17 replies to this topic

[Ray Bell]

Merryn, one of the younger sisters of Bevan, Paul, Grant and Carl Gibson, has been to Bathurst and spoken to both the Museum and the people building the resort on the crest where that fatal crash took place back in 1969.

She is looking for memorabilia of Bevan's racing career... photos, movie, anything at all.

Of course, there would have to be some pics around of that horrendous crash he put the 15 through on the Western Crossing at Warwick Farm, but what else is there?

She tells me her father, the late and much missed Hoot Gibson, had a bit of 16mm movie that had been shot by Rothmans as they followed their car in the hands of Frank Matich during that race. Of course, it was because Matich was having an engine problem that Bevan was inspired to try that bit harder and so put himself in rather too much danger on the final hump on Conrod Straight.

Does anyone know if there are other copies of this 'newsreel' in existence? Old Hoot gave it to some TV people who were supposedly doing a documentary maybe ten years ago but it's now well forgotten to whom he gave it and there's no sign of it in any documentary.

And while we're here, how about we start accumulating some details of Bevan's racing prior to Easter 1969?

[normbeechey]

Ray, I can’t help Merryn with film, but I have a couple of other things she may be interested in.

Also, she may be the small girl in this photo: http://members.tripo...Lotus_6_web.jpg

She can contact me via my web site or my email address, if you still have it.

Chris.

[Ray Bell]

Nothing else?

Can anyone dig a bit deeper? Please...

[Muzza]

Ray,

Merryn wrote me as well, I am contacting some fellow Australians. I will let you know their names via pm.

She mentioned the footage - I have contactd a few guys with "sizeable" videolibraries, but so far no positive results.


Muzza

[275 GTB-4]

Originally posted by Ray Bell Nothing else? Can anyone dig a bit deeper? Please...

Ray, Merryn,

I distincly remember the terrible footage and the usual background stuff being shown on Channel 7 news and probably on a few other channels. Have you though of contacting the newsrooms??

Just a tragic accident...

[normbeechey]

Ray, I did say I had other things that Merryn may be interested in regarding Bevan. Did you pass on my email address?

Thanks,
Chris.

[Ray Bell]

I'm sure I did, Chris.

[Leo D]

Ray,

I know this is an old thread to revive, but in the process of looking into a project that I am currently involved in, I came across a coloured picture ( 35mm Colour Slide) of Bevan going across the top of the mountain in the Elfin 400 before what I believe was his final run down conrod.

The picture is not mine, hence I can't post it here or pass it on. However, if Merryn would like me to chase it up with the owner, I could do that.

[Ray Bell]

Unfortunately the e.mails on this computer only go back to late 2005, so I no longer have her e.mail address...

I wonder if Muzza still has it?

Failing that, Paul lives opposite Winton Raceway.

[Leo D]

Thanks Ray

[Wirra]

[Leo D]

Wirra,

The shot looks pretty much the same as that, but in colour.

[Stinky]

Hullo Ray;
It may bring back unpleasant memories but the Sydney Morning Herald carried a front page item complete with photographs of the incident.
(As per B****Y usual after a serious incident!!)
You could, I think get copies of these if you wish from their archives.
I was one of the fire marshals involved in this.
In the photo I am on the rear of the ute that attended.
Driving through the fire I received 1st and 2nd degree burns to the right hand side of my face.
Just to go back to the photos it was in the paper the day after.
There were some completley wrong (?? stupid) reports that Bevan was burnt to death.
This is untrue.
When he was removed from the car he had a small burn only on his shoulder.
That is all.
Not really pleasant bringing up old memories like this but unfortunately these things happen in motor sport.
Also unfortunately I was also involved with Tom Sulmans incident the Easter after.
It was incredible that these two incidents happened basically within 2 minutes of each other over a year.
Cheers.
Roger.

[Leo D]

Roger,

I must admit I was a little reluctant to re open the thread, but on the other hand, I believe that one of the reasons for TNF being in existance is so that memories or facts be they unpleasant or not in Motorsport are not forgotten or lost forever.

[ellrosso]

I've got the RCN report of the meeting/crash etc in my library. Regards, ellrosso

[Stinky]

Hullo Again Ray.
Was going through some old stuff and I found copies of the photos from the SMH of the incident.
These are second generation copies done on what in it's day was a top photocopier.
With modern technology (computer enhancement etc) it would be possible I think to bring them up to a pretty good quality.
If by chance the Herald Archives do not have them please get in touch and we will see what can be done.
Cheers For Now.
Roger.

[eldougo]

A report of that fatal day in Bathurst 1969.I was on top of the mountain watching and it still sad for me.



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[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by normbeechey
Ray, I did say I had other things that Merryn may be interested in regarding Bevan. Did you pass on my email address?

Thanks,
Chris.

Chris, is there any chance that Merryn contacted you?

And if so, could you please e.mail me her contact details?