed, lap 13
Arthur Griffiths, Wylie Javelin, head gasket, lap 15
Doug Whitford, Ford V8 Spl, blocked jet, lap 17
Noel Barnes, MG TC Spl. overheating, lap 19
Snow Sefton, Ford V8 Spl, black flag, lap 21
7/11/1954
27 laps, 153.9 miles
2 Curley Brydon, MG TC Spl. 26 laps
3 Ken Richardson, Ford V8 Spl. 25 laps
4 Eldred Norman, Triumph TR2 a/c 24 laps
5 David Griffiths, Triumph TR2 24 laps
6 Frank Tobin, Riley Spl. 23laps
7 Charles Whatmore, Jaguar Spl. 23 laps
8 Stan Coffey, Cooper Bristol 23 laps
9 Owen Bailey, MG Holden Spl. 23 laps
10 Charles Swinbourne, Cooper Mk1V Norton 23 laps
11 Bill Pitt, Jaguar XK 120 Spl. 22laps
12 Fred Zambucka, Maserati 8CM 22 laps
Winners average speed 83.7 mph
Fastest lap Dick Cobden Ferrari 3.52s 88.45 mph
Retirements
Jack Brabham, Cooper Bristol, engine lap 1
Gordon Greig, Austin healey, valve lap 4
Bob Wilcox, Ford V8 spl. lap 3
Holt Brinnie MG TD Spl. lap 6
Rex Taylor, Lago Tabot, black flag, lap 6
Gerald Downing, Riley Imp Spl. overheating, lap 8
Jack Murray, Cadillac Allard, lap 8
Wal Anderson, Holden Spl. oil pump, lap 9
Dick Cobden, Ferrari, crashed, lap 10
Ian Mountain, Peugeot Spl. overheating, lap 11
John McKinney, MG Spl. fire, lap 11
Stan Jones, Maybach, crashed, lap 13
Arthur Griffiths, Wylie Javelin, head gasket, lap 15
Doug Whitford, Ford V8 Spl, blocked jet, lap 17
Noel Barnes, MG TC Spl. overheating, lap 19
Snow Sefton, Ford V8 Spl, black flag, lap 21
7/11/1954
27 laps, 153.9 miles
#36
275 GTB-4
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- 8,274 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 12 September 2005 - 09:05
Completely and utterly off topic...but....I have just remembered (amasingly) that as a 5 year old I sat out on top of a hot corrugated iron shop awning in 1954 and watched Queen Elizabeth waving to the huge crowd lining the streets of Sydney for her visit following her coronation 
:
by way of consolation...Dick Willis (TNFer) had the beautiful 1955 Whatmore Jaguar Special at Eastern Creek....not to mention the beautiful Sabrina
:by way of consolation...Dick Willis (TNFer) had the beautiful 1955 Whatmore Jaguar Special at Eastern Creek....not to mention the beautiful Sabrina
#37
Ray Bell
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- 80,257 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 13 September 2005 - 22:53
Ahh... Sabrina...
Surely I've told the story of this car here somewhere? Terry Cornelius' connections with it, the way I supplied an engine to Wally Gates when he was rebuilding it?
Do a search.
Surely I've told the story of this car here somewhere? Terry Cornelius' connections with it, the way I supplied an engine to Wally Gates when he was rebuilding it?
Do a search.
